Title:	Characterization and therapeutic effects of an atorvastatin graphene oxide hydrogel on medication induced osteonecrosis of the jaws in female rats.
Authors:	SILVA. G. de A. SOUSA, V. C. de FREIRES, A. E. de J. COSTA, A. G. R. MATTOS, A. L. A. COSTA, S. BERNARDINO, J. C. PEREIRA, K. M. A. RICARDO, N. M. P. S. BEZERRA, M. M. DUTRA, P. G. RIBEIRO, M. E. N. P.
Affiliation:	GEORGE DE ALMEIDA SILVA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; VANESSA COSTA DE SOUSA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; ANTÔNIO EMANUEL DE JESUS FREIRES, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; ANTÔNIO GERSON RODRIGUES COSTA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; ADRIANO LINCOLN ALBUQUERQUE MATTOS, CNPAT; SISLANA COSTA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; JENNIFER CHAVES BERNARDINO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; KARUZA MARIA ALVES PEREIRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; NÁGILA MARIA PONTES SILVA RICARDO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; MIRNA MARQUES BEZERRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; PAULA GOES DUTRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ; MARIA ELENIR NOBRE PINHO RIBEIRO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO CEARÁ.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Tissue and Cell, v. 101, 103467, Aug. 2026.
Description:	Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a debilitating oral condition. Atorvastatin (ATV) has angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and bone anabolic properties, but long-term use may lead to systemic side effects. This study aims to develop, characterize, and evaluate a hydrogel based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and graphene oxide (GO), loaded with ATV, to mitigate alveolar bone necrosis. The composites obtained were analyzed using FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM. ATV adsorption onto GO and rheological tests assessed its suitability for in vivo applications. A preclinical study was conducted in female Wistar rats using a model of MRONJ induced by Zoledronic Acid (ZA). Following tooth extraction, the animals received either 1.2% ATV hydrogel or placebo hydrogel. Euthanasia was performed three weeks post-extraction, and the maxillae, blood samples, liver, and kidney were collected for analyses. Physical-chemical analyses revealed that lyophilized GO adsorbed 85.0% of ATV in solution. SEM images showed a porous hydrogel structure and amorphous ATV within the polymeric matrix, while rheological studies confirmed pseudoplastic behavior. In vivo, the ATV hydrogel mitigated MRONJ lesions, promoted mucosal healing, increased the osteocyte count by 53.0%, and improved bone quality and strength. It also reduced inflammation and enhanced blood vessel formation (+ 65.0%). No systemic alterations were observed.
Thesagro:	Osteopatia Osso Medicamento Cicatrização Inflamação Rato Branco
NAL Thesaurus:	Graphene oxide Drug delivery systems Biocompatible materials Bone formation Angiogenesis
Keywords:	Osteonecrosis Atorvastatin Hydrogels Osteonecrose dos maxilares relacionada a medicamentos Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw Hidrogel de atorvastatina e óxido de grafeno Atorvastatin-loaded graphene oxide hydrogel Hidroxipropilmetilcelulose Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose Liberação local de atorvastatina Local atorvastatin delivery Reparo ósseo alveolar Alveolar bone repair
ISSN:	1532-3072
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2026.103467
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPAT)