The impact of a high fructose diet on osseointegration of titanium implants

Aims: This study investigated the biomechanical effects of a high-fructose diet on the osseointegration of titanium implants in a rat tibia model. Methods: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n=12) and a high-fructose group (n=12), which received 20% fructose in drinking water for 12 weeks. Titanium implants were surgically placed in the tibial metaphysis of all rats. After the experimental period, biomechanical torque testing was performed to evaluate implant stability. Results showed no significant difference in torque values between the control group (30.76±9.54 N/cm) and the high-fructose group (33.46±9.40 N/cm) (p>0.05). Results: These findings suggest that a 12-week high-fructose diet did not adversely affect the biomechanical strength of osseointegration. While previous studies reported metabolic and microarchitectural bone changes due to fructose, this study’s biomechanical approach revealed no impairment in implant stability. Potential explanations include adaptation mechanisms over the 12-week period or methodological differences, such as the absence of combined high-fat and high fructose dietary stress. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for further research combining histological and molecular analyses to fully understand fructose’s impact on bone metabolism and implant success.