Abstract: Objective: To explore the effect of IL-6 inhibitor on the control of inflammatory bone resorption during implant healing, and to provide new ideas for the treatment of inflammatory bone resorption around implants in clinic. Methods: Twenty healthy adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, and the bilateral mandibular anterior teeth of these rabbits were extracted. Three months later, 20 implants (2.5×12 mm, Dentium) were routinely placed into the lower anterior teeth area. Group A was blank control, and the implants of the other three groups were ligated with two 4-0 thread bolts. Group B was control with no other treatment. In group C, minocycline hydrochloride ointment was injected into the gingiva around the implants, and in group D, tocilizumab was injected intravenously at 8 mg/kg immediately and 1 week after implantation. Eight weeks later, animals were sacrificed, and bone tissues around implants were collected for X-ray and micro-CT scanning. Results: X-ray showed that there was no obvious bone absorption around the implants in group A and D, about 3-4 implant threads were exposed in group B, and about 1-2 threads were exposed in group C. Micro-CT analysis showed that the highest bone volume rate was found in group D, followed by group A and group C, and the lowest in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion: IL-6 inhibitor tocilizumab can control inflammatory bone resorption during implant healing and increase bone volume ratio around implants.

Key words: IL-6 inhibitors, dental implant, bone healing stage, bone resorption, orthotopic animal model