Poloxamer micellar system for intra-articular injection of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 with improved bioavailability and anti-inflammatory properties in the temporomandibular joint of rats.

Painful conditions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are challenging to manage and most attempts often result in unsatisfactory outcomes. In such context, nanocarrier systems, such as polymeric micelles, have been showing encouraging results in solving therapeutic limitations. Poloxamers are widely used, especially PL 407, because of their high biocompatibility and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use. 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) has shown important antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study evaluated the efficacy and viability of the micellar system of PL-15dPGJ2 in a formalin-induced acute pain model in the temporomandibular joint of rats. The PL-15dPGJ2 was prepared and characterized. The animals were pretreated with an intra-articular injection of PL-15dPGJ2 followed by the formalin challenge. The nociceptive response was evaluated at different time-periods and the periarticular tissue and articular wash were collected for analysis. We found that intra-articular injection of PL-15d-PGJ2 produced pain relief at lower concentrations and in a sustained manner compared with free 15d-PGJ2. Moreover, a strong anti-inflammatory effect was observed with decreased levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulation of the leukocyte migration process. Our findings suggest that 15d-PGJ2 combined with a poloxamer micellar system provided clinical relevance in terms of bioavailability, long-lasting effect, and safe dosage. The formulation investigated herein is a promising micellar carrier system for managing pain conditions of the TMJ.

Improved efficacy of naproxen-loaded NLC for temporomandibular joint administration.

Inflammatory conditions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and peripheral tissues affect many people around the world and are commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, in order to get desirable results, treatments with NSAIDs may take weeks, causing undesirable side effects and requiring repeated administration. In this sense, this work describes the development of an optimized nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) formulation for intra-articular administration of naproxen (NPX). An experimental design (23) selected the best formulation in terms of its physicochemical and structural properties, elucidated by different methods (DLS, NTA, TEM, DSC, and ATR-FTIR). The chosen formulation (NLC-NPX) was tested on acute inflammatory TMJ nociception, in a rat model. The optimized excipients composition provided higher NPX encapsulation efficiency (99.8%) and the nanoparticles were found stable during 1 year of storage at 25 °C. In vivo results demonstrated that the sustained delivery of NPX directly in the TMJ significantly reduced leukocytes migration and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α), for more than a week. These results point out the NLC-NPX formulation as a promising candidate for the safe treatment of inflammatory pain conditions of TMJ or other joints.

Metallic crown-induced occlusal trauma as a protocol to evaluate inflammatory response in temporomandibular joint and periodontal tissues of rats.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study is to propose a standard protocol of experimental occlusal trauma to evaluate the inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by metallic crowns on orofacial tissues of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5 per group). Detailed methodology on the manufacturing of metallic crowns is described. The inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by occlusal interference was evaluated by intra-articular injection of a low dose of 0.5% formalin (30 µl) or vehicle (saline) into temporomandibular joint, 21 or 28 days after metallic crown cementation. Posteriorly, pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess the effect of occlusal interference on periodontium. RESULTS: The cementation of metallic crowns with dental anatomy on the lower molar of rats does not show signs of stress and lack of feeding. Metallic crown-induced occlusal trauma results in a temporomandibular joint inflammatory hyperalgesia (P < 0.05: ANOVA, Tukey's test). Otherwise, it was observed that occlusal trauma results in the increase of protein level of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the gingival tissues (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates in detail a methodology of occlusal trauma resulting from the cementation of metallic crowns in the lower molars of rats, mimicking occlusal interferences commonly evaluated in the dental clinic. This methodology makes new studies to better understand the mechanisms involved in the occlusal trauma of orofacial tissues possible. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The standardization of an experimental occlusal interference model will allow us to understand the deleterious effect and mechanisms that affect the orofacial tissues.

The P2X7 Receptor, Cathepsin S and Fractalkine in the Trigeminal Subnucleus Caudalis Signal Persistent Hypernociception in Temporomandibular Rat Joints.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is frequently involved with rheumatoid arthritis with a high prevalence that could result in a chronic pain state. Once the disease is established in the joint, the antigen-specific immune reaction initiates a neuro-immune cascade of events that causes sensitization of the central nervous system. This study establishes animal experimental models that evaluate the chronicity of albumin-induced arthritis hypernociception in the TMJ. Antigen-induced arthritis was generated in rats with methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) diluted in complete Freund's. Intra-articular injection of mBSA (10 µg/TMJ/week) during 3 weeks resulted in a persistent inflammatory hypernociception which was characterized by an inflammatory episode characterized by the increased of lymphocytes, macrophages and pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-12 and IL-18. The persistent model of inflammatory hypernociception induced by arthritis in the TMJ elicited protein levels of P2X7 receptors, cathepsin S and fractalkine in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis. Overall, the results of the present work suggest that a persistent inflammatory hypernociception of albumin-induced arthritis in the TMJ leads to the activation of the central nervous system signaling by P2X7/cathepsin S/fractalkine pathway.

15d-PGJ2-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation of Pharmacological Effects on Inflammation.

15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist, has physiological properties including pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, though it binds strongly to serum albumin. The use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) can improve therapeutic properties increasing drug efficiency and availability. 15d-PGJ2-SLN was therefore developed and investigated in terms of its immunomodulatory potential. 15d-PGJ2-SLN and unloaded SLN were physicochemically characterized and experiments in vivo were performed. Animals were pretreated with 15d-PGJ2-SLN at concentrations of 3, 10 or 30 µg·kg-1 before inflammatory stimulus with carrageenan (Cg), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or mBSA (immune response). Interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-10 and IL-17) levels were also evaluated in exudates. The 15d-PGJ2-SLN system showed good colloidal parameters and encapsulation efficiency of 96%. The results showed that the formulation was stable for up to 120 days with low hemolytic effects. The 15d-PGJ2-SLN formulation was able to reduce neutrophil migration in three inflammation models tested using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ2. Additionally, 15d-PGJ2-SLN increased IL-10 levels and reduced IL-1ß as well as IL-17 in peritoneal fluid. The new 15d-PGJ2-SLN formulation highlights perspectives of a potent anti-inflammatory system using low concentrations of 15d-PGJ2.

15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 reduces albumin-induced arthritis in temporomandibular joint of rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the peripheral effect of 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) in albumin-induced arthritis in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rats. Antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was generated in rats with methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) diluted in complete Freund׳s adjuvant. Pretreatment with an intra-articular injection of 15d-PGJ2 (100 ng/TMJ) before mBSA intra-articular injection (10 µg/TMJ) (challenge) in immunized rats significantly reduced the albumin-induced arthritis inflammation. The results demonstrated that 15d-PGJ2 was able to inhibit plasma extravasation, leukocyte migration and the release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, IL-18 and the chemokine CINC-1 in the TMJ tissues. In addition, 15d-PGJ2 was able to increase the expression of the anti-adhesive molecule CD55 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Taken together, it is possible to suggest that 15d-PGJ2 inhibit leukocyte infiltration and subsequently inflammatory process, through a shift in the balance of the pro- and anti-adhesive properties. Thus, 15d-PGJ2 might be used as a potential anti-inflammatory drug to treat arthritis-induced inflammation of the temporomandibular joint.