Reliability of new poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) membranes treated with oxygen plasma plus silicon dioxide layers for pre-prosthetic guided bone regeneration processes.

BACKGROUND: The use of cold plasmas may improve the surface roughness of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) membranes, which may stimulate the adhesion of osteogenic mediators and cells, thus accelerating the biodegradation of the barriers. Moreover, the incorporation of metallic-oxide particles to the surface of these membranes may enhance their osteoinductive capacity. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the reliability of a new PLGA membrane after being treated with oxygen plasma (PO2) plus silicon dioxide (SiO2) layers for guided bone regeneration (GBR) processes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Circumferential bone defects (diameter: 11 mm; depth: 3 mm) were created on the top of eight experimentation rabbits' skulls and were randomly covered with: (1) PLGA membranes (control), or (2) PLGA/PO2/SiO2 barriers. The animals were euthanized two months afterwards. A micromorphologic study was then performed using ROI (region of interest) colour analysis. Percentage of new bone formation, length of mineralised bone, concentration of osteoclasts, and intensity of ostheosynthetic activity were assessed and compared with those of the original bone tissue. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied for between-group com Asignificance level of a=0.05 was considered. RESULTS: The PLGA/PO2/SiO2 membranes achieved the significantly highest new bone formation, length of mineralised bone, concentration of osteoclasts, and ostheosynthetic activity. The percentage of regenerated bone supplied by the new membranes was similar to that of the original bone tissue. Unlike what happened in the control group, PLGA/PO2/SiO2 membranes predominantly showed bone layers in advanced stages of formation. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of SiO2 layers to PLGA membranes pre-treated with PO2 improves their bone-regeneration potential. Although further research is necessary to corroborate these conclusions in humans, this could be a promising strategy to rebuild the bone architecture prior to rehabilitate edentulous areas.

Cephalometric assessment of craniofacial dysmorphologies in relation with Msx2 mutations in mouse.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of Msx2 in craniofacial morphology and growth, we used a mouse model and performed a quantitative morphological characterization of the Msx2 (-/-) and the Msx2 (+/-) phenotype using a 2D cephalometric analysis applied on micrographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four three-and-a-half-month-old female CD1 mice were divided into the following three groups: Msx2 (+/+) (n = 16), Msx2 (+/-) (n = 16), and Msx2 (-/-) (n = 12). Profile radiographs were scanned. Modified cephalometric analysis was performed to compare the three groups. RESULTS: Compared with the wild-type mice, the Msx2 (-/-) mutant mice presented an overall craniofacial size decrease and modifications of the shape of the different parts of the craniofacial skeleton, namely the neurocranium, the viscerocranium, the mandible, and the teeth. In particular, dysmorphologies were seen in the cochlear apparatus and the teeth (taurodontism, reduced incisor curvature). Finally contrary to previous published results, we were able to record a specific phenotype of the Msx2 (+/-) mice with this methodology. This Msx2 (+/-) mouse phenotype was not intermediate between the Msx2 (-/-) and the wild-type animals. CONCLUSION: Msx2 plays an important role in craniofacial morphogenesis and growth because almost all craniofacial structures were affected in the Msx2(-/-) mice including both intramembranous and endochondral bones, the cochlear apparatus, and the teeth. In addition, Msx2 haploinsufficiency involves a specific phenotype with subtle craniofacial structures modifications compared with human mutations.

Mast cell activation and degranulation occur early during induction of periosteal bone resorption.

We have previously postulated that mast cells participate in the cellular network involved in osteoclastic resorption, probably through histamine release. In this study, we examined mast cell activation and histamine release during origination of resorption. Groups of 10 rats were killed 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 h after induction of resorption in a synchronized model of cortical resorption along the mandible. The total number of mast cells was transiently decreased by about one-third at 1 and 9 h. Mast cell activation was monitored by Alcian blue-safranin staining. Early after induction, mast cells started to release their mediator stores; complete release led to the apparent disappearance of the cells with the staining technique used. Histamine immunostaining confirmed the release of histamine and its diffusion in the extracellular environment. Massive degranulation was observed at 1.5 and 9 h with toluidine blue staining. Cell recovery, assessed in terms of histidine decarboxylase expression, occurred gradually. The number of ED1+ osteoclast precursors strongly increased from 12 h up to 18 h. Most parameters had returned to baseline at 18 h, except the ED1+ cells. H2 receptor inhibition with famotidine strongly decreased ED1+ osteoclast precursors at 12 h and subsequently osteoclasts at the peak of resorption. These data support a role of mast cells in resorption origination. They show an early and transient intervention of mast cells in the events regulating the recruitment of circulating osteoclast precursors and ultimately of resorption. Mast cell activation and degranulation induce the release of mediators, particularly histamine acting through its H2 receptors, which are likely involved in these reactions.

Periodontitis destructions are restored by synthetic glycosaminoglycan mimetic.

Periodontitis are bacterium-driven inflammatory diseases that destroy tooth-supporting tissues whose complete restoration is not currently possible. RGTA, a new class of agents, have this capacity in an animal model. Periodontitis was induced in hamsters and, starting 8 weeks later, injected RG1503, a glycosaminoglycan synthesized from a 40 kDa dextran behaving like a heparan sulfate mimetic (1.5 mg kg(-1) w(-1)) or saline for 8 weeks. The three periodontium compartments were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and morphometry. The gingival extracellular matrix disorganized by inflammation was restoring under treatment. The collagen network was repaired and resumed its previous organization. Fibrillin-1 expression was restored so that the elastic network rebuilt at a distance from the pocket and began to reconstruct near the pocket. Apoptotic cell numbers were decreased in the pocket epithelium, and more so in the infiltrated connective tissue. The continuity and the thickness of the basement membrane were restored and testified normalization of epithelium connective tissue interaction. The amount of alveolar bone increased around the first molar, and the interradicular bone was rebuilt. The root cementum was thickened and the number of proliferating cells in the periodontal ligament was increased close to the cementum. RG1503 treatment induces potent anabolic reactions in the extracellular matrices of the different tissues of the periodontium and recruitment of progenitors. In particular, the cell proliferation close to the root surface suggests the reformation of a functional attachment apparatus. These results demonstrate that RG1503 reverses the degenerative changes induced by inflammation and favors the conditions of a regenerative process. Thus, RGTA, a known matrix component mimetic and protector, may be considered as a new therapeutic tool to regenerate the tissues destroyed by periodontitis.

A new approach to treat tissue destruction in periodontitis with chemically modified dextran polymers.

Periodontitis are diseases of the supportive tissues of the teeth provoked by bacteria and characterized by gingival inflammation and bone destruction. We have developed a new strategy to repair tissues by administrating agents (RGTA) that mimic heparan sulfates by protecting selectively some of the growth factors naturally present within the injured tissue and interfering with inflammation. After periodontitis induction in hamsters, the animals were left untreated or received weekly i.m. injections of RGTA1507 at a dose of 100 microg/kg, 400 microg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, or 15 mg/kg for 4 wk. RGTA treatment significantly reduced gingival tissue inflammation, thickened the pocket epithelium by increasing cell proliferation, and enhanced collagen accumulation in the gingiva. A marked reduction in bone loss was observed, resulting from depression of osteoclasia and robust stimulation of bone formation at the dose of 1.5 mg/kg. RGTA treatment for 8 wk at this dose reversed macroscopic bone loss, sharply contrasting with the extensive bone destruction in the untreated animals. RGTA treatment decreased gelatinase A (MMP-2) and B (MMP-9) pro-forms in gingival tissues. Our data indicate that a 4 wk treatment dose-dependently attenuated gingival and bone manifestations of the disease, whereas a longer treatment restored alveolar bone close to controls. By modulating and coordinating host responses, RGTA has unique therapeutic properties and is a promising candidate for the treatment of human periodontitis.

Calbindin-D9k and calbindin-D28k expression in rat mineralized tissues in vivo.

Following their terminal differentiation, highly specialized cells, ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and osteoblasts sequentially elaborate mineralized tissues. While the developmental expression pattern of matrix proteins has been studied extensively, less attention has been paid to the molecules involved in calcium handling, such as calcium-binding proteins. This shortcoming, as well as previous conflicting data, led us to conduct studies on calbindin-D9k and calbindin-D28k in rat mandibular bone and incisor based on several methods established on rat ameloblasts in vivo. Radioimmunoassays showed that calbindin-D28k accounts for approximately 0.1% of cytosolic proteins in the ectomesenchymal fraction and 1% in the epithelial fraction of the rat incisor and is 100-fold more concentrated than calbindin-D9k in both tissue types. Western blot analysis confirmed that the anticalbindin-D28k reactive species corresponded to the well characterized renal calbindin-D28k in the ectomesenchyme. In this tissue, calbindin-D28k was ultrastructurally immunolocalized in the odontoblasts. Quantitative immunocytochemistry showed that labeling was distributed throughout their nucleus and cytoplasm. The similar cytoplasmic distribution of both calbindin-D proteins and mRNAs suggests that their expression is regulated at the subcellular level. In particular, immunoreactive calbindin-D28k appeared to be associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum. Calbindin-D9k antisense probe showed negligible labeling in odontoblasts, in parallel with the protein quantities measured (approximately 10 ng/mg of total protein). Finally, in situ hybridization showed transcripts for both calbindins-D in ameloblasts and also in osteoblasts. In summary, the present results support the concept that an elevated expression of these vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding proteins may characterize the phenotype of cells directly involved in the elaboration of mineralized tissues, enamel, dentine, and bone.

Role of prostaglandins in bone resorption in a synchronized remodeling sequence in the rat.

The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in physiological remodeling has not yet been defined. The present study was undertaken to determine whether they intervene during the activation phase in a highly reproducible and synchronized model of bone remodeling. Indomethacin was employed to inhibit PG synthesis. This treatment throughout the entire activation period (4 days in this model) inhibited osteoclastic resorption completely. By modifying the treatment procedure, it appeared that PGs were operative mainly between the second and third day of activation. PGs did not seem to act on precursor recruitment, since off-bone osteoclasts (putatively inactive cells) were numerous in the treated groups. PGs might also be involved in osteoclast activity as the mean interface between osteoclasts and bone surface was reduced in the treated groups. However, indomethacin was unable to inhibit the remodeling sequence durably since a 6-day treatment resulted in a high profile of resorption. This suggests that factors other than PGs were responsible for activating resorption.

The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BWA4C impairs osteoclastic resorption in a synchronized model of bone remodeling.

The role of leukotrienes on bone resorption was tested in a well-standardized model of bone remodeling by inhibiting their biosynthesis with BWA4C, a specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase. After extraction of their upper molars unilaterally, 30 Wistar rats were divided into three groups; the first remained untreated (control group), the second received 80 mg/kg/day of BWA4C dissolved in polyethylene glycol 300 (experimental group), and the third received only the vehicle (sham-treated group). After four days of experiment, the animals were killed and the resorption profile was assessed along the antagonist mandibular buccal cortex. The main result was a dramatic decrease in the number of TRAP-positive mononucleated preosteoclasts in the experimental group (-69%, p < 0.0005 and p < 0.003 vs. the control and sham-treated groups, respectively). This drop was related to a significant decrease in the number of osteoclasts. Neither the activation of the differentiated osteoclasts nor their mean interface with the bone surface were affected by BWA4C. Concomitantly, the mast cell population residing near the vascular network limiting the periosteum was markedly and significantly increased by the treatment. These mast cells were mostly degranulating, i.e., were in a state of activation that we previously found to related to resorption. These data suggest (1) that the leukotrienes are involved in the recruitment of osteoclast progenitors, and/or their differentiation into preosteoclasts, and (2) that mast cells responded to leukotriene inhibition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in mast cell number during the activation phase of an induced synchronized remodeling sequence in the rat.

Increase in mast cell (MC) number has been reported in some pathological conditions with increased remodeling. However, it is not known whether MCs are involved in the physiological remodeling of bone. In the present study the possible variations in MCs were investigated during the activation phase in a rat model of synchronized remodeling. Seven groups of 10 rats were used. As early as the first day of induction, MCs increased by 50% and then decreased on day 2. The same pattern of changes recurred on days 3 and 4. Intact non-degranulating MCs increased mainly at some distance from the bone surface. Degranulating MCs conversely decreased near the cambium layer of the periosteum. Prostaglandins were not involved in these changes. These results suggest an association between the events leading to the onset of bone resorption and MCs. Degranulation might induce the release of agents active on these events.

Short-term prevention of osteoclastic resorption and osteopenia in ovariectomized rats treated with the H(2) receptor antagonist cimetidine.

Ovariectomy rapidly induces strong osteoclast differentiation, leading to a marked loss of cancellous bone in the rat appendicular skeleton. As we found that histamine inhibition prevented periosteal bone resorption in rats, we tested the hypothesis that cimetidine, an H(2) receptor antagonist, prevents the osteoclastic burst and subsequent trabecular bone loss in this setting. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (ovx) or sham-operated. Rats from each group received daily intramuscular injections of cimetidine (125 mg/kg per day) or vehicle. The animals were killed 14 days after surgery, and their femora were processed for morphometry. Cimetidine had no effect on serum estradiol levels in the control and ovx rats. BV/TV was reduced by 36% in the ovx rats, and by 10% in the cimetidine treated rats (p < 0.01). Tb.N and Tb.Wi were significantly reduced by 30% in the ovx rats and by 15% ovx-treated ones. OcS/BS did not change in the treated ovx rats, but increased 3.7-fold in the untreated ovx ones (p < 0.001). The N.Oc/TBPm increased markedly in the ovx rats (2.6-fold, p < 0.0001 vs. controls), but only slightly in the cimetidine-treated animals (+18%, p < 0.05 vs. controls), with a significant difference between the cimetidine-treated and -untreated ovx animals (p < 0.001). Cimetidine had no effect on these parameters in sham-operated animals. These results show that histamine inhibition by an H(2) receptor antagonist partially prevents the consequences of castration on cancellous bone, possibly by an action on osteoclast differentiation. Interestingly, cimetidine had no effect on basal resorption along trabecular bone. Histamine inhibition by H(2) blockers warrants further investigation in this model of osteopenia.

Histamine participates in the early phase of trabecular bone loss in ovariectomized rats.

We have previously reported that cimetidine, a reference H2 receptor antagonist, attenuates the initial osteoclastic burst and subsequent trabecular bone loss induced by ovariectomy (ovx) in rats. This study was designed to determine whether these effects are specific to H2 antagonism. To this end, we compared the effects of two H2 receptor antagonists, cimetidine and famotidine. In addition, we analyzed the response of histamine-producing cells to these inhibitors. Seventy-two 90-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized or sham-operated, and received single daily intramuscular injections of cimetidine (125 mg/kg), famotidine (10 mg/kg), or vehicle. The animals were killed 14 days after surgery and their femurs were processed for histomorphometry. Trabecular bone volume was reduced by 30% in ovx rats and by 15% in cimetidine- and famotidine-treated rats. Architectural parameters were reduced by about 20% in ovx rats. Cimetidine and famotidine attenuated these consequences of ovx by about 50%. Trabecular connectivity was deteriorated by ovx, while cimetidine and famotidine attenuated this effect. Resorption parameters were increased by ovx, while cimetidine and famotidine prevented this increase. Kinetic bone formation parameters were increased by ovx, while cimetidine and famotidine had no influence. Neither cimetidine nor famotidine had any observable effect in sham-treated rats. Mast cell numbers increased by 250% in ovx rats and by only 40% in H2 antagonists-treated ovx rats. A resident histamine-positive, non-mast cell, population found in bone marrow was increased by 25% by ovx. Interestingly, cimetidine and famotidine reduced this population in both sham-operated and ovx rats, famotidine being more potent than cimetidine. These results show that H(2) receptor blockade partially prevents the consequences of castration on cancellous bone resorption in female rats, and strongly suggest that histamine participates in the mediator network regulating estrogen deficiency induced bone resorption. A large population of histamine-producing cells, which differ morphologically from mast cells and belong to an immature marrow population, may be a source of histamine in this model. The H(2) blockers targeted this population, and this effect appeared to explain the anti-resorptive action of the two drugs.

Osteoclasts differentiate from resident precursors in an in vivo model of synchronized resorption: a temporal and spatial study in rats.

Osteoclasts differentiate from mononucleated precursors expressing monocyte markers, which gradually evolve to preosteoclasts expressing the osteoclast phenotype. Although the role of osteogenic cells in these changes has been well documented in vitro, their contribution in vivo has not been established. In this study, a synchronized wave of resorption was activated along the mandibular periosteum. The periosteum adjacent to the bone surface studied was separated by a computer-assisted technique into an osteogenic alkaline phosphatase-positive compartment and an outer nonosteogenic compartment. Specific markers (nonspecific esterase [NSE], tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP], and ED1 antibody, a marker of the monocyte-macrophage lineage) were used to follow osteoclast differentiation quantitatively as a function of time after activation of resorption, from day 0 to day 4 (peak of resorption in this model). Local cell proliferation was assessed in parallel. Between day 0 and day 3, the thickness of the osteogenic compartment decreased by 50% (p < 0.0002). In the osteogenic compartment, proliferating cell numbers fell by 80% at 12 day, NSE(+) cells (located farthest from the bone surface) increased 3. 9-fold on day 4 vs. day 0 (p < 0.005), ED1(+) cells decreased between day 0 and day 2 (p < 0.02) before returning to their initial value, and TRAP(+) cells increased 2.7-fold between day 1 and day 3 (p < 0.0005). Resorption was absent in the site studied on day 0, but on day 4 there were 20.5 osteoclast nuclei per millimeter of bone surface. The cell ratio changed from 30.3 NSE(+) and ED1(+) (some of which were also TRAP(+)) cells per millimeter on day 0 to 37.6 mononucleated cells plus 20.5 osteoclast nuclei on day 4. In the nonosteogenic compartment, an entry of ED1(+)/NSE(-) was observed on 12 day (+23 cells, p < 0.02 vs. day 0). This was followed by a return of ED1(+) cell numbers to the control level on day 1, and a transient increase in NSE(+) cells (+47% on day 2 vs. day 1, p < 0.02). TRAP(+) cells were never seen in this compartment. Proliferating cell numbers did not change throughout the study. Our results strongly suggest that the osteoclasts present on day 4 differentiated from the pool of TRAP(+), ED1(+), and NSE(+) cells present at the site on day 0. The osteogenic compartment was gradually replenished by cells migrating from the nonosteogenic compartment, which was supplemented by ED1(+) cells recruited from the circulation early after activation. Moreover, osteogenic cells appeared to be as crucial in vivo for the acquisition of the TRAP phenotype as previously shown in vitro.

Chemical sympathectomy impairs bone resorption in rats: a role for the sympathetic system on bone metabolism.

The possibility that the nervous system may control bone metabolism has been raised, as neuromediators physiologically conveyed by sympathetic fibers (eg, vasoactive intestinal peptide) influence bone resorption in vitro. In this study, the sympathetic system was inactivated by treating rats with guanethidine (40 mg/kg/day), a sympathetic neurotoxic, for 21 days, after which a wave of osteoclastic resorption was induced along the mandibular buccal cortex. The effects of denervation were assessed 4 days later (corresponding to the peak of resorption in this model). The rats exhibited ptosis soon after starting guanethidine, proving the success of the sympathectomy. This was associated with a significant increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide- (+54%, p < 0.02) and substance P-immunoreactive sensory fibers (+29%,p < 0.02), a known effect of sympathectomy. For the quantitation of the bone parameters, the study zone was divided into a juxta-osseous alkaline phosphatase-positive osteogenic compartment and a nonosteogenic compartment. In the osteogenic compartment, the resorption surface was reduced by 56% (p < 0.001) in the treated animals, together with a fall in the number of osteoclasts (-25%,p < 0.05) and impaired osteoclast access to the bone surface. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) mononuclear preosteoclasts were found only in this compartment; they were reduced by 43% (p < 0.05) by the sympathectomy. No change in non-specific esterase (NSE)+ osteoclast precursors was found. In the nonosteogenic compartment, vasodilation was the only effect of sympathectomy (+80%,p < 0.05); in particular, the number of NSE+ cells was not modified. Our results indicate that: (1) interactions of NSE+ precursors with osteogenic cells are required for their differentiation into TRAP+ preosteoclasts; (2) the sympathetic nervous system is not involved in osteoclast precursor recruitment; but (3) has a significant effect on resorption by inhibiting preosteoclast differentiation and disturbing osteoclast activation. These data suggest that depletion of sympathetic mediators may disturb osteogenic cell-mediated osteoclast differentiation.

Strontium ranelate inhibits bone resorption while maintaining bone formation in alveolar bone in monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Strontium ranelate (S12911) has previously been shown to stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption in rats. To determine whether strontium ranelate affects normal bone remodeling, we studied the effect of strontium ranelate on alveolar bone in monkeys. Strontium ranelate, at dosages of 100, 275, and 750 mg/kg per day, or vehicle, were given by gavage to 31 normal adult monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) (15 males, 16 females), aged 3-4 years. Treatment for 6 months with strontium ranelate resulted in an increase in plasma strontium concentration. Histomorphometric analyses of indices of bone formation and resorption were determined in standardized areas of alveolar bone. Treatment with strontium ranelate decreased the histomorphometric indices of bone resorption (osteoclast surface and number) with a maximal significant effect at the highest dose tested. In contrast to this inhibitory effect on bone resorption, strontium ranelate maintained bone formation. Although the amount of osteoid tended to increase, strontium ranelate, even at the highest dose, had no deleterious effect on bone mineralization, as evaluated by mineral apposition rate and osteoid thickness. These findings show that strontium ranelate decreases indices of bone resorption while maintaining bone formation in the alveolar bone in monkeys.

Heparan-like molecules induce the repair of skull defects.

Heparin-binding growth factors (HBGFs) are known to stimulate bone repair when applied to bone lesions. Nevertheless, successful treatments are obtained with high protein doses since HBGFs are rapidly degraded in situ by multiple proteolytic activities associated with the inflammatory period of tissue healing. Like heparin or heparan sulfates, heparan-like molecules, named carboxymethyl-benzylamide-sulfonated dextrans (CMDBS), are known to potentiate fibroblast growth factor activities by stabilizing them against pH, thermal or proteolytic denaturations, and by enhancing their binding with cell surface receptors. We have postulated that CMDBS stimulate in vivo bone healing by interacting with endogenous HBGFs, spontaneously released in the wounded site. The effect of CMDBS on bone repair was studied in a skull defect model in rats by computer-assisted radio-morphometry and histomorphometry. Single application of CMDBS in a collagen vehicle to skull defects induced a dose-dependent increase in bone defect closure and new bone formation after 35 days. Complete bony bridging occurred in defects treated with 3 micrograms CMDBS, whereas bone formation was not observed in vehicle-treated defects which contained only dense fibrous connective tissue between the defect margins. These results indicate that heparan-like molecules, such as CMDBS, are able to induce bone regeneration of skull defects. This action is possibly mediated by potentiation of endogenous growth factor activities and/or by neutralization of proteolytic activities.

Bone formation in tricalcium phosphate-filled periodontal intrabony lesions. Histological observations in humans.

The capacity of a tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic to promote bone formation after grafting in intrabony defects was studied in humans. Five biopsies were collected from 4 patients during reentry surgery 16 to 40 months after implantation. They were processed without demineralization for histological examination. In the less mature samples, the grafted material was surrounded by a highly fibrous, highly cellular, and poorly vascularized connective tissue. Howship's lacuna-like cavities were clearly visible at the surface of the material. They contained resorbing mononuclear phagocytes. At a more mature stage, TCP granules were embedded in an acellular fibrous material which underwent mineralization from the medullary spaces towards the granules. The bone formed was subsequently remodeled. The implanted material itself was progressively modified. It first acquired the staining appearance of bone. After its structure became loose and vacuolated, it was invaded by cells and vessels. The present data indicate that TCP has osteogenic potential and is subject to degradation. Unlike in experimental wounds, these processes are of long duration in human defects.

New approaches to tissue regeneration and repair.

Several Heparin Binding Growth Factors (HBGFs) are thought to play a key role in the natural processes of tissue regeneration or repair after being released by neighbouring, inflammatory or circulating cells as well as from extracellular matrix associated heparan sulfate proteoglycosaminoglycans. In order to better understand how the bioavailability of these HBGFs can take part in the regulation of the wound healing processes, we have studied the healing effect of various chemically substituted dextrans (CMDBS) selected for their affinity for HBGFs, alone and in association with HBGFs. The CMDBS was obtained by substitution of methylcarboxylic (CM), benzylamide (B) and benzylamine sulfonate (S) groups in proportion of 83%, 23% and 13% respectively for CMDBS K that we have further used (Mauzac et al., 1985 Biomaterials. 6: 61-63). CMDBS K could 1: potentiate the biological activity of 1 or 2 FGFs, 2: protect 1 and 2 FGFs against thermal or pH inactivation, 3: protect a and b FGFs against proteolytic degradation (Tardieu et al., 1992 J. Cell. Physiol. 150: 194-203). CMDBS K was tested alone in cutaneous and bone wound healing models and for its ability to stabilize FGFs. Rats were punched and skin regeneration was studied by morphometric and histological analysis. The wounds (6 mm diameter) were filled with collagen plaster alone or soaked with CMDBS. CMDBS K in collagen plaster was able to induce a remarkable effect both on the kinetics and on the quality of the restored skin. These results suggest that endogenous growth factors naturally released during the regeneration process could be trapped, protected and released by CMDBS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A histometric study of the effect of indomethacin and calcitonin on bone remodelling in hamster periodontitis.

The action on bone remodelling of indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, was determined in hamster periodontitis and compared to that of calcitonin. The two treatments reduced the extent of bone resorption considerably but not significantly (NS). The reversal phase, the intermediate step between resorption and formation, was decreased by 33 per cent (NS) by indomethacin and 75 per cent by calcitonin (p less than 0.02). Bone formation was increased by 270 per cent with indomethacin (p less than 0.05) and by 400 per cent with calcitonin (p less than 0.03), compared with untreated animals. This exceeded the extent of bone formation activity in control animals. These data strongly suggest that PG are involved in the mechanism of bone destruction in hamster periodontitis and that PG are potent in vivo uncouplers of bone remodelling as they participate both in an increase in bone resorption and a decrease in bone formation. A partial decrease in reversal lacunae indicates that other factors, also acting as uncouplers, probably take part in the mechanism of bone destruction.

Quantitative relationship between osteoclasts, osteoclast nuclei and the extent of the resorbing surface in hamster periodontal disease.

Osteoclast activity in terms of number, nucleus content and position in relation to bone surface features was quantitated during experimental periodontal disease. The increase in total osteoclast population, particularly on periosteal rather than endosteal surfaces, was due mainly to the number of cells in direct contact with the bone surface (on-bone osteoclasts). On-bone cell nuclei per mm of bone surface was constantly significantly greater in experimental animals than in controls. There was a positive linear relationship between the extent of resorbing surface and the nucleus content of the on-bone osteoclasts. Thus, in experimental periodontal disease, increases in the number of on-bone osteoclasts are responsible for the changes in the total number of these cells and disease activity is expressed more accurately by the number of nuclei of on-bone osteoclasts per mm of bone surface.

[CMDBS, functional analogs of sulfate heparanes, used as osseous cicatrizing agents]. / Les CMDBS, analogues fonctionnels des héparanes sulfates, utilisés comme agents de la cicatrisation osseuse.

Several Heparin-Binding Growth Factors (HBGFs) are known to play an important role in bone repair. When osseous tissue is injured, an important increase of protease activities and a massive release of HBGFs occur. The local increase in HBGFs content at the wounded site, produced by a release of this factors from cells implicated in haemostasis and inflammatory reaction and from extracellular matrix associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), seems to be a crucial step in bone healing. The proteolysis associated with the tissue injury probably limits the growth factors activities at the wound site. In order to define the bone healing potential of molecules that would be able to protect HBGFs against proteolytic activation, we studied the effect of derived dextrans, named carboxymethyl-benzylamide-sulfonated dextrans (CMDBS), behaving as heparan like molecules, in 5 mm in diameter skull trepaned defects in young adult rats. In this model CMDBS induced an important bone regeneration in a dose dependent manner while controls were not repaired. In CMDBS treated animals the defects were repaired and contained a tissue of normal appearance; in several treated animals the sagittal suture, initially removed by the trephination, was restored. This remarkable bone healing potential of CMDBS may result from the capacity to protect the endogenous HBGFs from proteolysis and to modulate their biological activities, in a similar manner to that observed for fibroblast growth factors and HSPGs. CMDBS represent a new form of bone healing agents, which have the advantage of being produced by a controlled chemical synthesis, and of avoiding the use of exogenous growth factors because of their capacity to enhance the bone healing potential of the endogenous growth factors.