Unveiling the neuroprotection effects of Volvalerenic acid A: Mitochondrial fusion induction via IDO1-mediated Stat3-Opa1 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide. Studies have suggested that cerebral ischemia induces massive mitochondrial damage. Valerianic acid A (VaA) is the main active ingredient of valerianic acid with neuroprotective activity. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of VaA with ischemic stroke and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHOD: In this study, we established the oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) cell model and the middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) animal model in vitro and in vivo. Neurological behavior score, 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) Staining were used to detect the neuroprotection of VaA in MCAO/R rats. Also, the levels of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and activities of NAD+ were detected to reflect mitochondrial function. Mechanistically, gene knockout experiments, transfection experiments, immunofluorescence, DARTS, and molecular dynamics simulation experiments showed that VaA bound to IDO1 regulated the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism and prevented Stat3 dephosphorylation, promoting Stat3 activation and subsequent transcription of the mitochondrial fusion-related gene Opa1. RESULTS: We showed that VaA decreased the infarct volume in a dose-dependent manner and exerted neuroprotective effects against reperfusion injury. Furthermore, VaA promoted Opa1-related mitochondrial fusion and reversed neuronal mitochondrial damage and loss after reperfusion injury. In SH-SY5Y cells, VaA (5, 10, 20 µM) exerted similar protective effects against OGD/R-induced injury. We then examined the expression of significant enzymes regulating the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway of the ipsilateral brain tissue of the ischemic stroke rat model, and these enzymes may play essential roles in ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we found that VaA can bind to the initial rate-limiting enzyme IDO1 in the Kyn pathway and prevent Stat3 phosphorylation, promoting Stat3 activation and subsequent transcription of the mitochondrial fusion-related gene Opa1. Using in vivo IDO1 knockdown and in vitro IDO1 overexpressing models, we demonstrated that the promoted mitochondrial fusion and neuroprotective effects of VaA were IDO1-dependent. CONCLUSION: VaA administration improved neurological function by promoting mitochondrial fusion through the IDO1-mediated Stat3-Opa1 pathway, indicating its potential as a therapeutic drug for ischemic stroke.

Mogrol, an aglycone of mogrosides, attenuates ulcerative colitis by promoting AMPK activation.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific chronic inflammatory disease. The incidence of UC in China has been increasing in recent years. Mogrol is an aglycone of mogrosides. Studies have shown that mogrosides have anti-oxygenation, anti-inflammatory, and laxative effects as well as other biological activities. PURPOSE: To investigate the beneficial effects of mogrol on UC and identify its underlying mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN: We used the dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced UC model in mice, TNF-α-damaged NCM460 colonic epithelial cells, macrophage cells THP-M stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) / adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) to confirm the key role of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activation. METHODS: Histological evaluation, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence assay and quantitative real time-PCR were used in the study. RESULTS: Oral administration of mogrol (5 mg/kg/daily) in vivo significantly attenuated pathological colonic damage, inhibited inflammatory infiltration and improved the abnormal expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in colonic mucosa via the AMPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In vitro, mogrol protected against intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction by activating AMPK in TNF-α-treated NCM460 cells and inhibited the production of inflammatory mediator in LPS-stimulated THP-M cells. Furthermore, mogrol's effects were reversed by compound C intervention in DSS-induced UC model. CONCLUSION: Mogrol exerts protective effects in experimental UC and inhibits production of inflammatory mediators through activation of AMPK-mediated signaling pathways.

Effects of Tribochemical Silica Coating and Alumina-Particle Air Abrasion on 3Y-TZP and 5Y-TZP: Evaluation of Surface Hardness, Roughness, Bonding, and Phase Transformation.

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the effects of tribochemical silica coating and alumina-particle air abrasion on 3 mol% and 5 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different 3Y-TZP samples (Lava Plus, 3M Oral Care; Ceramill Zolid, Amann Girrbach) and one 5Y-TZP sample (Katana Zirconia UTML, Kuraray Noritake) were prepared and treated with alumina-particle air abrasion and a 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP)-containing self-adhesive composite cement or with tribochemical silica coating followed by silanization (n = 30). Resin columns were cemented onto the treated ceramic surfaces to form specimens. After 24-h water storage or aging with 10,000 thermocycles plus 60-day water storage, shear bond strength (SBS) testing was conducted. Surface roughness, surface Vickers hardness, and crystallographic phase analyses were also performed. RESULTS: The SBS of tribochemically silica-coated 5Y-TZP before and after aging were 13.8 ± 1.4 and 13.2 ± 1.5 MPa, resp., for Lava Plus (3Y-TZP) 14.4 ± 1.4 and 13.9 ± 1.6 MPa, respectively, and for Ceramill Zolid (3Y-TZP) 14.8 ± 1.1 and 13.9 ± 1.5 MPa, respectively. There was no statistical difference between tribochemical silica coating and alumina air abrasion treatments (p = 0.21) on the bonding performance (SBS) of the 3Y-TZPs and 5Y-TZP (p = 0.25) before and after aging (p = 0.50). After alumina air abrasion, 5Y-TZP showed higher surface roughness (Ra = 1.7 ± 0.1) than did the 3Y-TZPs (Ra = 1.2 ± 0.1 for Lava Plus; Ra = 1.2 ± 0.1 for Ceramill Zolid), while the Vickers hardness was similar among the three materials (p = 0.70). Monoclinic zirconia was not detected in 5Y-TZP irrespective of treatment, with the zirconia being mainly cubic phase. However, the 3Y-TZPs were mainly tetragonal phase with some monoclinic zirconia; the latter increased after being alumina-particle air abraded. CONCLUSION: The bond strength to 5Y-TZP is similar to those of the 3Y-TZPs under the same bonding strategies. Durable bonding can be achieved both by alumina air abrasion combined with a 10-MDP-containing self-adhesive composite cement and by tribochemical silica coating followed by silanization for both the 3Y-TZPs and 5Y-TZP.

Eupatilin ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice partly through promoting AMPK activation.

BACKGROUND: Despite the higher morbidity of ulcerative colitis (UC), available treatments remain unsatisfactory in recent years. A natural flavone eupatilin (Eup) is known to inhibit the intestinal contraction. PURPOSE: The protective role of Eup in intestinal inflammation remains unclear. This study attempted to determine the bioactivity of Eup against colitis and clarify the mechanism of action. STUDY DESIGN: The in vitro effects of Eup on lipopolysaccharide-induced human THP-M macrophage activation and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-damaged intestinal epithelial (NCM460) cells were explored to clarify its potential protective effects. Then, the alleviative efficacy of Eup was established in dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced mice colitis. METHODS: Pathological diagnosis, immunohistochemical staining, and reverse transcriptase PCR analysis as well as western blot analysis were employed in the current study. RESULTS: Eup clearly inhibited inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Eup also clearly stabilized colonic epithelia by down-regulating overexpression of tight junction proteins and NADPH oxidases 4 (NOX4), and by promoting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in TNF-α-stimulated NCM460 cells. In addition, in vivo study demonstrated that Eup treatment clearly ameliorated the symptoms and pathologic changes of colitis mice. The therapeutic effect of Eup was found to be reduced when compound C (an AMPK pharmacological inhibitor) was given to mice. CONCLUSION: The study successfully demonstrated that Eup ameliorated DSS-induced mice colitis by suppressing inflammation and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier via AMPK activation. The results provide valuable guidance for using Eup in UC treatment.

Mogroside IIIE Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice Partly Through Regulation of the TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB Axis via AMPK Activation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) often leads to high mortality, and there is as yet no effective drug treatment. The present study aimed to investigate protective effects of mogroside IIIE (MGIIIE, a cucurbitane-type triterpenoid from Siraitia grosvenorii Fruits) in experimental ALI and its underlying mechanism. MGIIIE (1, 10 0r 20 mg/kg) was orally administered for 1 h before a single intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg). MGIIIE treatment dose-dependently suppressed pulmonary oedema, pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and HMGB1) release and higher MPO activity in lung tissues induced by LPS challenge. Molecular researches showed that mogroside IIIE (20 mg/kg) not only increased the phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) but suppressed the over-expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). In addition, MGIIIE also inhibited the activation of MAPKs and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signalling in lung tissues from LPS-challenged mice. Similar antiinflammatory effects of MGIIIE were obtained in LPS-treated macrophages. Compound C (a pharmacological AMPK inhibitor) obviously reversed the antiinflammatory effect of MGIIIE in LPS-induced ALI mice. Taken together, AMPK activation plays a crucial role in the antiinflammatory effects of MGIIIE in LPS-induced ALI by down-regulating TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Protective role of rhapontin in experimental pulmonary fibrosis in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis is a scaring process related to chronic lung injury of all causes. The treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis are very limited. Rhapontin has anti-inflammatory effect and anti-proliferative activity which is widely distributed in the medicinal plants of Rheum genus in China. However, the anti-fibrotic activities of rhapontin have not been previously investigated. METHODS: The effect of rhapontin on TGF-ß1-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in primary lung fibroblast (PLF) cells, on TGF-ß1 secretion in LPS-stimulated human THP-1 derived macrophages in vitro, and on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis was investigated in vivo. Fibrotic mice were induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, and then treated with rhapontin (25, 50, or 100mg/kg/day) or prednisone (6.5mg/kg/day, positive drug) for 2weeks. RESULTS: In TGF-ß1 stimulated PLFs, treatment with rhapontin resulted in a reduction of ECM with a decrease in Lox2 and p-Smad2/3. In LPS activated macrophages, treatment with rhapontin reduced TGF-ß1 production. However, in vitro the attenuated ECM deposition and inflammatory response by rhapontin were closely associated with AMPK activation, and these suppression of rhapontin were significantly abolished by the AMPK inhibitor. Treatment with rhapontin for 2weeks resulted in an amelioration of the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats with a lower Lox2, whereas a higher AMPK expression, with reductions of the pathological score, collagen deposition, TGF-ß1, α-SMA, Lox2, and HIF-1α expressions in lung tissues at fibrotic stage at 100mg/kg. CONCLUSION: In summary, rhapontin reversed ECM, as well as Lox2 proliferation in vitro and prevented pulmonary fibrosis in vivo by modulating AMPK activation and suppressing the TGF-ß/Smad pathway.

(±)-Homocrepidine A, a Pair of Anti-inflammatory Enantiomeric Octahydroindolizine Alkaloid Dimers from Dendrobium crepidatum.

A pair of racemic indolizidine enantiomers, (±)-homocrepidine A (1), and a piperidine derivative, homocrepidine B (2), were isolated from Dendrobium crepidatum along with the known alkaloid crepidine (3). The racemic mixture of 1 was separated into a pair of enantiomers, (+)-1 and (-)-1, by HPLC using a chiral chromatographic substrate, which represents the first successful example of resolving indolizidine racemic mixtures. The absolute configurations of (+)-1 and (-)-1 were assigned from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity with LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages revealed that (+)-1 strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (IC50, 3.6 µM) and significantly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, while (-)-1 and (±)-1 only had moderate inhibitory effects (IC50, 22.8 and 14.7 µM). Compound 2 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity (IC50, 27.6 µM).

[Effects of a zirconia primer and a self-adhesive resin cement on zirconia bonding].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a zirconia primer and a self-adhesive resin cement on the resin bonding zirconia. METHODS: Eighty zirconia blocks were manufactured, alumina-sandblasted, and randomly divided into five groups that received surface-treatments using different resin cements: group C, treated with a conventional bisphenol-A diglycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA)-based resin cement; group R, treated with a self-adhesive resin cement; group S, silica-coated via a Sol-gel process, conditioned with silane, and then treated with the Bis-GMA-based resin cement; group ZC, conditioned with a zirconia primer (Z-Prime Plus) and subsequently treated with the Bis-GMA-based resin cement; group ZR, conditioned with the zirconia primer and treated with the self-adhesive resin cement. Light-cured composite resin cylinders were prepared and bonded on the prepared zirconia blocks. Half of the specimens in each group were water-stored for 24 hours, whereas the remaining specimens were aged by thermocycling. All specimens were then subjected to shear bond strength (SBS) testing. Fourier transmission infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) were performed to characterize the zirconia primer. RESULTS: Group C presented the lowest SBS, whereas groups R, ZC, and ZR presented the highest values. Thermocycling had no effect on SBS. FT-IR results showed that Z-Prime Plus contained a benzene ring and a carbonyl group. MS analysis showed that Z-Prime Plus contained 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, triethylamine. CONCLUSION: Zirconia primer and self-adhesive resin cement increase the resin bonding of zirconia.

[Effect of hot chemical etching on bond strength of zirconia to resin].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the influence of hot chemical etching on short- and long-term shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia to resin. METHODS: Eighty zirconia ceramic slices were obtained and randomly divided into five groups based on the surface treatment to be applied--group A: H2SO4/(NH4)2SO4 hot solution etching + application of Clearfil; group B: HF/HNO3 hot solution etching + application of Clearfil; group C: H2SO4/HF/HNO3 hot solution etching + Clearfil; group D: alumina sandblasting + application of Clearfil; group E: tribochemical silica coating + application of silane coupling agent. Eighty composite cylinders were bonded to pretreated ceramic slices using a bis-GMA-based resin cement. Specimens in each group were divided into two fractions: the first half received 24 h water storage, and the second half received 40 d water storage. Then, SBS tests were conducted. Morphological analysis of sandblasted alumina and hot chemical-etched zirconia surfaces were performed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). RESULTS: Group E displayed the highest SBS before artificial aging, and no statistical difference was found among the other groups. After 40 d water storage, groups A, B, and E showed significantly higher SBS than groups C and D. SBS increased significantly after artificial aging in groups A and B. No significant variations were found before and after artificial aging in the other groups. CONCLUSION: The experimental hot chemical etching solution provides enhanced bonding for zirconia than sandblasting, and the bond strengths remain stable after artificial aging.

[Improving bonding of zirconia through deposition of silica layer via collosol-gelatin process, the roles of NaHCO3].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of NaHCO3 on gelation of silica sols and shear bond strength of silica coated zirconia via collosol-gelatin (Sol-Gel) process. METHODS: The gelation time of silica sols after being mixed with 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 10% concentrations of NaHCO3 was recorded. The one got the shortest gelation time was used for the following tests. Zirconia blocks were prepared and divided into five experimental groups according to surface conditioning methods: group A, alumina sandblasting; group B, sandblasting + tribochemical silica coating + silane; group C, sandblasting + silica coating via Sol-Gel process + silane; group D, sandblasting + silica coating via Sol-Gel process (NaHCO3 was used) + silane; group E, sandblasting + zirconia primer. A composite resin column was bonded on the treated zirconia surface with Bis-GMA based composite resin cement. All specimens were subjected to shear bond strength (SBS) tests. RESULTS: The shortest gelation time of silica sols were found when silica sols was mixed with 10% NaHCO3. Group A showed the lowest SBS values of (4.12 ± 0.52) MPa, which was significant different from SBS of group B [(10.24 ± 2.78) MPa], C [(7.36 ± 1.59) MPa], D [(9.79 ± 2.07) MPa], D [(8.39 ± 0.49) MPa], and no statistical difference was found between group C and D. CONCLUSIONS: The silica coating via Sol-Gel process can significantly improve the bond strength of zirconia, and NaHCO3 would not exert influences to bonding.

Effect of silica coating on fracture strength of glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic cemented to dentin.

PURPOSE: To examine the availability of sol-gel processed silica coating for alumina-based ceramic bonding, and determine which silica sol concentration was appropriate for silica coating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty disks of In-Ceram alumina ceramic were fabricated and randomly divided into 5 main groups. The disks received 5 different surface conditioning treatments: Group Al, sandblasted; Group AlC, sandblasted + silane coupling agent applied; Groups Al20C, Al30C, and Al40C, sandblasted, silica coating via sol-gel process prepared using 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40 wt% silica sols, and then silane coupling agent applied. Before bonding, one-step adhesives were applied on pre-prepared ceramic surfaces of all groups. Then, 60 dentin specimens were prepared and conditioned with phosphoric acid and one-step adhesive. Ceramic disks of all groups were cemented to dentin specimens with dual-curing resin cements. Fracture strength was determined at 24 h and after 20 days of storage in water. RESULTS: Groups Al20C, Al30C, and Al40C revealed significantly higher fracture strength than groups Al and AlC. No statistically significant difference in fracture strength was found between groups Al and AlC, or among groups Al20C, Al30C, and Al40C. Fracture strength values of all the groups did not change after 20 days of water storage. CONCLUSION: Sol-gel processed silica coating can enhance fracture strength of In-Ceram alumina ceramic after bonding to dentin, and different silica sol concentrations produced the same effects. Twenty days of water storage did not decrease the fracture strength.

Effects of surface treatments on bond strength between porcelain and electroformed gold substrates.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects in vitro of sandblasting with 50-microm and 110-microm aluminum oxide grits and application of Goldbonder on bond strengths between porcelain and electroformed pure gold. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty electroformed gold substrates and eight Ni-Cr alloy substrates were fabricated. All specimens were divided into 6 groups (8 specimens per group, the Ni-Cr alloy substrates were placed into group F), and exposed to various surface treatments: group A: No treatment; group B: sandblasted with 50-microm grit Al2O3; group C: sandblasted with 110-microm grit Al2O3; group D: sandblasted with 50-microm grit Al2O3 + Goldbonder; group E: sandblasted with 110-microm grit Al2O3 + Goldbonder; group F: sandblasted with 110-microm-grit Al2O3. Porcelain was built-up to form a cylindrical shape on the metal substrate surface and fired. All the metal-porcelain specimens were tested for shear bond strength. RESULTS: The shear bond strength of group F was statistically higher than the other groups. Shear bond strengths of groups A to E were significantly affected by different surface treatments. Group A presented the lowest shear bond strength. In groups D and E, the mean bond strengths were statistically higher than groups A, B, and C. There were no differences between groups B and C, and groups D and E. CONCLUSION: Sandblasting with 50-microm or 100-microm grit aluminum oxide improved the bond strength between porcelain and electroformed pure gold. Goldbonder further improved the bond of the sandblasted gold substrate. Different grit sizes exerted the same effects on the gold-porcelain bond.

Effects of sol-gel processed silica coating on bond strength of resin cements to glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of sol-gel processed silica coating on the bond strength between resin cement and glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surface via the sol-gel process. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Fourier Transmission Infrared spectrum (FTIR), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used for coating characterization. Forty-eight blocks of glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic were fabricated. The ceramic surfaces were polished following sandblasting. Three groups of specimens (16 for each group) with different surface treatment were prepared. Group P: no treatment; group PO: treated with silane solution; group PTO: silica coating via sol-gel process, followed by silane application. Composite cylinders were luted with resin cement to the test specimens. Half of the specimens in each group were stored in distilled water for 24 h and the other half were stored in distilled water for 30 days before shear loading in a universal testing machine until failure. Selected ceramic surfaces were analyzed to identify the failure mode using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Nanostructured silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surfaces by the sol-gel process. The silicon element on the ceramic surface increased significantly after the coating process. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) before artificial aging were: group P: 1.882 +/- 0.156 MPa; group PO: 2.177 +/- 0.226 MPa; group PTO: 3.574 +/- 0.671 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between group PTO and group P, and group PTO and groups PO. The failure mode for group P and group PO was adhesive, while group PTO was mixed. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) after artificial aging were: group P: 1.594 +/- 0.111 MPa; group PO: 2.120 +/- 0.339 MPa; group PTO: 2.955 +/- 0.113 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between each two groups after artificial aging, group P had the lowest bond durability, and group PTO had the highest bond durability. CONCLUSION: The sol-gel process is an effective way to prepare silica coating on dental glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic. Sol-gel processed silica coating can improve the resin bond strength of glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic.

[Effect of nano-silica coating prepared by different concentration silica sol on shear bond strength of alumina ceramic].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of nano-silica coating prepared by different concentration silica sol on shear bond strength between alumina ceramic and resin cement. METHODS: Silica coating was prepared with colloidal silica sol on alumina ceramic surface that was treated with air particle abrasion. Infrared spectrum (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to analyze the silica coating. A total of 32 alumina ceramic discs were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 discs per group, which received different surface treatments as silane couple agent (control group), 20% silica sol + silane (group A), 30% silica sol + silane (group B), 40% silica sol + silane (group C). Each ceramic disc was bonded to composite with resin cement, and then shear bond strength of these samples was tested. RESULTS: It was observed from the IR pictures that symmetrically flexible vibration absorption kurtosis, anti-symmetrically flexible vibration absorption kurtosis, and bending vibration absorption kurtosis of Si-O-Si enhanced after heat treatment. SEM pictures showed that nanoparticles in coating gel were well distributed and some of them conglomerated after heat treatment. There was a little conglomeration in 20% coating, more in 30%, and the most in 40%. Contents of surface silicon increased after modification with silica coating prepared by sol-gel method. Bond strength of three groups with silica coating was significantly higher than that of the group with only silane couple agent [(1.881 +/- 0.156) MPa] (P < 0.05). Group B gained the highest strength [(4.852 +/- 0.178) MPa] compared with group A [(3.196 +/- 0.171) MPa] and group C [(3.576 +/- 0.671) MPa] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surface silicon contents all increased after surface modification with different concentration silica sol. Silica coating followed with silane couple agent could significantly enforce bond strength of alumina ceramic, with 30% silica sol group gaining the highest bond strength.

[Surface modification of dental alumina ceramic with silica coating].

OBJECTIVE: To make silica coating through sol-gel process, and to evaluate the wettability of dental alumina ceramic with or without coating. METHODS: Silica coating was prepared with colloidal silica sol on In-Ceram alumina ceramic surface which had been treated with air particle abrasion. Coating gel after heat treatment was observed with atomic force microscope (AFM), and was analyzed by infrared spectrum (IR) with gel without sintered as control. Contact angles of oleic acid to be finished, sandblasted and coated ceramic surface of were measured. RESULTS: AFM pictures showed that some parts of nano-particles in coating gel conglomerated after heat treatment. It can be seen from the IR picture that bending vibration absorption kurtosis of Si-OH also vanished after heat treatment. Among contact angles of three treated surface, the ones on polished surface were the biggest (P = 0.000, P = 0.000), and sandblasting+silica coating surface the smallest (P = 0.000, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Silica coating can be made with sol-gel process successfully. Heat treatment may reinforce Si-O-Si net structure of coating gel. Wettability of dental alumina ceramic with silica coating is higher than with sandblasting and polishing.