Green tea prevents vascular disturbs and attenuates periodontal breakdown in long-term hyperglycaemia in T1D rats.

AIM: The effects of green tea on the modulation of vascularization during the progression of spontaneous periodontitis in long-term hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic (T1D) rats were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats normoglycaemic (NG) and T1D were divided into two control groups, which received water (NG-W and T1D-W) and two experimental groups that received green tea (NG-GT and T1D-GT). Periodontal structures were evaluated by microtomographic and histological analyses. Number of immunostained cells for VEGF (NcVEGF+/mm2 ) and CD31 (NcCD31+/mm2 ), as well microvessel density (MVD) in the periodontal ligament (PDL) were evaluated. RESULTS: Long-term hyperglycaemia in T1D-W rats induced vascular alterations in PDL with a reduction of 36% in MVD, a decrease of 33% in NcCD31+/mm2 and an increase of 53% in NcVEGF+/mm2 . Concomitantly, a severe degree of periodontitis with higher reduction in bone volume and periodontal bone level was observed. In T1D-GT, green tea maintained the MVD, NcCD31+/mm2 and NcVEGF+/mm2 in the PDL similar to normoglycaemic groups. Clinically, in T1D-GT rats, green tea reduced dental plaque accumulation and the degree of periodontitis when compared to T1D-W. CONCLUSION: Daily green tea consumption has a therapeutic effect on the diabetic vascular disorder in PDL and the progression of periodontitis in long-term hyperglycaemia in T1D rats.

Impact of Inorganic Xenograft on Bone Healing and Osseointegration: An Experimental Study in Rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if an inorganic graft applied before implant insertion interferes with osseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bilateral mandibular incisors of 12 rabbits were extracted. One of the sockets was randomly filled with an inorganic xenogenic bone graft, whereas the remaining socket was allowed to heal naturally and served as a control. After 60 days, titanium implants were inserted into healing areas. The animals were killed 60 days after. Bone depositions were marked with fluorochrome oxytetracycline, alizarin, and calcein and evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) within the limits of the implant threads were analyzed. Data were compared statically by paired t tests, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: No differences between the control and experimental groups in bone deposition for each marker, in either the BIC or BA analysis were observed. The bone deposition marked by alizarin (14-21 days) was the highest, followed by oxytetracycline (0 and 7 days) and calcein (45 and 52 days) in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The bone healing or the course of osseointegration was not impaired by the use of an inorganic xenogenic graft before insertion of a titanium implant.

Long-term dexamethasone treatment alters the histomorphology of acinar cells in rat parotid and submandibular glands.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) induce insulin resistance (IR), a condition known to alter oral homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of long-term dexamethasone administration on morphofunctional aspects of salivary glands. Male Wistar rats received daily injections of dexamethasone [0.1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), intraperitoneally] for 10 days (DEX), whereas control rats received saline. Subsequently, glycaemia, insulinaemia, insulin secretion and salivary flow were analysed. The parotid and submandibular glands were collected for histomorphometric evaluation and Western blot experiments. The DEX rats were found to be normoglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic, insulin resistant and glucose intolerant (P < 0.05). DEX rat islets secreted more insulin in response to glucose (P < 0.05). DEX rats had significant reductions in the masses of the parotid (29%) and submandibular (16%) glands (P < 0.05) that was associated with reduced salivary flux rate. The hypotrophy in both glands observed in the DEX group was associated with marked reduction in the volume of the acinar cells in these glands of 50% and 26% respectively (P < 0.05). The total number of acinar cells was increased in the submandibular glands of the DEX rats (P < 0.05) but not in the parotid glands. The levels of proteins related to insulin and survival signalling in both glands did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, the long-term administration of dexamethasone caused IR, which was associated with significant reductions in both mass and flux rate of the salivary glands. The parotid and submandibular glands exhibited reduced acinar cell volume; however, the submandibular glands displayed acinar hyperplasia, indicating a gland-specific response to GCs. Our data emphasize that GC-based therapies and insulin-resistant states have a negative impact on salivary gland homeostasis.

Effects of fluoride in bone repair: an evaluation of RANKL, OPG and TRAP expression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate comparatively the effect of fluoride in the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in alveolar bone repair in rats. We used 3 groups of male Wistar rats (n = 5/group), which received drinking water containing different doses of F (NaF): 0, 5 and 50 ppm, for 60 days before the incisors extraction. The upper incisors were extracted and the animals were killed 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after extraction. The hemi-maxillae were collected for microscopic examination (histomorphometric and immunostaining for RANKL, OPG and TRAP). Histomorphometric analysis confirmed an increase in the volume density of neoformed bone between 7 and 30 days for groups control, 5 and 50 ppm of F, with a concomitant decrease in the volume density of connective tissue and blood clot. Higher blood clot for groups 5 and 50 ppm of F at 30 days was observed. The RANKL and OPG expressions were not changed by chronic exposure to fluoride in the drinking water during the studied periods; on the other hand, TRAP expression was changed (at 7 days) by chronic exposure to fluoride (p < 0.05). It was concluded that F in high concentrations can slow the blood clot remission and bone repair, and alter the TRAP expression in the beginning of the bone tissue repair. However, a better understanding about this blood clot remission phenomenon is required.

Biological monitoring of a promissory xenogenic pin for biomedical applications: a preliminary intraosseous study in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Over the last years, it is known that in some cases metal devices for biomedical applications present some disadvantages suggesting absorbable materials (natural or synthetic) as an alternative of choice. Here, our goal was to evaluate the biological response of a xenogenic pin, derived from bovine cortical bone, intraosseously implanted in the femur of rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After 10, 14, 30 and 60 days from implantation, the animals (n=5/period) were killed and the femurs carefully collected and dissected out under histological demands. For identifying the osteoclastogenesis level at 60 days, we performed the immunohistochemisty approach using antibody against RANKL. RESULTS: Interestingly, our results showed that the incidence of neutrophils and leukocytes was observed only at the beginning (10 days). Clear evidences of pin degradation by host cells started at 14 days and it was more intensive at 60 days, when we detected the majority of the presence of giant multinucleated cells, which were very similar to osteoclast cells contacting the implanted pin. To check osteoclastogenesis at 60 days, we evaluated RANKL expression and it was positive for those resident multinucleated cells while a new bone deposition was verified surrounding the pins in all evaluated periods. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results showed that pins from fully processed bovine bone are biocompatible and absorbable, allowing bone neoformation and it is a promissory device for biomedical applications.

Biological monitoring of a xenomaterial for grafting: an evaluation in critical-size calvarial defects.

Our purpose was to evaluate the osteoconduction potential of mixed bovine bone (MBB) xenografts as an alternative for bone grafting of critical-size defects in the calvaria of rats. After surgery, in the time intervals of 1, 3, 6, and 9 months, rats were killed and their skulls collected, radiographed and histologically prepared for analysis. The data obtained from histological analysis reported that the particles of MBB did not promote an intense immunological response, evidencing its biocompatibility in rats. Our results clearly showed the interesting evidence that MBB was not completely reabsorbed at 9 months while a small amount of newly formed bone was deposited by osteoprogenitor cells bordering the defect. However, this discrete bone-forming stimulation was unable to regenerate the bone defect. Overall, our results suggest that the properties of MBB are not suitable for stimulating intense bone regeneration in critical bone defects in rats.

Biomechanical and microscopic response of bone to titanium implants in the presence of inorganic grafts.

This study evaluated the biomechanical and microscopic response of previously grafted bone to titanium implants. The lower incisors of 16 rabbits were surgically extracted, and bilateral perforations communicating with the remaining sockets were created distally. A socket/perforation defect on each mandible was chosen at random to be immediately filled with a xenogenic graft, whereas the contralateral perforation was left to heal naturally and served as a paired control. After 60 days, titanium implants were installed in the previously operated areas. After periods of 2 and 6 months, the animals were killed, and the force necessary to retrieve implants as well as the bone-implant contact (BIC) and bone mass (BM) were quantified and statistically compared by 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α  =  .05). No significant differences in removal torque were observed, either by time or by treatment condition. Differences in BIC and BM between experimental and control groups were not statistically significant through the intervals studied (P < .05). The presence of a xenogenic graft did not influence the microscopic tissue response to titanium implants or fixation into newly formed or mature bone.

Down-regulation of expression of osteoblast and osteocyte markers in periodontal tissues associated with the spontaneous alveolar bone loss of interleukin-10 knockout mice.

The aim of this study was to unravel the mechanisms by which interleukin (IL)-10, a potent pleiotropic cytokine, modulates alveolar bone homeostasis in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-10 knockout (IL-10 KO) mice, evaluated at 8, 24, and 48 wk of age. Interleukin-10 KO mice presented significant alveolar bone loss when compared with WT mice, and this was not associated with changes in leukocyte counts or bacterial load. The levels of expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) were similar between both strains, whereas a significant decrease of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) mRNA expression was found at 48 wk in IL-10 KO mice. The osteoblast markers core binding factor alpha1 (CBFA1) and type I collagen (COL-I) were expressed at similar levels in both strains, whereas the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN), and those of the osteocyte markers phosphate-regulating gene endopeptidases (PHEX) and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) were significantly lower in IL-10 KO mice. Our results demonstrate that the alveolar bone loss in the absence of IL-10 was associated with a reduced expression of osteoblast and osteocyte markers, an effect independent of microbial, inflammatory or bone-resorptive pathways.

Maxillary sinus lift response to platelet-rich plasma associated with autogenous bone, ceramic biphasic HA/ß-TCP (70:30), or deproteinized bovine bone.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the long-term effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on bone formation and regeneration when associated with autogenous bone graft (AB), porous biphasic calcium phosphate (pBCP), or deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) in maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) of rabbit. METHODS: In 54 rabbits, bilateral MSA procedure was performed and randomly one sinus was filled with 200 mm3 material plus blood clot (AB/clot, DBB/clot, and pBCP/clot) and other with the same graft plus PRP (AB/PRP, DBB/PRP, and pBCP/PRP). After 30, 60, and 180 days, microtomographic were performed to analyze the three-dimensional MSA volume and histomorphometric analyses for the percentage of bone and soft tissues ingrowth. Data were compared by two-way ANOVA and the means were compared by the Tukey test, at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The percentage of pBCP and DBB were nearly unchanged throughout the whole period and bone formation occurred in the spaces between particles. The MSA volume filled with DBB and pBCP agglutinated with clot and PRP maintained constant during all experimental periods (147.2 mm3 and 154.9 mm3, respectively, p = 0.7377), and no significant changes in the new formatted bone and soft tissue were observed between treatments. In AB/clot and AB/PRP, the MSA volume was similar at 30 days (140.3 mm3 and 137.9 mm3, respectively), but a higher and gradual reduction was observed until 180 days. In the AB/PRP, this reduction was significantly higher (44.2%) than AB/clot (22.5%) (p = 0.01792). Histologically, the addition of PRP to AB accelerated the new bone formation/remodeling maintaining the percentage of new bone similar to AB/clot during all experimental volume (p = 0.6406), while the AB particles showed a higher resorption in AB/PRP than AB/clot until 60 days (mean of 7.8% and 15.1%, respectively, p = 0.0396). CONCLUSION: The association of PRP with the autogenous graft accelerates the process of bone formation/remodeling in MSA, but not had influence on the pBCP and DBB groups.

Concentration-dependent effects of latex F1-protein fraction incorporated into deproteinized bovine bone and biphasic calcium phosphate on the repair of critical-size bone defects.

F1-protein fraction (F1) is a natural bioactive compound extracted from the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, and has been recently studied for its therapeutic potential in wound healing. In this study, we investigated the concentration-dependent effects of F1 (0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) incorporated into deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) and porous biphasic calcium phosphate (pBCP), on the repair of rat calvarial critical-size bone defects (CSBD). The defects were analyzed by 3D-microtomography and 2D-histomorphometry at 12 weeks postsurgery. The binding efficiency of F1 to pBCP (96.3 ± 1.4%) was higher than that to DBB (67.7 ± 3.3%). In vivo analysis showed a higher bone volume (BV) gain in all defects treated with DBB (except in 0.1% of F1) and pBCP (except in 0.05% and 0.1% of F1) compared to the CSBD without treatment/control group (9.96 ± 2.8 mm3 ). DBB plus 0.025% F1 promoted the highest BV gain (29.7 ± 2.2 mm3 , p < .0001) compared to DBB without F1 and DBB plus 0.01% and 0.1% of F1. In the pBCP group, incorporation of F1 did not promote bone gain when compared to pBCP without F1 (15.9 ± 4.2 mm3 , p > .05). Additionally, a small BV occurred in defects treated with pBCP plus 0.1% F1 (10.4 ± 1.4 mm3, p < .05). In conclusion, F1 showed a higher bone formation potential in combination with DBB than with pBCP, in a concentration-dependent manner. Incorporation of 0.25% F1 into DBB showed the best results with respect to bone formation/repair in CSBD. These results suggest that DBB plus 0.25% F1 can be used as a promising bioactive material for application in bone tissue engineering.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of CaP materials for bone regenerative therapy. The role of multinucleated giant cells/osteoclasts in bone regeneration.

In this work, bone formation/remodeling/maturation was correlated with the presence of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs)/osteoclasts (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP]-positive cells) on the surface of beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), sintered deproteinized bovine bone (sDBB), and carbonated deproteinized bovine bone (cDBB) using a maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) in a New Zealand rabbit model. Microtomographic, histomorphometric, and immunolabeling for TRAP-cells analyses were made at 15, 30, and 60 days after surgery. In all treatments, a faster bone formation/remodeling/maturation and TRAP-positive cells activity occurred in the osteotomy region of the MSA than in the middle and submucosa regions. In the ß-TCP, the granules were rapidly reabsorbed by TRAP-positive cells and replaced by bone tissue. ß-TCP enabled quick bone regeneration/remodeling and full bone and marrow restoration until 60 days, but with a significant reduction in MSA volume. In cDBB and sDBB, the quantity of TRAP-positive cells was smaller than in ß-TCP, and these cells were associated with granule surface preparation for osteoblast-mediated bone formation. After 30 days, more than 80% of granule surfaces were surrounded and integrated by bone tissue without signs of degradation, preserving the MSA volume. Overall, the materials tested in a standardized preclinical model led to different bone formation/remodeling/maturation within the same repair process influenced by different microenvironments and MGCs/osteoclasts. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:282-297, 2020.

Bone repair and augmentation using block of sintered bovine-derived anorganic bone graft in cranial bone defect model.

OBJECTIVE: To histomorphometrically investigate the repair of critical size defects (CSDs) and bone augmentation in cranial walls using block of sintered bovine-derived anorganic bone (sBDAB) graft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty guinea-pigs were divided into test (n=20) and CSD control (n=20) groups. In each animal, a full-thickness bone defect with 9.5 mm diameter was made in the frontal bone. The defects were filled with an sBDAB block soaked in blood in the test group and with blood clot in the CSD control group. The skulls were collected at 0 h (n=2) and 30, 90 and 180 days (n=6/group and period) postoperatively. The volume density and total volume of newly formed bone, sBDAB, blood vessels and connective tissue, vertical thickness of removed bone plug, sBDAB block and graft area were evaluated. RESULTS: The vertical thickness of the adapted sBDAB block was 3.8 times higher than that of the removed bone plug and did not show significant difference between periods, filling in average 29.8% of the total graft region. The sBDAB block exhibited complete osseointegration with the borders of the defect at 90 days. At 90 and 180 days, the vertical thickness of the graft was 279% in the average, and the total volume of bone augmentation was, respectively, 78.8% and 148.5% higher compared with the removed bone plug. The defects of the CDS control group showed limited osteogenesis and filling by connective tissue plus tegument. CONCLUSION: The sBDAB block can be used to promote repair of CSDs and bone augmentation in the craniomaxillofacial region, due to its good osteoconductive and slow resorptive properties.

Metformin as an add-on to insulin improves periodontal response during orthodontic tooth movement in type 1 diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with delayed tissue healing and bone loss. Periodontal tissues during tooth movement (OTM) in T1D and under diabetic treatment are poorly understood. We aimed to study the effect of metformin as an add-on to insulin therapy on periodontal structures during OTM in T1D rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into normoglycemic (NG, n = 20) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups that were untreated (T1D, n = 20), treated with insulin (I-T1D, n = 20), or treated with insulin plus metformin (IM-T1D, n = 20). After 7 days of treatment, the first right upper molar (M1) was moved mesially. At days 0, 3, 7 and 14, the pattern of OTM and the periodontal tissues were analyzed by micro-CT, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry for TRAP. RESULTS: In T1D, major osteoclastogenic activity and bone loss versus other groups were confirmed by a greater TRAP-positive cell number and reabsorption surface on both the pressure and tension sides for 14 days (p < 0.01). Additionally, we observed low bone volume density. Metformin plus insulin resulted in a daily insulin dose reduction and major glycemic control versus I-T1D. Although no significant differences were observed between I-T1D and IM-T1D, the tooth displacement and inclination, periodontal ligament thickness, and alveolar bone density on the pressure side in IM-T1D were similar to that of NG (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Antidiabetic treatment reduces severe periodontal damage during applied orthodontic force in T1D untreated rats. Metformin as an add-on to insulin therapy resulted in glycemic control and a periodontal tissue response to orthodontic forces that was similar to that of normoglycemic rats.

HGMB1 and RAGE as Essential Components of Ti Osseointegration Process in Mice.

The release of the prototypic DAMP High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) into extracellular environment and its binding to the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) has been described to trigger sterile inflammation and regulate healing outcome. However, their role on host response to Ti-based biomaterials and in the subsequent osseointegration remains unexplored. In this study, HMGB1 and RAGE inhibition in the Ti-mediated osseointegration were investigated in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice received a Ti-device implantation (Ti-screw in the edentulous alveolar crest and a Ti-disc in the subcutaneous tissue) and were evaluated by microscopic (microCT [bone] and histology [bone and subcutaneous]) and molecular methods (ELISA, PCR array) during 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. Mice were divided into 4 groups: Control (no treatment); GZA (IP injection of Glycyrrhizic Acid for HMGB1 inhibition, 4 mg/Kg/day); RAP (IP injection of RAGE Antagonistic Peptide, 4 mg/Kg/day), and vehicle controls (1.5% DMSO solution for GZA and 0.9% saline solution for RAP); treatments were given at all experimental time points, starting 1 day before surgeries. HMGB1 was detected in the Ti-implantation sites, adsorbed to the screws/discs. In Control and vehicle groups, osseointegration was characterized by a slight inflammatory response at early time points, followed by a gradual bone apposition and matrix maturation at late time points. The inhibition of HMGB1 or RAGE impaired the osseointegration, affecting the dynamics of mineralized and organic bone matrix, and resulting in a foreign body reaction, with persistence of macrophages, necrotic bone, and foreign body giant cells until later time points. While Control samples were characterized by a balance between M1 and M2-type response in bone and subcutaneous sites of implantation, and also MSC markers, the inhibition of HMGB1 or RAGE caused a higher expression M1 markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well chemokines and receptors for macrophage migration until later time points. In conclusion, HMGB1 and RAGE have a marked role in the osseointegration, evidenced by their influence on host inflammatory immune response, which includes macrophages migration and M1/M2 response, MSC markers expression, which collectively modulate bone matrix deposition and osseointegration outcome.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 and RECK during alveolar bone regeneration in rat.

MMPs are endopeptidases that play a pivotal role in ECM turnover. RECK is a single membrane-anchored MMP-regulator. Here, we evaluated the temporal and spatial expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and RECK during alveolar bone regeneration. The maxillary central incisor of Wistar rats was extracted and the animals were killed at 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 42 days post-operatively (n = 3/period). The hemimaxillae were collected, demineralized and embedded in paraffin. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed by the immunoperoxidase technique with polyclonal antibodies. On day 1, polymorphonuclear cells in the blood clot presented mild immunolabeling for MMPs. During bone remodeling, osteoblasts facing new bone showed positive staining for gelatinases and RECK in all experimental periods. MMPs were also found in the connective tissue and endothelial cells. Our results show for the first time that inactive and/or active forms of MMP-2, MMP-9 and RECK are differentially expressed by osteogenic and connective cells during several events of alveolar bone regeneration. This may be important for the replacement of the blood clot by connective tissue, and in the formation, maturation and remodeling of new bone.

Morphometric evaluation of the repair of critical-size defects using demineralized bovine bone and autogenous bone grafts in rat calvaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repair of critical-size bone defects in rats treated with demineralized bovine bone (DBB) compared with autogenous bone (AB). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A bone defect of 8 mm in diameter was created in the calvaria of 50 Rattus norvegicus, treated either with DBB or AB. Sub-groups of five rats of each group were killed at 7, 14, 21, 30 and 90 days post-operatively, and the skulls were removed and processed histologically. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULT: Histological analysis showed complete closure of the defects with new bone at 90 days in group AB, and substitution of the biomaterial by fibrotic connective tissue in the DBB group at 21 days. Morphometric analysis showed that DBB was rapidly absorbed at 14 days, with its volume density decreasing from 47%+/-0.8% at 7 days to 1.2%+/-0.41% at 14 days. Subsequently, volume densities of the connective tissue and neoformed bone increased from 51.1%+/-11.17% to 86.8%+/-7.92% and from 1.9%+/-1.13% to 12%+/-8.02%, respectively, for the same time interval. The volume density of AB particles did not change throughout the experimental periods, but the amount of new bone increased markedly between 7 and 90 days, from 4.5%+/-1.57% to 53.5%+/-6.42% (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: DBB did not provide complete repair of the defects, with significantly less new bone formation than in the AB group.

COX-2 inhibition decreases VEGF expression and alveolar bone loss during the progression of experimental periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a macromolecule of importance in inflammation that has been implicated in periodontitis. The aims of this study were to investigate VEGF expression during the progression of periodontal disease and to evaluate the effect of a preferential cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor meloxicam on VEGF expression and alveolar bone loss in experimentally induced periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 120 Wistar rats were randomly separated into groups 1 (control) and 2 (meloxicam, 3 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally, for 3, 7, 14, or 30 days). Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin level of the lower right first molar of all rats. VEGF expression was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. The hemiarcades were processed for histopathologic analysis. RT-PCR and WB results were submitted to analysis of variance, the Tukey test, and Pearson correlation analysis (P <0.05). RESULTS: A reduction in alveolar bone resorption was observed in the meloxicam-treated group compared to the control group at all periods studied. There was a positive correlation between COX-2 mRNA and VEGF mRNA in the gingival tissues and periodontal disease (R = 0.80; P = 0.026). Meloxicam significantly reduced the increased mRNA VEGF expression in diseased tissues after 14 days of treatment (P = 0.023). Some alterations in VEGF receptor 1 mRNA expression were observed, but these were not statistically significant. VEGF protein expression in WB experiments was significantly higher in diseased sites compared to healthy sites (P <0.05). After 14 days of treatment with meloxicam, an important decrease in VEGF protein expression was detected in diseased tissues (P = 0.08). Qualitative IHC analysis revealed that VEGF protein expression was higher in diseased tissues and decreased in tissues from rats treated with meloxicam. CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest an important role for VEGF in the progression of periodontal disease. Systemic therapy with meloxicam can modify the progression of experimentally induced periodontitis in rats by reducing VEGF expression and alveolar bone loss.

Healing of critical-size cranial defects in guinea pigs using a bovine bone-derived resorbable membrane.

PURPOSE: To investigate the healing of critical-size cranial bone defects (9-mm-diameter) in guinea pigs treated with a bovine bone-derived resorbable membrane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 42 guinea pigs was divided into test (n = 20), control (n = 20), and standard (n = 2) groups. A full-thickness trephine defect was made in the fronto-parietal bone of each animal. In the test group, the internal and external openings of the defect were each closed with a separate membrane, and the space between them was filled with blood clot and a central spacer. In the control group, the defect was filled only with the blood clot and spacer. At 1, 3, 6, and 9 months later, the calvarias (5 per period) for both the test and control groups were collected, fixed, radiographed, and histologically processed. The standard-group animals were sacrificed immediately after surgery and used to determine the initial size of defect radiographically. The areas of defects in the radiographs were measured with image-analysis software and were compared between groups and periods by multiple regression analysis with the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: At 1 and 3 months, newly formed woven bone was histologically observed in both test and control groups. Radiographically, this new bone occupied an average of 32% of the defect area at 1 month and 60% at 3 months in the test group. In the control group, 21% of the defect was filled at 1 month and 39% at 3 months. However, the differences between treatments were not statistically significant (P > .05). At 6 and 9 months, a significant increase in newly formed lamellar bone was seen histologically in both groups. Radiographically, for the test group, the new bone occupied an average of 82% of the defect area at 6 months and 96% at 9 months. For the control group, new bone composed an average of 45% of the defect area at 6 months and 40% at 9 months. The differences between the test and control groups were statistically significant at 6 and 9 months (P < .05). Complete or almost complete filling of the defect was observed in several cases. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the bovine bone-derived membrane is highly biocompatible and is able to promote good healing of critical-size defects in calvaria of guinea pig.

Influence of nicotine on healing process of autogenous bone block grafts in the mandible: a histomorphometric study in rats.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of the effect of nicotine on autogenous bone block grafts and to describe events in the initial healing phase and the differences in the repair processes between animals exposed to nicotine and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, the nicotine group and the saline group. All animals received either nicotine (3 mg/kg) or saline 4 weeks before the surgical procedure and continued to receive nicotine from surgery to sacrifice at 7, 14, or 28 days. The autogenous bone block graft was harvested from the calvaria and stabilized on the external cortical area near the angle of the mandible. RESULTS: The histologic analyses of the nicotine group depicted a delay in osteogenic activity at the bed-graft interface, as well as impairment of the organization of the granulation tissue that developed instead of blood clot. Nicotine-group specimens exhibited less bone neoformation, and the newly formed bone was poorly cellularized and vascularized. The histometric analysis revealed significantly less bone formation in the nicotine group at both 14 days (23.75% +/- 6.18% versus 51.31% +/- 8.31%) and 28 days (42.44% +/- 8.70% versus 73.00% +/- 4.99%). CONCLUSION: Nicotine did jeopardize the early healing process of autogenous bone block grafts in rats but did not prevent it.

Osteoinductive porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic as an alternative to autogenous bone grafting in the treatment of mandibular bone critical-size defects.

The bone-induction capacity of a porous biphasic calcium phosphate (pBCP) using heterotopic implantation in mouse (mHI-model) and its efficacy as substitute for autograft in mandibular critical-size defect in rabbit (rabMCSD-model) was investigated. In mHI-model, pBCP was implanted into the thigh muscles and bone formation was histomorphometrically and immunohistochemically evaluated. In rabMCSD-model, 13 mm bone defects were treated with pBCP or autograft and bone repair comparatively evaluated by radiographic and histomorphometric methods. In mHI-model, formed bone and immunolabeling for bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin were observed in 90% of pBCP implanted samples after 12 weeks. In rabMCSD-model neither statistically significant difference was found in newly formed bone between pBCP and autograft groups at 4 weeks (18.8 ± 5.5% vs 27.1 ± 5.6%), 8 weeks (22.3 ± 2.7% vs 26.2 ± 5.1), and 12 weeks (19.6 ± 4.7% vs 19.6 ± 2.3%). At 12 weeks, the stability and contour of the mandible were restored in both treatments. Near tooth remaining, pBCP particles were covered by small amount of mineralized tissue exhibiting perpendicular attachments of collagen fiber bundles with histological characteristic of acellular cementum. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that pBCP is osteoinductive and able to stimulate the new formation of bone and cementum-like tissues in rabMCSD-model, suggesting that it may be an alternative to treatment of large bone defect and in periodontal regenerative therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1546-1557, 2018.