Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is primarily used to treatment fractures in orthopedics. Several previous studies have shown that the P2X7 receptor plays a crucial role in the response to osteogenesis induced by mechanical stimulation, which is regulated by the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), an essential mediator. However, the effects of LIPUS, a mechanical stimulator, on the regulation of NFATc1 during osteogenesis have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the roles of the P2X7 receptor and NFATc1 in LIPUS-induced bone formation. LIPUS induces the expression of osteogenesis-related transcription factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and Ca2+ via the P2X7-NFATc1 pathway. These findings provide the first demonstration that LIPUS drives bone formation by activating P2X7-NFATc1 in osteoblasts.

We aimed to assess the effects of diode laser plus subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) on secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) and β-catenin in children with periodontitis. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of ninety-eight children with periodontitis hospitalized between May 2022 and May 2024. These children were assigned into a control group (n=49, treated with SRP) and a study group (n=49, provided with diode laser plus SRP) based on different therapeutic regimens. After 8 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment, the pocket probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival index and gingival sulcus bleeding index dropped in the two groups compared with those before treatment, and they were lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). At 12 weeks after treatment, decreased prostaglandin E2, interleukin (IL)-1β, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, IL-6, SFRP1 and β-catenin levels were observed in gingival crevicular fluid in the two groups compared to those before treatment, and these levels were lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Diode laser plus SRP can effectively improve the periodontal indexes and occlusal function, relieve periodontal pain and inflammatory responses, and decrease the expression levels of SFRP1 and β-catenin in the gingival tissues of children with periodontitis.

Currently available treatments for osteoporosis suppress bone resorption and formation, which can lead to complications such as atypical femoral fracture. Although the Kampo medicine Boi-ogi-to (BOT), a traditional prescription, has been used clinically to treat arthritis and obesity, no study has examined its efficacy in estrogen deficiency induced postmenopausal osteoporosis. Consequently, the present study was designed to examine whether BOT exerts beneficial effects on bone in an ovariectomized (OVX) mice model of postmenopausal osteoporosis compared with bazedoxifene (BAZ). Six-week-old female mice underwent ovariectomy, and were randomized into the sham control, OVX control, OVX + BOT (600 mg/kg/day), and OVX+BAZ (0.5 mg/kg/day) groups after 2 weeks. After 30 weeks of treatment, histomorphometric analysis of the tibia and gene expression analyses of the femur were performed, and serum biochemical markers were examined. The results suggested that treatment with BOT or BAZ increased trabecular bone volume and thickness and improved bone structural parameters of the tibia in OVX mice. OVX mice treated with BAZ resulted exhibited a significant decrease in bone resorption and bone formation. Whereas OVX mice treated with BOT exhibited inhibited bone resorption, with no marked effect on bone formation. Changes in serum biochemical markers, osteocalcin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b provided similar evidence. Thus, the present study demonstrated that BOT suppresses bone resorption induced by estrogen deficiency and improved trabecular bone microstructure in OVX mice.

Strontium ranelate has significantly improved bone mass, quality, and strength in patients with osteoporosis.However, the systemic administration of strontium ranelate may potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular events, as well as lead to drug resistance and adverse reactions.To address these concerns, a novel strontium silicate has been developed to evaluate its potential for treating osteoporosis.This new material enhanced the osteogenic activity of stem cells, reduced M1 polarization, and promoted M2 polarization in macrophages.Significantly, it also effectively inhibited bacterial growth.Animal models of osteoporosis will be essential for unlocking the full potential of this non-pharmaceutical strontium silicate bioceramic as a treatment option.

Orthodontic treatment involves tooth movement through alveolar bone metabolism caused by orthodontic force. Ganglioside GD3 glycolipid is expressed in the brain, cranial nerves, and osteoclasts. Femur bone resorption was suppressed in aged GD3 synthase gene deficient (GD3S KO) mice. This study investigated the effects on alveolar bone metabolism in GD3S KO mice. Closed coiled springs were fitted into the alveolar region of maxillary anterior teeth and left first molar (M1) of GD3S KO (n=6) and wild-type mice (Wild: n=6) to apply orthodontic force and induce tooth movement. After 21 days, they were euthanized; micro-computed tomography measured the tooth-movement distance and remaining alveolar bone volume (BV/TV) of the interradicular septum of M1. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were measured using hematoxylin-eosin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, respectively. Sympathetic and sensory nerve activities were evaluated using immunostaining. GD3S KO mice showed a significant decrease in tooth-movement distance and increased BV/TV of interradicular septum compared with Wild. Osteoblast count was insignificant; however, significantly lower osteoclast count and sympathetic and sensory nerve activities were observed in GD3S KO mice than Wild. GD3S KO mice had decreased tooth movement and bone mass maintenance with reduced sympathetic nerve activity and nerve regeneration in the periodontal ligament.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammation, and chondrocyte dysfunction, with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress being central to its pathogenesis. The Nrf2 pathway is vital for maintaining redox homeostasis and mitochondrial integrity. This study investigated the protective effects of Ophiopogonin D (OP-D), a natural saponin compound, on IL-1β-induced chondrocyte injury in vitro. Using C28/I2 cells, we demonstrated that OP-D restored cell viability and reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines following IL-1β exposure. OP-D also alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing mitochondrial ROS production and preserving mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, OP-D mitigated extracellular matrix degradation. Mechanistically, OP-D activated the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. These findings suggest that OP-D exerts chondroprotective effects by improving mitochondrial function and maintaining ECM integrity via Nrf2 pathway activation, highlighting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) holds anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory properties and represses nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-dependent activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. However, whether DADS alleviates chondrocyte injury by modulating NF-κB-dependent activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome remains unclear. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated chondrocytes were used as an in vitro model of osteoarthritis (OA) to investigate the effects of DADS. Effects of DADS treatment on cell viability, apoptosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and inflammation in chondrocytes were determined via several experiments. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components and NF-κB signaling molecules. To determine whether DADS could act through the NF-κB pathway, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a specific NF-κB inhibitor, was used as a comparator. DADS treatment impaired LPS-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, ECM degeneration, and inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. This was accompanied by a marked reduction in phosphorylated p65 level and downregulation of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1 protein expression levels. Notably, CAPE exerted similar protective effects as DADS, reducing LPS-induced apoptosis, ECM degeneration, inflammatory cytokine production, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, in the presence of CAPE, DADS did not confer additional benefits in LPS-stimulated chondrocytes, suggesting that its effects are primarily mediated through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, DADS alleviates LPS-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, ECM degeneration, and inflammatory response by repressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, providing a scientific basis for formulating DADS-based treatment strategies for OA.

In the present study, the soft tissue response toward a fibronectin–immobilized zirconia implant was evaluated by animal experiment. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analyses for atelocollagen adsorption to zirconia were also performed. Cylindrically shaped yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) was sandblasted and acid etching–treated (SLA/Y-TZP). Fibronectin–immobilized Y-TZP (Fn/Y-TZP) was obtained using the tresyl chloride–activated method. Implants were placed in the tooth socket of the extracted maxillary teeth of rats. Soft tissue responses 3-weeks after implantation were observed. Long collagen fibers perpendicularly oriented to the Y-TZP implant surface were more abundant in Fn/Y-TZP than in SLA/Y-TZP. The lengths of vertically oriented collagen fibers on the palatal side and the total of the buccal and palatal sides of Fn/Y-TZP were significantly higher than that of SLA/Y-TZP. Fn/Y-TZP showed a significantly higher area of vertically oriented collagen fibers on the buccal side and the total sides as compared to SLA/Y-TZP. There were no significant differences among the ratios of epithelial attachments to fibrous attachments. QCM analyses indicated that the pre–adsorption of fibronectin significantly decreased the amounts of atelocollagen adsorption. In conclusion, the immobilization of fibronectin had a clear effect on the orientation of gingival fibers toward the zirconia implant surface. Atelocollagen adsorption to zirconia was influenced with by fibronectin pre–adsorption.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasonic (LIPUS) is a noninvasive force promoting bone regeneration as mechanical stimulation. Integrins mediate numerous intracellular signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and calcium influx through focal adhesion. A non-receptor tyrosine kinase of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) associates with integrins at focal adhesions. A previous study reported that intracellular Ca2+ levels regulate the activation of PYK2 induced by mechanical strain in osteoblasts. However, the roles of PYK2 on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins involved in osteogenesis and osteoblast differentiation induced by LIPUS remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the roles of PYK2 on the expression of transcription factors runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osterix, which regulate osteoblast differentiation, ECM proteins, and the downstream intracellular signaling pathway, including PYK2 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in MC3T3-E1 cells when treated with LIPUS. LIPUS enhanced the phosphorylation of PYK2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase2 (ERK2) and induced the expression of Runx2, osterix, type I collagen, osteocalcin, and calcium content in ECM. However, siPYK2 and PYK2 inhibitor PF431396 suppressed these stimulatory effects of LIPUS. These results suggest that LIPUS induces osteoblast differentiation mediated by the PYK2-ERK2 signaling in MC3T3-E1 cells.

We aimed to compare the effects of polymeric ceramic inlay and full crown restoration on patients with dental defects. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, in which 106 patients with dental defects treated in the hospital were selected and divided into an inlay group (n=53, treated with polymeric ceramic inlay) and a full crown group (n=53, treated with full crown restoration) in a randomized controlled manner. The success rate of restoration, dental aesthetics, and adverse events during restoration in the two groups were observed, and the severity of pain (Mohd Sulong pain grade) and the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, and IL-8] in the gingival crevicular fluid before restoration and at 3 d after restoration were compared. After wearing the prostheses for 1 year, the success rate of restoration in the inlay group was higher than that of the full crown group (96.23% vs. 83.02%), and the dental aesthetics of the inlay group was better than that of the full crown group (P<0.05). Three days after restoration, the inlay group had lower Mohd Sulong pain grade and levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 than those of the full crown group (P<0.05). Compared with full crown restoration, polymeric ceramic inlay can result in a higher success rate of restoration and better aesthetics in treating dental defects, and it can alleviate the pain and inflammation stimulation to patients.