The Pathogenic Effects of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the Proliferation, Osteogenic Differentiation, and Transcriptome of Osteoblasts.

As one of the most common oral diseases, periodontitis is closely correlated with tooth loss in middle-aged and elderly people. Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) contributes to periodontitis, but the evidence in alveolar bone loss is still unclear. In this study, cytological experiments and transcriptome analyses were performed to characterize the biological process abnormalities and the molecular changes of F. nucleatum-stimulated osteoblasts. F. nucleatum could inhibit cell proliferation, promote cell apoptosis, and elevate pro-inflammatory cytokine production of osteoblasts, and it also inhibited osteoblast differentiation and mineralized nodule formation and decreased the expression of osteogenetic genes and proteins. Whole-transcriptome analyses identified a total of 235 transcripts that were differentially expressed in all six time points, most of which were inflammation-related genes. The genes, Ccl2, Ccl20, Csf1, Cx3cl1, Cxcl1, Cxcl3, Il6, Birc3, Map3k8, Nos2, Nfkb2, Tnfrsf1b, and Vcam1, played core roles in a PPI network, and interacted closely with other ones in the infection. In addition, 133 osteogenesis-related differential expression genes (DEGs) were time-serially dynamically changed in a short time-series expression miner (STEM) analysis, which were enriched in multiple cancer-related pathways. The core dynamic DEGs (Mnda, Cyp1b1, Comp, Phex, Mmp3, Tnfrsf1b, Fbln5, and Nfkb2) had been reported to be closely related to the development and metastasis in tumor and cancer progress. This study is the first to evaluate the long-term interaction of F. nucleatum on osteoblasts, which might increase the risk of cell carcinogenesis of normal osteoblasts, and provides new insight into the pathogenesis of bacterial-induced bone destruction.

Matrine enhances osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and promotes bone regeneration in rapid maxillary expansion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of matrine on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as well as on bone metabolism in a rat rapid maxillary expansion (RME) model. METHODS: In in vitro experiments, rat BMSCs were adopted and cell proliferation of BMSCs was measured. Meanwhile, the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was detected by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin red S staining and gene expression. In vivo bone regeneration was analyzed in a rat RME model. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 groups: one group without any treatment, one group receiving only RME, and a group with RME and matrine treatment. After 2 weeks, new bone formation was detected by Micro-CT and histology. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate ALP and BMP2 expression. RESULTS: Overall, we found that matrine upregulated cell proliferation dose-dependently. Also, ALP activity and mineralized matrix generation were enhanced. Moreover, the osteoblast-related gene expression (ALP, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin) by BMSCs was also promoted. Micro-CT revealed that matrine significantly promoted in vivo bone formation after 2 weeks. Concomitantly, histological examination of haematoxylin-eosin, safranin-O and toluidine blue staining confirmed these findings. In addition, the levels of ALP and BMP2 in the palatal suture tissues of rats with matrine treatment were the highest among three groups. CONCLUSION: This work suggests that matrine regulates osteogenesis and enhances bone regeneration. Matrine treatment may be beneficial in improving the stability of maxillary expansion.

Resveratrol rescues TNF­α­induced inhibition of osteogenesis in human periodontal ligament stem cells via the ERK1/2 pathway.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disorder affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth, which can lead to the destruction of periodontal tissue and tooth loss. Resveratrol, a natural phytoalexin, exerts multiple biological effects. For example, its anti­inflammatory activity has been widely studied for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease for a number of years. However, its effect on bone repair and new bone formation in an inflammatory microenvironment is not well understood. Accordingly, the effect of resveratrol on inflammation­affected human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) requires further investigation. In the present study, the effect of tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α), resveratrol, or the combination of both on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved, were investigated. Cell Counting Kit­8 assay, alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin red staining, Oil Red O staining, reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blotting were used in the present study. It was demonstrated that resveratrol enhanced hPDLSC osteogenesis and reversed the inhibitory effects of TNF­α on this process. Further mechanistic studies indicated that resveratrol exerted anti­inflammatory activity by activating the ERK1/2 pathway, decreasing the secretion of interleukin (IL)­6 and IL­8 induced by TNF­α, and enhancing hPDLSCs osteogenesis. The present study suggested that resveratrol may be a novel and promising therapeutic choice for periodontitis.

[Effects and influential factors of rapid prototyping technology in dental restorations].

PURPOSE: To explore the effects and influential factors of rapid prototyping technology in dental restorations. METHODS: From May 2013 to November 2014 in our hospital, 120 patients were divided into experimental group and conventional group. Patients in the experimental group were treated by rapid prototyping technology, while patients in the conventional group were treated by routine methods. The effects of the two groups were compared using SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: The effective rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the conventional group (P<0.05). Complications in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rapid prototyping technology can be used in the treatment of patients with dentition defects with satisfactory results and fewer adverse reactions.