INTRODUÇÃO: Superfícies de titânio modificadas por diferentes métodos foram estudadas com base nos parâmetros físicos e químicos de caracterização superficial e sua influência no comportamento de células pré-osteoblásticas (MC3T3) in vitro. MÉTODOS: Discos de titânio comercialmente puro grau II foram submetidos a três métodos de modificação de superfície (polimento, nitretados em plasma em configuração planar e gaiola catódica). As diferentes superfícies foram caracterizadas para observar o efeito do processamento na estrutura da camada superficial, na rugosidade e molhabilidade. Ensaios de adesão e proliferação celular usando linhagens de células pré-osteoblásticas MC3T3 foram realizados para avaliar o efeito das novas superfícies no comportamento celular in vitro. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que a nitretação em plasma na configuração de gaiola catódica produz superfícies mais rugosas (p<0,02) e com menores ângulos de contato com a água. CONCLUSÕES: A adesão celular é maior nas superfícies mais rugosas do que nas superfícies polidas (p<0,05) e reagem de modo diferente a composição química do substrato e à topografia da superfície. / PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluated the physico-chemical properties of different titanium surfaces modified by means of low temperature plasma nitridind on rat osteoblast cell adhesion and proliferation. METHODS: Pure Titanium discs grade II was submitted to three different surface preparations (polishing, glow discharge plasma nitriding in planar and cathodic cage configurations). Surface parameters as roughness, wettability and chemichal composition was determined to compare influency of gas mixture on the modified surface material properties. Cellular morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. To evaluate the effect of the surface on cellular response, osteoblast cells (MC3T3) adhesion and proliferation was quantified and data analised by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman statistical tests. RESULTS: plasma nitriding discs shows rougher surfaces( p<0,02) in cathodic cage configuration and lower contact angle values. MC3T3 cells attached on rough surfaces produced by cathodic cage configuration was statistically significant p<0,05 compared to polished discs. CONCLUSIONS: Glow discharge plasma nitriding improve titanium surface roughness and wettability. MC3T3 cell adhesion behavior is related to substrate chemical composition and topography.

Orientadores: Mary Ann Foglio, Ana Lúcia Tasca Gois Ruiz, João Ernesto de Carvalho / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T18:38:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Zago_PatriciaMariaWiziack1982-_D.pdf: 5120519 bytes, checksum: a581f776ecdecf5822427a828d170cc1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A Osteonecrose Maxilar Induzida por Bisfosfonatos (OMIB) está associada à terapia com bisfosfonatos como o ácido zoledrônico (ZA), que são medicamentos importantes para o manejo de patologias ósseas. Estudos in vitro demostraram que os bisfosfonatos podem alterar a viabilidade e proliferação de células epiteliais, o que justificaria situações de deficiente cicatrização em feridas de OMIB. Arrabidaea chica (H&B.) Verlot é uma Bignoniaceae com propriedades cicatrizantes, e que apresenta as antocianidinas como principais compostos identificados. Este estudo avaliou a atividade antimicrobiana, citotóxica e citoprotetora, in vitro, do extrato hidroalcoólico de A. chica (AC) na presença de ZA. Foi realizado estudo de estabilidade nas condições de 40 °C e 75% umidade, do extrato microencapsulado em mistura de goma arábica com maltodextrina (1:1) e do extrato livre correspondente. Queratinócitos (HaCaT), fibroblastos (PT64-04HF) e osteoblastos (MC3T3-E1) foram submetidos a 2 protocolos de tratamento: a exposição a ZA 10 µM por 24h e posteriormente AC por 48h e vice-versa; ou o co-tratamento de ambos. Os parâmetros estudados foram viabilidade, ocorrência de apoptose e ativação de caspases 3/7. A viabilidade de células de câncer de próstata (C4-2B) foi avaliada após tratamento com AC. Streptococcus mutans foram submetidos ao co-tratamento ZA e AC. Microcápsulas contendo AC foram produzidas por processamento em spray dryer, aliquotadas e armazenadas em câmara climática para o estudo de estabilidade acelerada, segundo protocolo da ANVISA (RE 01/2005). Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística (ANOVA e Teste T de Student, a=0,05). Após 48 h, ZA reduziu a viabilidade de queratinócitos, fibroblastos e osteoblastos em, respectivamente, 34%, 47% e 51%. O co-tratamento ZA e AC 5 µg mL-1 aumentou a viabilidade celular (82%, 83% e 55%), o mesmo ocorrendo para ZA e AC 10 µg mL-1 (69%, 70% e 64%). Após 48 h de tratamento com ZA, não houve apoptose celular ou ativação de caspases em fibroblastos, mas verificou-se a ativação de caspase 3/7 em osteoblastos. As concentrações de 5 e 10 µg mL-1 de AC não alteraram a viabilidade de células C4-2B, porém observou-se uma redução de mais de 40% em concentrações maiores que 10 µg mL-1. O crescimento de S. mutans foi aparentemente aumentado após o tratamento com ZA em concentrações maiores que 50 µM, sem que AC ocasionasse qualquer efeito. Finalmente, o material formador de parede (mistura de goma arábica com maltodextrina 1:1) empregado para microencapsular AC, foi incapaz de inibir a degradação das antocinidinas, cujas concentrações relativas foram reduzidas após 15 dias de incubação. Assim, baixas concentrações de AC (5 e 10 µg mL-1) demostraram promissora atividade citoprotetora contra os efeitos prejudiciais de ZA, em células epiteliais e osteoblastos, sem estimularem o crescimento das células cancerígenas (C4-2B) e de S. mutans. Outros materiais formadores de parede serão avaliados, buscando-se aumentar a estabilidade química de AC. Mais estudos são necessários para a comprovação dos efeitos benéficos de AC como um auxiliar no tratamento de OMIB / Abstract: The bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a condition associated to bisphosphonates, medicines used to treat bone disorders, as zoledronic acid. In vitro studies showed epithelial cells viability and growth can be altered by bisphosphonates, and may cause a deficient wound healing in BRONJ. Arrabidaea chica (H&B.) Verlot is a Bignoniaceae with wound healing properties, however, anthocyanidins, the main compounds of the plant extract, can be easily degraded under environmental conditions. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, citotoxic and citoprotective actions of A. chica hydroalcoholic extract (AC) in the presence of ZA therapy. Stability studies at 40 °C and 75% humidity conditions, from microencapsulated into arabic gum plus maltodextrin (1:1) and free crude extract samples were conducted. Keratinocytes (HaCaT), fibroblasts (PT64-04HF) and osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were submitted to 2 treatment protocols: zoledronic acid 10 µM (ZA) therapy during 24 h and then AC during 48 h and vice-versa; or co-treatment with both. Parameters as viability, apoptosis and caspase 3/7 activation were evaluated. Cancer cells (C4-2B) viability was determined after AC treatment. Streptococcus mutans were submitted to co-treatment with ZA and AC. Microcapsules containing AC were obtained after spray dryer processing, aliquoted and stored into climatic chamber for stability study according to ANVISA protocol (RE 01/2005). ANOVA and T Student test, ?a=0,05, were applied for statistical analysis. After 48 h, ZA treatment decreased viability of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and osteoblasts repectively by 34%, 47% and 51%. Co-treatments ZA and AC 5 µg mL-1 (82%, 83% and 55%), and ZA and AC 10 µg mL-1 (69%, 70% and 64%) increased cell viability. No apoptosis or caspase activation were detected on fibroblasts, however, caspase 3/7 was active on osteoblasts after ZA 48 h treatment. Concentrations higher than 10 µg mL-1 of AC were toxic to cancer cells and showed a decrease by 40% in cell viability, while no effect was seen with AC 5 or 10 µg mL-1. Higher ZA concentrations (50 µM) seemed to induce S. mutans growth, while AC showed no effect on bacteria. Finally, the studied core matherial (arabic gum plus matodextrin 1:1) was ineffective on protecting AC extract against degradation, since anthocyanidins concentration was reduced after 15 days incubation. Therefore, lower AC concentrations (5 and 10 µg mL-1) were promising on treating BRONJ wounds, as they were effective in protect epithelial cells against harmfull effects of ZA, without affecting cancer cells or S. mutans growth. Different types of core matherials must be evaluated for improving AC chemical stability. More studies are required to prove AC beneficial effects on treating BRONJ / Doutorado / Farmacologia, Anestesiologia e Terapeutica / Doutora em Odontologia

Abstract Whenever a foreign material is implanted into a human body an implant–tissue interface area forms between them. In this microenvironment, interactions take place between the implant and the surrounding tissue. The implantation of a biomaterial into tissue results in injury and initiation of the inflammatory response. This host response to biomaterials is an unavoidable series of events that occur when tissue homeostasis is disturbed by the implantation process. In bone tissue, biocompatible implants must initially be capable of strong bone implant contact and subsequently, allow the normal bone remodeling cycle around the implant. NiTi is a metal alloy composed of approximately a 50:50 ratio of nickel and titanium. It possesses shape memory and superelasticity properties, which make it an interesting biomaterial. NiTi has two phases: austenite and martensite. A decrease in temperature or applied stress induce the austenite-to-martensite transformation. Heating or removing the stress restores the parent austenite phase. The alloy in its martensite structure can be reshaped and strained several times more than a conventional metal alloy without irreversible deformation of the material. The alloy returns to its original shape as it changes from martensite-to-austenite. This transformation is seen as the macroscopic shape memory effect. This study further investigated the biocompatibility of NiTi, especially the bone cell response to both austenite and martensite. Different surface treatments were investigated in order to improve and possibly even control NiTi's bioactivity as a bone implant material. Osteoclasts grew and attached well on the austenite NiTi phase, but the results indicated that the biocompatibility of martensite NiTi was compromised. Oxidation of the NiTi surface improved osteoblast attachment and viability. This was due to the formation of a TiO2 surface layer of moderate thickness. Coating the NiTi surface with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin was shown to enhance osteoblast proliferation and increase the number of cells in the G1 cell cycle stage. Austenite was more prone to show these effects than martensite. A sol-gel derived titania-silica surface treatment was observed to increase the bone implant contact of functional NiTi intramedullary nails. The surface treatment was most effective with the constant bending load provided by the NiTi nail.

Abstract Collagen XVIII is a basement membrane proteoglycan, which has three variant N-termini. These variants are coded by two promoters; promoter 1 directs the synthesis of a short variant and promoter 2 directs the synthesis of two longer variants, of which the middle variant is generated from the longest by splicing. The longest variant contains a cysteine-rich domain in its N-terminus, which shows homology to the frizzled receptors of the Wnt molecules and can inhibit Wnt/beta-catenin signalling in vitro. The C-terminal domain of collagen XVIII, endostatin, is an inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis. Lack of collagen XVIII accelerates cutanous wound healing and wound angiogenesis. Overexpression of endostatin leads to delayed wound healing and the presence of morphologically abnormal wound capillaries. Moreover, endostatin overexpression leads to delayed formation of the wound epidermal basement membrane and impaired maturation of hemidesmosomes. Endostatin treatment decreases osteoblast proliferation in vitro. Moreover, osteoblast proliferation and mineralization of the matrix by osteoblasts are inhibited when cells are treated with endostatin together with VEGF. In vivo, lack of collagen XVIII leads to delayed formation of secondary ossification centers in mouse femurs, whereas overexpression of endostatin leads to a slower growth of bone length. However, both of these changes are transient and mild, suggesting that collagen XVIII/endostatin is not essential for skeletal development. The growth of hair follicles is delayed in the mice overexpressing endostatin. This delay in growth is preceded by an impaired hair follicle associated angiogenesis. Lack of collagen XVIII causes an accelerated onset of the first hair cycle. A similar change can be seen in mice lacking the long variants of collagen XVIII. Lack of the short variant causes mild acceleration in the catagen of the first cycle, and anagen is also significantly accelerated in these mice. The long variants were located in the bulge region, which contains the hair follicle stem cells, and in the basement membrane surrounding the dermal papilla. As it is known that several Wnt-inhibitors are upregulated in the bulge, our results suggest that the longest variant of collagen XVIII may have a role as a regulator of Wnt-signalling in hair follicles.

L’ostéoporose touche principalement les femmes après la ménopause, c’est une maladie caractérisée par une détérioration de la minéralisation et de la micro-architecture de l’os. L’objectif du travail de thèse présenté ici est d’identifier une fraction protéique laitière ayant un effet stimulant sur la formation osseuse. Une telle fraction, ajoutée dans un produit ou un complément alimentaire, pourrait contribuer à réduire la perte osseuse. La première étape du projet consiste à produire les fractions laitières. Des protéines laitières (caséine ou protéines sériques) ont été digérées par des enzymes puis filtrées pour les fractionner selon leur poids moléculaire. Les fractions obtenues ont ensuite été testées sur des cultures primaires de cellules osseuses. Certaines fractions protéiques laitières ont augmenté la prolifération et la différenciation des ostéoblastes. Parmi ces fractions actives, la fraction correspondant au rétentat d’une filtration sur un filtre à 10kDa d’un hydrolysat de caséine par de la chymotrypsine a été sélectionnée pour être testée sur animaux. Cette fraction a été nommée fraction CR10. Pour étudier l’activité du CR10 in vivo sur le métabolisme osseux, un modèle de souris sous restriction protéique est mis au point. Nos études démontrent que, lorsque le régime est basé sur des protéines de soja, le passage d’un régime contenant 20% de protéines à un régime contenant 6% de protéines induit une réduction de la formation osseuse. Le traitement des souris sous restriction protéique avec du CR10 n’a eu aucun effet, ce qui signifie que le CR10 n’arrive pas à exercer son activité anabolique in vivo. En revanche, si de la caséine est donnée à la place du soja ou si de la PTH est injectée aux souris, la formation osseuse est augmentée. Ces résultats suggèrent que la fraction CR10 n’est pas un bon candidat comme fraction anabolique. En revanche, l’effet positif de la caséine par rapport au soja pourrait être exploité lors de futures études visant à mettre au point une fraction caséique ostéoanabolique. / Osteoporosis is a disease mainly affecting women after menopause, characterized by a reduced bone mineralization and a deterioration of bone micro-architecture. The aim of this thesis is to identify a milk protein fraction able to stimulate bone formation. When added to a food product, this fraction could reduce bone loss. The first task of this project was to produce the milk protein fractions. Milk proteins (casein or whey proteins) were digested by enzymes and fractionated by filtration according to their molecular weight. The fractions obtained were then tested on primary cultures of bone cells. Some of the milk protein fractions tested were able to increase proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Among these active fractions, the one obtained by digestion of casein by chymotrypsin followed by filtration through a 10 kDa filter have been selected to be tested on animals. This fraction is named CR10. To study the activity of CR10 in vivo, a protein-restricted mouse model has been developed. Our studies showed that a reduction of protein in the diet from 20% to 6% impaired bone formation when the diet was based on soy protein. When these protein-restricted mice ingested the CR10 fraction, no improvement of the BMD was reported, which means that the CR10 cannot exert its anabolic activity in vivo. However, if casein is given instead of soy or if PTH is injected to the mice, bone formation is increased. These results suggest that the CR10 is not a good candidate as an anabolic fraction. However, the positive effect of casein compared to soy could be exploited in future studies aimed at finding an osteoanabolic casein fraction.

La neurofibromatose de type 1 (NF1) représente la maladie génétique autosomale dominante la plus fréquente en France, après la mucovisidose, avec une incidence de 1 individu sur 3500. Il s'agit d'une pathologie multi-systémique présentant un tableau clinique varié. Parmi la pléthore de symptôme, sont comptées des manifestations neurocutanées telles que les taches « café-au-lait » (zone d'hyperpigmentation localisée) et les neurofibromes (tumeurs bénignes de la gaine périphérique de la myéline) mais également des défauts osseux et des troubles cognitifs. La pénétrance de NF1 est complète mais la manifestation et la sévérité des symptômes peuvent varier d'un individu à l'autre. Le gène NF1 responsable de la maladie, localisé sur le chromosome 17, est un gène suppresseur de tumeur qui code pour la neurofibromine. Dans le but de développer un modèle cellulaire humain pertinent pour l'étude des défauts osseux associés à NF1, nous avons utilisé des cellules souches induites à la pluripotence porteuse de la mutation causale NF1 (hiPS-NF1). Dans ces travaux, nous avons montré qu'une perte d'expression de la neurofibromine dans les ostéoblastes dérivés de hiPS-NF1 reproduisait le phénotype d'ostéogénèse réduite et qu'il était possible d'améliorer la capacité des hiPS-NF1 à se différencier en ostéoblaste à l'aide de molécules pharmacologiques. Toujours dans le but de proposer un modèle cellulaire humain le plus relevant possible, nous avons développé des lignées isogéniques avec la technologie CRISPR/Cas 9 afin d'étudier l'impact d'une perte partielle ou totale de l'expression de la neurofibromine sur le phénotype osseux. En parallèle, afin de pouvoir étudier un autre phénotype associé à NF1, un protocole de différenciation de cellules de Schwann sous culture définie en utilisant des facteurs de croissance et des molécules de signalisation, a partir des hiPS a été développé. Des cellules de Schwann-like ont été obtenues en 30 jours en engagement la différenciation des cellules souches vers la crête neurale afin d'induire l'émergence de précurseurs de cellules de Schwann par l'action de molécules telles que le récepteur de type I du TGF-ß (SB431542), l'hereguline ß1, l'IGF1, le FGF2 et un activateur de WNT3a (CHIR99021). L'analyse par q-PCR montre une augmentation des marqueurs de différents stades de différenciation de la cellule de Schwann : crête neurale (SOX10, ERBB3), cellules de Schwann précurseurs (MPZ, CAD19) et cellules de Schwann immatures (S100) au bout de 30 jours de différenciation. Ces résultats ont été complétés par l'analyse protéique des cellules différenciées et par la mise en co-culture de ces cellules avec des motoneurones différenciés à partir d'hiPS. L'ensemble de ce travail a permis de valider la pertinence de l'utilisation des cellules souches pluripotentes porteuses de mutation dans la modélisation de pathologie génétique. Permettant à plus long terme la recherche de molécules actives par des approches de de criblage pharmacologique ou par des approches de thérapie cellulaire. / Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal genetic disease with an incidence of 1 in 3,500 individuals. This is a multi-systemic disorder with a plethora of various symptoms. Among with we find neurocutaneous manifestations such as "café-au-lait" spots (zone of localized hyperpigmentation) and neurofibromas (benign tumors of the peripheral sheath of myelin), but also bone defects and cognitive disorders. The penetrance of NF1 is complete but the manifestation and severity of symptoms may vary from one individual to another. The NF1 gene responsible for the disease, located on chromosome 17, is a tumor suppressor gene that encodes neurofibromin. In order to develop a relevant human cellular model for the study of bone defects associated with NF1, we used pluripotency-induced stem cells that carry the NF1 causal mutation (hiPS-NF1). In this work, we have shown that loss of neurofibromin expression in osteoblasts derived from hiPS-NF1 reproduces the reduced osteogenesis phenotype. We have also shown that pharmacological molecules can improve the ability of hiPS-NF1 to differentiate in osteoblast. In order to propose the most relevant human cell model, we have developed isogenic lines with CRISPR / Cas 9 technology to study the impact of a partial or total loss of neurofibromin on the bone phenotype. Simultaneously, a Schwann cells differentiation protocol from hiPS was developed under culture defined using growth factors and signaling molecules. Schwann-like cells were obtained in 30 days by the use of molecules such as the type I receptor TGF-β (SB431542), heregulin β1, IGF1, FGF2 and activator of WNT3a (CHIR99021). The q-PCR analysis shows an increase in Schwann cell markers: neural crest (SOX10, ERBB3), precursor Schwann cells (MPZ, CAD19) and immature Schwann cells (S100). These results were confirmed by protein analysis of the differentiated cells and by the co-culture analysis of these cells with differentiated motoneurons from hiPS. All of this work validated the relevance of pluripotent stem cells in the modeling of genetic pathology.

Astronauts are at risk of losing 1.0% to 1.5% of their bone mass for every month they spend in space despite their adherence to diets and exercise regimens designed to protect their musculoskeletal systems. This loss is the result of microgravity-related impairment of osteocyte and osteoblast function and the consequent upregulation of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. This review describes the ontogeny of osteoclast hematopoietic stem cells and the contributions macrophage colony stimulating factor, receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kappa B ligand, and the calcineurin pathways make in osteoclast differentiation and provides details of bone formation, the osteoclast cytoskeleton, the immune regulation of osteoclasts, and osteoclast mechanotransduction on Earth, in space, and under conditions of simulated microgravity. The article discusses the need to better understand how osteoclasts are able to function in zero gravity and reviews current and prospective therapies that may be used to treat osteoclast-mediated bone disease.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of physical and mechanical disinfection of P. gingivalis from implant disks and to evaluate bone cells growth and attachment to the disks. Background. Each year, over three million of Americans replacing missing teeth with dental implants. An inflammatory process around an implant that causes bone loss, characterizes peri-implantitis, first diagnosed in the 1980s. The prevalence is approximately 22%. To date, no treatment protocol of peri-implantitis has been proposed. Methods. 207 implants disks. Four different implant surfaces utilized. Disks were contaminated by p. gingivalis and consequentially disinfected by physical means (spraying prophy jet, titanium brush, and ultrasonic activation) and chemically by Hydrogen Peroxide 3%, 0.12% Chlorhexidine Gluconate, and Sodium Bicarbonate. Osteoblasts were added to the disks. Growth factors (Emdogain and Gem21S) were used in two groups. Osteoblast vitality, attachment and morphology were evaluated. Results. On 3iT3 the all disinfection methods had similar results. On Osseotite and Nanotite surfaces, the citric acid combined with ultrasonic activation granted the worse results. Hence, disks that did not have the surface altered by physical decontamination had most cells attached. Hydrogen Peroxide 3% showed to be the most biocompatible and 0.12% Chlorhexidine gluconate showed most cellular toxicity. Implant coating did not influence osteoblast attachment. Growth factors did not promote osteoblast attachment. Conclusion: Further investigations are necessary.

Most of the load-bearing demand placed on the human body is transduced by skeletal tissue, and the capacity of the skeleton to articulate in various opposing directions is essential for body movement and locomotion. Consequently, cartilage and bone defects due to trauma, disease, and developmental abnormalities result in disabling pain and immobility for millions of people worldwide. A novel way of promoting cartilage and bone regeneration is through the incorporation of either primary cells or multipotent progenitor cells in a three-dimensional (3D) biomaterial scaffold, and/or the addition of exogenous growth and differentiation factors. The first part of this study reports a protocol for using freshly isolated mature chondrocytes seeded in a 3D hydrogel biomaterial scaffold, developed to explore mechanotransduction of engineered cartilage constructs cultured in a designed bioreactor. The bioreactor was designed to allow the application of physiological mechanical forces (compression and fluid flow), as well as a non-invasive/non-destructive method for analyzing regenerating tissue in real time through ultrasound transducers and a computerized monitoring system. In the second part of this study, an engineered immortalized osteoprecursor cell line, designated OPC1 (osteoblastic precursor cell line 1), was used as a culture model system for exploring the effects of exogenous growth and differentiation factors, mainly vitamin D, on early bone development. OPC1 was previously designed to provide a consistent reproducible culture system for direct comparisons of engineered bone constructs, evaluating bone development and cell/biomaterial interactions, and for investigating putative bone differentiating factors. One of the objectives of this research effort was to explore tissue development and regeneration by culturing OPC1 in the presence of vitamin D metabolites vitaD3 and 1,25OH2D3, while assaying the concomitant biological response. Results indicate that OPC1 is capable of metabolizing the parental metabolite vitaD3, and thus 25OHD3, to the active vitamin D form 1,25OH2D3. The metabolism of vita3 resulted in an anti-proliferative and pro-differentiative influence on OPC-1. These results support the hypothesis that extra-endocrine synthesis of 1,25OH2D3 functions in a tissue specific manner to regulate growth and differentiation, in addition to the classic calcimic actions of the vitamin D endocrine pathway. Understanding the influence of vitamin D on bone development will have significant implications on healthy aging, including the susceptibility to skeletal disorders involved in development and aging, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Enhancing osteoblast proliferation, survival, and extracellular matrix protein secretion are potential therapeutic approaches to treat bone fractures and diseases such as osteoporosis. BENS is a traditional medicine used in many countries such as India for thousands of years to treat many diseases including bone diseases. In this study, molecular, cell-based and in vivo approaches were utilized to investigate the effects of BENS on bone and cartilage regeneration. An osteosarcoma cell line (MG63) was incubated in serum free media with and without 0.8 mg/ml of BENS. BENS significantly increased cell survival up to 30 days and these cells retained their ability to proliferate in fresh media with serum. After adding BENS, there were statistically significant decreases in the expression of both anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. An in vivo non-critical size segmental bone defect Xenopus system was used to evaluate the ability of BENS to enhance cartilage formation. After a small segment of the anterior hemisection of the tarsus bone was excised, the frogs were divided into three groups and given subcutaneous injections of either phosphate-buffered saline or BENS once daily for 30 days and then bone/cartilage formation evaluated. The total cartilage area/total section area was significantly increased (2.6 fold) in the BENS treated samples. In an osteoporotic rat model, the anabolic properties of BENS on bone mass were assessed by histomorphometric analyses. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats received daily intraperitoneal injections for 4 weeks. Bone formation rates (BFRs) for the cortical periosteal bone surface of the midshaft tibia were 383.2, 223.9, 308.8, 304.9, and 370.9 µm3/µm2/year, and for the trabecular surface were 82.2, 113, 212.1, 157, and 165 µm3/µm2/year for the sham, OVX, PTH, 3 mg/kg BENS, and 30 mg/kg BENS groups, respectively. BENS increased both trabecular and cortical BFRs. It generated better results on cortical periosteal bone surface than did PTH. Taken together, these findings suggest that BENS promotes osteoblast survival due to its effects on altering the balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins. In addition, in vivo studies revealed that BENS enhanced cartilage formation in Xenopus and BFRs in rats. Therefore, BENS may possess anabolic bone/cartilage properties.