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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Construction and Evaluation of a Murine Calvarial Osteolysis Model by Exposure to CoCrMo Particles in Aseptic Loosening
Published on: February 17, 2018
Probiotics protect mice from CoCrMo particles-induced osteolysis
Zhenheng Wang1, Kaiwen Xue1, Maosheng Bai1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Wear particle-induced inflammatory osteolysis is the primary cause of aseptic loosening, which is the most common reason for total hip arthroplasty (THA) failure in the med- and long term. Recent studies have suggested an important role of gut microbiota (GM) in modulating the host metabolism and immune system, leading to alterations in bone mass. Probiotic bacteria administered in adequate amounts can alter the composition of GM and confer health benefits to the host. Given the inflammatory osteolysis that occurs in wear debris-induced prosthesis loosening, we examined whether the probiotic Lactobacillus casei could reduce osteolysis in a mouse calvarial resorption model. In this study, L. casei markedly protected mice from CoCrMo particles (CoPs)-induced osteolysis. Osteoclast gene markers and the number of osteoclasts were significantly decreased in L. casei-treated mice. Probiotic treatment decreased the M1-like macrophage phenotype indicated by downregulation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and increased the M2-like macrophage phenotype indicated by upregulation of IL-4, IL-10 and arginase. Collectively, these results indicated that the L. casei treatment modulated the immune status and suppressed wear particle-induced osteolysis in vivo. Thus, probiotic treatment may represent a potential preventive and therapeutic approach to reduced wear debris-induced osteolysis.
Insights
Probiotic Lactobacillus casei significantly reduced osteolysis caused by wear particles in mice. This suggests probiotics may prevent or treat aseptic loosening after total hip arthroplasty by modulating the immune response.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Aseptic loosening due to wear particle-induced osteolysis is a major cause of total hip arthroplasty failure.
- Gut microbiota influences host metabolism and immunity, potentially affecting bone mass.
- Probiotics can modify gut microbiota and offer health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of Lactobacillus casei to mitigate wear particle-induced osteolysis.
- To evaluate the effect of L. casei on immune cell phenotypes involved in osteolysis.
Main Methods:
- A mouse calvarial resorption model was used to simulate wear particle-induced osteolysis.
- Mice were treated with Lactobacillus casei and exposed to cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) particles.
- Osteoclast activity, macrophage phenotypes (M1/M2), and related gene markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- L. casei treatment significantly protected mice against CoCrMo particle-induced osteolysis.
- Osteoclast differentiation and numbers were markedly reduced in L. casei-treated mice.
- Probiotic intervention shifted macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory (M1) to anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes, suppressing key inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus casei effectively suppresses wear particle-induced osteolysis in vivo.
- Probiotic treatment modulates the immune response, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for aseptic loosening.
- Probiotics may represent a novel approach for preventing and treating total hip arthroplasty failure related to osteolysis.
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