NF-κB Decoy ODN-Loaded Poly(Lactic-co-glycolic Acid) Nanospheres Inhibit Alveolar Ridge Resorption

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Tooth extraction leads to residual ridge resorption and bone loss, often exacerbated by inflammation.
• The Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway regulates inflammation, bone metabolism, and regeneration.
• NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) can downregulate NF-κB pathway gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of NF-κB decoy ODNs delivered via poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanospheres for managing tooth extraction sockets.
• To evaluate the effect of NF-κB decoy ODN-loaded PLGA nanospheres (PLGA-NfDs) on bone healing and inflammation in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Wistar/ST rats with tooth extraction sockets treated with PLGA-NfDs.
• Employed microcomputed tomography and trabecular bone analysis to assess bone structure.
• Conducted histomorphometric and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses to evaluate cellular and molecular changes.

Main Results:

• PLGA-NfD treatment significantly inhibited vertical alveolar bone loss, increasing bone volume and improving trabecular bone structure.
• Reduced expression of inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α) and osteoclast activity was observed.
• Increased transforming growth factor-β1 expression suggests enhanced bone regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Local delivery of NF-κB decoy ODNs via PLGA nanospheres effectively suppresses inflammation in tooth extraction sockets.
• This therapeutic approach shows potential for accelerating new bone formation and mitigating bone loss during socket healing.