Protective Effect of Bovine Milk Extracellular Vesicles on Alveolar Bone Loss

Bovine milk extracellular vesicles (MEVs) have demonstrated therapeutic potential in regulating bone cell activity. However, the outcome of their use on alveolar bone loss has not yet been demonstrated.

This study evaluates the effect of oral administration of MEVs on ovariectomized (OVX) mice. There is a reduced height of the alveolar bone crest in OVX mice by MEVs treatment, but the alveolar bone parameters are not altered. OVX mice are then submitted to a force-induced bone remodeling model by orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). MEVs-treated mice have markedly less bone remodeling movement, unlike the untreated OVX mice. Also, OVX mice treated with MEVs show an increased number of osteoblasts and osteocytes associated with higher sclerostin expression and reduce osteoclasts in the alveolar bone. Although the treatment with MEVs in OVX mice does not show differences in root structure in OTM, few odontoclasts are observed in the dental roots of OVX-treated mice. Compared to untreated mice, maxillary and systemic RANKL/OPG ratios are reduced in OVX mice treated with MEVs.

Treatment with MEVs results in positive bone cell balance in the alveolar bone and dental roots, indicating its beneficial potential in treating alveolar bone loss in the nutritional context.