BBR affects macrophage polarization via inhibition of NF-κB pathway to protect against T2DM-associated periodontitis

Periodontitis is intimately associated with the development of various systemic diseases, among which type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a bidirectional relationship with the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The objective of the present work was to investigate the role of berberine (BBR) in periodontitis with T2DM and related mechanisms.

The mRNA expression of macrophage polarization-related factors in the microenvironment of periodontal inflammation was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The experimental periodontitis model was constructed in wild-type (WT) and T2DM (db/db) mice, which were administered BBR after 7 days of modeling. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) in each group of mice was measured utilizing micro-computed tomography images. RT-qPCR was performed to analyze the levels of macrophage polarization-related factors in mouse gingiva. Lastly, using western blotting and RT-qPCR, the signaling pathway of BBR affecting macrophage polarization in the microenvironment of periodontitis was explored.

BBR inhibited M1 polarization and stimulated M2 polarization in the periodontitis microenvironment. BBR decreased ABL in the WT and T2DM periodontitis models. And BBR reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in the gingiva of WT and T2DM model mice. Ultimately, BBR mediates its anti-inflammatory effects on periodontitis through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway.

BBR had a therapeutic effect on T2DM-associated periodontitis via inhibiting the NF-κB pathway to affect macrophage polarization, which may have implications for the new pharmacological treatment of T2DM-associated periodontitis.