Synergistic HA-tooth graft composite promotes rapid alveolar bone healing via IL-6 suppression and OCN enhancement

Periodontitis leads to continuous alveolar bone destruction driven by persistent inflammation, particularly elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bone healing after tooth extraction under periodontitis conditions is often impaired, highlighting the need for regenerative biomaterials that can regulate inflammation and support osteogenesis. The hyaluronic acid-bovine tooth graft (HA + BTG) combination has been proposed as a promising BioGel-Graft candidate for accelerated bone regeneration.

This study aimed to evaluate IL-6 and osteocalcin (OCN) expression as biomarkers of alveolar bone healing in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced Wistar rats following HA + BTG administration and to compare its regenerative effects with control and HA-only groups.

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups (control, HA, and HA + BTG). After periodontitis induction and tooth extraction, the treatment materials were applied to the extraction sockets. Tissue samples collected on days 14 and 21 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry for IL-6 and OCN, along with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to assess woven bone formation.

The HA + BTG group showed a significant reduction in IL-6 expression and a significant increase in OCN expression and woven bone area compared with the control (p < 0.05). An inverse trend between IL-6 and OCN reflected the transition from inflammation to osteogenesis.

HA + BTG enhances alveolar bone regeneration by suppressing inflammation and stimulating osteoblastic activity, supporting its potential as an innovative gel-syringe biomaterial for regenerative alveolar bone therapy.