Berberine inhibits lipopolysaccharide- and polyethylene particle-induced mouse calvarial osteolysis in vivo.

BACKGROUND

Wear particle-induced osteolysis could lead to the aseptic loosening of implants. Studies have suggested that endotoxins, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), may be the primary causes of wear particle-mediated osteolysis, and that osteolysis may originate from subclinical levels of bacterial infection. However, effective therapies against wear particles and gram-negative bacterial or LPS-induced bone resorption are limited.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In the current study, the effect of berberine on LPS- and polyethylene (PE) particle-induced osteolysis in vivo was investigated using a mouse calvarial model. Osteoclast number per bone perimeter and eroded surface per bone surface were measured.

RESULTS

Berberine (10 mg/kg), injected either simultaneously with LPS or 3 d after LPS (25 mg/kg) treatment, blocked LPS-induced osteoclast recruitment and bone resorption in the mouse calvarial model. A daily single-dose of berberine (10 mg/kg), injected either simultaneously with PE particles or 4 d after treatment with PE particles, blocked PE particle-induced osteoclast recruitment and bone resorption. Berberine treatment markedly decreased LPS and PE particle-induced osteoclast recruitment and bone resorption in the murine calvarial model.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that berberine may have therapeutic effect for osteolysis induced by wear particles and LPS in gram-negative bacteria.