An Experimental Study on the Inhibition of Wear Particle‐Induced Osteolysis by Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide In Vivo

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in a mouse calvarial osteolysis model and to explore the potential mechanisms involved. Methods. Eighty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Sham control (PBS treatment), Vehicle (titanium/PBS treatment), Low‐LBP (titanium/50 mg kg-1 day-1 LBP), and High‐LBP (titanium/100 mg kg-1 day-1 LBP). After 2 weeks, mouse calvariae were collected for microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) and histomorphometry analysis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and IL‐6 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. LBP significantly reduced titanium‐particle‐induced osteolysis compared with the Vehicle group as confirmed by micro‐CT and histomorphometry data. Additionally, high osteoprotegerin (OPG) and low receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐Β ligand (RANKL), TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 were noted in LBP treatment groups. Conclusion. LBP inhibited wear particle‐induced osteolysis in mice and suppressed the expression of inflammation‐related factors; this inhibitory effect of LBP may be achieved with the regulation of OPG/RANKL pathway and inhibition of inflammatory factor production.