Effects of Gold Nanoparticles Combined Human β-defensin 3 on The Alveolar Bone of Experimental Periodontitis

Abstract Background Nanomaterials of biomedicine and tissue engineering have been proposed in the treatment of periodontitis recently. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) combined human β-defensin 3 (hBD3) on the repair of alveolar bone of experimental periodontitis in rats. Methods A model of experimental periodontitis was established by ligating of the maxillary second molars with silk thread in rats, which were treated with or without AuNPs combined hBD3. Micro-focus computerized tomography (micro-CT) scanning, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and histological and immunohistochemical staining, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG) tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and receptor activator of NF-κB Ligand (RANKL), were used to analyze. Results Micro-CT demonstrated that the alveolar bone resorption was significantly reduced after the treatment of AuNPs combined hBD3. Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased markedly compared with the ligation group. HE and Masson staining showed that AuNPs combined hBD3 group had less inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fibrosis and fracture, but higher calcification in the new bone tissue. Moreover, the administration of AuNPs combined hBD3 increased the expression of ALP and OPG (related to bone formation) expression, while decreased TRAP and RANKL (related to bone resorption) expression. Conclusions AuNPs combined hBD3 had a protective effect on the progress of experimental periodontitis in rats, and also played a certain role in promoting osteogenesis.