The Gastric BPC157 IS Bone Protective in Experimental Periodontitis

The pentadecapeptide BPC157 produced by the stomach has a significant anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects, furthermore, it is able to stimulate the healing of bone defects. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BPC157 on the alveolar bone morphometric parameters and bone metabolism in experimental periodontitis. Methods: The alveolar bone morphometric parameters were studied by microCT on day 13 after daily ip. injection of physiological saline (control group) or 10 microg/kg BPC157 (BPC group) in ligature-induced periodontitis model in rat. In another experiment in the same model on day 13, 0.5mL, 100MBq, bone-seeking technetium-99m-methylene-diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) was injected iv. 2 hours before image analysis by nanoSPECT/CT, a dual modality imaging device. The 99mTc-MDP uptakes were measured and compared in the mandibular alveolar bone around the 1st molars on both sides. Results: We found a significant difference in percent bone volume (BPC group vs. control group, 59,1±6,6 vs. 77,2±5,8 %), in bone surface/volume ratio (0,055±0,006 vs. 0,041±0,003 1/microm) and in trabecular thickness (73.92±4.65 vs. 85.87±2.77 microm). Hot spots in the alveolar crest around the molar teeth on both sides are clearly separable from the rest of the mandible. There was a clear visual difference between the radiopharmaceutical uptakes of the ligatured (left side) and the contralateral control 1st molar teeth. Conclusion: Micromorphologic analysis of bone structure showed signs of chronic inflammation around the ligatured molars. Hot spots around teeth with periodontitis suggest a much stronger metabolic activity and faster remodeling of the alveolar crest than in the other parts of the mandible. BPC157 has a protective effect on the alveolar bone substance and may represent a new therapeutic drug candidate in the treatment of periodontitis. Support: OTKA T042584, T049708, EMIL-NoE 503569-2.2, IAEA CRP No E1.30.33 and Indo-Hungarian Intergovernmental Programme No 2003/07.