Inhibitory effects of melatonin on titanium particle-induced inflammatory bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis via suppression of NF-κB signaling

Wear debris-induced peri-implant osteolysis challenges the longevity of implants. The host response to wear debris causes chronic inflammation, promotes bone resorption, and impairs bone formation. We previously demonstrated that melatonin enhances bone formation and attenuates wear debris-induced bone loss in vivo. However, whether melatonin inhibits chronic inflammation and bone resorption at sites of wear debris-induced osteolysis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the potential inhibitory effects of melatonin on titanium particle-induced inflammatory osteolysis in a murine calvarial model and on RANKL-induced osteoclastic formation in bone marrow-derived macrophages. We found that the exogenous administration of melatonin significantly inhibited wear debris-induced bone resorption and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in vivo. Additionally, melatonin inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, F-actin ring formation, and osteoclastic resorption in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. We also showed that melatonin blocked the phosphorylation of IκB-α and p65, but not IKKα, and significantly inhibited the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. However, melatonin had no effect on MAPK or PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. These results provide novel mechanistic insight into the anti-inflammatory and anti-bone resorptive effects of melatonin on wear debris-induced bone loss and provide an evidence-based rationale for the protective effects of melatonin as a treatment for peri-implant osteolysis.

Statement of significance: Wear debris-induced chronic inflammation, osteoclastic activation and osteoblastic inhibition have been identified as critical factors of peri-implant bone loss. We previously demonstrated that melatonin, a bioactive indolamine secreted mainly by the pineal gland, activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and enhances bone regeneration at osteolytic site in vivo. In the current study, we further demonstrated that melatonin significantly suppresses wear debris-induced bone resorption and inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo. In addition, melatonin inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand induced osteoclast formation and osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro. Meanwhile, we found that melatonin mediates its anti-inflammation and anti-bone resorption effects by abrogating nuclear factor kappa-B activation. These results further support the protective effects of melatonin on wear debris-induced peri-implant bone loss, and strongly suggest that melatonin could be considered as a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of wear debris-induced osteolysis and subsequent aseptic loosening.