Effect of quercetin on expression of BMP2 and PTHRP in mice spheno-occipital synchondroses

Abstract

AIM: The spheno-occipital synchondrosis is an important growth centre that affects the position of the maxilla and mandible. Due to its inaccessible position, modification of its growth by mechanical means using appliances is not possible. To explore the biological possibility of its growth modification with chemicals could be an important breakthrough. Quercetin, one of the flavonoids found in onions, apples and grapes, has been reported to affect new bone formation locally. It may be used for growth modification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expressions of BMP2 and PTHrP during growth in spheno-occipital synchondroses in response to quercetin, using a mouse model in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Spheno-occipital synchondroses together with adjacent structures were aseptically excised from 50 one-day-old male BALB/c mice that were randomly assigned to five control and five experimental groups in five experimental periods. In the control groups, the specimens were immersed in BGJb medium. In the experimental groups, 1 µM quercetin was added into BGJb medium. Both groups were then cultured for 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days. Alcian blueperiodic acid Schiff staining was used to study growth of the synchondroses; immunohistochemical staining to identify BMP2 and PTHrP expressions. The areas of BMP2 and PTHrP expressions were measured. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed that both BMP2 and PTHrP expressions increased significantly 48 hours after quercetin application in the experimental group (P < 0.001). Compared with the control groups, both BMP2 and PTHrP were expressed consistently higher in the experimental groups at all time points. CONCLUSION: Quercetin enhances an increase in BMP2 and PTHrP expressions in spheno-occipital synchondroses. It is a new discovery that the growth of spheno-occipital synchondrosis can be modified by chemical mean.