Dietary nitrate improves jaw bone remodelling in zoledronate-treated mice

Structural characterization and osteogenic differentiation-promoting activity of polysaccharide purified from Chroogomphus rutilus

Chroogomphus rutilus (CR) possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic properties. However, studies are yet to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activity of the fungi and its polysaccharides. Therefore, this study is aimed at characterizing and evaluating the anti-osteoporotic effects of a novel polysaccharide from CR. The neutral polysaccharide CRP2 extracted and purified from the fruiting body of CR had a molecular weight of 20.41 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that CRP2 is composed of galactose, glucose, fucose, and mannose. The backbone of CRP2 primarily consisted of →6)-α-D-Galp-(1 → residues, with specific site substitutions speculated at partial positions, such as O-CH3 substitution at H-3 position, or a branch site located at C-2, including α-L-Fucp-(1 → 6)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → and α-D-Manp-(1→. CRP2 treatment increased trabecular bone density, restored a network-shaped structure, and upregulated the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, including runt-related transcription factor 2, osterix, osteocalcin, and osteopontin in the femoral tissue of mice with osteoporosis (OP). Additionally, CRP2 treatment suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the femoral tissue of mice with OP. Mechanistically, CRP2 exerted anti-OP effect by inhibiting inflammation and promoting osteogenesis through the transforming growth factor β-1/Smad pathway. Conclusively, these findings augment our understanding of the potential role of CRP2 in OP treatment.

Dietary nitrate accelerates the healing of infected skin wounds in mice by increasing microvascular density

As skin injuries resulting from acute trauma, burns, and chronic diseases present significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, the promotion of skin wound healing remains an unmet therapeutic area. Dietary nitrate serves as a crucial pathway for the production of nitric oxide, which plays various physiological roles in the body, including vasodilation, increased blood flow, and antioxidant activity. However, the impact of dietary nitrate on skin wound healing remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the role of dietary nitrate in infected skin wound healing using a mouse model. We created a full-thickness wound infection model in mice and examine the effects of dietary nitrate (0.5 mmol/kg/d and 1 mmol/kg/d) on wound healing. The results demonstrated that dietary nitrate significantly increased serum nitrate and nitrite levels, leading to accelerated wound healing by increasing microvascular density, promoting collagen deposition and re-epithelialization. Moreover, nitrate supplementation exhibited a certain degree of reduction in inflammatory factors within the body. Our study also found that 1 mmol/kg/d nitrate has a more effective therapeutic effect and can increase blood perfusion and expedite the formation of new blood vessels, thereby promoting skin wound healing. These results indicate that dietary nitrate presents a novel therapeutic approach for infected skin wound healing.

Chroogomphus rutilus Regulates Bone Metabolism to Prevent Periodontal Bone Loss during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Osteoporotic Rats

Osteoporosis (OP) leads to the acceleration of tooth movement and aggravation of periodontal bone loss during orthodontic treatment. Chroogomphus rutilus (CR) is abundant in nutrients and demonstrates remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the components of CR, including 35.00% total sugar, 0.69% reducing sugar, 14.40% crude protein, 7.30% total ash, 6.10% crude fat, 0.51% total flavonoids, 1.94% total triterpenoids, 0.32% total sterol, 1.30% total saponins, 1.69% total alkaloids, and 1.02% total phenol, were first systematically examined, followed by an investigation into its regulatory effects on bone metabolism in order to mitigate bone loss during orthodontic tooth movement in osteoporotic rats. The results of the imaging tests revealed that CR treatment reduced periodontal bone loss and normalized tooth movement in the OP. In conjunction with analyses of intestinal flora and metabolomics, CR enhances the prevalence of anti-inflammatory genera while reducing the production of inflammatory metabolites. Meanwhile, CR reduced the levels of periodontal inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and promoted periodontal bone formation. These findings imply that CR is a potent supplementary therapy for controlling periodontal bone remodeling in patients with OP undergoing orthodontic treatment.