Injectable calcium phosphate ceramics prevent osteoclastic differentiation and osteoporotic bone loss: Potential applications for regional osteolysis

Abstract Calcium phosphates (CaPs) in the form of blocks are typically not satisfied for administration to osteoporotic patients because of their rapid resorption rate in vivo. However, injectable CaP powders have not been investigated for their potential in osteoporotic hosts. Herein, CaPs in the form of nanoparticles was reported can inhibit RANKL-stimulated osteoclastic differentiation (OC) and bone resorption, as evidenced by suppressed TRAP-positive cells, disintegrated F-actin rings and downregulated expression of markers for OC. CaP powders also significantly inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) activation. Furthermore, injectable CaPs reversed bone loss in a mouse model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and promoted osteoblastic formation in the absent of pro-osteogenic agents. Therefore, injectable CaPs, especially biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), could be developed as novel agents for the therapy of osteolysis-related diseases caused by inflammation.