Effect of functionalization of nanoparticulated synthetic bone substitute with phytoestrogenic biomolecules: impact on bone reconstructions in calvaria of rats with Osteoporosis

• Grant number: 24/05906-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Okamoto
• Grantee: Nathália Dantas Duarte
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal metabolic disease that primarily affects postmenopausal women due to a deficiency in estrogen synthesis. To optimize clinical outcomes in patients with systemic diseases, strategies are needed to assist the bone repair process, aiming to add biological properties and enhance the osteoconductive characteristics of the biomaterial. This project aims to evaluate the local performance of biomolecules with phytoestrogenic action (genistein and naringenin) in the functionalization of the synthetic-origin bone substitute (Rigenera®) through the sonochemical route, in the bone repair process in the calvaria of ovariectomized rats. For this study, 176 female rats (Rattus norvegicus, Albinus, Wistar) will be divided into two main groups according to fictional surgery or osteoporosis-inducing surgery: 1- SHAM (n=88): rats undergoing to fictional surgery, without osteoporosis induction; 2- OVX (n=88): rats undergoing bilateral ovariectomy to induce osteoporosis. Within each experimental group, there will be four subgroups, respectively: RGN (Rigenera® in natura), RGS (sonicated Rigenera®), RG+GEN (Rigenera® with genistein), RG+NAR (Rigenera® with naringenin). Calvarial surgery will be performed 90 days after ovariectomy, and euthanasia of the animals will be conducted at two time points, according to the analyses to be performed: 7 days (RT-qPCR) and 28 days (histological with H&E and Picrosirius, immunohistochemistry, micro-computed tomography, confocal microscopy, ultrastructural). Data will be subjected to normality testing to determine the appropriate statistical test in GraphPad Prism 7.03 software, with a significance level set at p<0.05. (AU)