title: Azilsartan increases levels of IL-10, down-regulates MMP-2, MMP-9, RANKL/RANK, Cathepsin K and up-regulates OPG in an experimental periodontitis model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of azilsartan (AZT) on bone loss, inflammation, and the expression of matrix metallo proteinases (MMPs), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and cathepsin K in periodontal tissue in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each: (1) nonligated, water; (2) ligated, water; (3) ligated, 1 mg/kg AZT; (4) ligated, 5 mg/kg AZT; and (5) ligated, 10 mg/kg AZT. All groups were treated with saline or AZT for 10 days. Periodontal tissues were analyzed by histopathology and immunohistochemical detection of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANKL, RANK, OPG, and cathepsin K. Levels of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glutathione (GSH) were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with 5 mg/kg AZT resulted in reduced MPO (p<0.05) and IL-1β (p<0.05), increased levels of IL-10 (p<0.05), and reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK, RANKL, cathepsin K, and increased expression of OPG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings reveal that AZT increases anti-inflammatory cytokines and GSH and decreases bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.
authors.affiliation: Post Graduation Program Public Health/Post Graduation Program in Pharmaceutical Science/Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology,UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aurigena Antunes de
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Post Graduation Program Public Health/Department of Dentistry, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Post Graduation Program in Pharmacology/Department of Morphology, UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gerly Anne de Castro
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, UFRN, Post Graduation Program in Health and Society, UERN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier de
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lorena de Souza
authors.initials: Lde S
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Department of Textile Engineered, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Heriberto Oliveira
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: do Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Post Graduation Program in Functional and Structural Biology/Post Graduation Program Health Science/Department of Morphology, UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raimundo Fernandes
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: de Araújo Júnior
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056657:Cathepsin K / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000097:blood*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D056657:Cathepsin K; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; C521273:azilsartan