Deferoxamine Treatment Effectively Prevents Periodontitis Progression by Reducing Inflammation and Osteoclastogenesis in Experimental Periodontitis Rats

Purpose: Although the anti-inflammatory properties of the hypoxia-mimetic drug deferoxamine (DFO) have been reported, its potential as a treatment for periodontitis remains unknown. This study investigated the therapeutic benefits of DFO on osteoclastogenesis and inflammation in periodontitis progression. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with DFO before stimulation with lipopolysaccharides from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. g-LPS). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and inflammatory factors were measured, followed by analysis of relevant inflammatory pathways. Immunofluorescence and molecular biology methods were employed to assess osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells after nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) induction. A rat model of periodontitis was es\lished using ligature wires, and alveolar bone loss was assessed via micro-computed tomography. Osteoclastogenesis and periodontal inflammation were assessed through immunohistochemistry as well as hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: DFO reduced the P.g-LPS-induced inflammatory factor expression (P < 0.0001) and upregulated HIF-1 alpha (P = 0.0278) in RAW264.7 cells. DFO suppressed NF-kappa B signaling by inhibiting NF-kappa B p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation. DFO pretreatment inhibited osteoclast development by decreasing F-actin rings synthesis, reducing the number of mature osteoclasts (P < 0.0001) and downregulating osteoclast-specific markers (P < 0.05). In rat periodontitis models, DFO treatment reduced tissue inflammation, osteoclastogenesis, and alveolar bone loss (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DFO effectively prevented osteoclast development, alveolar bone loss, and inflammation associated with periodontitis.