Wear particle induced periprosthetic osteolysis is the main cause of aseptic
loosening of orthopedic implants. The aim of the present study is to determine
the protective effect of quercetin (QUE) against titanium (Ti) particle induced
endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) related apoptosis and osteolysis. In the
present study, RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with different concentrations (40,
80, and 160 μmol/l) of QUE for 30 min and then treated with Ti particle
(5 mg/ml) for 24 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined using MTT assay
and Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit, respectively. Protein and mRNA
expressions of ERS-related genes were examined by Western blot and real-time
PCR, respectively. The release of inflammatory cytokines was detected by ELISA.
Then, a mouse calvarial osteolysis model was established. Histological sections
of calvaria were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) or
tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The results showed that Ti particle
reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages. The
cytotoxic effects of Ti particle were dramatically inhibited by QUE
pretreatment. Interestingly, we found that QUE also significantly reduced Ti
particle induced up-regulation of the expression levels of protein kinase
RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), glucose-regulated
protein (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP),
caspase-12, and caspase-3 and enhanced the down-regulation of Bcl-2. In
addition, QUE decreased Ti particle-induced inflammatory cytokines release from
RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with QUE markedly decreased osteoclast
number. In a mouse calvarial osteolysis model, QUE inhibited Ti particle induced
osteolysis in vivo by inhibiting osteoclast formation and
expressions of ERS-related genes. In conclusion, QUE can protect RAW264.7 cells
from Ti particle induced ERS-related apoptosis and suppress calvarial osteolysis
in vivo.