Bo Yu, DDS, PhD

Assistant Professor

School of Dentistry
UCLA

Project title: The Effect of Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Resveratrol for Treatment of Periodontitis

Mentors:
Cun-Yu Wang, DDS, PhD – UCLA
Ben Wu, DMD, PhD – UCLA

Multidisciplinary Expertise:
Molecular biology, bone biology, bioengineering

Project Description:
Periodontitis is the most common osteolytic disease that afflicts approximately 50% of the population over the age of 30. Aside from destruction to local periodontal tissue and loss of tooth support, periodontitis is also a risk factor for many systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and oral cancer. Unlike the conventional treatment that focuses on removal of pathogens, this project aims to develop a novel approach using reseveratrol (grape extract)-loaded nanoparticles locally placed under the gum line to target periodontal inflammation, the actual mediating mechanism underlying periodontal tissue destruction. The study will investigate if reseveratrol will inhibit bone resorption and inflammation via upregulation of PGC-1α gene; the efficacy and safety of nanoparticles will also be evaluated in a murine model.