Abstract: Apical periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease of periapical tissue，mostly secondary to endodontic disease. A great number of inflammatory factors and activated osteoclasts are produced around the apex of the root，leading to the destruction and resorption of the alveolar bone. Existing researches have shown that the tissue around the apex of the tooth root is in a state of hypoxia during apical periodontitis. Hypoxia can activate downstream pathways by up-regulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factors，which promotes autophagy of osteoclast. Autophagy can promote differentiation，maturation，and functional activation of osteoclasts through multiple pathways. This article reviews the studies on autophagy under the hypoxic microenvironment to regulate bone resorption and its application in clinical treatment during apical periodontitis.

Key words: apical periodontitis, bone resorption, autophagy, hypoxia

摘要： 根尖周炎是一种常见的根尖周组织炎症性疾病，多继发于牙髓病。患牙根尖周部位产生炎症因子，诱导分化出大量破骨细胞，导致周围骨组织破坏和吸收。研究显示，根尖周炎时牙根周围组织处于缺氧状态，而缺氧可通过上调缺氧诱导因子的表达激活下游通路，促进破骨细胞自噬。自噬通过多种途径来促进破骨细胞的分化成熟和功能活化。文章就根尖周炎低氧微环境下自噬调控骨吸收的相关研究及其在临床防治中的应用做一综述。

关键词: 根尖周炎, 骨吸收, 自噬, 缺氧