OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles or effects of oviductus ranae (OR) or oviductus ranae eggs (ORE) in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODSIn vivo experiment: Sixty female adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12. To provide an osteoporosis model 4 groups of rats were ovariectomized (OVX), with the 5th being sham operated. Medication commenced 7 days after the operation and lasted continuously for 12 weeks. Sham operated and OVX groups were given equivalent volumes of 5% Tween-80. The other three groups intragastrically received conjugated estrogens (CE), OR or ORE of the corresponding doses. At the 12th week, serum estrogen, bone gla protein (BGP), serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed; bone mineral densities (BMD) were measured and bone scanning was conducted; uteri were weighed, and weight, volume and length of the femoral bones were determined; and cortical thickness of femoral heads and area of bone trabecula were measured by image analyzer. In vitro experiment: Eighty 10-month old SD rats, with equal numbers of males and females, were randomly divided into 8 groups. Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal rat calvariae, and the cells were exposed to various concentrations of serum from OR and ORE groups to study the impact of these sera on osteoblastic proliferation, ALP activity and mineralization. Osteoclastic numbers were determined using tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP).

RESULTSIn vivo experiment: The body weight of the four OVX groups increased significantly (P<0.01). Uterine weight of the CE group was the highest (P<0.01); Compared with the model group, estrogen level, BMD, bone scanning/bone imaging index weight of the femoral bones, cortical thickness of femoral heads in the OR and ORE groups increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01); femoral volume in the ORE group increased significantly (P<0.05); and the content of osteocalcin, phosphorus, and ALP in serum decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). In vitro experiment: Sera from OR and ORE groups had notable effects on the proliferation of osteoblasts (P<0.05 and P<0.01, repsectively) and stimulated the formation of calcium nodes (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the enhancement of ALP activity in osteoblasts was significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of TRAP-positive cells was significantly reduced as well (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOR and its eggs could effectively suppress OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats, and increase bone turnover possibly by both an increase in osteoblastic activity and a decrease in osteoclastic activity. The present study provides evidence that OR and its eggs could be considered a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Female ; Femur ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Ovum ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; Uterus ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Gusongbao (GSB) on proliferation and metabolism of osteoblast cultured in vitro.

METHODSOld rats, aged 18 months, were given GSB 1.5 g/kg, twice a day for 3 days by intragastric perfusion. Blood of the rats was collected 1 hr after the final perfusion to isolate serum for preparing, with D8900 medium, the culture media containing 7.5% or 15% GSB, which was used to culture osteoblast for 24 hrs. Besides, D8900 media containing 7.5% or 15% old rats'serum without medication, containing 20 mumol/L, sodium fluoride, and simple D8900 medium were prepared for control. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT method, and the changes of Ca2+ concentration and ALP content in supernatant of culture were also observed.

RESULTSThe osteoblast proliferation cultured in GSB serum containing medium was significantly increased than those cultured in the other control media (P < 0.01), at the same time, the Ca2+ consumption increased and the ALP content elevated significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGSB could promote the DNA synthesis, increase the utilization of Ca2+ and accelerate the growth and proliferation of osteoblast.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo culture osteoblast in vitro and evaluate CCL3 receptor CCR1 expression in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients were cultured in vitro with dexamethasone, β-sodium glycerophosphate and vitamin C, which were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, Von Kossa's staining. The CCL3 receptor expression was evaluated by flow cytometry. The morphology and quantity of osteoblast were observed after exposure to CCL3.

RESULTSBone marrow osteoblasts from MM patients could be cultured in vitro and be identified by positive staining of alkaline phosphatase and Von Kossa's. MM-derived osteoblasts expressed higher levels of CCR1 (74.48 ± 7.31)%, compared with normal controls (48.35 ± 8.81)%. Calcium deposition of osteoblasts after exposure to CCL3 was less than that of controls.

CONCLUSIONBone marrow osteoblasts could be cultured in vitro from MM Patients. CCL3 may contribute to the development of myeloma bone disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL3 ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Receptors, CCR1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult

The effect of the anti-inflammatory flavonoid chrysin on osteogenesis was determined in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Results demonstrated that chrysin could induce osteogenic differentiation in the absence of other osteogenic agents. Chrysin treatment promoted the expression of transcription factors (Runx2 and Osx) and bone formation marker genes (Col1A1, OCN, and OPN) as well as enhanced the formation of mineralized nodules. During osteogenic differentiation, chrysin preferentially activated ERK1/2, but not JNK nor the p38 MAPKs. Further experiments with inhibitors revealed the co-treatment of U0126, PD98059, or ICI182780 (a general ER antagonist) with chrysin effectively abrogated the chrysin-induced osteogenesis and ERK1/2 activation. Thus, the effect of chrysin on osteogenesis is ERK1/2-dependent and involves ER. Therefore, chrysin has the significant potential to enhance osteogenesis for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) on the proliferation, differentiation and immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from mice with aplastic anemia.

METHODSA mouse model of aplastic anemia was established by exposure of BALB/c mice to sublethal doses of 5.0 Gy Co60 γ radiation, followed by transplantation of 2×10(6) lymph node cells from DBA/2 donor mice within 4 h after radiation. Aplastic anemic BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: the treated groups, which received 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day SCC, respectively; a positive control group treated with cyclosporine A (CsA); and an untreated model control group (model group); while, the non-irradiated mice as the normal control group. SCC or CsA were administered by gastrogavage for 20 days, starting on day 4 after irradiation. Peripheral blood cells were counted and colony-forming fibroblasts (CFU-F) in the bone marrow were assayed. The ability of MSCs to form calcium nodes after culture in osteoinductive medium was also observed. The immunosuppressive effect of MSCs on T lymphocytes was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, to evaluate the efficacy of SCC in mice with aplastic anemia.

RESULTSPeripheral blood white cell and platelet counts were increased by medium and high SCC doses, compared with the untreated control. CFU-Fs were also increased compared with the untreated control, and the numbers of calcium nodes in MSCs in osteoinductive medium were elevated in response to SCC treatment. The percentage of Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3(+)) T cells was increased in T cell-MSC cocultures, and the cytokine transforming growth factor β1 was up-regulated in SCC-treated groups.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that SCC not only promotes the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs, but also improves their immunoregulatory capacity in mice with aplastic anemia.

Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Animals ; Anthraquinones ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chlorophyllides ; pharmacology ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Female ; Immunosuppression ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Platelet Count ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects

Aortic valve calcification is a common disease in the elderly, but its cellular and molecular mechanisms are not clear. In order to verify the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in the process of calcification of aortic valve, porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) were isolated, cultured and stimulated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h to induce the differentiation of VICs into osteoblast-like cells. The key proteins and genes of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, such as glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin, were detected by using Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that the VICs managed to differentiate into osteoblast-like cells after the stimulation with ox-LDL and the levels of proteins and genes of GSK-3β and β-catenin were increased significantly in VICs after stimulation for 48 h (P<0.05). It is suggested that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may play a key role in the differentiation of VICs into osteoblast-like cells and make great contribution to aortic valve calcification.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aortic Valve ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Calcinosis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Swine ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; genetics ; physiology ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe activity of deer serum albumin on proliferation of rat osteogenic-like cells UMR-106 and the IGF-I secretion were investigated in order to elucidate pilose antler's bone-strengthening mechanism.

METHODDeer serum albumin was isolated from freeze-dry pilose antler powder extract. The methods were Sephacryl S-200HR gel filtration, POROS 20QE ion-exchange and TSK G3000SW chromatographies. The effect of deer serum albumin on proliferatio of UMR-106 cells was assaied by MTT, and the secretion of IGF-I of UMR-106 cells was assaied by RIA.

RESULTDeer serum albumin, with the molecular weight of 56.3 kDa, significantly increased the proliferation rate of the osteoblast-like UMR-106 cell and IGF-I secretion. When concentration of deer serum albumin reached 0.149 microg x mL(-1), UMR-106 cell proliferation rate was 241.03% and IGF-I secretion was 66.89 ng x mL(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe concentration of deer serum albumin, from 14.9 ng x mL(-1) to 14.90 microg x mL(-1), significantly increased the proliferation rate of the osteoblast-like UMR-106 cell and IGF- I secretion.

Animals ; Antlers ; chemistry ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Deer ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; secretion ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Rats ; Serum Albumin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Various kinds of schiff base metal complexes have been proven to induce apoptosis of tumor cells. However, it remains largely unknown whether schiff base zinc complexes induce apoptosis in human cancer cells. Here, we synthesized a novel schiff base zinc coordination compound (SBZCC) and investigated its effects on the growth, proliferation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. A novel SBZCC was synthesized by chemical processes and used to treat MG-63 cells. The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle progression, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The apoptosis-related proteins levels were determined by immunoblotting. Treatment of MG-63 cells with SBZCC resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Moreover, SBZCC significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis, accompanied with increased Bax/Bcl-2 and FlasL/Fas expression as well as caspase-3/8/9 cleavage. Our results demonstrated that the synthesized novel SBZCC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of MG-63 cells via activating both the mitochondrial and cell death receptor apoptosis pathways, suggesting that SBZCC is a promising agent for the development as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Coordination Complexes ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Schiff Bases ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; Zinc ; chemistry ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; genetics ; metabolism

The cajanine (longistylin A-2-carboxylic acid) is isolated and identified from extracts of Cajanus cajan L. (ECC) , which structure is similar to diethylstilbestrol. The regulation properties of the cajanine and other four extracts of Cajanus cajan L. (32-1, 35-1, 35-2, and 35-3) were tested in human osteoblast-like (HOS) TE85 cells and marrow-derived osteoclast-like cells. By using MTT assay to test the change of cell proliferation, 3H-proline incorporation to investigate the formation of collagen, and by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone formation in HOS TE85 cell was evaluated after pretreated for 48 hours. Bone marrow cells were cultured to examine the derivation of osteoclast cells (OLCs), which were stained with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The long term effect (pretreated for 18 days) on promoting mineralized bone-like tissue formation was tested by Alizarin red S staining in HOS TE85 cells. After the treatment with cajanine (1 x 10(-8) g x mL(-1)) for 48 hours, cell number increased significantly (57.7%). 3H-Proline incorporation also statistically increased (98.5%) in those cells. Significant change of ALP activity was also found (P < 0.01) in 35-1 and 35-3 treated cells (they were 66.2% and 82.4% in the concentration of 1 x 10(-8) g x mL(-1), respectively). The long term (18 days) effects of 32-1 and 35-3 on promoting mineralized bone-like tissue formation in HOS TE85 cell were obvious. There were much more red blots over the field of vision compared with that of control group. After the treatment of cajanine, derived-osteoclast cells appeared later and much less compared with control. The inhibition of cajanine was 22.8% while it was 37.9% in 32-1 treated cells in the dose of 1 x 10(-7) g x mL(-1). It is obvious that cajanine and ECCs promoted the osteoblast cells proliferation and mineralized bone-like tissue formation in HOS TE85 cells, while inhibited derivation of osteoclast cells. All of these suggested that cajanine has the estrogen-like action on osteoblast and osteoclast, which could be developed as anti-osteoporosis drugs.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cajanus ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Diethylstilbestrol ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; Osteoclasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteosarcoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Phytoestrogens ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVEOn the basis of YouGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) to act on the normal rats in vitro osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, further observe YooGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) inductive effect for steroid induced necrosis of femoral head rats in vitro on cultivation of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

METHODSPrednisolone acetate 49 mg/kg x d were injected into gluteal of 20 male SD rats (body weight in 100-120 g), continuously 6 days for model. After 7 days, under sterile conditions from the model rats bone marrow stromal cells were induced and cultured to osteoblast, and then randomly divided into 4 groups, respectively, add the high, medium and low concentration YouGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) containing serum (group R1, R2, R3) and control serum (group R4). After 72 h, osteoblast proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activities (APA) were detected, and expression level of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoclast differentiation factor (RANKL) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe high and medium concentration YouGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) containing serum group compared with the control group (R1, R2 vs. R4), the rate of osteoblast proliferation was significantly high (P < 0.01), APA significantly increased (P < 0.01), relative expression level of osteoblast OPG mRNA significantly increased (P < 0.01), and with the concentration of a certain dose was positively correlated; RANKL mRNA significantly was lower (P < 0.01). The low concentration YouGui drink (t 91 t) containing serum group compared with the control group (R3 vs R4), there was no significantly different in the rate of osteoblast proliferation, ALP and relative expression level of osteoblast OPG mRNA, RANKL mRNA.

CONCLUSIONThe high concentration of YouGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) containing serum can obviously promote the proliferation and differentiation of steroid induced necrosis of femoral head rats in vitro osteoblast, and plays a clear role in promoting and enhance the relative expression of osteoblast OPG mRNA and an inhibitory effect on RANKL mRNA. The effect of YouGui drink ([Chinese characters: see text]) containing serum acting on induced in vitro cultured osteoblasts have relevance with dose, at a certain concentration range it can promote osteoblast differentiation and proliferation.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drinking ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head Necrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Steroids ; pharmacology