OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 in improving osteoporosis. METHODS: Total of 32 female SD rats, weighing 220 to 250 g and 8 weeks old, were selected. They were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8). Rats of group A and group B were cut off ovaris on both sides to make model of osteoporosis, and then they were given proteasome inhibitors MG132 and dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) respectively. Group C was a sham group and rats were given MG132. Group D was a normal group and rats were given MG132 too. The rats were killed in batches at 6 and 12 weeks after administration, and the femoral neck tissues were obtained. Relevant data were analyzed, such as pathomorphological observation, micro-CT analysis, detection of 20S proteasome activity in tissues, and expression of Wnt and β-catenin. RESULTS: Morphological observation showed that the trabecular were slightly thinner, reticulated, and occasionally interrupted in group A, while the trabecular were obviously thinner and discontinuous in group B. And the trabecular were intact and arranged reticulated in group C and D. The analysis results of bone mineral density(BMD), bone surface(BS), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) showed that group B was worse than other groups in all parameters at different time points(P<0.05), and group A was worse than group C and group D in BS(P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all parameters between group C and group D. RFU value of 20S proteasome in group B was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0.05). According to the results of Western blot, the gray values of Wnt protein and β-catenin protein in group A were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION MG-132, a ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor, can regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the degradation of β-catenin protein, and delaying the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Female ; Leupeptins ; Osteoporosis/drug therapy* ; Proteasome Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin/metabolism*

To investigate the preventive effect and possible mechanism of puerarin(Pur) in rat model of disuse osteoporosis(DOP),thirty healthy Wistar female rats of 2 months old were randomly divided into control group(Control), hindlimb suspension group(HLS), and puerarin group(HLS+Pur) in hindlimb suspension, with 10 rats in each group. A disuse osteoporosis model was established by tail suspension method, and 15.4 mg·kg~(-1) puerarin suspension was administered to HLS+Pur group every day, and the same volume of distilled water was administered to Control group and HLS group respectively. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed by abdominal aorta blood collection, the main organs of the rats were removed, and the bone tissues of the rats were dissected. The organ index of the rats was calculated and the histopathology of the organs was observed under microscope. Bone mineral density test and bone biomechanical experiment were performed. Bone histomorphometry results were observed after bone tissue sectioning, and serum biochemical markers of bone metabolism were determined. There was no significant difference in organ index between the groups. There was no obvious abnormality in the pathological examination of the organs. The results of bone mineral density showed that puerarin could significantly increase the bone density of the tibia and vertebrae caused by hindlimb suspension. The mechanical parameters experiments showed that puerarin could effectively increase the maximum load and elastic modulus of the tibia and vertebrae. Fluorescence labeling showed that the fluorosis interval increased and the bone formation increased during puerarin treatment. The VG staining results showed that compared with the HLS group, in the puerarin group, the number of trabecular bone increased, the thickness of the trabecular bone became thicker, and the bone separation became smaller, which greatly improved the bone microstructure after hindlinb suspension. In addition, serum biochemical indicators showed that puerarin could promote bone formation index bone calcium. The content of osteocalcin(OC) increased and inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5 b(TRACP 5 b). Puerarin has a preventive effect in the rat model of disuse osteoporosis and its effect is good, and its mechanism may be related to promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Female ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the mechanism of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (, LDP) in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) with Shen (Kidney) yin deficiency.

METHODSIn this study, 205 cases of PMOP were divided into the PMOP Shen-yin deficiency group (Group A), PMOP Shen-yang deficiency group (Group B), PMOP without Shen deficiency group (Group C), and control group (Group N). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot techniques were used to observe the effects of LDP treatment on the cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1), ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 1 (ASB1), and prokineticin 2 (PROK2) genes and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway.

RESULTSThe mRNA (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.01) expression levels of the CLCF1 gene in Group A were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in Group N. After LDP treatment for 3 months, the mRNA expression levels of the CLCF1 gene were obviously up-regulated (P<0.01). After 6-month treatment, the expression levels of CLCF1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (both P<0.01), and the average bone density of the top femur had significantly increased (P<0.05). In vitro, CLCF1 overexpression resulted in a significant increase in the total protein and phosphorylated protein levels of JAK2 and STAT3.

CONCLUSIONSThe CLCF1 gene is an important gene associated with PMOP Shen-yin deficiency and the therapeutic effects of LDP may be mediated by up-regulation of CLCF1 gene expression and activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Cytokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Janus Kinases ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Up-Regulation ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy ; genetics

Drynariae Rhizoma has great significance in the clinical practice of osteoporosis treatment. Based on the perspective of integrative pharmacology, the study explored the mechanism of action of Drynariae Rhizoma in the treatment of osteoporosis. Six active components in Drynariae Rhizoma were obtained, mainly including glycosides and sterols. Taking the median of 2 times of "node connectivity" as the card value, the core node of the Chinese medicine target disease gene interaction network was selected. Based on this, three topological structural eigenvalues, such as "node connectivity" "node tightness" and "node connectivity" were calculated, thereby screening out four core targets of Drynariae Rhizoma treatment for osteoporosis, including thyroid parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R), parathyroid hormone 2 receptor (PTH2R), calcitonin receptor gene (CALCR), and SPTBN1 gene (SPTBN1). Based on the gene ontology database GO and KEGG pathway database, the molecular function, intracellular localization, and biological reactions and pathways of proteins encoded by drug target genes were determined. Combined with enrichment calculation, it is predicted that osteoporosis may play a role in biosynthetic processes, such as circulatory system, nervous system, energy metabolism, prolactin signal pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, neurotrophic factor signaling pathway and other pathway. The conclusion of this study is certain with the existing research results, and the new target and new pathway could also be used as a theoretical basis for the further verification of osteoporosis.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Polypodiaceae ; chemistry ; Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Receptor, Parathyroid Hormone, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Spectrin ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is currently receiving particular attention as a sequela in survivors of childhood osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) changes during methotrexate-based chemotherapy in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Nine patients with osteosarcoma were included in this retrospective study and compared with eight healthy controls. BMD of the lumbar spine and unaffected femur neck of patients was serially measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and just after chemotherapy and compared with controls. RESULTS: Four patients (44%) showed decreased lumbar spine BMD and seven patients (78%) showed decreased femur neck BMD, while all controls showed increased lumbar and femur BMD (P=0.024 and P=0.023). The femur neck BMD z-scores decreased from -0.49+/-1.14 to -1.63+/-1.50 (P=0.032). At the end of therapy, five patients (56%) showed femur neck BMD z-scores below -2.0. CONCLUSION: The bone metabolism is disturbed during therapy in children with osteosarcoma, resulting in a reduced BMD with respect to healthy controls. Since a reduced BMD predisposes to osteoporosis, specific attention and therapeutic interventions should be considered.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Bone Density* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant* ; Child ; Drug Therapy ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Korea ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Survivors

Serum sclerostin is positively associated with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Our preliminary studies confirmed that Qing'e formula (QEF) could effectively increase serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but the effect of supplementation with QEF on serum sclerostin is unknown. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of QEF on serum sclerostin levels in patients with PMOP. Totally 120 outpatients and inpatients with PMOP treated in our hospital between January and October 2012 were randomly divided into QEF+calcium group, alfacalcidol+calcium group, and placebo+calcium group (n=40 each), with a follow-up period of 2 years. The serum levels of sclerostin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, and bone turnover markers (β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP) at baseline and at the 6th month, 1st year, 1.5th year, and 2nd year after treatment were measured. The results showed that the levels of circulating sclerostin were increased significantly at the 6th month after treatment in QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group as compared with placebo+calcium group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The levels of β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP in serum were decreased in both QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group at the 6th month after treatment, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). But the levels were significantly lower than that in placebo+calcium group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the mechanism by which QEF modulates bone metabolism in patients with PMOP might be related with the effect of QEF in increasing sclerostin expression. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEF as an effective drug to prevent bone loss in PMOP.
Biomarkers ; blood ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroxycholecalciferols ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Osteoking on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) protein levels in rabbits with osteoporotic fracture (OPF).

METHODSTotally 45 female Japanese big-ear rabbits were randomly divided into the treatment group, the model group, and the blank control group (as the control group), 15 in each group. Bilateral ovaries were ectomized for 24 weeks in the treatment group and the model group. Their left radial factures were induced after confirmed osteoporosis. Rabbits in the treatment group were administered with Osteoking by gastrogavage, once per two days. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rabbits in the model group. The general BMD and serum DKK-1 protein levels were detected before ovariectomy, at week 24 and 48 after ovariectomy.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in the general BMD at week 24 after ovariectomy between the model group and the control group, and it was lower in the model group. Compared with the model group, the general BMD significantly increased and serum DKK-1 protein levels significantly decreased in the treatment group after intervention. Serum DKK-1 protein levels were significantly lower after intervention than before intervention in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONOsteoking could improve the BMD of OPF rabbits, and reduce their serum DKK-1 protein levels as well.

Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of serum Bushen Huoxue prescription(Chinese characters) on classic Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways of osteoblasts, and explore mechanism of Bushen Huoxue prescription (Chinese characters) for preventing osteoporosis.

METHODSTwenty health female rats were randomly divided into two groups, including Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and saline group,10 in each group. Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group and Saline group were gavaged Bushen Huoxue and saline every day for 1 week. Bushenhuoxue containing serum and saline containing serum were got according to methods of serum preparation of drug-containing. The osteoblasts was cultured with neonatal rat skull according to Enzyme Consumer Law, and was identified by Wright-Giemsa staining (R-J) and alkaline phosphatase staining (ALP). The third generation of osteoblasts was divided into three groups, including saline group, normal group,Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group. Each group were added to 15% appropriate medium. ALP activity of osteoblasts and osteoblasts proliferation rate were tested, mineralized nodules were observed, the expression of β-catenin, Runx2, Osx mRNA of osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThere was blue granules in cytoplasm, cell nucleus was flint with 1 to 3 nucleoli showed by R-J staining, morphology of osteoblasts were cultured. ALP staining showed cytoplasm with purple granules, the results showed that the cultured cell was osteoblasts. The content of ALP in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group was (6.272±0.131) ,appreciation rate was (0.81? 0.172), and could significantly improve differentiation and proliferation activity of osteoblasts compared with Saline group (P< 0.01). There were four different size orange nodules, the Maximun nodule was 1.0 x 1.0 cm in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters) group after Alizarin red staining, the results showed Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously improve mineralization of osteoblasts. The expression of mRNA of β-catenin, Runx2 and Osx in Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group were (1.782±0.944), (1.935±0.994) and (1.610±0.811) by RT-PCR,it was significantly increased compared with saline group (P<0.01), but there was no difference between Bushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group and normal group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushen Huoxue (Chinese characters)group could obviously promote differentiation, proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts through activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway. It suggested that the mechanism of action of Bushen Huoxue (O'f f Il.t)particle clould prevent osteoporosis through the activation of Wnt, β-catenin signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shugan Jiangu Recipe (SJR) on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum bone metabolic biochemical markers in postmenopausal breast cancer patients with osteopenia.

METHODSTotally 38 patients of postmenopausal women with breast cancer, who received aromatase inhibitors (AIs), were assigned to the treatment group (21 cases) and the control group (17 cases) by using random digit table. All patients took Caltrate D Tablet (containing Ca 600 mg and Vit D3 125 IU), one tablet daily. Patients in the treatment group took SJR, 6 g each time, twice daily for 6 successive months. The bone mineral density (BMD) level was detected before treatment and at months 6 after treatment. Levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), bone gla protein (BGP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The drug safety was also assessed.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BMD of L2-4 and femur neck obviously increased in the treatment group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.01), serum BALP and TRAP decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, BMD of L2-4 and femur neck obviously decreased in the control group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.05), serum BALP and TRAP increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, lumbar and femur neck BMD obviously increased, serum levels of BGP and BALP obviously decreased, and serum levels of CTX-II and TRAP obviously increased in the treatment group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.01). No serious adverse event occurred during the treatment period. Bone fracture occurred in one case of the control group (5.8%).

CONCLUSIONSJR could attenuate bone loss of postmenopausal women with breast cancer who received AIs, increase BMD and improve abnormal bone metabolism.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

This article firstly established a new efficient method for screening anti-osteoporosis ingredients, which used two-dimensional zebrafish model combined with hyphenated chromatographic techniques to evaluate anti-osteoporosis activities of epimedin A and its metabolite baohuoside I. Adult zebrafish was used for metabolism of epimedin A in 0.5% DMSO, and LC-MS was used for analysis of the metabolite, which was captured by HPLC, and prednisolone-induced osteoporosis model of zebrafish was used to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic activities of trace amounts of epimedin A and baohuoside I. The results indicated that epimedin A and baohuoside I can prevent prednisolone-induced osteoporosis in zebrafish. The developed method in this paper enables the separation, enrichment and analysis of micro-amount metabolite of epimedin A, and anti-osteoporosis activities in vivo of epimedin A and baohuoside I was simple and efficient screening resorting to zebrafish osteoporosis mode. This paper would provide new ideas and methods for a rapid and early discovery of anti-osteoporosis activities of micro-ingredients and its metabolite of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Zebrafish