Morphological study of the parathyroid gland and thyroid C cell in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP6), a murine model for senile osteoporosis

Morphological and molecular characterization of the senile osteoporosis in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6)

Although the understanding of the complex pathogenesis for osteoporosis is appreciable, the underlying mechanism is not yet fully elucidated. There is a great need to further characterize the available animal models in osteoporosis research. The senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6) mice have been developed as the spontaneous experimental model for senile osteoporosis. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of current research regarding the bone morphological and molecular alterations and the possible mechanisms involved in these changes. There were significant decrease in trabecular bone mass at the axial and appendicular skeletal sites, with no marked alterations of cortical bone. Decreased bone formation on the endosteal surface and trabecular bone, and increased bone marrow adiposity were observed in SAMP6 mice. The elevated expression level of proliferator activator gamma (PPARγ) in the bone marrow suggest that PPARγ might regulate osteoblastic bone formation negatively in SAMP6 mice. The expression level of secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (Sfrp4) was found to be higher in SAMP6 mice. Sfrp4 is considered to suppress osteoblastic proliferation mediated by inhibition of Wnt signaling pathway. These findings may help us to gain more insight into the potential mechanism of senile osteoporosis.

Effects of hPTH (1-34) and Gosha-jinki-gan on the trabecular bone microarchitecture in ovariectomized rat tibia

Although human parathyroid hormone (1-34) [hPTH (1-34)] was reported to improve osteoporotic bone loss, little is known about the anti-osteoporotic effect of the traditional Chinese medicine, Gosha-jinki-gan (GJG). The purpose of this present study was to clarify and compare the effects of hPTH (1-34) and GJG on trabecular bone microarchitecture in ovariectomized (OVX) rat tibia by using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Thirty 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation. Four weeks later, the ovariectomized rats were further divided into OVX, OVX + PTH, and OVX + GJG groups. hPTH (1-34) was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 20 microg/kg, 3 times/week, and OVX + GJG group received 0.05% aqueous solution of GJG as the only drinking fluid for 8 weeks respectively. The three-dimensional (3D) trabecular microarchitecture of the bone in the proximal tibial metaphysis was evaluated by micro-CT. In the OVX + PTH group, trabecular bone volume (BV/ TV), number (Tb.N) and thickness (Tb.Th) were significantly increased, structure model index (SMI) and trabecular bone pattern factor (TBPf) decreased when compared with the OVX group. In comparison to the OVX group, BV/TV and Tb.N were significantly greater, while SMI and TBPf had no marked changes in the OVX + GJG group. These results suggest that the administration of hPTH (1-34) restore the trabecular bone volume and improve the microstuctural property as well, while GJG reduce the bone loss without affecting its microstructural property in ovariectomized rats.

Ultrastructure of the water-clear cell in the parathyroid gland of SAMP6 mice

Although the parathyroid water-clear cell is very rare, it has clinical significance because of its association with parathyroid hyperplasia or adenoma. SAMP6, a substrain of senescence-accelerated mouse, was developed as an animal model for senile osteoporosis. We investigated the morphology of the parathyroid glands in SAMP6 and age-matched normal mouse SAMR1. The parathyroid water-clear cells, which contained numerous vacuoles and the crystalloid inclusions, were found in SAMP6 mice at 5, 8 and 12 months of age. It was noted that the number of water-clear cells increased with aging, which are fairly consistent with the change of the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. We did not find any water-clear cells in the parathyroid glands of SAMR1 mice. The existence of water-clear cells may represent hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands in SAMP6.

Aging of Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into distinct lineages such as adipo-, osteo-, and chondrocytes. MSCs were isolated from three mouse strains, which are short- (SAMP6, 9.7 months), medium- (SAMR1, 16.3 months), or long-lived (C57BL/6, 28 months). We investigated primary colony-forming units with regard to bone marrow stroma and found differences that correlate with mean life expectancies of the particular genetic backgrounds. However, MSC derived from the various mouse strains behaved equivalently in vitro with respect to growth rate. By genomic means, we analyzed the cellular milieu in vivo and found considerable differences among the various mouse strains. This implies that, although individual MSCs show an equivalent differentiation potential in vitro, the primary stem cells are greatly influenced by their molecular environment.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on bone loss in SAMP6: a murine model for senile osteoporosis

We evaluated the effects of the traditional Chinese medicines, Hachimi-jio-gan, Juzen-taiho-to and Unkei-to, on bone loss in murine model of senile osteoporosis (SAMP6). Two-month-old SAMP6 were divided into control and experimental groups. The control mice had the tap water available as the only drinking fluid. The experimental mice were given 0.05% aqueous solution of Hachimi-jio-gan, Juzen-taiho-to or Unkei-to for three months. The solution intake of a mouse averaged 5 ml per day. The bones were studied morphologically and histomorphometrically, together with bone mineral density (BMD), serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and estradiol levels. In the control group, BMD and the amount of bone forming surface were low, the serum PTH level was high when compared with the normal mice SAMR1. Many osteocytes and osteoblasts showed degenerative changes and numerous mast cells were observed in the bone marrow. Compared with controls, the serum estradiol level was higher in the Unkei-to group. However, we did not find any significant changes of bones. In the Hachimi-jio-gan and Juzen-taiho-to groups, the bone mass and the amount of bone forming surface increased. Most of the osteocytes and osteoblasts appeared normal. As compared with controls, the number of mast cells in bone marrow decreased in the Hachimi-jio-gan group. The serum PTH level had declined in the Juzen-taiho-to group. The present study provides certain evidence that Hachimi-jio-gan and Juzen-taiho-to are effective in preventing bone loss in SAMP6, while Unkei-to can only improve the ovary function.