Protective Effects of Sodium Daidzein Sulfonate on Trabecular Bone in Ovariectomized Rats

The influence of gut microbiome on bone health and related dietary strategies against bone dysfunctions

The link between the gut microbiome and bone health has begun to attract widespread interest in recent years. The gut microbiome are vital in many diseases involving bone loss. Probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary supplements have been suggested to protect bone health by altering the composition of the gut microbiota. Notably, studying the relationship between the gut microbiome and bone health can provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. This review focuses on the link between the gut microbiome and bone diseases, exploring current knowledge of the mechanisms by which gut bacteria affect bone health. In addition, the influences of dietary supplements on the interactions between the gut microbiome and bone health are discussed. This knowledge will promote new ideas for gut microbiota-mediated dietary interventions in patients with bone diseases.

Synthesis and crystal structure of 5-(8-(((2-carboxyethyl)ammonio)methyl)-7-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)-2-hydroxybenzenesulfonate trihydrate, C19H23NO12S

C19H23NO12S, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 8.3926(9) Å, b = 9.0469(6) Å, c = 15.3442(15) Å, α = 78.195(7)°, β = 74.352(9)°, γ = 70.169(8)°, V = 1047.08(18) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0538, wR ref(F2 ) = 0.1289, T = 293(2) K.

Stimulating effect of a novel synthesized sulfonamido-based gallate ZXHA-TC on primary osteoblasts

PURPOSE

This study is intended to investigate the effects of plants or plant-derived antioxidants on prevention of osteoporosis through the maintenance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at a favorable level.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, a novel antioxidant, namely 3,4,5-Trihydroxy-N-[4-(5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-pyrimidin-4-ylsulfamoyl)-phenyl]-benzamide (ZXHA-TC) was synthesized from gallic acid and sulfadimoxine. Its effect on osteoblast metabolism was investigated via the detection of cell proliferation, cell viability, production of ROS, and expression of osteogenic-specific genes including runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), alpha-1 type I collagen (COL1A1), and osteogenic-related proteins after treatment for 2, 4, and 6 days respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that ZXHA-TC has a stimulating effect on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of primary osteoblasts by promoting cell proliferation, cell viability, and the expression of genes BSP and OCN. Productions of bone matrix and mineralization were also increased by ZXHA-TC treatment as a result of up-regulation of COL1A1 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) at the early stage and down-regulation of both genes subsequently. A range of 6.25×10⁻³ microg/mL to 6.25×10⁻¹ microg/mL is the recommended dose for ZXHA-TC, within which 6.25×10⁻² μg/mL showed the best performance.

CONCLUSION

This study may hold promise for the development of a novel agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Bone sparing effect of a novel phytoestrogen diarylheptanoid from Curcuma comosa Roxb. in ovariectomized rats

Phytoestrogens have been implicated in the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Recently, an active phytoestrogen from Curcuma comosa Roxb, diarylheptanoid (DPHD), (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol, was found to strongly promote human osteoblast function in vitro. In the present study, we demonstrated the protective effect of DPHD on ovariectomy-induced bone loss (OVX) in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats with 17β-estradiol (E₂, 10 µg/kg Bw) as a positive control. Treatment of OVX animals with DPHD at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg Bw for 12 weeks markedly increased bone mineral density (BMD) of tibial metaphysis as measured by peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT). Histomorphometric analysis of bone structure indicated that DPHD treatment retarded the ovariectomy-induced deterioration of bone microstructure. Ovariectomy resulted in a marked decrease in trabecular bone volume, number and thickness and these changes were inhibited by DPHD treatment, similar to that seen with E₂. Moreover, DPHD decreased markers of bone turnover, including osteocalcin and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity. These results suggest that DPHD has a bone sparing effect in ovariectomy-induced trabecular bone loss and prevents deterioration of bone microarchitecture by suppressing the rate of bone turnover. Therefore, DPHD appears to be a promising candidate for preserving bone mass and structure in the estrogen deficient women with a potential role in reducing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Beneficial effects of phytoestrogens and their metabolites produced by intestinal microflora on bone health

Phytoestrogens are a class of bioactive compounds derived from plants and exert various estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Estrogen deficiency osteoporosis has become a serious problem in elderly women. The use of ovariectomized (OVX) rat or mice models to simulate the postmenopausal condition is well established. This review aimed to clarify the sources, biochemistry, absorption, metabolism, and mode of action of phytoestrogens on bone health in intervention studies. In vitro, phytoestrogens promote protein synthesis, osteoprotegerin/receptor activation of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand ratio, and mineralization by osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1). In the OVX murine model, administration of phytoestrogens can inhibit differentiation and activation of osteoclasts, expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and secretion of pyridinoline compound. Phytoestrogens also enhance bone formation and increase bone mineral density and levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and α1(I) collagen. Results of mechanistic studies have indicated that phytoestrogens suppress the rate of bone resorption and enhance the rate of bone formation.

Effect of bioactive compounds in lactobacilli-fermented soy skim milk on femoral bone microstructure of aging mice

BACKGROUND

Soy skim milks fermented with lactobacilli contain various phytochemicals such as isoflavones and peptides. We used lactobacilli-fermented soy skim milk as a nutritional supplement for 6 weeks to investigate its anti-osteoporosis effect in 13-month-old female BALB/c aging mice. Freeze-dried powder of soy skim milk fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 (NTU 101F) and L. plantarum NTU 102 (NTU 102F) were used in this study.

RESULTS

The trabecular bone volumes in mice fed NTU 101F and NTU 102F increased by a factor of 3.48 and 2.16 compared with control values, respectively. The network density and thickness of distal metaphyseal trabecular bone in mice fed with NTU 101F and NTU 102F milks were significantly denser than that of control mice; moreover, the NTU 101F group had the largest resting area ratio and smallest resorbing area compared with other groups. The beneficial effect may due to isoflavones as well as higher amounts of polysaccharide and peptide in NTU 101F milk.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that dietary supplement with fermented soy skim milk can attenuate aging-induced bone loss in BALB/c mice and possibly lower the risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis in aging.

Anti-osteoporosis activity of Cibotium barometz extract on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Recent research has confirmed that Cibotium barometz could inhibits osteoclast formation with no affect on BMM cell viability. However, the influence of Cibotium barometz on osteoporosis in animals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to systemically investigate the effects of Cibotium barometz extract (CBE) on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of Seventy-two 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly divided into sham-operated group and five ovariectomized (OVX) groups: OVX with vehicle; OVX with 17β-estradiol (E2, 25 μg/kg/day); OVX with CBE of graded doses (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg/day). Daily oral administration of E2 or CBE began 4 weeks after the surgery and lasted for 16 weeks. Bone mass, bone turnover and strength were analyzed by DEXA, biochemical markers and three-point bending test. The trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated by MicroCT.

RESULTS

CBE prevented total BMD decrease in the femur induced by OVX, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in skeletal remodeling, as was evidenced by the decreased levels of the bone turnover markers, such as osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatese (ALP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and urinary Ca and P excretions. The treatment could also enhance the bone strength and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicated that Cibotium barometz extract might be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Osteoprotective effect of Monascus-fermented dioscorea in ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

This experiment established the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis and examined the effect of the oral administration of different dosages of dioscorea, red mold dioscorea (RMD), and soy isoflavones on bone mineral density (BMD). Three months after osteoporosis had been induced and 4 weeks after feeding had begun, the tibia and femur BMD of OVX rats administered RMD showed significant increases compared with that of all other groups of OVX rats. Closer examination using microcomputed tomography also revealed that the RMD-administered rats had denser trabecular bone volume and a higher trabecular number compared to all other rat groups. Reconstructed 3D imaging indicated increases in cancellous bone mineral content, cancellous bone mineral density, and cortical bone mineral content of the proximal tibia in OVX rats. These findings indicate that administration of monacolin K and phytoestrogen diosgenin could prevent bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.

Antiosteoporotic effects of Lactobacillus -fermented soy skim milk on bone mineral density and the microstructure of femoral bone in ovariectomized mice

Osteoporosis is a major skeletal disease associated with loss of estrogen in postmenopausal women. In this study, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 (NTU 101F) and Lactobacillus plantarum NTU 102 (NTU 102F) were used as starters to ferment soy skim milk. This was then used as a nutritional supplement for 8 weeks to ovariectomized (OVX) mice. This study reveals that soy skim milk fermented with lactobacilli can increase the contents of aglycone isoflavones, soluble calcium, and vitamin D(3). The trabecular bone volumes and trabecular number of the distal femur in mice fed NTU 101F increased by a factor of 1.48 and 1.74 compared with the OVX group. The bone network density and thickness of the distal metaphyseal trabecular in mice fed NTU 101F and Fosamax was significantly greater than that of OVX mice. These results suggest that fermented soy skim milk can attenuate bone loss in OVX mice and lower the risk of osteoporosis.

Chronic treatment with angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists reduced serum but not bone TGF-beta1 levels in ovariectomized rats

Approximately 50% of hypertensive patients are postmenopausal women; therefore, any antihypertensive therapy must not adversely affect bone loss in this population. Recently, however, concern has been raised that use of angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists may increase the tendency to develop postmenopausal osteoporosis by decreasing transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), which has been implicated in bone mass maintenance. In the present study, we selected telmisartan and valsartan as representatives of angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists and used ovariectomized (OVX) rats as a model of human postmenopausal osteoporosis. After 3 months treatment with telmisartan (5 mg/kg daily) or valsartan (10 mg/kg daily), OVX rats showed no signs of adverse effects on bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5) or the total femur, nor did treatment affect serum levels of osteocalcin and osteoclast-derived tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP-5b). Bone TGF-beta1 content remained unchanged, although treatment with telmisartan and valsartan significantly reduced serum TGF-beta1 levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic treatment with angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists reduced serum but not bone TGF-beta1 levels and did not accelerate ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

Protective effect of apigenin on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats

Recent studies have shown that apigenin not only inhibits bone resorption by osteoclasts but also induces osteoclast apoptosis. However, the influence of apigenin on osteoporosis in animals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the bone-protective effects of apigenin in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized rats. Three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated or ovariectomized and fed AIN-93G diet for 7 weeks to induce bone loss. To confirm bone loss, we used a newly developed non-invasive technique involving zoom-in micro-computed tomography. Apigenin was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg three times a week for 15 weeks. Our results indicate that apigenin not only increased the mineral content and density of the trabecular bone at the neck of the left femur, but also decreased body weight and dietary consumption. Moreover, our biochemical results indicate that apigenin has a positive effect on bone turnover. The present data suggest that apigenin should be considered for use in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Effects of genistein on vertebral trabecular bone microstructure, bone mineral density, microcracks, osteocyte density, and bone strength in ovariectomized rats

Until now, the effects of phytoestrogen on bone in both women and ovarian hormone-deficient animal models of osteoporosis have remained uncertain. We have aimed here to investigate the effect of genistein (GEN) on trabecular bone quality in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Forty 7-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: OVX, sham-operated (SHAM), treated with 17beta-estradiol (EST, 10 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), and GEN (5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)). At 15 weeks postoperation, the compressive test was performed on the L5 vertebral body; additionally, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) assessment was performed to estimate the bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure parameters of the L6 vertebral body. After fatigue damage testing, the L6 vertebral body was bulk-stained in 1% basic fuchsin and embedded in methylmethacrylate. The L4 vertebral body was embedded in methylmethacrylate for dynamic histomorphometry analysis without staining. Mounted bone slices were used to measure microcrack parameters, empty osteocyte lacuna density (e.Lc.Dn), and osteocyte density (Ot.N/T.Ar). Maximum loading (ML) and Ot.N/T.Ar were significantly lower in the OVX group than in the other groups. E.Lc.Dn was significantly decreased in GEN and EST groups compared to the OVX group. ML was significantly decreased in the GEN group compared to the SHAM group. Microcrack density, microcrack surface density, and microcrack length were significantly increased in the OVX group compared to the other groups. Mineral apposition rate was significantly decreased in the OVX group compared to the SHAM and GEN groups. Bone formation rate was significantly decreased in the OVX group compared to other groups. There were no significant differences with regard to mineralizing surface among the four groups. Volumetric BMD at organ was significantly lower in OVX, EST, and GEN groups than in the SHAM group. Bone mineral content was significantly lower in the OVX group than in the SHAM group. Bone volume fraction and trabecular number were significantly decreased in OVX, EST, and GEN groups compared to the SHAM group. Structure model index was significantly lower in the SHAM group than in OVX, EST, and GEN groups. Trabecular separation was significantly increased in the OVX group compared to SHAM and EST groups. There were no significant differences with regard to the trabecular thickness (Tb,Th) between SHAM, GEN, and OVX groups. Tb.Th was significantly lower in the EST group than in the SHAM group. Connectivity density (Conn.D) was significantly lower in the OVX group than in SHAM and GEN groups, and Conn. D was significantly lower in the EST group than in GEN. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that GEN preserved the biomechanical quality of the trabecular bone regardless of the microstructure and BMD.