Fermented soybean powder containing S-equol alleviates the postmenopausal signs of ovariectomized rats

Menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, metabolic changes, and osteoporosis, significantly impact postmenopausal women. Given concerns about hormone replacement therapy, S-equol, a metabolite of the soybean isoflavone daidzein, has emerged as a potential alternative. This study explored the efficacy of S-equol-containing-supplement (SE5-OH), a fermented soy germ containing S-equol, on menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in 6-month-old and 8-week-old ovariectomized (OVX) rat models. SE5-OH did not affect uterine weight or endometrial thickness but significantly reduced body weight in 8-week-old OVX rats (p < 0.01). SE5-OH also decreased estrogen receptor upregulation in the liver and hypothalamus. In the hypothalamus, SE5-OH downregulated calcitonin gene-related peptide levels, which are linked to hot flashes and osteoporosis (p < 0.05). Additionally, SE5-OH stabilized the bone-formation marker RANKL/OPG, tended to increase estrogen receptor levels in tibial bone tissue and increased serum bone-turnover biomarkers. In conclusion, SE5-OH may alleviate postmenopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, lipid metabolism changes, and osteoporosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-024-01768-w.

The beneficial effects of simultaneous supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri and calcium fluoride nanoparticles on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

The development of new strategies to inhibit and/or treat osteoporosis as a chronic systemic disease is one of the most crucial topics. The present study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of calcium fluoride nanoparticles (CaF2 NPs) and lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 (L. reuteri) against osteoporosis in an ovariectomized rat model (OVX).

METHODS

In this study, 18 matured Wistar female rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups, including control, OVX, sham, OVX + L. reuteri, OVX + CaF2 NPs, and OVX + L. reuteri + CaF2 NPs. We used OVX rats to simulate post-menopausal osteoporosis, and the treatments were begun two weeks before OVX and continued for four weeks. All groups' blood samples were collected, and serum biomarkers (estrogen, calcium, vitamin D3, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were measured. The tibia and Femur lengths of all groups were measured. Histopathological slides of tibia, kidney, and liver tissues were analyzed using the Hematoxylin and Eosin staining method.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that dietary supplementation of L. reuteri and CaF2 NPs in low doses for 6 weeks did not show adverse effects in kidney and liver tissues. The tibial and femoral lengths of OVX rats as well as the population of osteoblasts and osteocytes and newly generated osteoid in the tibia remarkably increased in the combination therapy group. Moreover, there was a significant increase in serum estrogen levels and a significant decrease in serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels in combination treatment groups compared to the OVX groups not receiving the diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest the favorable effects of the simultaneous supplementation of L. reuteri and CaF2 NP to reduce post-menopausal bone loss.

When Incorporated into Fruit Sorbet Matrix, Are the Fructans in Natural Raw Materials More Beneficial for Bone Health than Commercial Formulation Added Alone?

We assessed the extent to which fructans from various sources and added in various forms (raw materials in diet alone or incorporated into a strawberry matrix) differ in their effectiveness towards selected parameters related to bone health under calcium hypoalimentation in growing female Wistar rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of selected parameters involved in calcium metabolism, in response to a 12-week restriction of Ca intake: serum ions (Ca, Mg, P); the activity of alkaline phosphatase—using a BS 120 analyzer; the markers of bone turnover (osteocalcin, CTX; using a Rat-MidTMOsteocalcinEIA Kit and RatLapsTMEIA, respectively); and the bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD), using a Norland Excell Plus Densitometer. Among the examined markers, the CTX concentration increased dramatically under calcium hypoalimentation. The presence of Jerusalem artichoke (independently of the form of addition) and yacon root powder (with strawberry sorbet matrix) in the rats’ diet led to a significantly lower CTX concentration than was observed in the low-calcium control group. The type of fructan influenced the bone mass content. When fructan was added to the low-calcium diet as an ingredient of sorbet, it exerted more pronounced effects on the biochemical parameters of bone metabolism than when added alone, in the growing-female-rat model.

The cross-talk between matrix metalloproteinase-9, RANKL/OPG system and cardiovascular risk factors in ovariectomized rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Epidemiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and osteoporosis are strikingly overlapping. This study presents matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as a simple molecular link more consistently associated with the pathophysiology of both osteoporosis and CVD risk factors. 40 adult female rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups [control sham-operated, untreated osteoporosis, carvedilol-treated osteoporosis and alendronate-treated osteoporosis]. After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected to estimate Lipid profile (Total cholesterol, HDL, Triglycerides), inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF alpha, CRP and NO), and Bone turnover markers (BTM) (Alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and pyridinoline). The tibias were dissected to estimate MMP-9 and NF-kB gene expression, OPG, RANKL levels and for histological examination. Induction of osteoporosis resulted in a significant elevation in BTM, inflammatory markers and dyslipidemia. MMP-9 was significantly elevated and positively correlated with BTM, inflammation and dyslipidemia markers. Carvedilol and alendronate exerted a bone preservative role and attenuated dyslipidaemia and inflammation in accordance with their respective effect on MMP-9.

Deciphering the Relevance of Bone ECM Signaling

Bone mineral density, a bone matrix parameter frequently used to predict fracture risk, is not the only one to affect bone fragility. Other factors, including the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and microarchitecture, are of paramount relevance in this process. The bone ECM is a noncellular three-dimensional structure secreted by cells into the extracellular space, which comprises inorganic and organic compounds. The main inorganic components of the ECM are calcium-deficient apatite and trace elements, while the organic ECM consists of collagen type I and noncollagenous proteins. Bone ECM dynamically interacts with osteoblasts and osteoclasts to regulate the formation of new bone during regeneration. Thus, the composition and structure of inorganic and organic bone matrix may directly affect bone quality. Moreover, proteins that compose ECM, beyond their structural role have other crucial biological functions, thanks to their ability to bind multiple interacting partners like other ECM proteins, growth factors, signal receptors and adhesion molecules. Thus, ECM proteins provide a complex network of biochemical and physiological signals. Herein, we summarize different ECM factors that are essential to bone strength besides, discussing how these parameters are altered in pathological conditions related with bone fragility.

Protective Effect of Oxytocin Against Bone Loss in a Female Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Background

Introduction: Oxytocin (OT) has been proposed to assist in the regulation of bone remodeling and to exert an antiosteoporotic effect. We evaluated the possible protective effect of OT against bone degeneration in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods

The study was performed on three groups of adult female rats; group I was subjected to sham operation, group II was subjected to ovariectomy, and group III was subjected to ovariectomy and intraperitoneal injection with OT for eight successive weeks. At the end of the study, bone mass density (BMD) was measured; then the rats were euthanized and their blood and bone tissues were examined.

Results

The group II rats had significantly less BMD and greater serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin (OC), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) levels than the group I rats. Furthermore, group II rats had fewer osteocytes and osteoblasts, and less OPG/RANKL mRNA expression than group I rats. The groups I and III and rats showed no significant differences in BMD, bALP, OC, TRAP, OPG/RANKL mRNA expression, or osteocyte and osteoblast numbers.

Conclusion

Oxytocin may have an antiosteoporotic effect in OVX rats.

Supplementation of nanofiltrated deep ocean water ameliorate the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat via regulating osteoblast differentiation

Magnesium was reported to be necessary for bone formation. Previous study indicated nanofiltrated deep ocean water (DOW) rich in magnesium. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of DOW in ameliorating osteoporosis. Briefly, female Sprague-Dawley rat was ovariectomized and fed with 0.35, 0.7, or 1.4 ml/kg of DOW daily for 8 weeks. In the results, DOW increased bone density, decreased trabecular bone loss, and decreased bone adiposity. DOW improved bone mass by examining structure in micro-computed tomography. About 0.35 and 0.7 ml/kg of DOW can increase protein expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), an essential transcription factor for regulating osteoblast differentiation, by 9.4% or 12.9%. In human osteoblast, DOW increased the levels of osteocalcin, RUNX2, and alkaline phosphatase; all the proteins can regulate osteoblast differentiation. Considering the results of in vivo and in vitro study, DOW can ameliorate ovareictomy-caused osteoporosis via regulating the osteoblast differentiation, thereby, maintenance of bone structure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In addition to calcium, magnesium is essential to promoting the deposition of calcium in bones and regulating its transport; it may also slow the progression of osteoporosis. Nanofiltrated DOW contains abundant magnesium along with several microelements and peptides. In this study, a product was developed for decelerating osteoporosis by using an estrogen depletion model. DOW regulates osteoblast differentiation and thus prevents osteoporosis. This finding provides an alternative healthy source of bone supplements. In addition to tablets or capsules, aqueous supplements can be produced to achieve osteoporosis prevention. This finding is beneficial to the health-care industry for developing sustainable supplements.

Calcium Bioavailability of Opuntia ficus-indica Cladodes in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Postmenopausal Bone Loss

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and bone weakening, which increase the risk of fracture. This disease is associated with menopause because hypoestrogenism induces the maturation and activation of osteoclasts. In addition, a low dietary intake of calcium leads to low bone mineral density and postmenopausal osteoporosis. The objectives of this work were to determine calcium bioavailability of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes at a late maturity stage and to assess its contribution in improving bone health in an ovariectomized rat model. Two-month-old Wistar female rats (n = 35) were used and distributed in seven experimental groups: (i) control group (Crtl), (ii) sham group (SH), (iii) ovariectomized group (OVX), (iv) ovariectomized group supplemented with calcium citrate (CCa), (v) ovariectomized group supplemented with O. ficus-indica powder (NI), (vi) ovariectomized group supplemented with soluble fiber from O. ficus-indica (FS) and (vii) ovariectomized group supplemented with insoluble fiber from O. ficus-indica (FI). Our results showed that calcium in the soluble fiber of O. ficus-indica is bioavailable and contributes to improve the physical, densitometric, biomechanical and microstructural properties of bones in ovariectomized rats. These findings indicated that O. ficus-indica cladodes at a late maturity stage represent a good source of bioavailable calcium and consumption of these cladodes might be beneficial for the prevention of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.