Consumption of legumes improves certain bone markers in ovariectomized rats

Soybeans are known to protect against osteoporosis, but other legumes frequently consumed in Asia have not been studied to learn if they have a similar protective effect. This study investigated the hypothesis that consumption of soybean, mung bean, cowpea, and adzuki bean has beneficial effects on bone biomarkers in ovariectomized rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham operated (sham; n = 7) or surgically ovariectomized and then fed a regular AIN-93M diet (OVX; n = 7) or AIN-93M containing soybean (n = 7), mung bean (n = 7), cowpea (n = 7), or adzuki beans (n = 7) for 10 weeks. No bean consumption significantly altered the body, subcutaneous fat, or uterus weight; however, consumption significantly increased the serum calcium/phosphorous ratio and decreased urinary calcium excretion compared with those of the OVX group. Serum concentration of 17β-estradiol was significantly lower in the OVX group compared with that of the sham group and was lowest in the group fed OVX diet containing soybean. Serum osteocalcin concentration was significantly higher in all OVX rats given a diet with beans compared with the same diet without, but urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion was lowest in the group fed OVX diet containing cowpea. There were no significant differences in bone mineral density or bone mineral content of the right femur, tibia, or lumbar spine or in the trabecular bone volume of the tibia among the diet groups. In conclusion, the consumption of soybean, mung bean, cowpea, and adzuki bean in OVX rats improved osteocalcin, but only those fed cowpea showed decreased bone resorption biomarker, suggesting that cowpea may have the most protective effect on bone in OVX rats.     

橄榄油对大鼠去势后骨代谢指标及骨密度的影响

目的:观察橄榄油对去势后大鼠骨代谢和骨密度的影响,探讨并分析橄榄油防治绝经后骨质疏松症(PMOP)的有效性及机理。方法:将30只5～6个月龄清洁型SD雌性大鼠进行随机分成四组:①假手术组(Sham组)、②去卵巢组(OVX组)、③去卵巢+橄榄油组(OVX+Olive)、④去卵巢+雌激素组(OVX+E)。治疗组用药:(OVX+Olive)组及(OVX+E)组均采用经口灌胃方式进行用药,按1 ml/100 g体重,1次/天灌胃,连续12周。12周后分别左心室取血,检测血中雌二醇(E2)、血钙、血碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、白介素-6(IL-6)水平,放血处死后取出腰椎及左侧股骨行双能X线骨密度(DEXA)测定。结果:OVX组中血E2明显低于Sham组和治疗组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01、P<0.05),ALP、IL-6值显著高于其余三组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组中E2、ALP、IL-6与Sham组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);四组中血钙值差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。去势橄榄油组与雌激素组骨密度平均值均较OVX组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但该两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:橄榄油能有效地减轻大鼠卵巢切除术引起的骨质丢失,可能通过补充植物雌激素发挥拟雌激素样作用。     

Effect of dietary legumes on bone-specific gene expression in ovariectomized rats

In previous studies, we found that the consumption of legumes decreased bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether the protective effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and the microarchitecture of a diet containing legumes are comparable. In addition, we aim to determine their protective actions in bones by studying bone specific gene expression. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats are being divided into six groups during the 12 week study: 1) rats that underwent sham operations (Sham), 2) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet (OVX), 3) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with soybeans (OVX-S), 4) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with mung beans (OVX-M), 5) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with cowpeas (OVX-C), and 6) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with azuki beans (OVX-A). Consumption of legumes significantly increased BMD of the spine and femur and bone volume of the femur compared to the OVX. Serum calcium and phosphate ratio, osteocalcin, expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) ratio increased significantly, while urinary excretion of calcium and deoxypyridinoline and expression of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in OVX rats fed legumes, compared to OVX rats that were not fed legumes. This study demonstrates that consumption of legumes has a beneficial effect on bone through modulation of OPG and RANKL expression in ovariectomized rats and that legume consumption can help compensate for an estrogen-deficiency by preventing bone loss induced by ovarian hormone deficiency.     

白藜芦醇对去卵巢大鼠骨密度的影响

目的:探讨白藜芦醇(RES)对去卵巢大鼠骨密度(BMD)的影响。方法:48只SD大鼠随机分为6组,分别接受假手术(A)、去卵巢(B)、去卵巢+0.03mg/(kgbw·d)己烯雌酚(DES,C)、去卵巢+RES5、15和45mg/(kgbw·d)(D,E,F)90d后,用双能X线吸收法测定大鼠的骨密度,观察其改变。结果:B组大鼠各BMD测定指标均显著低于A组,D、E、F组全身和腰椎BMD均显著高于B组,E、F组整体股骨BMD显著高于B组。结论:白藜芦醇对去卵巢大鼠的骨丢失有抑制作用,以45mg/(kgbw·d)剂量对骨密度的保护效果最好。     

Effects of daidzein and kiwifruit on bone mineral density and equol production in ovariectomised rats

In this study, we investigated the synergistic effects of daidzein (Dz) and kiwifruit on bone and equol production in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: sham operated, OVX control, OVX fed 0.1% Dz-supplemented diet (OVX?+?Dz), OVX fed 0.1% Dz and green kiwifruit (GRK)-supplemented diet (OVX?+?Dz?+?GRK) and OVX fed 0.1% Dz and gold kiwifruit (GOK)-supplemented diet (OVX?+?Dz?+?GOK). There were no significant differences in whole body and femur bone mineral density (BMD) among groups at week 8. BMD in the OVX group significantly decreased at week 8; however, BMD in the OVX?+?Dz?+?GRK was not significantly different from baseline in the end of the study. However, supplementation with kiwifruit did not affect urinary equol concentrations, urinary ratios of equol to Dz and the composition of caecal microbiota. These results suggest that the combination of Dz and GRK may slightly reduce bone loss caused by oestrogen deficiency but does not affect equol production.     

植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D_3联合预防去卵巢小鼠骨质疏松的作用

目的评价不同剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用预防卵巢切除小鼠骨质疏松的作用。方法 63只平均体重29g CD-1雌性小鼠随机分为7组,包括Sham组、卵巢切除(OVX)组、OVX给药组分为碳酸钙、维生素D3联合染料木黄酮的高剂量组(GH 67mg/kg)、中剂量组(GM 33.5mg/kg)、低剂量组(GL 16.75mg/kg)3组以及单纯染料木黄酮组、雌激素组(E2)。给药6周,测定小鼠骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC)、骨生物力学和骨代谢生化指标。结果 GH、GM、GL组对卵巢切除小鼠的子宫有刺激生长作用,其中GL组作用小。GM组明显增加卵巢切除小鼠的BMD、BMC和股骨长度、股骨宽度,GL组明显增加卵巢切除小鼠的BMD(P<0.01)。GL组对卵巢切除小鼠的股骨最大载荷和最大应力升高最显著(P<0.01)。GL组骨碱性磷酸酶(BALP)明显升高、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)显著降低(P<0.01)。结论低剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用对卵巢切除小鼠的刺激子宫生长作用小。低剂量植物雌激素染料木黄酮与钙、维生素D3联合应用增加BMD,改善骨生物力学参数,促进骨形成和抑制骨吸收,降低了染料木黄酮的用量,并且较雌激素安全。     

铁和锌对染铅大鼠股骨矿物质含量和骨密度的影响

目的　以大鼠为模型 ,观察饲料中添加不同铁 (1 0、5 0和 2 5 0mg kg)和锌 (1 0、4 0和 2 0 0mg kg)水平对低剂量铅 (0和 2 0 0mg kg)毒性的拮抗作用。方法　断乳一周Wistar雄性大鼠按体重随机被分成 1 1组 ,每组 1 0只。其中 1 0组饲以不同铁、锌和铅水平的饲料 ,另设 1组为未染铅正常对照 ,饲以基础正常饲料 ,1 2周后处死大鼠测定股骨生长发育有关指标。结果　研究发现 ,铅污染抑制大鼠骨骼的生长发育 ,能降低骨骼中矿物质含量和骨密度 ,补充铁锌后能改善大鼠股骨的重量和长度 ,增加股骨矿物质含量和骨密度 ,同时会增加骨铅含量。提示　需要进一步研究铅影响骨骼生长发育的机制     

Effects of taurine supplementation on bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats fed calcium deficient diet

Taurine supplementation has been shown to have a beneficial effect on femur bone mineral content in ovariectomized rats. It therefore seemed desirable to find out whether the beneficial effect of taurine on ovariectomized rats fed calcium deficient diet could also be reproduced. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. One group was OVX and the other group received sham operation (SHAM), and received either control diet or a taurine supplemented diet for 6 weeks. All rats were fed on calcium deficient diet (AIN-93: 50% level of calcium) and deionized water. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured in spine and femur. The serum and urine concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. Bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion, osteocalcin in blood and cross link value were not significantly different among the groups. Within the OVX group, the taurine supplemented group had not higher femur bone mineral content than the control group. This study established the need for a study on the taurine effect on bone with different calcium levels.     

运动与复方丹参合剂联合应用对去卵巢大鼠骨矿盐代谢的影响

用测定骨矿盐含量的方法,观察运动和复方丹参合剂(compound Danshen mixture,CDM)联合应用对去卵巢大鼠骨矿盐代谢的影响。将健康4月龄雌性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠48只,按体重随机分成6组:正常对照组;假去卵巢组;去卵巢组;去卵巢+CDM组;去卵巢+运动组;去卵巢+CDM+运动组。去卵巢+CDM组和去卵巢+CDM+运动组大鼠于去卵巢手术后第2 d开始给予CDM溶液灌胃,10 ml/(kg·d),持续11周。去卵巢+运动组和去卵巢+CDM+运动组大鼠于去卵巢术后第7 d开始给予中等强度的运动训练,每周5 d,每天连续匀速跑45 min,16 m/min,跑道倾角0°,持续10周。结果表明,去卵巢组大鼠骨干重、骨干重/体重、骨灰重、骨灰重/体重、骨灰重占骨干重百分比等指标均低于假去卵巢组(P0.01);去卵巢+复方丹参合剂组和去卵巢+运动组大鼠骨干重、骨干重/体重、骨灰重、骨灰重/体重、骨灰重占骨干重百分比等指标虽然较去卵巢组增加(P0.05或P0.01),但仍低于假去卵巢组(P0.05或P0.01);去卵巢+复方丹参合剂+运动组大鼠骨干重、骨干重/体重、骨灰重、骨灰重/体重、骨灰重占骨干重百分比等指标均高于去卵巢+复方丹参合剂组和去卵巢+运动组(P0.05或P0.01)。提示运动可加强复方丹参合剂抗去卵巢大鼠骨矿盐丢失的作用。     

Hesperidin,a citrus flavonoid,inhibits bone loss and decreases serum and hepatic lipids in ovariectomized mice

The purpose of this study was to examine whether hesperidin inhibits bone loss in ovariectomized mice (OVX), an animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Forty 8-wk-old female ddY mice were assigned to five groups: a sham-operated group fed the control diet (AIN-93G), an OVX group fed the control diet, an OVX+HesA group fed the control diet containing 0.5 g/100 g hesperidin, and an OVX+HesB group fed the control diet containing 0.7 g/100 g alpha-glucosylhesperidin and an OVX+17beta-estradiol (E(2)) group fed the control diet and administered 0.03 micro g E(2)/d with a mini-osmotic pump. After 4 wk, the mice were killed and blood, femoral, uterine and liver were sampled immediately. Hesperidin administration did not affect the uterine weight. In OVX mice, the bone mineral density of the femur was lower than in the sham group (P < 0.05) and this bone loss was significantly prevented by dietary hesperidin or alpha-glucosylhesperidin. The Ca, P and Zn concentrations in the femur were significantly higher in the hesperidin-fed and E(2) groups than in the OVX group. Histomorphometric analyses showed that the trabecular bone volume and trabecular thickness in the femoral distal metaphysis were markedly decreased (P < 0.05) by OVX, and alpha-glucosylhesperidin significantly prevented this bone loss. Furthermore, hesperidin decreased the osteoclast number of the femoral metaphysis in OVX mice, as did E(2). Serum and hepatic lipids were lower in mice that consumed the hesperidin-containing diets (P < 0.05) than in the OVX group fed the control diet. These results suggest a possible role for citrus flavonoids in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases because of their beneficial effects on bone and lipids.     

大豆甙元对去卵巢大鼠骨代谢酶及骨重建的影响

目的探讨大豆甙元(daidzein,Daid)改善去卵巢大鼠骨代谢酶学指标及对骨重建的作用。方法60只3月龄雌性清洁级大鼠随机分为:假手术(Sham)、去卵巢(OVX)和4个不同剂量去势+大豆甙元组(OVX-D1～OVX-D4),共6组。Sham和OVX组大鼠每日灌服等量蒸馏水,OVX-D1、OVX-D2、OVX-D3和OVX-D4四组分别灌服25、50、75和100mg/kgbw的Daid。大鼠6个月后处死,收集血液、肝脏和股骨,测定钙、磷含量及骨代谢酶学指标。结果Daid可提高去卵巢大鼠血清Ca、P含量及超微量ATP酶的表达水平,降低血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、血清骨特异性抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP-5b),其作用与剂量有关。结论服用一定剂量的Daid,能够抑制骨代谢相关酶的表达,进而抑制去卵巢大鼠的骨形成与骨吸收,使骨吸收与骨形成作用达到新的偶联平衡,其作用机制主要是通过降低骨转换率来实现。     

Rhizoma Dioscoreae Extract Protects against Alveolar Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats via microRNAs Regulation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoprotective effect of aqueous Rhizoma Dioscoreae extract (RDE) on the alveolar bone of rats with ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Female Wistar rats underwent either ovariectomy or sham operation (SHAM). The ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with vehicle (OVX), estradiol valerate (EV), or RDE. After treatments, the bone mineral density (BMD) and the three-dimensional microarchitecture of the alveolar bone were analyzed to assess bone mass. Microarrays were used to evaluate microRNA expression profiles in alveolar bone from RDE-treated and OVX rats. The differential expression of microRNAs was validated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and the target genes of validated microRNAs were predicted and further analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The key findings were verified using qRT-PCR. Our results show that RDE inhibits alveolar bone loss in OVX rats. Compared to the OVX rats, the RDE-treated rats showed upregulated expression levels of 8 microRNAs and downregulated expression levels of 8 microRNAs in the alveolar bone in the microarray analysis. qRT-PCR helped validate 13 of 16 differentially expressed microRNAs, and 114 putative target genes of the validated microRNAs were retrieved. The IPA showed that these putative target genes had the potential to code for proteins that were involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)/Smad signaling pathway (Tgfbr2/Bmpr2, Smad3/4/5, and Bcl-2) and interleukin (IL)-6/oncostatin M (OSM)/Jak1/STAT3 signaling pathway (Jak1, STAT3, and Il6r). These experiments revealed that RDE could inhibit ovariectomy-induced alveolar bone loss in rats. The mechanism of this anti-osteopenic effect in alveolar bone may involve the simultaneous inhibition of bone formation and bone resorption, which is associated with modulation of the TGF-β/BMPs/Smad and the IL-6/OSM/Jak1/STAT3 signaling pathways via microRNA regulation.     

Fermented soybeans by Rhizopus oligosporus reduce femoral bone loss in ovariectomized rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Soy isoflavones are structurally similar to estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, suggesting that they exhibit estrogenic activities; therefore, they are referred to as phytoestrogens. Fermentation may affect the bioavailability of isoflavones altering soy isoflavone glycosides in the form of aglycones. Thus, this study investigated the effects of fermented soybeans by Rhizopus oligosporus on bone metabolism in both young rats as a pilot test and in ovariectomized (ovx) old rats as a model of menopause.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In the pilot test, a total of 24 seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed one of three diets for a period of four weeks: casein, unfermented soybean product, or fermented soybean product by R. oligosporus. In the ovx rat model, 20-week-old SD rats weighing 260-290 g underwent either sham-operation (n = 10) or bilateral ovariectomy (n = 30) and were then fed the AIN-93M diet for one week. Thereafter, rats were fed sham-casein, ovx-casein, ovx-soybean, or ovx-fermented soybean diet for five weeks. After decapitation, femoral bones were isolated and preserved in 9% formalin for assessment of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone-breaking strength (BBS).

RESULTS

Ovx rats showed significantly increased weight gain and decreased uterine wet weight. Of particular interest, ovx rats fed fermented soybeans showed increased uterine wet weights compared to control rats. Fermented soybean diet caused a significant increase in plasma 17-β estradiol concentrations in young rats, and 17-β estradiol levels were enhanced in ovx rats to match those of sham-operated ones. Significantly lower femoral BMD and BMC were observed in ovx rats compared to sham-operated controls, whereas bone areas did not differ statistically among the groups. In addition, BBS tended to be increased in ovx rats fed soybeans and fermented soybeans.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation of fermented soybeans could have preventive and therapeutic effects against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.     

Comparative activities of daidzein metabolites,equol and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-desmethylangolensin,on bone mineral density and lipid metabolism in ovariectomized mice and in osteoclast cell cultures

Daidzein, a major isoflavone predominantly found in soybean, is mainly metabolized to equol and O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) by the human gut microflora. Equol exhibits a stronger estrogenic activity than daidzein, however, only approximately 30% of the population has been identified as equol-producers and there are too few direct evidences of the effects of the other major metabolite, O-DMA on estrogen-deficient status. The purpose of this study is therefore, to compare the effect of both O-DMA and equol on bone and lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro. For the in vivo study, 8-week-old female mice were assigned to five groups as follows: sham-operated (sham), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX + 0.5 mg/day O-DMA (OVX + O-DMA), OVX + 0.5 mg/day equol (OVX + Eq), and OVX + 0.03 microg/day 17beta-estradiol (OVX + E2) administration. Three weeks after the intervention, O-DMA and equol did not affect uterine atrophy in OVX mice. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur was lower in the OVX group than in the sham group. The administration of equol but not O-DMA, maintained BMD through the intervention. Values of whole body fat mass and plasma lipids were lower in the equol and O-DMA treated OVX mice than those in OVX mice. In the in vitro study, equol significantly inhibited the osteoclast formation induced by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) in a dose-dependent manner in a co-culture system of mouse bone-marrow cells with primary osteoblastic cells. However, O-DMA slightly inhibited osteoclast formation, and the effect was not dose dependent. These results suggest that the effects of O-DMA on bone and lipid metabolism in OVX mice and osteoclast cell cultures are weaker than those of equol.     

利骨素预防去卵巢大鼠骨矿盐丢失的实验研究

目的:观察利骨素对去卵巢大鼠骨矿盐丢失的预防作用。方法:健康4月龄SD雌性大鼠24只,随机分成4组,A组(正常对照);B组(假去卵巢);C组(去卵巢);D组(去卵巢+利骨素)。取左股骨测定骨矿盐含量。结果:去卵巢大鼠骨干重、骨干重/体重、骨灰重、骨灰重/体重、骨灰重占骨干重(%)等指标均明显降低,持续服用利骨素11周,可使实验组大鼠上述指标明显高于去卵巢组。提示:利骨素有良好的预防去卵巢引起的骨矿盐丢失作用。     

Calorie restriction aggravated cortical and trabecular bone architecture in ovariectomy-induced estrogen-deficient rats

We hypothesized that calorie restriction (CR) and estrogen deficiency (ovariectomy [OVX]) would aggravate bone biomarkers and structural parameters in rats. Seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to sham-operated groups and fed either an ad libitum diet (SHAM-AL) or a CR diet (SHAM-CR); ovariectomy-operated groups were fed an ad libitum diet (OVX-AL) or a CR diet (OVX-CR). For 8 weeks, the OVX-AL and SHAM-AL groups were fed the same diet, whereas CR groups were fed a diet containing 50% fewer calories. Bone-related biomarkers and structural parameters (OC; deoxypyridinoline [DPD]; N-terminal telopeptide, NTx; architecture and mineralization; and microcomputed tomography images) were analyzed at the end of the experiment. The serum OC levels of calorie-restricted groups (SHAM-CR and OVX-CR) were significantly lower than those of the AL groups (SHAM-AL and OVX-AL) (P < .05). Urinary DPD levels of calorie-restricted and ovariectomized groups were higher than those of their counterparts (P < .05), whereas urinary NTx levels of calorie-restricted groups were higher than those of AL groups (P < .05). In regard to trabecular bone, the calorie-restricted and ovariectomized groups had lower values of bone volume to total volume, trabecular number, and bone mineral density, but higher values of trabecular separation than those of their counterparts (P < .05). Regarding cortical bone, the calorie-restricted groups had reduced values of bone volume, mean polar moment of inertia, and cortical thickness compared to the AL groups (P < .05). In conclusion, severe CR with or without OVX during the growth period in rats is equally detrimental to bone; CR has detrimental effects on trabecular and cortical bone; and estrogen deficiency only had an effect on trabecular bone.     

Effects of Dietary Isoflavones from Puerariae Radix on Lipid and Bone Metabolism in Ovariectomized Rats

Puerariae radix, the dried root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi, is one of the earliest and most important edible crude herbs used for various medical purposes in oriental medicine. This study evaluated the metabolic effects of total isoflavones from P. lobata (PTIF) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The OVX rats were divided into four groups treated with distilled water, 17β-estradiol (E2 10 μg/kg, once daily, i.p.) and PTIF (30 and 100 mg/kg, once daily, p.o.) for eight weeks. The treatments with high-dose PTIF significantly decreased the bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the femur and inhibited the increase in body weight and lipoprotein levels compared to the OVX-control group without elevating the serum levels of the liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Furthermore, PTIF exhibits a hepatoprotective effect in OVX-induced hepatic steatosis, indicated with reduced hepatic lipid contents. Taken together, our findings suggest that PTIF may be useful for controlling lipid and bone metabolism, at least in OVX rats. Further research is necessary to determine whether PTIF will have the same effects in humans.     

A combination of dietary fructooligosaccharides and isoflavone conjugates increases femoral bone mineral density and equol production in ovariectomized mice

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria, which cleave isoflavone conjugates to yield the corresponding aglycones and metabolites. In a previous study, FOS modified the absorption and enterohepatic recirculation of isoflavones in rats. In the present study, we determined the effect of the combination of dietary FOS and isoflavone conjugates on bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) and surgical control mice. After undergoing OVX or sham operation, female ddY mice (8 wk old, n = 64) were randomly assigned to four groups: a purified control diet (AIN-93G) group, a FOS diet (AIN-93G + 5% FOS) group, an isoflavone diet (AIN-93G + 0.2% isoflavone conjugates) group, or a FOS and isoflavone diet (AIN-93G + 5% FOS + 0.2% isoflavone conjugates) group. After 6 wk, the mice were killed and the blood and femora were sampled immediately. In OVX mice, both isoflavone conjugates and FOS prevented femoral bone loss. An additive effect of dietary isoflavone conjugates and FOS was observed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in the distal part of the femur and in trabecular bone, by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Moreover, FOS increased cecal beta-glucosidase activity and equol production from daidzein in both OVX and surgical control mice fed isoflavone conjugates. These results suggest that FOS increase the bioavailability of isoflavones, leading to cooperative effects in the prevention of osteopenia in OVX mice.     

The Protective Effect of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Extract against Alveolar Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats via Regulating Wnt and p38 MAPK Signaling

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoprotective effect of aqueous Rhizoma Dioscoreae extract (RDE) on the alveolar bone of rats with ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Methods: Female Wistar rats were subjected to either ovariectomy or a sham operation (SHAM). The ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with vehicle (OVX) or RDE by oral gavage or with 17β-estradiol (E2) subcutaneously. After treatments, the bone mineral density (BMD), the three-dimensional bone architecture of the alveolar bone and the plasma biomarkers of bone turnover were analyzed to assess bone metabolism, and the histomorphometry of the alveolar bone was observed. Microarrays were used to evaluate gene expression profiles in alveolar bone from RDE-treated and OVX rats. The differential expression of genes was further analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The key findings were verified using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Our results showed that RDE inhibited alveolar bone loss in OVX rats. Compared to the OVX rats, the RDE-treated rats showed upregulated expression levels of 207 genes and downregulated expression levels of 176 genes in the alveolar bone. The IPA showed that several genes had the potential to code for proteins that were involved in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Wnt7a, Fzd2, Tcf3, Spp1, Frzb, Sfrp2 and Sfrp4) and the p38 MAPK signaling pathway (Il1rn and Mapk14). Conclusion: These experiments revealed that RDE could inhibit ovariectomy-induced alveolar bone loss in rats. The mechanism of this anti-osteopenic effect in alveolar bone may be involved in the reduced abnormal bone remodeling, which is associated with the modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin and the p38 MAPK signaling pathways via gene regulation.     

白藜芦醇对去卵巢大鼠腰椎骨密度及NO、NOS影响

目的 探讨白藜芦醇（RES）对去卵巢大鼠腰椎骨密度及一氧化氮（NO）和一氧化氮合酶（NOS）影响。方法 48只SD大鼠随机分为6组,分别为假手术组、去卵巢组、己烯雌酚（0.03 mg/kg）、RES 5、15、45 mg/kg组,处理90 d后,观察各组大鼠腰椎骨密度、血清中NO含量和NOS浓度变化。结果 与假手术组比较,去卵巢组大鼠第4、5、6腰椎骨密度[分别为（0.141 4±0.001 1）、（0.139 1±0.000 9）和（0.152 8±0.000 6） g/cm²]、血清中NO含量[（8.190 5±3.814 8） μmol/L]和NOS浓度 [（51.284 6±6.975 9） U/mL]均降低,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;与去卵巢组比较,RES 45 mg/kg组第5、6腰椎骨密度[（0.156 0±0.001 1）、（0.173 3±0.001 5） g/cm²]、血清中NO含量[（18.624 3±2.613 0） μmol/L]和NOS浓度[（66.579 5±7.924 4） U/mL]明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,RES 5、15 mg/kg组大鼠血清中NO和NOS含量均升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 白藜芦醇对去卵巢后大鼠腰椎骨密度降低有抑制作用,其机制可能与增加血清中NO含量和NOS浓度有关。