Monthly Archives: August 2013

Babchi Increases Bone Density in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Psoralea corylifolia extract ameliorates experimental osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

We evaluated the protective effect of Psoralea corylifolia L. (PCL) extract on the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. The biochemical markers of bone turnover, calcium metabolism, and calcium balance were examined. PCL extract (25 mg or 50 mg/kg body weight/day) was orally administrated to OVX rats for 3 months. PCL extract did not alter weight gain or uterus weight in OVX rats. PCL extract significantly increased serum Ca (calcium) levels (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group) as well as decreased urinary Ca excretion (p < 0.05 vs. OVX group) in OVX rats. The upregulation of serum osteocalcin level by ovariectomy was suppressed by treatment with PCL extract in rats (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group). PCL extract increased bone mineral density at 50 mg/kg body weight/day in OVX rats (p < 0.05, vs. OVX group). Our results indicate that orally administrated PCL extract can decrease urinary calcium excretion and decrease serum osteocalcin in OVX rats, resulting in positive effects on bone mineral density as well as bone formation. In conclusion, our studies showed that PCL might be a potential candidate for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Tsai MH, Huang GS, Hung YC, Bin L…
Am. J. Chin. Med. 2007
PMID: 17708633

Legumes, Especially Cowpeas, Improve Bone Markers in Rats

Abstract

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.

Lee SH, Jin N, Paik DJ, Kim DY…
Nutr Res May 2011
PMID: 21636018

Ox Knee Root Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Achyranthes bidentata root extract prevent OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats.

The objective of the present study was to systematically investigate the effects of Achyranthes bidentata root extract (ABRE) on postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Eighty 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly assigned into sham-operated group (SHAM) and five ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups, i.e. OVX with vehicle (OVX); OVX with 17 β-ethinylestradiol (E(2), 25 μg/kg/day); OVX with ABRE of graded doses (100, 300, or 500 mg/kg/day). Daily oral administration of ABRE or E(2) started on week 4 after OVX for 16 weeks. Bone mass, bone turnover and strength were analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), biochemical markers and three-point bending test. The trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated by microcomputed tomography (μCT).
16 weeks treatment of ABRE slowed down the body weight gain and prevented the loss of bone mass induced by the OVX. The prevention effect on bone loss was due to altering the rate of bone remodeling, which could be inferred from the decreased level of bone turnover markers, such as serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD). The changes of urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion provided the same evidence. The treatment could also enhance the bone strength and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture.
We conclude that 16 weeks of ABRE treatment improve bone biomechanical quality through modifications of bone mineral density (BMD), and trabecular microarchitecture without hyperplastic effect on uterus, and it might be a potential alternative medicine for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Zhang R, Hu SJ, Li C, Zhang F…
J Ethnopharmacol Jan 2012
PMID: 21669273

Chinese Lizard’s Tail Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Antiosteoporotic activity of Saururus chinensis extract in ovariectomized rats.

Recent studies suggest that phytoestrogens may exert a protective effect against osteoporosis. This study examined whether treatment with phytoestrogen extracts from Saururus chinensis (SC) exerted a preventive effect on estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis. Six- to seven-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into either a sham-operated group or one of three ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups: OVX treated with vehicle, OVX with alendronate, and OVX with SC extract (SC). Rats began receiving treatment 4 weeks before the OVX treatment and continued receiving treatment for an additional 10 weeks after OVX (for a combined total of 14 weeks). The results showed that the SC treatment prevented loss of femur bone mineral density after OVX, as determined by a significant decrease in the levels of serum bone turnover markers osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase as well as urinary deoxypyridinoline. Micro-computed tomography analysis showed that the SC treatment significantly prevented decreases in bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number and trabecular thickness, while also preventing an increase in trabecular separation. It was concluded that SC treatment could prevent OVX-induced loss of bone mass and deterioration in trabecular microarchitecture by suppressing bone turnover, thereby maintaining bone structural integrity. Further, no stimulation of proliferation of uterine tissue was noted. Therefore, it is suggested that treatment with S. chinensis extracts might be a potential alternative therapy for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Sung MJ, Davaatseren M, Hur HJ, Kim HJ…
Phytother Res Aug 2012
PMID: 22821855

Huang Jing Prevents Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Protective effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

To assess the ability of traditional Chinese medicine Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide to prevent bone loss in the ovariectomized rat.
PSP was administered intragastrically to the rats. After 35 days, the total body bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed in all of the rats. All sections were processed for immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining (H.E.).
BMD was lower in the ovariectomized group (OVX, 0.163 g/cm(2)), the group that received a moderate dose of PSP on OVX animals (OVX+MP, 0.163 g/cm(2)) and the group that received a low dose of PSP on OVX animals (OVX+LP, 0.162 g/cm(2)) than in the sham-operated group (SHAM, 0.180 g/cm(2)), the OVX+E(2) group (OVX+E(2), 0.176 g/cm(2)) and the group that received a high dose of PSP on OVX animals (OVX+HP, 0.174 g/cm(2)) (P<0.05). Clear arrangements of bone trabeculae were observed in the OVX+E(2) and OVX+HP. The expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the OVX, OVX+MP and OVX+LP was down regulated compared to the SHAM, OVX+E(2) and OVX+HP (P<0.05). The rats in the OVX+E(2) and OVX+HP had lower levels of bone Gla protein (BGP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) expression than the rats in the OVX, OVX+MP and OVX+LP (P<0.05).
This experiment demonstrates that the administration of PSP to ovariectomized rats reverses bone loss and prevents osteoporosis.

Zeng GF, Zhang ZY, Lu L, Xiao DQ…
J Ethnopharmacol Jun 2011
PMID: 21550389

Pine Bark Decreases Bone Turnover in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Protective effect of Pycnogenol® on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

Pycnogenol® (PYC) is a natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster and has potent antioxidant activities. The protective effect of PYC on bone loss was studied in multiparous ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Pycnogenol® (30 or 15 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to 8-month-old OVX rats for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, bone strength was measured by a three-point bending test and bone mineral density was estimated by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Ovariectomy significantly decreased femur bone strength and bone density. Supplementation with PYC suppressed the bone loss induced by OVX. The OVX treatment significantly increased serum osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx). Supplementation with PYC reduced the serum OC and CTx in OVX rats to a level similar to that of the sham-operated group. The results indicated that orally administered PYC can decrease the bone turnover rate in OVX rats, resulting in positive effects on the biomechanical strength of bone and bone mineral density.

Mei L, Mochizuki M, Hasegawa N
Phytother Res Jan 2012
PMID: 21710590

Ecdysone Increases Trabecular Bone in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Beneficial effects of beta-Ecdysone on the joint, epiphyseal cartilage tissue and trabecular bone in ovariectomized rats.

Ecdysteroids are steroids found in invertebrates and plants. In mammals they have protein anabolic effects. We have recently published antiosteoporotic effects of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) extract and the search for the possible active ingredients yielded the presence of beta-Ecdysone (Ecd). Therefore, we investigated the effects of pure Ecd in ovariectomized rats on morphological changes in joint, epiphyseal cartilage and trabecular tissue. Following ovariectomy rats were fed for 1 month with Ecd containing food at a dose of 52.8 mg/day/animal. Positive and negative control animals received 17-beta Estradiol (E(2), 132 microg/day/animal) and soy free (sf) food respectively. At sacrifice, specimens consisting of upper tibiae-lower femurs and knee joint were harvested and processed for histomorphometry. The parameters measured included thickness of the joint cartilage, thickness of the whole epiphyseal growth plate and its three zones. Furthermore, the percentage of trabecular bone in the metaphysis region of tibiae was quantified. Ecd and E(2) induced a significant increase in the thickness of joint cartilage. The whole epiphyseal growth plate and its proliferative and hypertrophic zones were also increased by Ecd whereas E(2) reduced their size. The percentage of trabecular area in the metaphysis of tibia was significantly increased in Ecd and E(2) treated animals. Results provide a plausible explanation for the antiosteoporotic effects of TC. Hence, TC as well as other Ecd producing plants or pure Ecd may be of value in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis which is of increasing importance due to aging and obesity among individuals.

Kapur P, Wuttke W, Jarry H, Seidlova-Wuttke D
Phytomedicine Apr 2010
PMID: 20171072

Ecdysone has Bone Protective Effects in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Beta-ecdysone has bone protective but no estrogenic effects in ovariectomized rats.

Estrogens exert beneficial effects in the bone. Their chronic use however bares several risks. Therefore intensive search for non-estrogenic, bone protective compounds is going on. We observed that an extract of Tinospora cordifolia has antiosteoporotic effects and identified 20-OH-Ecdysone (beta-Ecdysone=Ecd) as a possible candidate for this action. Ovariectomized (ovx) rats were treated orally over 3 months with no Ecd (control) or 18, 57 or 121 mg Ecd/day/animal. Estradiol-17beta benzoate (E2) 159 microg/day/animal) fed animals served as positive controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) of tibia was measured by quantitative computer tomography, serum Osteocalcin and CrossLaps were measured in a ligand binding assay. Utilizing an estrogen receptor (ER) containing cytosolic extract of porcine uteri the capability of Ecd to bind to ER was tested. Ecd did not bind to ER. BMD was reduced by more than 50% in the control. In the Ecd animals BMD was dose dependently higher. Serum CrossLaps was lower in the Ecd and E2 group while serum Osteocalcin levels were decreased in the E2 but increased in the Ecd fed animals. Ecd has an antiosteoporotic effect which does not involve activation of ER.

Seidlova-Wuttke D, Christel D, Kapur P, Nguyen BT…
Phytomedicine Sep 2010
PMID: 20554186

Beta Blocker Prevents Bone Loss in Pediatric Burn Patients

Abstract

Long-term propranolol use in severely burned pediatric patients: a randomized controlled study.

To determine the safety and efficacy of propranolol given for 1 year on cardiac function, resting energy expenditure, and body composition in a prospective, randomized, single-center, controlled study in pediatric patients with large burns.
Severe burns trigger a hypermetabolic response that persists for up to 2 years postburn. Propranolol given for 1 month postburn blunts this response. Whether propranolol administration for 1 year after injury provides a continued benefit is currently unclear.
One-hundred seventy-nine pediatric patients with more than 30% total body surface area burns were randomized to control (n = 89) or 4 mg/kg/d propranolol (n = 90) for 12 months postburn. Changes in resting energy expenditure, cardiac function, and body composition were measured acutely at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postburn. Statistical analyses included techniques that adjusted for non-normality, repeated-measures, and regression analyses. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Long-term propranolol treatment significantly reduced the percentage of the predicted heart rate and percentage of the predicted resting energy expenditure, decreased accumulation of central mass and central fat, prevented bone loss, and improved lean body mass accretion. There were very few adverse effects from the dose of propranolol used.
Propranolol treatment for 12 months after thermal injury, ameliorates the hyperdynamic, hypermetabolic, hypercatabolic, and osteopenic responses in pediatric patients. This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00675714.

Herndon DN, Rodriguez NA, Diaz EC, Hegde S…
Ann. Surg. Sep 2012
PMID: 22895351

Beta Blockers Reversed Bone Loss in Calorie Restricted Rats

Abstract

Blocking β-adrenergic signaling attenuates reductions in circulating leptin, cancellous bone mass, and marrow adiposity seen with dietary energy restriction.

We tested whether β-adrenergic blockade attenuates bone loss and increased marrow adiposity during energy restriction (ER) and whether such an effect is associated with changes in serum leptin and leptin expression in bone and marrow tissues. Female 4-mo-old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into four groups (n = 10 each): two groups of 40% ER treated with vehicle (ERVEH; saline) or β-blocker (ERBB; DL-propranolol; 250 μg · kg(-1) · h(-1)) during 12 wk, and two groups of ad libitum-fed controls treated with the same two agents (CONVEH, CONBB, respectively). Over 84 days, CONVEH and CONBB rats gained but ERVEH and ERBB rats lost body fat mass; lean mass did not change in any group. Reduction in serum leptin in ERVEH rats was mitigated in ERBB rats (-5.32 vs. -1.15 ng/ml, respectively). The decline in proximal tibia cancellous vBMD observed in ERVEH rats was attenuated in ERBB rats (-85.24 vs. -53.94 mg/cm(3), respectively). Adipocyte number in ERVEH rats was dramatically higher vs. CON rats at week 12, but this increment was abolished by β-blockade in ERBB animals. The number of osteoblastic cells and marrow adipocytes staining positively for leptin in ERVEH rats tended to be lower vs. that of both CON groups, but β-blockade appears to reverse this effect in ERBB rats. In summary, β-adrenergic blockade mitigated metaphyseal bone loss and bone marrow adiposity during energy restriction and attenuated reductions in serum leptin. These data suggest an important role for β-adrenoreceptor signaling pathway in the cancellous bone and marrow fat response to energy restriction.

Baek K, Bloomfield SA
J. Appl. Physiol. Dec 2012
PMID: 22995391