Category Archives: Supplements

Quercetin Inhibits Bone Loss Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Oral administration of quercetin inhibits bone loss in rat model of diabetic osteopenia.

Diabetic osteopenia can result in an increased incidence of bone fracture and a delay in fracture healing. Quercetin, one of the most widely distributed flavonoids in plants, possesses antioxidant property and beneficial effect on osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. All these properties make quercetin a potential candidate for controlling the development of diabetic osteopenia. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the putative beneficial effect of quercetin on diabetic osteopenia in rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin. The diabetic rats received daily oral administration of quercetin (5mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 50mg/kg) for 8 weeks, which was started at 4 weeks after streptozotocin injection. Quercetin at 5mg/kg showed little effect on diabetic osteopenia, while quercetin at 30 mg/kg and 50mg/kg could increase the decreased serum osteocalcin, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and urinary deoxypyridinoline in diabetic rats. In addition, quercetin (30 mg/kg and 50mg/kg) could partially reverse the decreased biomechanical quality and the impaired micro-architecture of the femurs in diabetic rats. Histomorphometric analysis showed that both decreased bone formation and resorption were observed in diabetic rats, which was partially restored by quercetin (30 mg/kg and 50mg/kg). Further investigations showed that quercetin significantly lowered the oxidative DNA damage level, up-regulated the total serum antioxidant capability and the activity of serum antioxidants in diabetic rats. All those findings indicate the beneficial effect of quercetin on diabetic osteopenia in rats, and raise the possibility of developing quercetin as potential drugs or an ingredient in diet for controlling diabetic osteopenia.

Liang W, Luo Z, Ge S, Li M…
Eur. J. Pharmacol. Nov 2011
PMID: 21914440

Quercetin Actions In Vitro

Abstract

Quercetin, a potent suppressor of NF-κB and Smad activation in osteoblasts.

Osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells of the body, form when osteoclast precursors are exposed to the key osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), a process requiring induction of NF-κB signaling. Quercetin is a ubiquitous plant-derived flavonoid with well documented anti-inflammatory properties, in part, a consequence of its capacity to downmodulate the NF-κB signal transduction pathway. Consistent with this mechanism of action quercetin is reported to suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized mice in vivo. By contrast, the effect of quercetin on osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, is contradictory with conflicting reports of inhibition as well as stimulation. Given our previous reports that NF-κB antagonists promote osteoblast differentiation and activity, we compared the effects of quercetin on osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation and on NF-κB signal transduction in vitro. As expected, quercetin potently suppressed osteoclastogenesis and NF-κB activation induced by RANKL in osteoclast precursors. However, the same doses of quercetin had no effect on osteoblast mineralization, and failed to significantly alleviate the inhibitory effect of NF-κB-induced by TNFα, even though quercetin potently suppressed NF-κB activation in these cells. This apparent contradiction was explained by the fact that addition to its anti-NF-κB activity, quercetin also potently antagonized both TGFβ and BMP-2-induced Smad activation in osteoblast precursors. Taken together our data suggest that multiple competing actions of quercetin mediate both stimulatory and inhibitory actions on osteoblasts with the final physiological effect likely a function of the net balance between these stimulatory and inhibitory effects.

Yamaguchi M, Weitzmann MN
Int. J. Mol. Med. Oct 2011
PMID: 21769418

Vitamin D + Genistein + Quercetin + Resveratrol in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Preventing bone loss and weight gain with combinations of vitamin D and phytochemicals.

Vitamin D and certain natural compounds have been shown to regulate both lipid metabolism and bone formation. Treatments that prevent or reverse age-related increase in bone marrow adiposity could both increase new bone formation and inhibit bone destruction. We tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with combinations of vitamin D and phytochemicals inhibits bone loss and decreases adiposity to a greater extent than control or vitamin D-alone diets. Aged ovariectomized female rats (12 months old, n=50, initial body weight=240 g) were given control (AIN-93M diet), vitamin D (2,400 IU/kg), or vitamin D plus resveratrol (16, 80, or 400 mg/kg of diet [low, medium, and high dose, respectively]), quercetin (80, 400, or 2,000 mg/kg of diet), and genistein (64, 256, or 1,040 mg/kg of diet) for 8 weeks. The high-dose treatment (vitamin D+400 mg/kg resveratrol+2,000 mg/kg quercetin+1,040 mg/kg genistein) reduced body weight gain (P<.05) and the fat pad weights (P<.05). This treatment also increased the serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (P<.05) and the bone mineral content of the femur. Micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analyses indicated that the high-dose treatment prevented loss of trabecular bone (P<.05) and reduced marrow adipocytes (P<.001) and osteoclasts (P<.05) compared with the control and vitamin D alone (P<.05). We conclude that aged ovariectomized female rats supplemented with vitamin D combined with genistein, quercetin, and resveratrol had improved bone mineral density and reduced body weight gain and a significant decrease in bone marrow adipocytes. The synergistic effects of a combination of phytochemicals with vitamin D may be effective in reducing bone loss and weight gain after menopause.

Lai CY, Yang JY, Rayalam S, Della-Fera MA…
J Med Food Nov 2011
PMID: 21663481

Quercetin Inhibits Bone Loss Without Affecting Osteoclasts or Estrogen Receptors in Ovariectomized Mice

Abstract

Dietary quercetin inhibits bone loss without effect on the uterus in ovariectomized mice.

Quercetin is a major dietary flavonoid found in onions and other vegetables, and potentially has beneficial effects on disease prevention. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time the effects of dietary quercetin on bone loss and uterine weight loss by ovariectomy in vivo. Female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and were randomly allocated to 3 groups: a control diet or a diet with 0.25% (LQ) or 2.5% quercetin (HQ). After 4 weeks, dietary quercetin had no effects on uterine weight in OVX mice, but bone mineral density of the lumbar spine L4 and femur measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was higher in both the sham and the HQ groups than in the OVX group. Histomorphometric analysis showed that the HQ group restored bone volume (BV/TV) completely in distal femoral cancellous bone, but did not reduce the osteoclast surface area and osteoclast number when compared with the OVX group. In in-vitro experiments using mouse monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells, however, quercetin and its conjugate, quercetin-3-O-beta-D: -glucuronide dose-dependently inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, and the RANKL-stimulated expression of osteoclast related genes was also inhibited by quercetin. The luciferase reporter assay showed that quercetin did not appear to have estrogenic activity through estrogen receptors. These results suggest that dietary quercetin inhibits bone loss without effect on the uterus in OVX mice and does not act as a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis or as a selective estrogen receptor modulator in vivo.

Tsuji M, Yamamoto H, Sato T, Mizuha Y…
J. Bone Miner. Metab. 2009
PMID: 19495926

Interesting, I wonder how it works if it doesn’t inhibit osteoclasts in vivo and isn’t estrogenic?

Ginkgo (Kaempferol and Quercetin) Restores Bone Mass in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Effects of Egb 761 on bone mineral density, bone microstructure, and osteoblast function: Possible roles of quercetin and kaempferol.

The effects of standardized and concentrated extract of Ginkgo biloba, Egb 761, were studied on estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss in ovariectomized (OVx) rats rendered osteopenic. Upon osteopenia development, Egb 761 was administered at a dose of 100mgkg(?1)day(?1) by oral gavage to OVx rats whereas control group received vehicle. Following 5 weeks of treatment, the OVx+Egb 761 group (n=12) of rats exhibited significantly higher whole body BMD and lower bone turnover markers (serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) than OVx rats that were given vehicle (n=12). BMD levels in excised bones were also found to be higher in both trabecular (most robustly in lumbar vertebrae) and cortical bones of OVx+Egb 761 compared with OVx+vehicle group. Egb 761 did not exhibit estrogen agonistic activity at the uterine level. Microcomputed tomography demonstrated that OVx+Egb 761 group had better bone microarchitectural parameters compared with OVx+vehicle group. Moreover, OVx+Egb 761 group had higher femoral mRNA levels of osterix, type I collagen and osteocalcin compared with OVx+vehicle group. Determination of levels of three flavonoids of Egb 761, that are known to have bone conserving property, in serum and bone marrow suggests that kaempferol and quercetin, and not rutin, likely mediate the beneficial actions observed with Egb 761 treatment. These results show for the first time that oral administration of Egb 761 restores bone mass in aged OVx rats.

Trivedi R, Kumar A, Gupta V, Kumar S…
Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. Apr 2009
PMID: 19356626

Quercetin Protects Human Osteoblasts Cells Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Abstract

Quercetin protects primary human osteoblasts exposed to cigarette smoke through activation of the antioxidative enzymes HO-1 and SOD-1.

Smokers frequently suffer from impaired fracture healing often due to poor bone quality and stability. Cigarette smoking harms bone cells and their homeostasis by increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to investigate whether Quercetin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, can protect osteoblasts from the toxic effects of smoking. Human osteoblasts exposed to cigarette smoke medium (CSM) rapidly produced ROS and their viability decreased concentration- and time-dependently. Co-, pre- and postincubation with Quercetin dose-dependently improved their viability. Quercetin increased the expression of the anti-oxidative enzymes heme-oxygenase- (HO-) 1 and superoxide-dismutase- (SOD-) 1. Inhibiting HO-1 activity abolished the protective effect of Quercetin. Our results demonstrate that CSM damages human osteoblasts by accumulation of ROS. Quercetin can diminish this damage by scavenging the radicals and by upregulating the expression of HO-1 and SOD-1. Thus, a dietary supplementation with Quercetin could improve bone matter, stability and even fracture healing in smokers.

Braun KF, Ehnert S, Freude T, Egaña JT…
ScientificWorldJournal 2011
PMID: 22203790 | Free Full Text

Chromium Could Have Bone Benefits

Abstract

Anabolic effects of insulin on bone suggest a role for chromium picolinate in preservation of bone density.

Activation of osteoclasts by parathyroid hormone (PTH) is mediated by PTH stimulation of osteoblasts, and is dependent on a PTH-induced rise in protein kinase C activity. Physiological levels of insulin reduce the ability of PTH to activate protein kinase C in osteoblasts, suggesting that insulin may be a physiological antagonist of bone resorption. In addition, insulin is known to promote collagen production by osteoblasts. These findings imply that efficient insulin activity may exert an anabolic effect on bone, and rationalize the many clinical studies demonstrating reduced bone density in Type I diabetes. Recently, the insulin-sensitizing nutrient chromium picolinate has been found to reduce urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and calcium in postmenopausal women, presumably indicative of a reduced rate of bone resorption. This nutrient also raised serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, which may play a physiological role in the preservation of postmenopausal bone density. The impact of chromium picolinate (alone or in conjunction with calcium and other micronutrients) on bone metabolism and bone density, merits further evaluation in controlled studies.

McCarty MF
Med. Hypotheses Sep 1995
PMID: 8569546

Vitamin D3 + K2 + Sr + Mg + DHA as Effective as Bisphosphonates in Women

Abstract

Combination of Micronutrients for Bone (COMB) Study: bone density after micronutrient intervention.

Along with other investigations, patients presenting to an environmental health clinic with various chronic conditions were assessed for bone health status. Individuals with compromised bone strength were educated about skeletal health issues and provided with therapeutic options for potential amelioration of their bone health. Patients who declined pharmacotherapy or who previously experienced failure of drug treatment were offered other options including supplemental micronutrients identified in the medical literature as sometimes having a positive impact on bone mineral density (BMD). After 12 months of consecutive supplemental micronutrient therapy with a combination that included vitamin D(3), vitamin K(2), strontium, magnesium and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), repeat bone densitometry was performed. The results were analyzed in a group of compliant patients and demonstrate improved BMD in patients classified with normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic bone density. According to the results, this combined micronutrient supplementation regimen appears to be at least as effective as bisphosphonates or strontium ranelate in raising BMD levels in hip, spine, and femoral neck sites. No fractures occurred in the group taking the micronutrient protocol. This micronutrient regimen also appears to show efficacy in individuals where bisphosphonate therapy was previously unsuccessful in maintaining or raising BMD. Prospective clinical trials are required to confirm efficacy.

Genuis SJ, Bouchard TP
J Environ Public Health 2012
PMID: 22291722 | Free Full Text

Prickly Pear Improves Bone Density in Women

Abstract

Intake of dehydrated nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) improves bone mineral density and calciuria in adult Mexican women.

The intake of dehydrated nopal (DN) at a high stage of maturity along with high calcium content could improve bone mineral density (BMD) and calciuria and thus prevent osteoporosis.
To evaluate the effect of calcium intake from a vegetable source (DN) on BMD and calciuria covering a 2-year period in menopausal and non-menopausal women with low bone mass (LBM).
The study was quasi-experimental, blinded, and randomized, and included 131 Mexican women aged 35-55. Urinary calcium/creatinine index (CCI) was determined; BMD was analyzed on lumbar spine and total hip regions. Four groups were studied: Control group (CG), women with normocalciuria and a minimum dose of DN; experimental group 1 (EG1), women with hypercalciuria and a minimum dose of DN; experimental group 2 (EG2), women with hypercalciuria, and a maximum dose of DN; and normal group (NG) for reference in BMD.
After the first semester of treatment, calciuria levels in women from both experimental groups returned to normal, remaining constant for the rest of the treatment. The percentage difference in BMD increased in the total hip region in the CG (pre 4.5% and post 2.1%) and EG2 (pre 1.8% and post 2.5%) groups significantly in comparison to NG and EG1, which exhibited a significant decrease in their BMD. BMD increased only for the lumbar region in the EG2 group (premenopausal).
The use of a vegetable calcium source such as nopal improves BMD in women with LBM in the total hip and lumbar spine regions principally in the premenopausal women, maintaining constant and normal calciuria levels.

Aguilera-Barreiro Mde L, Rivera-Márquez JA, Trujillo-Arriaga HM, Tamayo Y Orozco JA…
Food Nutr Res 2013
PMID: 23704856 | Free Full Text

Silymarin is a Beta Estrogen Agonist with Antiosteoporotic Effects in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Silymarin is a selective estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) agonist and has estrogenic effects in the metaphysis of the femur but no or antiestrogenic effects in the uterus of ovariectomized (ovx) rats.

Silymarin is a widely used standardized mixture of flavonolignans and its major component Silybinin binds to cytosolic estrogen receptors. Here, we demonstrate that this binding is exclusive to the estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). Treatment of ovariectomized (ovx) rats with silymarin or estradiol (E2) may allow differentiation of biological effects mediated by the ERalpha or ERbeta. E2 inhibited serum LH, cholesterol, LDL and HDL concentrations in the blood and increased gene expression of IGF1, HbEGF and C3 in the uterus, while silymarin was totally ineffective or antagonistic in altering these parameters. Both, E2 and silymarin inhibited expression of uterine ERbeta gene. Hence, in the pituitary, liver (where the lipoproteins are synthesized) and uterus E2 acts primarily via the ERalpha. Exclusive estrogenic effects of silymarin were observed in the metaphysis of the femur (MF), on osteoblast parameters (gene expression of IGF1, TGFbeta1, osteoprotegerin, collagen-1alpha1, osteocalcin (OC)) and on the osteoclast activity marker tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) gene expression of adult ovx rats. Our RT-PCR method detects ERbeta gene expression in all organs including developing bones but not in the MF of adult ovx rats. We conclude therefore, that the effects of silymarin in this part of the bone cannot be exerted via the ERalpha because it does not bind to this receptor subtype. Despite the failure to detect ERbeta mRNA in the MF of our animals the possibility exists that ERbeta protein is present and may mediate the effects of silymarin. Another possibility may be that the effect of silymarin and therefore possibly also of E2 in the MF may be mediated via other possibly not yet identified receptors or via an ERbeta splice variant which is not detected by our PCR-method.

Seidlová-Wuttke D, Becker T, Christoffel V, Jarry H…
J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. Aug 2003
PMID: 14568570