Tag Archives: positive

Curcumin, Japanese Apricot, and Others, Effects on Osteoclasts in Mice In Vitro

Abstract

Screening of Korean medicinal plants for possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro.

Bone undergoes continuous remodeling through bone formation and resorption, and maintaining the balance for skeletal rigidity. Bone resorption and loss are generally attributed to osteoclasts. Differentiation of osteoclasts is regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor NF-kB ligand (RANKL), a member of tumor necrosis factor family. When the balance is disturbed, pathological bone abnormality ensues. Through the screening of traditional Korean medicinal plants, the effective molecules for inhibition and stimulation of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow macrophages were identified. Among 222 methanol extracts, of medicinal plants, 10 samples exhibited ability to induce osteoclast differentiation. These include Dryobalanops aromatica, Euphoria longana, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Prunus mume, Prunus nakaii, and Polygonatum odoratum. In contrast, Ailanthus altissima, Curcuma longa, Solanum nigrum, Taraxacum platycarpa, Trichosanthes kirilowii, and Daphne genkwa showed inhibitory effects in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation.

Youn YN, Lim E, Lee N, Kim YS…
Genes Nutr Feb 2008
PMID: 18850234 | Free Full Text

Curcumin Improves Bone in Transgenic Mice

Abstract

Curcumin improves bone microarchitecture and enhances mineral density in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis are often observed to co-occur in clinical practice. The present study aimed to evaluate the bone microarchitecture and bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal tibia in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and to search for evidence that curcumin can be used to reduce bone mineral losses and treat osteoporosis after senile dementia in these transgenic mice. Three-month-old female mice were divided into the following groups (n=9 per group): wild-type mice (WT group); APP/PS1 transgenic mice (APP group); and APP/PS1 transgenic mice with curcumin treatment (APP+Cur group). Between 9 and 12 months of age, the APP+Cur group were administered curcumin orally (600ppm). CT scans of the proximal tibia were taken at 6, 9 and 12 months. At 6 months, there were little differences in the structural parameters. At 9 months, the APP groups displayed loss of bone volume ratio (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N) and connectivity density (Conn.D) and increases in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and geometric degree of anisotropy (DA) (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with significant changes in the BMD parameters. At 12 months, curcumin treatment led to constant increases in the trabecular bone mass of the metaphysis and clearly improved the BMD. By the same time, we measured the TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum among the different groups at 6, 9 and 12 months by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA). These results suggest that APP/PS1 transgenic mice are susceptible to osteoporosis, and that curcumin can prevent further deterioration of the bone structure and produce beneficial changes in bone turnover. The change of inflammation cytokine, including TNF-α and IL-6, may play an important role in the mechanisms of action of curcumin, but the detail mechanism remains unknown.

Yang MW, Wang TH, Yan PP, Chu LW…
Phytomedicine Jan 2011
PMID: 20637579

Turmeric Inhibits Osteoclasts in Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis.

Scientific evidence is lacking for the antiarthritic efficacy of turmeric dietary supplements that are being promoted for arthritis treatment. Therefore, we undertook studies to determine the antiarthritic efficacy and mechanism of action of a well-characterized turmeric extract using an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The composition of commercial turmeric dietary supplements was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A curcuminoid-containing turmeric extract similar in composition to these supplements was isolated and administered intraperitoneally to female Lewis rats prior to or after the onset of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis. Efficacy in preventing joint swelling and destruction was determined clinically, histologically, and by measurement of bone mineral density. Mechanism of action was elucidated by analysis of turmeric’s effect on articular transcription factor activation, microarray analysis of articular gene expression, and verification of the physiologic effects of alterations in gene expression.
A turmeric fraction depleted of essential oils profoundly inhibited joint inflammation and periarticular joint destruction in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo treatment prevented local activation of NF-kappaB and the subsequent expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes mediating joint inflammation and destruction, including chemokines, cyclooxygenase 2, and RANKL. Consistent with these findings, inflammatory cell influx, joint levels of prostaglandin E(2), and periarticular osteoclast formation were inhibited by turmeric extract treatment.
These translational studies demonstrate in vivo efficacy and identify a mechanism of action for a well-characterized turmeric extract that supports further clinical evaluation of turmeric dietary supplements in the treatment of RA.

Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Kuscuoglu N…
Arthritis Rheum. Nov 2006
PMID: 17075840 | Free Full Text

Eldecalcitol Stronger than Vitamin D

Abstract

Osteoporosis treatment by a new active vitamin D3 compound, eldecalcitol, in Japan.

Although vitamin D is used mainly as a nutritional supplement in osteoporosis treatment, its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D], has an effect to maintain bone remodeling balance as well. Eldecalcitol is an analog of 1,25(OH) (2)D(3) with stronger effects than its native form in improving bone remodeling balance and increasing bone mineral density in osteoporotic patients. Daily 0.75 μg eldecalcitol is superior to 1.0 μg alfacalcidol in preventing new vertebral fractures under vitamin D supplementation, and is approved for osteoporosis treatment in Japan. Eldecalcitol also decreases wrist fractures. Further studies are warranted to examine the effect of eldecalcitol on other nonvertebral fractures, extraskeletal systems including falls, and combined treatment with other drugs in osteoporotic patients, as well as the mechanism of action of eldecalcitol.

Matsumoto T
Curr Osteoporos Rep Dec 2012
PMID: 22918710

Risedronate, Atorvastatin, Estrogen, Raloxifene, and Clomiphene Compared in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Comparative effects of risedronate, atorvastatin, estrogen and SERMs on bone mass and strength in ovariectomized rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate bone protective effects of risedronate, atorvastatin, raloxifene and clomiphene citrate in ovariectomized rats.
Our study was conducted on 63 rats at Experimental Research Center of Celal Bayar University. Six-month-old rats were divided into seven groups. There were five drug administered ovariectomized groups, one ovariectomized control group without drug administration and one non-ovariectomized control group without drug administration. Eight weeks postovariectomy, rats were treated with the bisphosphonate risedronate sodium, the statin atorvastatin, the estrogen 17beta-estradiol and the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) raloxifene hydrochloride and clomiphene citrate by gavage daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, rats were killed under anesthesia. For densitometric evaluation, left femurs and tibiae were removed. Left femurs were also used to measure bone volume. Right femurs were used for three-point bending test.
Compared to ovariectomized group, femur cortex volume increased significantly in non-ovariectomized group (p=0.016). Compared to non-ovariectomized group, distal femoral metaphyseal and femur midshaft bone mineral density values were significantly lower in ovariectomized group (p=0.047). In ovariectomy+atorvastatin group, whole femur and femur midshaft bone mineral density and three-point bending test maximal load values were significantly higher than ovariectomized group (p=0.049, 0.05, and 0.018). When compared to the ovariectomized group, no significant difference was found with respect to femoral maximum load values in groups treated with risedronate, estrogen, raloxifene and clomiphene (p=0.602, 0.602, 0.75, and 0.927). In ovariectomy+risedronate group, femur midshaft bone mineral density values were significantly higher than the values in ovariectomized group (p=0.023). When compared to ovariectomized group, no significant difference was found with respect to femur midshaft bone mineral density values in groups treated with estrogen, raloxifene and clomiphene (p=0.306, 0.808, and 0.095).

While risedronate sodium prevented the decrease in bone mineral density in ovariectomized rats, atorvastatin maintained mechanical characteristics of bone and also prevented the decrease in bone mineral density as risedronate sodium.

Uyar Y, Baytur Y, Inceboz U, Demir BC…
Maturitas Jul 2009
PMID: 19386450

Simvastatin Intensifies Bone Formation and Decreases Resorption in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Effects of simvastatin on the development of osteopenia caused by ovariectomy in rats.

Simvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-determining enzyme for cholesterol synthesis which is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemias, particularly in type IIa and IIb hyperlipoproteinemias, frequently in postmenopausal women. Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by simvastatin may cause disorders of bone remodelling. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin (3 mg and 6 mg/kg/day per os) administered for 4 weeks on the development of ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in 3-month-old female Wistar rats. The experiments were carried out on six groups of animals: I (C)–sham operated rats, II (S-3)–sham operated rats + simvastatin 3 mg/kg/day p.o., III (S-6)–sham operated rats + simvastatin 6 mg/kg/day p.o., IV (OVX)–ovariectomized rats, V (OVX + S-3)–ovariectomized rats + simvastatin 3 mg/kg/day p.o., VI (OVX + S-6)–ovariectomized rats + simvastatin 6 mg/kg/day p.o. In all the groups, we examined body weight gain, and macrometrical, histomorphometrical and mechanical parameters. Bilateral ovariectomy induced osteopenic skeletal changes in mature female rats. In cortical bone, ovariectomy intensified resorption processes at the marrow cavity, as indicated by a decrease in endosteal transverse growth and an increase in transverse cross-section surface area of the marrow cavity in the tibia. Intensification of resorption processes was observed in cancellous bone (a statistically significant decrease in the width of trabeculae in the epiphysis and metaphysis of the femur). Structural changes in the long bones resulting from bilateral ovariectomy were manifested by deterioration of mechanical properties of the shaft and neck of the femur. The force needed to fracture the neck and shaft of the femur was significantly smaller than that in sham operated rats. Simvastatin (3 and 6 mg/kg/day p.o.) slightly influenced bone remodelling in sham operated rats. Simvastatin (3 and 6 mg/kg p.o. daily) administered to ovariectomized rats intensified bone formation processes and decreased bone resorption processes induced by bilateral ovariectomy, showing stronger activity at 6 mg/kg.

Pytlik M, Janiec W, Misiarz-Myrta M, Gubała I
Pol J Pharmacol
PMID: 12856828 | Free Full Text

Omega-3 Promotes Bone in Young Rats

Abstract

Consumption of different sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by growing female rats affects long bone mass and microarchitecture.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) consumption has been reported to improve bone health. However, sources of ω-3 PUFAs differ in the type of fatty acids and structural form. The study objective was to determine the effect of various ω-3 PUFAs sources on bone during growth. Young (age 28d) female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned (n=10/group) to a high fat 12% (wt) diet consisting of either corn oil (CO) or ω-3 PUFA rich, flaxseed (FO), krill (KO), menhaden (MO), salmon (SO) or tuna (TO) for 8 weeks. Bone mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone microarchitecture by micro-computed tomography (μCT). Bone turnover markers were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Lipid peroxidation was measured by calorimetric assays. Results showed that rats fed TO, rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω-3) had higher (P<0.009) tibial bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) and lower (P=0.05) lipid peroxidation compared to the CO-fed rats. Reduced lipid peroxidation was associated with increased tibial BMD (r2=0.08, P=0.02) and BMC (r2=0.71, P=0.01). On the other hand, rats fed FO or MO, rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3ω-3), improved bone microarchitecture compared to rats fed CO or SO. Serum osteocalcin was higher (P=0.03) in rats fed FO compared to rats fed SO. Serum osteocalcin was associated with improved trabecular bone microarchitecture. The animal study results suggest consuming a variety of ω-3 PUFA sources to promote bone health during the growth stage.

Lukas R, Gigliotti JC, Smith BJ, Altman S…
Bone Sep 2011
PMID: 21672645

Omega-3 Inhibits Osteoclasts In Vitro

Abstract

The omega-6 arachidonic fatty acid, but not the omega-3 fatty acids, inhibits osteoblastogenesis and induces adipogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells: potential implication in osteoporosis.

Arachidonic fatty acid (AA) induces adipogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells cultures, and high concentrations inhibit osteoblastogenesis; whereas eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids do not induce adipogenesis and do not inhibit osteoblastogenesis. In mesenchymal stem cells, omega-6 arachidonic polyunsaturated fatty acid promotes the differentiation of adipocytes and inhibits the osteoblast differentiation. While omega-3 fatty acids do not affect the adipogenic differentiation their effects on osteoblastogenesis are less relevant. An increased ratio of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid consumption can prevent bone mass loss.
Consumption of omega-3 may protect against osteoporosis since they may inhibit osteoclastogenesis. However, with aging, MSC in bone marrow are increasingly differentiated into adipocytes, reducing the number of osteoblasts. Products derived from omega-6 and omega-3 metabolism may affect MSC differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes.
Human MSC have been differentiated into osteoblasts or adipocytes in the presence of omega-6 (AA), or omega-3 (DHA and EPA), and osteoblastic and adipocytic markers have been analyzed.
AA decreases the expression of osteogenic markers and the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa β ligand gene expression ratio (opg/rankl). High concentrations of AA inhibit the mineralization and cause the appearance of adipocytes in MSC differentiating into osteoblasts to a higher extent than DHA or EPA. In MSC differentiated into adipocytes, AA increases adipogenesis, while DHA and EPA do not affect it. AA caused the appearance of adipocytes in undifferentiated MSC. The lipoxygenase gene (alox15b) is induced by omega-3 in MSC induced to osteoblasts, and by omega-6 in MSC induced to adipocytes.
An increase in the intake of omega-3 respect to omega-6 may provide protection against the loss of bone mass, since omega-6 favors the osteoclastic activity by diminishing the opg/rankl gene expression in osteoblasts and promotes MSC differentiation into adipocytes, thus diminishing the production of osteoblasts.

Casado-Díaz A, Santiago-Mora R, Dorado G, Quesada-Gómez JM
Osteoporos Int May 2013
PMID: 23104199

Alpha Linolenic Acid Increases Bone Strength in Hens

Abstract

Reduced bone breakage and increased bone strength in free range laying hens fed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplemented diets.

The omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are the immediate precursors to a number of important mediators of immunity, inflammation and bone function, with products of omega-6 generally thought to promote inflammation and favour bone resorption. Western diets generally provide a 10 to 20-fold deficit in omega-3 PUFAs compared with omega-6, and this is thought to have contributed to the marked rise in incidence of disorders of modern human societies, such as heart disease, colitis and perhaps osteoporosis. Many of our food production animals, fed on grains rich in omega-6, are also exposed to a dietary deficit in omega-3, with perhaps similar health consequences. Bone fragility due to osteoporotic changes in laying hens is a major economic and welfare problem, with our recent estimates of breakage rates indicating up to 95% of free range hens suffer breaks during lay.
Free range hens housed in full scale commercial systems were provided diets supplemented with omega-3 alpha linolenic acid, and the skeletal benefits were investigated by comparison to standard diets rich in omega-6.
There was a significant 40-60% reduction in keel bone breakage rate, and a corresponding reduction in breakage severity in the omega-3 supplemented hens. There was significantly greater bone density and bone mineral content, alongside increases in total bone and trabecular volumes. The mechanical properties of the omega-3 supplemented hens were improved, with strength, energy to break and stiffness demonstrating significant increases. Alkaline phosphatase (an osteoblast marker) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (an osteoclast marker) both showed significant increases with the omega-3 diets, indicating enhanced bone turnover. This was corroborated by the significantly lower levels of the mature collagen crosslinks, hydroxylysyl pyridinoline, lysyl pyridinoline and histidinohydroxy-lysinonorleucine, with a corresponding significant shift in the mature:immature crosslink ratio.
The improved skeletal health in laying hens corresponds to as many as 68million fewer hens suffering keel fractures in the EU each year. The biomechanical and biochemical evidence suggests that increased bone turnover has enhanced the bone mechanical properties, and that this may suggest potential benefits for human osteoporosis.

Tarlton JF, Wilkins LJ, Toscano MJ, Avery NC…
Bone Feb 2013
PMID: 23142806

EPA + DHA: Possible Mechanism

Abstract

PTH1 receptor is involved in mediating cellular response to long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The molecular pathways by which long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) influence skeletal health remain elusive. Both LCPUFA and parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTH1R) are known to be involved in bone metabolism while any direct link between the two is yet to be established. Here we report that LCPUFA are capable of direct, PTH1R dependent activation of extracellular ligand-regulated kinases (ERK). From a wide range of fatty acids studied, varying in chain length, saturation, and position of double bonds, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic fatty acids (DHA) caused the highest ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, EPA potentiated the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH(1-34)) in a superagonistic manner. EPA or DHA dependent ERK phosphorylation was inhibited by the PTH1R antagonist and by knockdown of PTH1R. Inhibition of PTH1R downstream signaling molecules, protein kinases A (PKA) and C (PKC), reduced EPA and DHA dependent ERK phosphorylation indicating that fatty acids predominantly activate G-protein pathway and not the β-arrestin pathway. Using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence microscopy and a genetically engineered PTH1R sensor (PTH-CC), we detected conformational responses to EPA similar to those caused by PTH(1-34). PTH1R antagonist blocked the EPA induced conformational response of the PTH-CC. Competitive binding studies using fluorescence anisotropy technique showed that EPA and DHA competitively bind to and alter the affinity of PTH1 receptor to PTH(1-34) leading to a superagonistic response. Finally, we showed that EPA stimulates protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in a PTH1R-dependent manner and affects the osteoblast survival pathway, by inhibiting glucocorticoid-induced cell death. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that LCPUFAs, EPA and DHA, can activate PTH1R receptor at nanomolar concentrations and consequently provide a putative molecular mechanism for the action of fatty acids in bone.

Candelario J, Tavakoli H, Chachisvilis M
PLoS ONE 2012
PMID: 23300710 | Free Full Text


In human studies, it has been shown that consuming EPA improved bone quality in elderly female subjects [21]. Consumption of ω-3 fatty acids was also associated with reduced incidence and severity of inflammatory bone/joint diseases in humans [22]. There is evidence of the potential of EPA to counteract bone loss associated with spaceflight; higher consumption of fish (ω-3) was associated with reduced loss of bone mineral density (BMD) after flight [23]. BMD of the total body showed a significant negative correlation with serum concentrations of oleic acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and significant correlations with DHA and ω-3 fatty acids [24]. A higher ratio of ω-6 to ω-3 fatty acids is associated with lower BMD at the hip in both sexes suggesting the relative amounts of dietary PUFA may play a vital role in preserving skeletal integrity in older age [25].