Characteristics of bone remodeling in female ovariectomized rat models of osteoporosis undergoing Erzhi pill extract intervention / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some studies have shown that Erzhi Pill can improve the bone density, bone shadow area, bone mineral content and serum estradiol level of ovariectomized rats, but the possible mechanism has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Erzhi Pill on bone remodeling in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. METHODS: A rat model of post-menopausal osteoporosis was established, and the extracts of Erzhi Pills of 6, 9, and 12 g/kg per day were administered intragastrically. Administration in each group began at the 13th week after surgery, and the samples were taken at 16, 20, and 24 weeks after surgery. The bone tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, the percentage of trabecular bone was measured by Motic 6.0 system, and the bone density of the rat right tibial bone was detected by a bone densitometer. Expressions of osteoprotegerin, nuclear factor κB receptor activating factor ligand (RANKL), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and osteocalcin mRNAs in the first lumbar vertebrae were detected by qPCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The trabecular bone had a better morphological structure, and the number of trabeculae, bone miner density, and bone tissue osteoprotegerin level were significantly increased in a dose-depended manner after treatment with Erzhi Pill, whereas the mRNA levels of RANKL and TRAP decreased in a dose-depended manner after treatment with Erzhi Pill (P < 0.05). Therefore, the alcohol extract of Erzhi Pill can improve the status of hightransformation osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, promote the expression of osteoprotegerin and inhibit the expression of RANKL, so as to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts and ultimately improve the bone remodeling in female osteoporotic rats.