Oviductus Ranae protein hydrolyzate prevents menopausal osteoporosis by regulating TGFß/BMP2 signaling.

PURPOSE: It is known that menopausal osteoporosis (MOP) is the most typical form of osteoporosis, which is characterized by low bone mass and microstructure damage of the bone tissue, leading to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Oviductus Ranae protein hydrolyzate (ORPH) on the MOP in vivo. METHODS: Osteoporosis model was induced by ovariectomy, treated with ORPH 150 or 75 mg kg-1. Body weight and bone mineral density (BMD) of rats were measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment, and femoral maximum load was determined immediately after killing. The expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Smad4, tartrate acid phosphatase (TRAP), BMP2, Runx2, CPB, ColI and osteocalcin were examined by RT-PCR or western-blotting. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the femurs. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of ALP and BMP2. All data were analyzed by SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The results revealed that ORPH had no effect on the weight of normal and osteoporotic rats. ORPH could significantly improve the femur BMD and increase the maximum load of the osteoporotic rats. ORPH could significantly upregulate the expression level of bone formation makers, ALP, osteocalcin, ColI, and Runx2, and downregulate the expression level of bone resorption marker, TRAP. In the ORPH group, the expression levels of BMP2, Smad4, and CPB of key proteins in the TGFß/BMP2 signaling pathway were significantly upregulated. In addition, immunohistochemistry showed that ALP and BMP2 expression in femurs of the ORPH group was stranger. H&E staining showed that ORPH (150 mg kg-1) significantly increased the thickness of trabeculae and decreased fracture risk. CONCLUSION: Collectively, ORPH plays a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which may be a potential anti-osteoporosis drug.

[Spatial differences of Chinese material medicine resources species in Jilin province].

The differences in the spatial distribution of regional Chinese material medicine resources between regions are determined by differences in natural conditions and social resources among different regions. Spatiotemporal evolution of the distribution of Chinese material medicine resources is a manifestation of the development process of Chinese medicine industry in time and space. The spatiotemporal evolution of the distribution of regional Chinese material medicine resources can reveal the regularity of spatial distribution of Chinese material medicine resources. County as the basic unit of the national material medicine resources census, the difference of resource endowment is of great significance to the rational development of Chinese material medicine resources policy and the coordinated development of regional resources and environment. Based on the results of the pilot project of Jilin province, this study selected 51 counties that had completed the census of Chinese material medicine resources. According to the species of Chinese material medicine resources, we explored the diversity of Chinese material medicine resources in Jilin province by using statistical data analysis (ESDA), trend surface analysis and spatial variability function to analyze the spatial differences of Chinese material medicine resources. Chinese material medicine resources are distributed in the eastern and southeastern part of Jilin province, mostly in the Changbai Mountains. The species of Chinese material medicine resources tend to be low-value spatial aggregation; the overall cold spots are located in Changchun and Jilin city, near the administrative center, mostly urban built-up area. The rich areas of Chinese material medicine resources are rich in hot spots, mainly in broad-leaved forest. The low-abundance of Chinese material medicine resources is dominated by cultivated vegetation.

[Effects of pilose antler and antler glue on osteoporosis of ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of pilose antler and antler glue on osteoporosis of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: 60 6-month-old female rats were divided randomly into sham-operated group, model group, the positive group, pilose antler high-dose group, pilose antler low-dose group and antler glue group. We extracted bilateral ovaries to establish osteoporosis model and treated at two weeks postoperationally for consecutively 13 weeks, then observed the effects of pilose antler and antler glue on rat bone mineral density, bone mineral content, serum biochemical indicators, bone tissue morphology and other indicators. RESULTS: After 13 weeks, the high-dose group and antler glue group could significantly improve the BMD and bone mineral content of the ovariectomized rats, reduce BGP and ALP content, and remarkably increase the width of trabecula bone and bone trabecula area percentage, increase osteoblasts significantly, and decrease osteoclast cells significantly. Pilose antler low-dose also had the phenomenon above, but the result was not so good as high-dose group. CONCLUSION: Pilose antler and antler glue can antagonize osteoporosis of the ovariectomized rats.