RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress played a key role in the development of bone brittleness and is an important pathogenic factor of senile osteoporosis. A variety of animal and plant-derived peptides have been shown to have significant anti-osteoporosis effects in vivo and in vitro. PURPOSE: In this study, we aim to explore the possible mechanism of wheat germ peptide ADWGGPLPH on senile osteoporosis. STUDY DESIGN: Naturally, aged rats were used as animal models of senile osteoporosis. METHODS: Wheat germ peptide ADWGGPLPH was administered from 9-months-old to 21-months-old, and the effect of ADWGGPLPH on preventing senile osteoporosis was evaluated by measuring serum biochemical indexes, bone histomorphometry, bone biomechanics, and other indexes to elucidate the mechanism of ADWGGPLPH in delaying senile osteoporosis by detecting the expression of osteoporosis-related proteins. RESULTS: The results showed that ADWGGPLPH could effectively reduce the level of oxidative stress and improve the microstructure and bone mineral density in senile osteoporosis rats. In addition, ADWGGPLPH could improve the proliferation and differentiation activity of osteoblasts and effectively inhibit osteoclasts' differentiation by regulating the OPG/RANKL/RANK/TRAF6 pathway. CONCLUSION: ADWGGPLPH from wheat germ exhibited a notably effect on senile osteoporosis and has a high potential in the development of the nutrient regimen to against senile osteoporosis.