Effects of anastrozole combined with Shuganjiangu decoction on osteoblast-like cell proliferation, differentiation and OPG/RANKL mRNA expression.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of anastrozole combined with Shuganjiangu decoction on osteoblast-like cells. METHODS: Human osteoblast-like cells MG-63 were cultured and divided into four groups control, anastrozole, Shuganjiangu decoction (SGJGD), and anastrozole combined with SGJGD. Cell proliferation was investigated by MTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin, the indicators of cell differentiation, were evaluated by p-nitrophenyl- phosphate method and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Gene expressions of ALP, osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were examined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: As evidenced by MTT assay, cell proliferation of MG-63 was inhibited by anastrozole, but stimulated with treatment of SGJGD alone and combined with anastrozole (P<0.01). Compared with control group, ALP activity was increased by the treatment of SGJGD alone and combined with anastrozole (P<0.01). Also, osteocalcin secretion was enhanced with the treatment of SGJGD single and combination with anastrozole (P<0.05). In the real-time PCR assay, gene expressions of ALP and osteocalcinwere significantly increased (P<0.01 for ALP, P<0.05 for osteocalcin) by the treatment of SGJGD and anastrozole combined with SGJGD, but the expression of RANKL was decreased (P<0.05). Moreover, anastrozole combined with SGJGD upregulated gene expression of OPG (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: SGJGD may alleviate the injury effects of anastrozole on MG-63 cells through adjusting bone formation and resorption indicators.