Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of hesperidin (HES) on the bone microstructure and bone metabolism in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats by regulating osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) signaling pathway.
Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into the Sham operation group (Sham group), osteoporosis model group (Model group), positive drug alendronate sodium group (ALN group), low-dose hesperidin group (L-HES group) and high-dose hesperidin group (H-HES group), with 10 rats in each group. The bone mineral density and microstructure changes of bone tissue in five groups were detected. The morphological structure of bone tissue was observed by HE staining. Serum bone metabolism indicators were detected. The expression levels of related proteins in the OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting.
Results Compared with the Sham group, the bone mineral density, trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and expression level of OPG protein in the model group all decreased, and the trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and protein expression levels of RANK and RANKL all increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the bone mineral density, Tb.Th, Tb.N, BV/TV and OPG protein expression levels in the ALN group, L-HES group and H-HES group all increased, while the Tb.Sp and ALP, OC, TRACP-5b and RANK, RANKL protein expression levels all decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of bone mineral density, Tb.Th, Tb.N, BV/TV and OPG proteins in the H-HES group were higher than those in L-HES group, while the expression levels of Tb.Sp, ALP, OC, TRACP-5b and RANK, RANKL proteins in the H-HES group were lower than those in L-HES group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions Hesperidin can improve the bone microstructure of OP rats, regulate bone metabolism levels, and increase bone mineral density. The mechanism may involve the regulation of the OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway.