Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of a mixture of Humulus japonicus (MH) on longitudinal bone growth in normal Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. We measured the femur and tibia length, growth plate area, proliferation of chondrocytes, and expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) phosphorylation after dietary administration of MH in SD rats for four weeks. The nose–tail length gain and length of femur and tibia increased significantly in the group that received MH for a period of four weeks. We performed H&E staining and Bromodeoxyuridine/5-Bromo-2′-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) staining to examine the effect of dietary administration of MH on the growth plate and the proliferation of chondrocytes and found that MH stimulated the proliferation of chondrocytes and contributed to increased growth plate height during the process of longitudinal bone growth. In addition, serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and expression of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 mRNAs in the liver and bone were increased, and phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT5 in the liver was increased in the MH groups. Based on these results, we suggest that the effect of MH on longitudinal bone growth is mediated by increased JAK2/STAT5-induced IGF-1 production.
Highlights
Longitudinal bone growth determines final body height and reflects the morphological size and function of each organ in the body
Femur and tibia length significantly increased in the Growth hormone (GH) group and MH300 group compared to those in the normal diet control group (ND) group (p < 0.05) (Figure 1)
We investigated the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and the expression of their mRNAs in the the liver tissue
Summary
Longitudinal bone growth determines final body height and reflects the morphological size and function of each organ in the body. Longitudinal bone growth progresses rapidly during fetal development and early childhood, and this process is strictly regulated by several factors including genetic and nutritional factors and hormones [1]. Growth and development require externally appropriate nutrients and the internal action of hormones. If any of these external and internal mechanisms of action are abnormal, normal growth cannot be expected. To achieve normal longitudinal bone growth, normal secretion of hormone and intake of appropriate nutrients are important [2]. Growth hormone (GH) is considered a metabolic hormone that stimulates organ development by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion [3,4]. GH is produced by the pituitary gland and Nutrients 2020, 12, 2625; doi:10.3390/nu12092625 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
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