Abstract
Astragalus extract mixture HT042 is a standardized multiherbal mixture comprising Astragalus membranaceus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Phlomis umbrosa, which has proven to promote children's height growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HT042 on longitudinal bone growth, bone mass, and bone microstructure in growing rats using a high-resolution microcomputed tomography system. Four-week-old female rats were fed an HT042-containing diet for 2 weeks. Tibial length was measured at baseline and weekly in vivo. At the end of the study, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microarchitectural parameters were estimated in the trabecular and cortical bone of the tibia. Tibial length gain was significantly increased by HT042 compared to that reported with the control diet. In the proximal tibial metaphysis, HT042-treated rats had significantly higher trabecular vBMD, bone volume fraction, and trabecular number and lower trabecular separation, trabecular pattern factor, and structure model index values than control rats did. Total cross-sectional area and bone area of the cortical bone in the tibial diaphysis also increased. These findings suggest that HT042 increases longitudinal bone growth rate, improves trabecular bone mass, and enhances the microarchitecture of trabecular and cortical bone during growth.
Highlights
One of the main functions of bone is to provide structural support for the body
Low bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) at several skeletal sites are reported in short children [6,7,8,9]
HT042, manufactured in accordance with the process registered by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), was purchased from NeuMed Inc. (Seoul, Korea)
Summary
One of the main functions of bone is to provide structural support for the body. During childhood, bones grow in size, accrue mass, and change their architecture to develop a strong structure for load bearing [1]. Several studies have demonstrated that short-statured children have impaired bone health. Low bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) at several skeletal sites are reported in short children [6,7,8,9]. Short children exhibit increased bone resorption [6] and have impaired bone structure and bone strength [10]. Growth hormone (GH) treatment has been reported to increase height, normalize BMD, and improve bone structure and strength in short children [6, 9, 10]. In addition to well-established effects on growth plate cartilage, GH exerts anabolic effects on bone and stimulates new bone formation, which results in greater bone mass and improved skeletal structure [11, 12]
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