Effect of Qing'e Decoction on Leptin/Leptin Receptor and Bone Metabolism in Naturally Aging Rats.

Zhenpu Wei,Shiming Guo,Yuanyuan Zhang,Zhiqiang Wang,Pan Sun,Yanping Lin

doi:10.1155/2020/2532081

Abstract

Senile osteoporosis (SOP) is a common disease that has decreased bone strength as its main symptom. There is currently no medication that can treat SOP, and traditional Chinese medicine has advantages in slowing down bone aging. The present study aimed to observe the effects of Qing'e decoction on leptin, leptin receptor, sex hormone, and biochemical markers of bone metabolism in naturally aging rats and to explore its mechanism in regulating bone metabolism. The results revealed that, with the increase in age, the bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, bone trabecula sparse, serum levels of leptin receptor (LEP-R), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), core binding-factor α-1 (Cbfα-1), collagen-I (COL-I) and osteocalcin (OC), and the mRNA levels of leptin (LEP) and LEP-R in bone tissue decreased, while serum LEP levels increased in the female and male NS groups. The serum levels of LEP, LEP-R, E2, T, osteoprotegerin, Cbfα-1, COL-I, OC and bone alkaline phosphatase, and the mRNA levels of LEP and LEP-R in bone tissue in the female and male QED groups were higher than those in the same age and sex NS group, while the BMD, bone trabecular area percentage, maximum load, and maximum stress in the female and male QED groups were significantly higher than those in the same age and sex NS group. In conclusion, with the increase in age, the bone quality of naturally aging rats decreased gradually. Qing'e decoction can regulate the bone metabolism and increase the bone quality and delay bone aging, which may be achieved by increasing sex hormone, LEP, and LEP-R levels.

Highlights

Osteoporosis (OP), which is called a ‘silent killer’, is a common degenerative disease characterized by reduced bone mass and bone microstructural changes, decreased bone strength, and increased risk of fracture
Studies on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis have found that an increase in adipocytes in the bone marrow can affect osteoblast differentiation and function, increase osteoclast activity, and influence bone mineralization, so leptin production by adipocytes may be an important regulator of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis [4]
Qing’e decoction (QED) Can Improve the Bone Quality of Aging Rats. e bone density of male rats reached the highest peak at 15 months of age, while that of female rats reached the highest peak at 12 months of age and it gradually decreased

Summary

Introduction

Osteoporosis (OP), which is called a ‘silent killer’, is a common degenerative disease characterized by reduced bone mass and bone microstructural changes, decreased bone strength, and increased risk of fracture. Senile osteoporosis (SOP) is a type of primary OP with a low conversion rate of bone metabolism [1]. Studies have shown that LEP plays a key role in regulating bone metabolism [3, 4]. It has been proved that leptin receptors are widely present in a variety of tissues, including bone tissue. Leptin receptors are expressed in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, and other osteocytes [5, 6]. Studies on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis have found that an increase in adipocytes in the bone marrow can affect osteoblast differentiation and function, increase osteoclast activity, and influence bone mineralization, so leptin production by adipocytes may be an important regulator of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis [4]. Its specific mechanism of action, especially in the aging process, needs further clarification

Methods

Results

Conclusion