Abstract
Osteoporosis is the second most-prevalent epidemiologic disease in the aging population worldwide. Cross-sectional and retrospective evidence indicates that tea consumption can mitigate bone loss and reduce risk of osteoporotic fractures. Tea polyphenols enhance osteoblastogenesis and suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Previously, we showed that (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the green tea polyphenols, increased osteogenic differentiation of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by increasing the mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes, alkaline phosphatase activity and, eventually, mineralization. We also found that EGCG could mitigate bone loss and improve bone microarchitecture in ovariectomy-induced osteopenic rats, as well as enhancing bone defect healing partially via bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). The present study investigated the effects of EGCG in human BMSCs. We found that EGCG, at concentrations of both 1 and 10 µmol/L, can increase mRNA expression of BMP2, Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteonectin and osteocalcin 48 h after treatment. EGCG increased ALP activity both 7 and 14 days after treatment. Furthermore, EGCG can also enhance mineralization two weeks after treatment. EGCG without antioxidants also can enhance mineralization. In conclusion, EGCG can increase mRNA expression of BMP2 and subsequent osteogenic-related genes including Runx2, ALP, osteonectin and osteocalcin. EGCG further increased ALP activity and mineralization. Loss of antioxidant activity can still enhance mineralization of human BMSCs (hBMSCs).
Highlights
Osteoporosis, one of the most prevalent diseases in the elderly, is caused by the imbalance between osteoblastic and osteoclastic regulations [1]
We previously found EGCG, 1 and 10 μmol/L, enhanced osteogenic differentiation of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell by enhancing the mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and, eventually, mineralization [12]
We examined the osteogenic effects of EGCG in human BMSCs (hBMSCs) and the molecular mechanism of its effects
Summary
Osteoporosis, one of the most prevalent diseases in the elderly, is caused by the imbalance between osteoblastic and osteoclastic regulations [1]. Most current medications for osteoporosis inhibit bone resorption, and only teriparatide has an osteogenic effect [2,3]. Identifying compounds and molecules that stimulate bone formation is important for effective treatment of osteoporosis. Many beneficial effects of catechins depend on their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities [6,7]. Among these catechins, EGCG is the most potent antioxidant. Despite having numerous reports on the beneficial effects of tea, the osteogenic effects of catechins have been less extensively studied. 1 and 10 μmol/L, enhanced osteogenic differentiation of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell by enhancing the mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and, eventually, mineralization [12]. We evaluated whether antioxidant activity of EGCG played an important role in osteogenic effects
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