Inhibitory effect of zinc compounds on osteoclast-like cell formation in mouse marrow cultures

Abstract

The effect of zinc compounds on osteoclast-like cell formation in mouse marrow culture in vitro was investigated. The bone marrow cells were cultured for 7 days in α-minimal essential medium containing a well-known bone resorbing agent [1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3, parathyroid hormone (1–34), interleukin-1α or prostaglandin E 2]. Osteoclast-like cell formation was estimated by staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP), a marker enzyme of osteoclasts. The presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (10 −8M), parathyroid hormone (10 −8M), interleukin-1α- (50U/mL) or prostaglandin E 2 (10 −6M) induced a remarkable increase in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells. These increases were inhibited by the presence of zinc sulfate or zinc-chelating dipeptide (β-alanyl- l-histidinato zinc; AHZ) in the concentration range of 10 −8 to 10 −5 M. The inhibitory effect of AHZ (10 −8 and 10 −7M) was more intensive than that of zinc sulfate. Furthermore, the presence of Ni 2+, Cu 2+, Mn 2+ or Co 2+ (10 −7 and 10 −6 M) did not have an effect on parathyroid hormone (10 −8 M)-induced osteoclast-like cell formation. The present study clearly demonstrates that zinc compounds have a potent inhibitory effect on osteoclast-like cell formation in mouse marrow culture.