The Effects of Signaling-Selective Parathyroid Hormone Analogs on Osteoporotic Osteocyte Apoptosis

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effects of signaling-selective parathyroid hormone analogs [G1, R19]hPTH(1–28) [GR(1–28)] and [G1, R19]hPTH(1–34) [GR(1–34)] on osteoporotic osteocyte apoptosis, and to explore the mechanism of the anti-osteoporotic difference. Methods: The osteoporosis model was established in eighty adult female C57BL/6 mice aged 12 weeks. The mice were subcutaneously administered with GR(1–28) and GR(1–34) 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Bilateral femur samples were collected at 4 and 8 weeks, and micro-computed tomography (CT), H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining analyses were performed. Results: From micro-CT analysis, GR(1–34) increased proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and relative bone volume (BV/TV), which was higher than GR(1–28) did. In addition, more trabecular number (Tb.N), thinner trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and wider trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were measured at week 8 using GR(1–34). From H&E and immunohistochemical staining, a stronger apoptosis inhibition was induced by GR(1–34) with more Bcl-2 secretion but less Bax expression, as opposed to GR(1–28). Conclusions: GR(1–34) shows better anti-osteoporotic effects than GR(1–28), which appears to be attributed to the activation of the PLC-independent PKC signaling pathway triggered by the former, inhibiting osteocyte apoptosis through up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax to increase bone mass and improving trabecular bone microstructure to enhance bone quality by reducing trabecular number, increasing trabecular thickness and trabecular space.