Effect of genistein on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts isolated and cultured from ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Objective To determine the effects of genistein (GEN) on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts isolated and cultured from ovariectomized rats. Methods Thirty 3-month-old female SD rats were divided into sham operation group (Sham), ovariectomy model group (OVX) and Gen treatment group (OVX+GEN). Their bone mineral density of whole body of was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Three rats out of each group with bone mineral density closest to the mean value were killed after anesthesia, and osteoblasts were isolated and cultured aseptically. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by chemical method, and the expression of bone formation related genes Runx-2 and BMP-2 in the obtained osteoblasts was detected by RT-PCR. The number of positive clones of calcified nodules was observed after staining and the calcified area was calculated. Results The results of whole-body bone mineral density showed that the whole-body bone mineral density was significantly lower in the OVX group than the sham group, while that in the OVX+GEN group was significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.01). The OVX group had significantly lower cell proliferation, ALP activity, expression levels of Runx-2 and BMP-2 and calcified nodule area when compared with the sham group (P < 0.01), while the OVX +GEN group had obviously higher results of above tests than the OVX group (P < 0.01). Conclusion Gen can improve the bone mineral density of osteoporosis in OVX rats, which may be related to its ability to promote osteoblast proliferation, maturation and mineralization.

Keywords

• genistin
• bone mineral density
• osteoblast
• bone formation