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Published on: June 8, 2014
Milk basic protein: a novel protective function of milk against osteoporosis
1Nutritional Science Laboratory, Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd., Saitama, Japan. yasutoba@aol.com
Bone
|August 30, 2000
Summary
Milk basic protein (MBP) effectively prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats by suppressing bone resorption. This study shows MBP directly inhibits osteoclast activity, offering a potential therapeutic for osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and osteoporosis research.
- Nutritional science and dairy components.
- Animal models for bone disease.
Background:
- Milk is a recognized source of calcium for bone health.
- Milk whey protein, particularly milk basic protein (MBP), has shown potential in suppressing bone resorption.
- Previous in vitro studies indicated MBP's efficacy in bone cell cultures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of milk basic protein (MBP) in preventing bone loss in aged ovariectomized rats.
- To determine if MBP can mitigate the decrease in bone mineral density and bone strength.
- To explore the direct mechanism of MBP's action on osteoclasts.
Main Methods:
- Ovariectomy (ovx) was performed on aged Sprague-Dawley rats, with a sham operation group for comparison.
- Rats were fed diets containing 0% (control), 0.01%, or 0.1% MBP for 17 weeks.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
- Femur breaking energy was assessed using a three-point bending rheolometer.
- Urinary deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) levels were measured as a marker of bone resorption.
- In vitro studies used isolated rabbit osteoclasts to assess MBP's effect on pit formation.
Main Results:
- Ovariectomized rats showed decreased femur BMD and breaking energy compared to sham-operated rats.
- Dietary supplementation with 0.1% MBP significantly increased femur BMD and breaking energy in ovx rats.
- MBP administration dose-dependently reduced urinary D-Pyr levels, indicating suppressed bone resorption.
- In vitro, MBP directly suppressed osteoclast-mediated pit formation on bone surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Milk basic protein (MBP) effectively prevents bone loss and maintains bone quality in ovariectomized rats.
- MBP acts by directly suppressing osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.
- These findings provide the first evidence of MBP's direct inhibitory effect on osteoclasts, suggesting its therapeutic potential for osteoporosis.
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