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The effect of low molecular weight chitosan on bone resorption in vitro and in vivo
1Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Abstract:
We studied the effect of low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) on the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) in the co-culture of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells in the presence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3]. LMWC at 440 microg/ml inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive OCLs induced by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. We prepared OCLs in the co-culture of osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The effect of LMWC on pit formation by OCLs was examined using dentin slices, and LMWC inhibited pit formation at 440 microg/ml. Oral administration of the LMWC to ovariectomized rats prevented a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebra without affecting the body and uterus weights. These results suggested that LMWC prevented a decrease in BMD in vivo by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.
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