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Published on: December 26, 2017
Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on transforming growth factor-beta expression and bioactivity in rat
Je-Ken Chang1, Lea-Yea Chuang, Mei-Ling Ho
1Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been reported to suppress bone remodeling in normal and repaired bones. Our previous results indicated that ketorolac and indomethacin suppressed proliferation, stimulated early differentiation, and induced apoptosis in cultured osteoblasts. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been reported to enhance proliferation, suppress differentiation, and prevent apoptosis in osteoblasts. We proposed that one pathway of NSAID effects on osteoblast function might be through inhibition of the expression and/or bioactivity of TGF-beta in osteoblasts. We tested the effects of ketorolac and indomethacin on the expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein and the bioactivity of TGF-beta in osteoblast-enriched cultures derived from fetal calvaria. The effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 on TGF-beta expression and bioactivity were also examined in order to understand more about the role of prostaglandins in osteoblast function. Simultaneously, we estimated whether these NSAID effects on osteoblasts were prostaglandin-related. The results showed that 24-hour treatments with both PGEs and theoretic therapeutic concentrations of ketorolac and indomethacin had no significant effects on the levels of either transcription or translation of TGF-beta or the post-translational function of TGF-beta in osteoblasts. These results suggest that NSAIDs do not affect osteoblast function through changes in TGF-beta action in osteoblasts.
Insights
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do not appear to impact bone remodeling by altering transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling in osteoblasts. This study found no significant effects of NSAIDs on TGF-beta expression or activity.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can suppress bone remodeling.
- Previous research indicated NSAIDs affect osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) influences osteoblast behavior, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if NSAIDs affect osteoblast function by inhibiting TGF-beta expression or bioactivity.
- To examine the effects of ketorolac and indomethacin on TGF-beta1 mRNA, protein, and bioactivity in osteoblasts.
- To explore the role of prostaglandins (PGE1, PGE2) in NSAID-induced effects on osteoblasts and TGF-beta signaling.
Main Methods:
- Osteoblast-enriched cultures from fetal calvaria were treated with ketorolac, indomethacin, PGE1, and PGE2.
- Analysis included measuring TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein expression.
- TGF-beta bioactivity and prostaglandin effects were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ketorolac and indomethacin, at therapeutic concentrations, did not significantly alter TGF-beta transcription, translation, or post-translational function in osteoblasts.
- Prostaglandin E1 and E2 also showed no significant impact on TGF-beta expression or bioactivity.
- NSAID treatments did not affect osteoblast function via modulation of TGF-beta action.
Conclusions:
- NSAIDs do not appear to suppress bone remodeling through mechanisms involving altered TGF-beta action in osteoblasts.
- The study suggests that NSAID effects on osteoblasts are not mediated by changes in TGF-beta signaling pathways.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which NSAIDs influence bone remodeling.

