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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Using Real-Time Cell Metabolic Flux Analyzer to Monitor Osteoblast Bioenergetics
Published on: March 1, 2022
Excess iron inhibits osteoblast metabolism
Kanako Yamasaki1, Hiromi Hagiwara
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Toin University of Yokohama, Yokohama 225-8502, Japan.
Abstract:
Hemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis. To learn more about the effects of iron on bone cells, we examined the effects of ferric ion on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of two types of cultured osteoblasts, the cell line MC3T3-E1 and rat calvarial osteoblast-like (ROB) cells. We used ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) as a donor of ferric ion, and FAC inhibited the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. FAC (0.1-1 microg/ml) inhibited indices of osteoblast differentiation, such as the expression of type I collagen (mRNA and protein), the activity of alkaline phosphatase, and the deposition of calcium by osteoblasts. These results suggest that iron overload might give rise to osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.
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