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Published on: April 7, 2023
Raloxifene: its ossification-promoting effect on female mesenchymal stem cells
Hiroaki Matsumori1, Koji Hattori, Hajime Ohgushi
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
Summary
Raloxifene promotes bone formation in female mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) but not in male MSCs, especially when combined with osteogenic supplements. This highlights a sex difference in raloxifene
Area of Science:
- Bone biology and regenerative medicine
- Pharmacology of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
Background:
- Raloxifene mimics estrogen's bone-protective effects but selectively targets bone tissue.
- Its impact on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) across sexes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the osteogenic effects of raloxifene on female and male rat bone marrow-derived MSCs.
- To assess potential sex differences in raloxifene's bone-forming influence, with or without osteogenic supplements (OSs).
Main Methods:
- Cultured female and male rat bone marrow cells with or without OSs.
- Treated cells with 10-6 M or 10-8 M raloxifene, using untreated cells as controls.
- Assessed mineralization via alizarin red S staining and biochemical markers like alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, and osteocalcin content.
Main Results:
- Osteogenic supplements (OSs) significantly increased mineralization and biochemical markers of bone formation.
- In female MSCs with OSs, 10-6 M raloxifene further enhanced ALP activity, calcium, and osteocalcin levels.
- Raloxifene showed negligible osteogenic effects in male MSCs, even with OSs.
Conclusions:
- Raloxifene demonstrates a sex-specific osteogenic effect on MSCs, promoting bone formation in females but not males.
- Combined treatment of raloxifene and OSs enhances bone formation in female MSCs.
- Findings offer insights into raloxifene's clinical application in MSC transplantation, considering sex-based responses.
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