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Published on: April 7, 2023
Rabbiteye blueberry prevents osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats
Tao Li, Shou-Mian Wu, Zhi-Yuan Xu1
1Department of Emergency, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China. guxin36y@hotmail.com.
Objective:
It has been forecasted that the rabbiteye blueberry could inhibit osteoporosis. However, the inhibition and prevention of osteoporosis via rabbiteye blueberry are still elusive. This study was aim to evaluate the anti-osteoporosis effects of rabbiteye blueberry in ovariectomized rats.
Methods:
Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups of ten rats each as follows: sham-operated group (SG), ovariectomized model control group (OMG), and ovariectomized rabbiteye blueberry treatment group (OBG). The blood mineral levels, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) level were determined. The expression analyses of type I collagen, integrin-β1, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were performed. Besides, the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone histomorphometry (BH) were measured.
Results:
The ALP activity in SG and OBG was significantly lower than that in OMG. For the OPG level, the significant increase of OPG level in OBG was indicated compared with the other groups. The mRNA expression levels of type I collagen, integrin-β1, and FAK in OMG were significantly lower than those in other groups. The BMD in OMG were all significantly lower than those in SG and OBG. For BH, blueberry significantly improved the trabecular bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, mean trabecular bone number, and bone formation rate, and decreased the trabecular separation, the percent of bone resorption perimeter, and mean osteoclast number in OBG compared with OMG.
Conclusions:
The rabbiteye blueberries had an effective inhibition in bone resorption, bone loss, and reduction of bone strength of ovariectomized rats and could improve the BMD, osteogenic activity, and trabecular bone structure.
Insights
Rabbiteye blueberries effectively inhibit bone resorption and bone loss in ovariectomized rats. This study demonstrates their potential to improve bone mineral density and trabecular bone structure, offering a natural approach to osteoporosis management.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a significant health concern, characterized by reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk.
- Rabbiteye blueberry consumption has been hypothesized to inhibit osteoporosis, but evidence remains limited.
- Ovariectomized rats are a standard model for studying postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-osteoporosis effects of rabbiteye blueberry in a rat model.
- To determine the impact of rabbiteye blueberry on bone metabolism and bone structure.
Main Methods:
- Thirty rats were divided into sham-operated, ovariectomized control, and ovariectomized rabbiteye blueberry treatment groups.
- Assessed blood mineral levels, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels.
- Analyzed mRNA expression of type I collagen, integrin-β1, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), alongside bone mineral density (BMD) and bone histomorphometry (BH).
Main Results:
- Rabbiteye blueberry treatment significantly reduced ALP activity and increased OPG levels compared to the control group.
- mRNA expression of key bone formation markers (collagen I, integrin-β1, FAK) was higher in the treatment group.
- Improved BMD, trabecular bone volume, thickness, and bone formation rate, while decreasing bone resorption markers.
Conclusions:
- Rabbiteye blueberries demonstrate effective inhibition of bone resorption and bone loss in ovariectomized rats.
- Blueberry consumption can enhance bone mineral density, osteogenic activity, and trabecular bone structure.
- Rabbiteye blueberries show promise as a natural therapeutic agent for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
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