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Effect of vanadium on calcium homeostasis, osteopontin mRNA expression, and bone microarchitecture in diabetic rats
Cristina Sanchez-Gonzalez1, Laura Moreno1, Carlos Lopez-Chaves1
1CIBM, IMUDS, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, E-18071 Granada, Spain. crissg@ugr.es.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine whether alterations caused by diabetes in calcium homeostasis, expression of osteopontin and the microarchitecture of bone are corrected by exposure to vanadium. Four study groups were examined over a period of five weeks: control (C), diabetic (DM), diabetic treated with 1 mg V per d (DMV), and diabetic treated with 3 mg V per d (DMVH). Vanadium was supplied in drinking water as bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(iv). Calcium was measured in the food, faeces, urine, serum, kidneys, liver, muscles, and femur. Osteopontin gene expression was determined in the liver, and the bone microarchitecture was studied with the aid of micro-computed tomography. In the DM group, food intake as well as calcium absorbed and retained and liver osteopontin mRNA increased, while Ca in the serum and femur decreased, and the bone microarchitecture worsened, in comparison with the control. In the DMV group, the amount of Ca absorbed and retained was similar to DM rats. Although the Ca content in the femur increased and osteopontin mRNA decreased, there were no significant changes in the bone microarchitecture, in comparison to the DM rats. In the DMVH group, the amount of Ca absorbed and retained, and the serum and femur content were equivalent to the control. The levels of osteopontin mRNA decreased and bone mineralization improved, compared to the DM group. We conclude that treatment with 3 mg V per d of the glucose lowering agent bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(iv) causes a decrease in osteopontin mRNA, which could favour the normalization of changes in Ca homeostasis and bone microarchitecture, both at the cortical and trabecular levels, caused by diabetes.
Insights
Vanadium treatment, particularly at 3 mg/day, improved calcium balance and bone structure in diabetic rats. This suggests bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(iv) may reverse diabetes-induced bone and calcium disruptions.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Bone Biology and Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is associated with significant alterations in calcium homeostasis and bone microarchitecture.
- Osteopontin, a protein implicated in bone remodeling, is upregulated in diabetic conditions, potentially exacerbating bone loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of vanadium, specifically bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(iv), to ameliorate diabetes-induced disruptions in calcium balance, osteopontin expression, and bone microarchitecture.
- To determine the dose-dependent effects of vanadium treatment on these parameters in a diabetic rat model.
Main Methods:
- Four groups of rats were studied over five weeks: control, diabetic (DM), DM treated with 1 mg/day vanadium (DMV), and DM treated with 3 mg/day vanadium (DMVH).
- Calcium levels were quantified in food, excreta, serum, and tissues (kidneys, liver, muscles, femur).
- Osteopontin gene expression (mRNA) was analyzed in the liver, and bone microarchitecture was assessed using micro-computed tomography.
Main Results:
- Diabetic rats exhibited increased food intake, calcium absorption/retention, and osteopontin mRNA, alongside decreased serum and femur calcium and worsened bone microarchitecture compared to controls.
- The 1 mg/day vanadium group showed no significant improvement in bone microarchitecture, though femur calcium increased and osteopontin mRNA decreased.
- The 3 mg/day vanadium group (DMVH) demonstrated restored calcium absorption/retention, serum, and femur calcium levels comparable to controls, reduced osteopontin mRNA, and improved bone mineralization and microarchitecture.
Conclusions:
- Treatment with 3 mg/day of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(iv) effectively normalized calcium homeostasis and improved bone microarchitecture at both cortical and trabecular levels in diabetic rats.
- The observed benefits are potentially mediated by a decrease in osteopontin mRNA expression, suggesting vanadium's therapeutic potential for managing diabetes-related bone complications.
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