Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
A Model of Chronic Nutrient Infusion in the Rat
Published on: August 14, 2013
Icariin Restores Bone Structure and Strength in a Rat Model of Chronic High-Dose Alcohol-Induced Osteopenia
Jie-Zhou Wu1, Peng-Cheng Liu1, Run Liu2
1Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Background/Aims:
Chronic alcohol abuse is an important risk factor for osteopenia. However, few studies have focused on the efficacy and mechanism of action of icariin on alcohol-induced osteopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanism of action of icariin in the treatment of chronic high-dose alcohol-induced osteopenia in a rat model.
Methods:
Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, alcohol, and low-dose and high-dose icariin groups. Bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone mineral density (BMD), bone biomechanical properties, and bone morphology were assessed after 16 weeks. Reverse-transcription PCR was used to detect mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type I (Col I), osteocalcin (OC), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteoprotegerin (OPG).
Results:
Bone metabolic markers and biomechanical properties in the alcohol group were decreased significantly compared with the sham group. BV/TV, BMD, mineral apposition rate (MAR), percent trabecular area (%Tb.Ar), and bone biomechanical properties were elevated in the low-dose and high-dose icariin groups relative to the alcohol group. ALP, Col I, OC, Runx2, BMP-2, and OPG mRNA levels in the icariin group were significantly elevated in comparison with the alcohol group.
Conclusion:
Icariin can prevent overall progression of chronic high-dose alcohol-induced osteopenia in a rat model, in a dose-dependent manner. Icariin promotes bone formation and inhibits bone loss, and effectively restores bone structure and strength in chronic high-dose alcohol-induced osteopenic rats. Bone metabolism reversal is evidenced by increased BV/TV, BMD, MAR, %Tb.Ar, and biomechanical properties and elevated ALP, Col I, OC, Runx2, BMP-2, and OPG mRNA levels.
Related Concept Videos
03:05Acid Strength and Molecular Structure
In the absence of any leveling effect, the acid strength of binary compounds of hydrogen with nonmetals (A) increases as the H-A bond strength decreases down a group in the periodic table. For group 17, the order of increasing acidity is HF < HCl < HBr < HI. Likewise, for group 16, the order of increasing acid strength is H2O < H2S < H2Se < H2Te. Across a row in the periodic table, the acid strength of binary hydrogen compounds increases with increasing...
01:55Bone Structure
02:23Structure and Nomenclature of Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are one of the most important functional groups in organic chemistry. The name of alcohol comes from the hydrocarbon from which it is derived. Alcohols are organic molecules containing the functional hydroxyl or –OH group directly bonded to carbon. Phenols have an OH group directly attached to a benzene ring. While alcohols are colorless, phenol is a white crystalline compound with a characteristic "hospital smell" odor.
As with other organic compounds, alcohols and...
01:19Restorative Care
01:13Induced-fit Model
Enzymes exhibit substrate specificity, meaning that they can only bind to certain substrates. This is mainly determined by the shape and chemical...
01:20Strength of Cement
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...