D-Pinitol Ameliorated Osteoporosis via Elevating D-chiro-Inositol Level in Ovariectomized Mice
Xinxin Liu1, Chuan He1, Tomoyuki Koyama1
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.
Abstract:
A natural sugar alcohol, D-pinitol, has been reported to be a potential compound for osteoporosis treatment via inhibiting osteoclastgenesis. However, research on the effects of pinitol on osteoporosis in vivo is still limited. The present study investigated the protective effects of pinitol on ovariectomized mice and attempted to elucidate this mechanism in vivo. Four-week-old female ovariectomized ICR mice were employed as a postmenopausal osteoporosis model and treated with pinitol or estradiol (E2) for 7 wk. Thereafter, serum calcium content, phosphorus content, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BALP) were measured. Bilateral femurs were isolated, and bone marrow protein was collected through centrifuge. Dry femurs were weighed, while femur length, cellular bones, and bone mineral content were measured. D-chiro-Inositol (DCI) and myo-inositol (MI) content in serum and bone marrow was measured by GC-MS. At the end of experiment, the serum BALP and TRAcP activities of the OVX mice were suppressed significantly by treatment with either pinitol or E2. Femur weight, cellular bone rate, Ca and P content were improved by pinitol or E2. The DCI content of the serum of OVX decreased significantly, although it recovered to some extent after pinitol treatment. Pinitol significantly increased the ratio of DCI to MI in serum or bone marrow protein in the observed OVX mice. Besides, pinitol had no significant effects on osteoblast viability and differentiation. The present results showed that continuous pinitol intake exerts potent anti-osteoporosis activity via elevating DCI content in serum and bone marrow in OVX mice.
Insights
D-pinitol shows anti-osteoporosis effects in ovariectomized mice by increasing D-chiro-inositol (DCI) levels. This natural compound may offer a new treatment strategy for osteoporosis by improving bone mineral density and reducing bone resorption markers.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a significant health concern, particularly post-menopause.
- D-pinitol, a natural sugar alcohol, has shown potential in inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.
- In vivo studies on pinitol's anti-osteoporosis effects are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of D-pinitol on bone loss in an ovariectomized mouse model.
- To elucidate the in vivo mechanism of D-pinitol's action against osteoporosis.
Main Methods:
- Ovariectomized (OVX) mice were treated with D-pinitol or estradiol (E2) for 7 weeks.
- Bone mineral content, serum calcium, phosphorus, TRAcP, and BALP were analyzed.
- D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and myo-inositol (MI) levels in serum and bone marrow were quantified using GC-MS.
Main Results:
- D-pinitol treatment significantly suppressed serum TRAcP and BALP activities in OVX mice.
- Femur weight, cellular bone rate, and Ca/P content were improved by D-pinitol.
- D-pinitol increased serum and bone marrow DCI content and the DCI/MI ratio, without affecting osteoblast viability.
Conclusions:
- Continuous D-pinitol intake demonstrates potent anti-osteoporosis activity in vivo.
- The mechanism involves elevating DCI levels in serum and bone marrow.
- D-pinitol represents a promising therapeutic agent for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
