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Evaluation of Amino Acid Consumption in Cultured Bone Cells and Isolated Bone Shafts
Published on: April 13, 2022
l-arginine promotes angio-osteogenesis to enhance oxidative stress-inhibited bone formation by ameliorating mitophagy
Yang Shen1,2, Haoming Wang1,2, Hongwei Xie1,2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases in middle-aged and elderly populations worldwide. The development of new drugs to treat the disease is a key focus of research. Current treatments for osteoporosis are mainly directed at promoting osteoblasts and inhibiting osteoclasts. However, there is currently no ideal approach for osteoporosis treatment. l-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in a number of cellular processes, including nitric production, protein biosynthesis, and immune responses. We previously reported that l-arginine-derived compounds can play a regulatory role in bone homeostasis.
Purpose:
To investigate the specific effect of l-arginine on bone homeostasis.
Methods:
Mildly aged and ovariectomized mouse models were used to study the effects of l-arginine on osteogenesis and angiogenesis, assessed by micro-computed tomography and immunostaining of bone tissue. The effect of l-arginine on osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and adipogenesis was further studied in vitro using osteoblasts obtained from cranial cap bone, endothelial cells, and an adipogenic cell line. Specific methods to assess these processes included lipid staining, cell migration, tube-forming, and wound-healing assays. Protein and mRNA expression was determined for select biomarkers.
Results:
We found that l-arginine attenuated bone loss and promoted osteogenesis and angiogenesis. l-arginine increased the activity of vascular endothelial cells, whereas it inhibited adipogenesis in vitro. In addition, we found that l-arginine altered the expression of PINK1/Parkin and Bnip3 in the mitochondria of osteoblast-lineage and endothelial cells, thereby promoting mitophagy and protecting cells from ROS. Similarly, l-arginine treatment effectively ameliorated osteoporosis in an ovariectomized mouse model.
Conclusion:
l-arginine promotes angio-osteogenesis, and inhibits adipogenesis, effects mediated by the PINK1/Parkin- and Bnip3-mediated mitophagy.
The Translational Potential Of This Article:
L-arginine supplementation may be an effective adjunct therapy in the treatment of osteoporosis.
Insights
L-arginine supplementation may help treat osteoporosis by promoting bone formation and blood vessel growth while inhibiting fat cell development. This amino acid aids bone health through mitophagy, offering a potential new therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Bone Biology and Metabolism
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone disease affecting middle-aged and elderly populations globally.
- Current treatments focus on osteoblasts and osteoclasts but lack ideal solutions.
- L-arginine, a semi-essential amino acid, plays roles in nitric oxide production, protein synthesis, and immune responses, with prior evidence suggesting its involvement in bone homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific effects of L-arginine on maintaining bone homeostasis.
- To explore L-arginine's impact on osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and adipogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mildly aged and ovariectomized mouse models to assess L-arginine's effects on bone.
- Employed micro-computed tomography and immunostaining for in vivo bone analysis.
- Conducted in vitro studies using osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and adipogenic cells, assessing lipid staining, cell migration, tube formation, and wound healing.
Main Results:
- L-arginine attenuated bone loss, promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vivo.
- In vitro, L-arginine enhanced vascular endothelial cell activity and inhibited adipogenesis.
- Observed alterations in PINK1/Parkin and Bnip3 expression in mitochondria, indicating promotion of mitophagy and protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Conclusions:
- L-arginine promotes angio-osteogenesis and inhibits adipogenesis.
- These effects are mediated by PINK1/Parkin- and Bnip3-dependent mitophagy.
- L-arginine supplementation shows potential as an adjunct therapy for osteoporosis treatment.
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