Alpha-methyl-proline restores normal levels of bone collagen Type I synthesis in ovariectomized rats

Collagen type I is the major protein of bone matrix and significantly reduced in osteoporosis. We tested the effect of alpha - methyl - proline on collagen synthesis in the model of the ovariectomized rat. Collagen synthesis was studied at the transcriptional level using Northern and dot blotting and at the protein level using hydroxyproline determination and a specific dye binding collagen assay. Alpha - methyl- proline treatment significantly increased collagen synthesis as compared to untreated ovariectomized and estradiol treated ovariectomized rats and restored collagen synthesis to levels of sham operated rats. Proline analogues were described to stimulate procollagen synthesis at the transcriptional level, however, if incorporated, lead to negative collagen production due to rapid intracellular degradation of the deficient collagen. Our synthesized analogue is not being incorporated, thus not interfering with collagen conformation and can therefore induce collagen production.