Phytoestrogen-rich herb formula "XLGB" prevents OVX-induced deterioration of musculoskeletal tissues at the hip in old rats.
This study investigated a phytoestrogen-rich herb formula, Xianlinggubao (XLGB) (including genistein 510 microg/g and daidzein 2500 microg/g), concerning prevention of OVX-induced deterioration of musculoskeletal tissues in 11-month-old female Wistar rats, which were randomized into Sham, OVX, and XLGB groups. Daily oral administration of XLGB (250 mg/kg/day) started after OVX for 3 months. mRNA of MHC-I IIa IIb of abductor muscle was determined by RT-PCR. The proximal femoral BMD and geometry, microarchitecture, and mechanical strength were evaluated by pQCT, micro-CT, and compressive testing, respectively. The bone turnover biochemical markers serum osteocalcin (OC) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were evaluated. The results showed that (1) XLGB-treated OVX rats showed no difference compared to the Sham group, whereas OVX induced significant deterioration in variables related to bone density, microarchitecture, and mechanical strength (P < 0.05); (2) biochemical markers showed no difference between sham and XLGB groups as compared with higher bone turnover in OVX rats (P < 0.05); (3) mRNA expression of MHC-I IIa IIb was downregulated in OVX rats but upregulated after XLGB treatment (P < 0.05); and (4) as compared with the OVX group, no uterine hypertrophy was found in XLGB-treated rats. In conclusion, findings of this study suggested that the herbal preparation XLGB was able to prevent OVX-induced deterioration of musculoskeletal tissues at the hip without causing uterine stimulation.
Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong SAR, PR China. lingqin@cuhk.edu.hk
Ling
L
Qin
Ge
G
Zhang
Wing-Yin
WY
Hung
Yinyu
Y
Shi
Kwoksui
K
Leung
Hiu-Yan
HY
Yeung
Pingchung
P
Leung
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019833:Genistein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D015415:Biomarkers; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; C004742:daidzein; D019833:Genistein