The effects of eggshell calcium (Biomin H® ) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D3) and menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis

Metabolic bone disorders and the promise of marine osteoactive compounds

Metabolic bone disorders and associated fragility fractures are major causes of disability and mortality worldwide and place an important financial burden on the global health systems. These disorders result from an unbalance between bone anabolic and resorptive processes and are characterized by different pathophysiological mechanisms. Drugs are available to treat bone metabolic pathologies, but they are either poorly effective or associated with undesired side effects that limit their use. The molecular mechanism underlying the most common metabolic bone disorders, and the availability, efficacy, and limitations of therapeutic options currently available are discussed here. A source for the unmet need of novel drugs to treat metabolic bone disorders is marine organisms, which produce natural osteoactive compounds of high pharmaceutical potential. In this review, we have inventoried the marine osteoactive compounds (MOCs) currently identified and spotted the groups of marine organisms with potential for MOC production. Finally, we briefly examine the availability of in vivo screening and validation tools for the study of MOCs.

Honey: A Promising Therapeutic Supplement for the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer

Osteoporosis and breast cancer are serious diseases that have become a significant socioeconomic burden. There are biochemical associations between the two disorders in terms of the amended function of estrogen, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. Honey as a functional food with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can contribute to the prevention of various diseases. Its health benefits are mainly related to the content of polyphenols. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge from in vitro, animal, and human studies on the use of honey as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoporosis and breast cancer. Preclinical studies have revealed a beneficial impact of honey on both bone health (microstructure, strength, oxidative stress) and breast tissue health (breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, tumor growth rate, and volume). The limited number of clinical trials, especially in osteoporosis, indicates the need for further research to evaluate the potential benefits of honey in the treatment. Clinical studies related to breast cancer have revealed that honey is effective in increasing blood cell counts, interleukin-3 levels, and quality of life. In summary, honey may serve as a prospective therapeutic supplement for bone and breast tissue health.

Suppression of high bone remodelling by E'Jiao in ovariectomised rats

The current prevention options for postmenopausal osteoporosis are very limited. E'Jiao is a collagen-rich traditional Chinese medicine with the potential to prevent osteoporosis but more comprehensive investigations are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the skeletal protective effects of E'Jiao in a rat model of osteoporosis caused by ovariectomy. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 42) were randomly assigned into baseline, sham, ovariectomised (OVX) control, OVX-treated with low-dose (0.26 g/kg), medium dose (0.53 g/kg) and high dose E'Jiao (1.06 g/kg), as well as calcium carbonate (1% w/v) groups. Daily treatment through oral gavage was initiated 7 days after OVX. The rats were euthanised after eight weeks of treatment. Bone mineral density and content were measured at baseline, 1 and 2 months after treatment. Blood was collected for the measurement of bone remodelling markers. Femur and tibial bones were collected for histomorphometry and biomechanical strength analysis. Untreated OVX rats showed high bone remodelling marked by the increased bone formation and bone resorption markers, as well as increased mineralising surface/bone surface ratio. In addition, osteoclast surface and single-labelled surface were increased while mineral apposition rate was reduced in the untreated OVX rats. These changes were antagonised by E'Jiao at all doses. However, the structural, cellular and biomechanical parameters were not affected by ovariectomy and treatment. In conclusion, E'Jiao prevented high bone remodelling during oestrogen deficiency but a long-term study will be required to establish its effects on structural and biomechanical changes due to oestrogen deficiency.

The Role of Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Flavonoid Polyphenols in the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is considered an age-related disorder of the skeletal system, characterized primarily by decreased bone mineral density (BMD), microstructural quality and an elevated risk of fragility fractures. This silent disease is increasingly becoming a global epidemic due to an aging population and longer life expectancy. It is known that nutrition and physical activity play an important role in skeletal health, both in achieving the highest BMD and in maintaining bone health. In this review, the role of macronutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), micronutrients (minerals—calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, as well as vitamins—D, C, K) and flavonoid polyphenols (quercetin, rutin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringin) which appear to be essential for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, are characterized. Moreover, the importance of various naturally available nutrients, whether in the diet or in food supplements, is emphasized. In addition to pharmacotherapy, the basis of osteoporosis prevention is a healthy diet rich mainly in fruits, vegetables, seafood and fish oil supplements, specific dairy products, containing a sufficient amount of all aforementioned nutritional substances along with regular physical activity. The effect of diet alone in this context may depend on an individual’s genotype, gene-diet interactions or the composition and function of the gut microbiota.

Bee Bread Can Alleviate Lipid Abnormalities and Impaired Bone Morphology in Obese Zucker Diabetic Rats

This study examined for the first time whether bee bread (BB, consisting of monofloral rape bee pollen) could alleviate lipid derangements and reduced bone quality in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered an appropriate animal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) investigation. Adult ZDF rats were segregated into four groups: lean non-diabetic rats (L group), obese diabetic rats untreated (C group), and those treated with the BB at two doses (500 and 700 mg/kg body weight, respectively, B1 and B2 groups) for 10 weeks. Significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded in the B2 group versus the C group. In both BB-treated groups, significantly increased relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness, enhanced density of secondary osteons, accelerated periosteal bone apposition, and improved blood flow were observed. A positive effect of higher dose of BB on femoral weight and cortical bone thickness was also demonstrated. Our results suggest a promising potential of BB to ameliorate T2DM-related complications associated with lipid and bone damages.

Vitamin K and D Supplementation and Bone Health in Chronic Kidney Disease-Apart or Together?

Vitamin K (VK) and vitamin D (VD) deficiency/insufficiency is a common feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to impaired bone quality and a higher risk of fractures. CKD patients, with disturbances in VK and VD metabolism, do not have sufficient levels of these vitamins for maintaining normal bone formation and mineralization. So far, there has been no consensus on what serum VK and VD levels can be considered sufficient in this particular population. Moreover, there are no clear guidelines how supplementation of these vitamins should be carried out in the course of CKD. Based on the existing results of preclinical studies and clinical evidence, this review intends to discuss the effect of VK and VD on bone remodeling in CKD. Although the mechanisms of action and the effects of these vitamins on bone are distinct, we try to find evidence for synergy between them in relation to bone metabolism, to answer the question of whether combined supplementation of VK and VD will be more beneficial for bone health in the CKD population than administering each of these vitamins separately.

Cornelian Cherry Pulp Has Beneficial Impact on Dyslipidemia and Reduced Bone Quality in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a medicinal plant with a range of biological features. It is often used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Our study was aimed to first investigate the effects of Cornelian cherry pulp on bone quality parameters in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Moreover, lipid-lowering properties of this fruit were also evaluated. Adult rats (n = 28) were assigned into four groups of seven individuals each: L group (non-diabetic lean rats), C group (diabetic obese rats), and E1 and E2 groups (diabetic obese rats receiving 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Cornelian cherry pulp, respectively, for 10 weeks). Significantly lower levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined in the E2 group versus the C group. A higher dose of Cornus mas also had a beneficial impact on femoral weight, cortical bone thickness, relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness. We observed elevated density of Haversian systems and accelerated periosteal bone apposition in both treated groups (E1 and E2). Our results clearly demonstrate that Cornelian cherry pulp has a favorable effect on lipid disorder and impaired bone quality consistent with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a suitable animal model.