Identification of hub genes and therapeutic drugs in osteonecrosis of the femoral head through integrated bioinformatics analysis and literature mining

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a multifactorial disease leading to severely limited function. By far, the etiology and pathogenesis of ONFH are not fully understood, and surgery is the only effective way to treat ONFH. This study aims to identify hub genes and therapeutic drugs in ONFH. Two gene expression profiles were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database, and the hub genes and candidate drugs for ONFH were identified through integrated bioinformatics analysis and cross-validated by literature mining. A total of 159 DEGs were identified. PTGS2, LRRK2, ANXA5, IGF1R, MCL1, TIMP2, LYN, CD68, CBL, and RUNX2 were validated as 10 hub genes, which has considerable implications for future genetic research and related research fields of ONFH. Our findings indicate that 85 drugs interact with ONFH, with most drugs exhibiting a positive impact on ONFH by promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis or inhibiting microcirculation embolism, rather than being anti-inflammatory. Our study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of ONFH.

Multiple Effects of Resveratrol on Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone sarcoma affecting the life of pediatric patients. The clinical treatment faces numerous difficulties, including the adverse effects of chemotherapies, chemoresistance, and recurrences. In this study, the effects of resveratrol (RSV), a natural polyphenol, on OS cell lines were investigated to evaluate its action as an adjuvant therapy to the current chemotherapy regimens. RSV exhibited multiple tumor-suppressing activities on OS cell lines, inducing a series of critical events. We found (1) a cell growth inhibition due to an increase in cell distress, which was, in part, due to the involvement of the AKT and caspase-3 pathways, (2) an increase in cellular differentiation due to major gene expression levels of the osteoblastic differentiation genes, (3) an inhibition of IL-6 secretion due to an epigenetic effect on the IL-6 promoter, and (4) an inhibition of OS cells migration related to the decrease in IL-8 secretion levels due to an epigenetic effect on its promoter. Finally, the cotreatment of RSV with doxorubicin and cisplatin increased their cytotoxic effect on OS cells. Although further investigations are mandatory, it seems RSV might be a promising therapeutic adjuvant agent for OS cell treatment, exerting an antitumor effect when combined with chemotherapy.

Re-appraising the role of flavonols, flavones and flavonones on osteoblasts and osteoclasts- A review on its molecular mode of action

Bone disorders have become a global concern illustrated with decreased bone mineral density and disruption in microarchitecture of natural bone tissue organization. Natural compounds that promote bone health by augmenting osteoblast functions and suppressing osteoclast functions has gained much attention and offer greater therapeutic value compared to conventional therapies. Amongst several plant-based molecules, flavonoids act as a major combatant in promoting bone health through their multi-faceted biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic properties. They protect bone loss by regulating the signalling cascades involved in osteoblast and osteoclast functions. Flavonoids augment osteoblastogenesis and inhibits osteoclastogenesis through their modulation of various signalling pathways. This review discusses the role of various flavonoids and their molecular mechanisms involved in maintaining bone health by regulating osteoblast and osteoclast functions.

Emerging Natural-Product-Based Treatments for the Management of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex degenerative disease in which joint homeostasis is disrupted, leading to synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and resulting in pain and joint disability. Yet, the development of new treatment strategies to restore the equilibrium of the osteoarthritic joint remains a challenge. Numerous studies have revealed that dietary components and/or natural products have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bone-resorption, and anabolic potential and have received much attention toward the development of new therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. In the present review, we provide an overview of current and emerging natural-product-based research treatments for OA management by drawing attention to experimental, pre-clinical, and clinical models. Herein, we review current and emerging natural-product-based research treatments for OA management.

Resveratrol Protects Osteoblasts Against Dexamethasone-Induced Cytotoxicity Through Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Purpose

Glucocorticoids are used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but glucocorticoid treatment is associated with bone damage. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin found in many plants, and we investigated its protective role on dexamethasone-induced dysfunction in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts.

Materials and Methods

MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts were treated with dexamethasone in the presence/absence of different doses of resveratrol for 24 or 48 h. Then, 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to evaluate cell viability. Apoptosis was analyzed by a flow cytometry. An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and Alizarin Red S staining were used to study osteoblast differentiation. Expression of osteoblast-related genes was measured by real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and mitochondrial expression of superoxide dismutase were evaluated by Western blotting. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, mitochondrial-complex activity, and mitochondrial DNA content were measured to evaluate mitochondrial function.

Results

Resveratrol induced the proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of osteoblasts in the presence of dexamethasone. Resveratrol increased the ALP activity and mineralization of osteoblasts. Resveratrol also attenuated dexamethasone-induced inhibition of mRNA expression of osteogenesis maker genes, including bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteoprotegerin, runt-related transcription factor-2, and bone Gla protein. Resveratrol alleviated dexamethasone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Resveratrol strongly stimulated expression of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α and sirtuin-3 genes, as well as their downstream target gene superoxide dismutase-2. Resveratrol induced phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Blockade of AMPK signaling using compound C reversed the protective effects of resveratrol against dexamethasone.

Conclusion

Resveratrol showed protective effects against dexamethasone-induced dysfunction of osteoblasts by activating AMPK signaling.

Resveratrol can enhance osteogenic differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis from human periosteum-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Background

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder that leads to low bone mass and microstructural deterioration of bone tissue and increases bone fractures. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol compound, has pleiotropic effects including anti-oxidative, anti-aging, and anti-cancer effects. Resveratrol also has roles in increasing osteogenesis and in upregulating mitochondrial biogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). However, it is still unclear that resveratrol can enhance osteogenic differentiation or mitochondrial biogenesis of periosteum-derived MSCs (PO-MSCs), which play key roles in bone tissue maintenance and fracture healing. Thus, in order to test a possible preventive or therapeutic effect of resveratrol on osteoporosis, this study investigated the effects of resveratrol treatments on osteogenic differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis of PO-MSCs.

Methods

The optimal doses of resveratrol treatment on PO-MSCs were determined by cell proliferation and viability assays. Osteogenic differentiation of PO-MSCs under resveratrol treatment was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP, an early biomarker of osteogenesis) as well as by extracellular calcium deposit levels (a late biomarker). Mitochondrial biogenesis during osteogenic differentiation of PO-MSCs was measured by quantifying both mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contents.

Results

Resveratrol treatments above 10 μM seem to have negative effects on cell proliferation and viability of PO-MSCs. Resveratrol treatment (at 5 μM) on PO-MSCs during osteogenic differentiation increased both ALP activities and calcium deposits compared to untreated control groups, demonstrating an enhancing effect of resveratrol on osteogenesis. In addition, resveratrol treatment (at 5 μM) during osteogenic differentiation of PO-MSCs increased both mitochondrial mass and mtDNA copy numbers, indicating that resveratrol can bolster mitochondrial biogenesis in the process of PO-MSC osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusion

Taken together, the findings of this study describe the roles of resveratrol in promoting osteogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis of human PO-MSCs suggesting a possible application of resveratrol as a supplement for osteoporosis and/or osteoporotic fractures.

Detection of insertions/deletions (InDels) within the goat Runx2 gene and their association with litter size and growth traits

Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is characterized by its critical functions in osteoblastic and ovulatory processes. The goal of this study was to explore the insertion/deletion (indel) variants of this gene and to evaluate their association with productive traits. Herein, a 12 bp and 6 bp insertion within the Runx2 gene was uncovered in Shaanbei white cashmere goats (SBWC; n = 1200). Chi-square analysis revealed that the 12 bp insertion was related to litter size (p < 0.01). Further association analysis also found this insertion was significantly associated with litter size (p = 1.1E-5). Interestingly, this insertion was also significantly associated with chest circumference (p = 0.018). Additionally, the 6 bp insertion was associated with body length (p = 0.003), chest width (p = 0.011), and chest circumference (p = 0.005). Furthermore, diplotype associations also uncovered that the combined genotypes of these two indels also significantly affected litter size and growth traits (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that these two insertions within the Runx2 gene were significantly associated with reproduction and growth traits, which would make them beneficial functional DNA markers that can be used in goat breeding.