Lycopene and bone: an in vitro investigation and a pilot prospective clinical study

Application of Antioxidant Compounds in Bone Defect Repair

Bone defects caused by trauma, tumor resection, and infections are significant clinical challenges. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) usually accumulate in the defect area, which may impair the function of cells involved in bone formation, posing a serious challenge for bone repair. Due to the potent ROS scavenging ability, as well as potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, antioxidants play an indispensable role in the maintenance and protection of bone health and have gained increasing attention in recent years. This narrative review aims to give an overview of the main research directions on the application of antioxidant compounds in bone defect repair over the past decade. In addition, the positive effects of various antioxidants and their biomaterial delivery systems in bone repair are summarized to provide new insights for exploring antioxidant-based strategies for bone defect repair.

Biomedical Device Surface Treatment by Laser-Driven Hydroxyapatite Penetration-Synthesis Technique for Gapless PEEK-to-Bone Integration

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a bioinert polymer known for its mechanical properties similar to bone, is capable of averting stress shielding. Due to these attributes, it finds applications in diverse fields like orthopedics, encompassing cervical disc replacement for the neck and spine, along with dentistry and plastic surgery. However, due to insufficient bonding with bone, various methods such as hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on the surface are attempted. Nonetheless, the interface between the polymer and ceramic, two different materials, tended to delaminate after transplantation, posing challenges in preventing implant escape or dislodgement. This research delves into the laser-driven hydroxyapatite penetration-synthesis technique. Differing from conventional coating methods that bond layers of dissimilar materials like HA and PEEK, this technology focuses on synthesizing and infiltrating ionized HA within the PEEK substrate resulting in an interface-free HA-PEEK surface. Conversely, HA-PEEK with this technology applied achieves complete, gap-free direct bone-implant integration.  Our research involved the analysis of various aspects. By means of these, we quantitatively assesed the enhanced bone bonding characteristics of HA-PEEK surfaces treated with this approach and offered and explanation for the mechanism responsible for direct bone integration.

Lycopene: A Potent Antioxidant with Multiple Health Benefits

Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid predominantly found in tomatoes and tomato-based products. Like other phytochemicals, it exhibits health beneficial biological activities that can be exploited when it is used as a dietary supplement. In vitro and in vivo, lycopene has been demonstrated to mitigate oxidative stress-induced metabolic dysfunctions and diseases including inflammation, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Lycopene has been shown to alleviate metabolic diseases that affect the bone, eye, kidney, liver, lungs, heart, and nervous system. This review presents the state of the art regarding lycopene's health benefits and its potential applications in health system delivery. Furthermore, lycopene's protective effects against toxins, safety in its use, and possible toxicity are explored.

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: A Comprehensive Review of Their Role in Bone Health

Bone health is the result of a tightly regulated balance between bone modeling and bone remodeling, and alterations of these processes have been observed in several diseases both in adult and pediatric populations. The imbalance in bone remodeling can ultimately lead to osteoporosis, which is most often associated with aging, but contributing factors can already act during the developmental age, when over a third of bone mass is accumulated. The maintenance of an adequate bone mass is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, such as physical activity and diet, and particularly by an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D. In addition, it has been claimed that the integration of specific nutraceuticals such as resveratrol, anthocyanins, isoflavones, lycopene, curcumin, lutein, and β-carotene and the intake of bioactive compounds from the diet such as honey, tea, dried plums, blueberry, and olive oil can be efficient strategies for bone loss prevention. Nutraceuticals and functional foods are largely used to provide medical or health benefits, but there is an urge to determine which products have adequate clinical evidence and a strong safety profile. The aim of this review is to explore the scientific and clinical evidence of the positive role of nutraceuticals and functional food in bone health, focusing both on molecular mechanisms and on real-world studies.

Lycopene Promotes Osteogenesis and Reduces Adipogenesis through Regulating FoxO1/PPARγ Signaling in Ovariectomized Rats and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Recent interest in preventing the development of osteoporosis has focused on the regulation of redox homeostasis. However, the action of lycopene (LYC), a strong natural antioxidant compound, on osteoporotic bone loss remains largely unknown. Here, we show that oral administration of LYC to OVX rats for 12 weeks reduced body weight gain, improved lipid metabolism, and preserved bone quality. In addition, LYC treatment inhibited ROS overgeneration in serum and bone marrow in OVX rats, and in BMSCs upon H2O2 stimulation, leading to inhibiting adipogenesis and promoting osteogenesis during bone remodeling. At the molecular level, LYC improved bone quality via an increase in the expressions of FoxO1 and Runx2 and a decrease in the expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα in OVX rats and BMSCs. Collectively, these findings suggest that LYC attenuates osteoporotic bone loss through promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting adipogenesis via regulation of the FoxO1/PPARγ pathway driven by oxidative stress, presenting a novel strategy for osteoporosis management.

The role of carotenoids in bone health-A narrative review

Osteoporosis constitutes a serious challenge for public health. Dietary patterns belong to important, modifiable risk factors of this disease. Therefore, what and in what quantities we consume on a daily basis are extremely relevant. It is commonly known that bone health is positively affected by vitamins (e.g., vitamin D and vitamin K) as well as mineral components (e.g., calcium and magnesium). However, the human diet consists of many other groups of compounds that exhibit a potential antiosteoporotic and supporting bone-building effect. These dietary components include carotenoids. This paper presents a broad review of studies on the influence of particular carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene) on bones. The paper discusses up-to-date in vitro experiments and research on animal models and presents how the results translate into clinical effect in humans.

Effects of Dietary Lycopene on the Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Meat Quality, Intestine Histomorphology, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chickens

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary lycopene on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, intestine histomorphology, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens. We randomly divided five hundred and seventy-six one-day-old male broilers into four groups each with six replicates and 24 chickens in each replicate. The control group (CG) was fed the basal diet, and the other groups were given powder lycopene of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg lycopene (LP10, LP20, and LP30, respectively). Compared with the control group, (1) the dietary lycopene increased (p = 0.001) the average daily gain and decreased (p = 0.033) the feed conversion ratio in the experimental groups; (2) the glutathione peroxidase enzyme contents in LP20 were higher (p =< 0.001) in myocardium; (3) the crude protein contents were higher (p = 0.007) in the group treated with 30 mg/kg dietary lycopene; (4) the jejunum villous height was higher (p = 0.040) in LP20; (5) the Unclassified-f-Ruminococcaceae relative abundance was significantly higher (p = 0.043) in LP20. In this study, adding 20 mg/kg dietary lycopene to the broiler chickens' diets improved the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, intestine histomorphology, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens.

Role of vitamins beyond vitamin D3 in bone health and osteoporosis (Review)

The objective of the present review was to summarize the molecular mechanisms associated with the effects of the vitamins A, C, E and K, and group B vitamins on bone and their potential roles in the development of osteoporosis. Epidemiological findings have demonstrated an association between vitamin deficiency and a higher risk of developing osteoporosis; vitamins are positively related to bone health upon their intake at the physiological range. Excessive vitamin intake can also adversely affect bone formation, as clearly demonstrated for vitamin A. Vitamins E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), K2 (menaquinones 4 and 7) and C have also been shown to promote osteoblast development through bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling, as well as the TGFβ/Smad pathway (α‑tocopherol). Vitamin A metabolite (all‑trans retinoic acid) exerts both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on BMP‑ and Wnt/β‑catenin‑mediated osteogenesis at the nanomolar and micromolar range, respectively. Certain vitamins significantly reduce receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‑B ligand (RANKL) production and RANKL/RANK signaling, while increasing the level of osteoprotegerin (OPG), thus reducing the RANKL/OPG ratio and exerting anti‑osteoclastogenic effects. Ascorbic acid can both promote and inhibit RANKL signaling, being essential for osteoclastogenesis. Vitamin K2 has also been shown to prevent vascular calcification by activating matrix Gla protein through its carboxylation. Therefore, the maintenance of a physiological intake of vitamins should be considered as a nutritional strategy for the prevention of osteoporosis.

Effects of genistein aglycone in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis: A randomized clinical trial in comparison with alendronate

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) complicates the clinical management of patients subjected to long-term glucocorticoid use. This study explored the effects of genistein on bone loss in a randomized double-blind alendronate-controlled trial in postmenopausal women with GIO. 200 postmenopausal women (taking at least 5 mg of prednisone equivalents) since 3 months, or more, and expected to continue for at least other 12 months, were randomized to receive genistein (54 mg/day daily) or alendronate (70 mg once a week) for 24 months. Both groups received also Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplementation. Median bone mineral density (BMD) at the antero-posterior lumbar spine significantly increased from 0.75 g/cm² at baseline to 0.77 g/cm² at 1 year and 0.79 g/cm² at 2 years in alendronate-treated patients and from 0.77 g/cm² at baseline to 0.79 g/cm² at 12 months and to 0.80 g/cm² at 24 months in genistein recipients. No difference was observed between the two treatments. Median BMD at the femoral neck increased from 0.67 g/cm² at baseline to 0.68 g/cm² at 1 year and 0.69 g/cm² at 2 years in alendronate-treated patients and from 0.68 g/cm² at baseline to 0.70 g/cm² at 12 months and to 0.71 g/cm² at 24 months in genistein recipients. No difference was observed between alendronate and genistein groups in BMD. Regarding bone markers genistein and alendronate statistically decreased c-terminal telopeptide, while osteocalcin, bone-ALP, and sclerostin showed greater changes in genistein treated patients. This randomized clinical trial suggests that genistein aglycone represents an additional therapeutic option for patients with GIO.

Lycopene enhances bone neoformation in calvaria bone defects of ovariectomized rats

Osteoporosis can affect a significant part of the population and fractures are the most common complications associated with this disease, leading to high public health costs. Thus, the prevention of fractures is relevant to individuals with signs and symptoms as well as to the health system. Postmenopausal osteoporosis has been associated with oxidative stress, emphasizing the importance of an efficient defense system to maintain bone health. Lycopene is a carotenoid with antioxidant properties that may stimulate osteoblastogenesis and inhibit osteoclastogenesis. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the influence of lycopene in the bone neoformation of calvaria defects in ovariectomized rats utilizing the concentration of 45 mg/kg. Wistar Hannover female rats were divided into ovariectomized and sham groups. The ovariectomized animals received 45 mg/kg lycopene (OvxL) or water (Ovx) by daily gavage the day after ovariectomy/sham surgery for 16 weeks. Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, there were performed 5-mm calvaria defects followed by euthanasia after 4 weeks. Samples of bone tissue were collected to perform morphological and morphometrical analysis of the neoformed bone area, and percentage with Software Image J. Morphological evaluation showed mature bone with more osteocytes in the group OVxL when compared to the other groups. The morphometrical analysis demonstrated a significant increase of bone neoformation in the group OvxL (p<0.05). The data obtained suggest that lycopene benefits bone repair in the absence of estrogenic hormones.

Oxidative Stress and Natural Antioxidants in Osteoporosis: Novel Preventive and Therapeutic Approaches

This review reports in detail the cellular and molecular mechanisms which regulate the bone remodeling process in relation to oxidative stress (OS), inflammatory factors, and estrogen deficiency. OS is considered an important pathogenic factor of osteoporosis, inducing osteocyte apoptosis and varying levels of specific factors, such as receptor activator κB ligand (RANKL), sclerostin, and, according to recent evidence, fibroblast growth factor 23, with consequent impairment of bone remodeling and high bone resorption. Bone loss increases the risk of fragility fractures, and the most commonly used treatments are antiresorptive drugs, followed by anabolic drugs or those with a double effect. In addition, recent data show that natural antioxidants contained in the diet are efficient in preventing and reducing the negative effects of OS on bone remodeling and osteocytes through the involvement of sirtuin type 1 enzyme. Indeed, osteocytes and some of their molecular factors are considered potential biological targets on which antioxidants can act to prevent and reduce bone loss, as well as to promote bone anabolic and regenerative processes by restoring physiological bone remodeling. Several data suggest including antioxidants in novel therapeutic approaches to develop better management strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and OS-related bone diseases. In particular, anthocyanins, as well as resveratrol, lycopene, oleuropein, some vitamins, and thiol antioxidants, could have protective and therapeutic anti-osteoporotic effects.

Effects of a Functional Ice Cream Enriched with Milk Proteins on Bone Metabolism: A Feasibility Clinical Study and In Vitro Investigation

Background: Milk proteins (MPs) and their derivative whey proteins (WPs) are important components of human diet that might prevent bone loss. We aimed to investigate the effects of MP on the bones of postmenopausal women, along with the effects of WP on osteoblast cells. Methods: We conducted a feasibility controlled clinical study with 62 postmenopausal women who were asked to consume an MP-enriched ice cream. We also investigated the effect of WP on the ERK1/2 and AKT pathways, RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase, RANKL/OPG ratio, and COL1A of Saos-2. Results: After 12 weeks, we found a greater bone mineral density and bone alkaline phosphatase reduction in women who consumed the MP-enriched ice cream compared to the control group (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). In Saos-2 cells, WP upregulated ERK1/2 and AKT pathways (p = 0.002 and p = 0.016), cell proliferation (p = 0.03), and osteoblast differentiation markers, along with downregulating RANKL/OPG (p < 0.001). Moreover, the inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD184253 reverted the effects on both the RUNX2 and ALP mRNA expression and cells proliferation (p = 0.028, p = 0.004, and p = 0.003, respectively) when treated with WP. Conclusions: WP upregulates cell proliferation, RUNX2, and alkaline phosphatase through the activation of the ERK1/2 pathways on Saos-2. These mechanisms probably contribute to preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Effect of antioxidant lycopene on human osteoblasts

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the effect of antioxidant lycopene on human osteoblasts.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The human osteoblast cell line (CRL-11372) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC Manassas, Va) and grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), penicillin (100 U/ml), and streptomycin (100 mg/ ml) at 37 °C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO² and 95% air. The effective dose of lycopene was determined by MTT assay and a real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system. Proliferative effects were analyzed by in vitro wound healing model. Gene expressions of type 1 collagen (COL1A1), osteocalcin (OCN), and growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) at 72 h. Statistical differences between test groups were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA test.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that the doses between 10^-5 and 1 µmol of lycopene had dose-dependent proliferative effects. The doses between 10^-5 and 10^-1 µmol were most effective at 72 h. Lycopene accelerates the healing rate by increasing osteoblast proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Results suggested that lycopene had proliferative effects on human osteoblasts, which may help to increase bone regeneration, and thus, it can be useful in tissue engineering procedures.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

By the help of antioxidants like lycopene capacity, velocity and quality of new bone forming may be increased in periodontal and dental implant treatments.

The Nutraceutical Genistein-Lycopene Combination Improves Bone Damage Induced by Glucocorticoids by Stimulating the Osteoblast Formation Process

Chronic glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is the most common cause of iatrogenic osteoporosis and represents an important risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fractures. New therapeutic approaches are required in order to treat osteoporosis and reduce the side effects related to the use of anti-osteoporotic drugs. In this context, previous studies reported the efficacy of some isoflavones and carotenoids, such as lycopene and genistein, on the reduction of the risk of fracture related to osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined oral treatment, consisting of genistein and lycopene, in an experimental model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). GIO was induced by subcutaneous injection of methylprednisolone (MP, 30 mg/kg) for 60 days, whereas the control group (Sham) received saline solution only. Following induction, MP animals randomly were assigned to receive alendronate, genistein, lycopene, or the association of genistein and lycopene or saline solution for additional 60 days together with MP. Femurs obtained from the Sham group were used for osteoblasts extraction; they were then incubated with dexamethasone (DEX) for 24 h to be then treated with lycopene or genistein or the association of lycopene and genistein for an additional 24 h. Treatments with lycopene and genistein restored the impaired mineralization of cells observed following DEX treatment and stimulated osteoblast differentiation by increasing the depressed expression of bALP and RUNX2 (p < 0.0001). Wnt5a, β-catenin, and Nrf-2 expression were significantly increased following genistein and lycopene treatment (p < 0.0001), thus confirming their antioxidant activity as well as their ability in stimulating osteoblast function, mostly when genistein and lycopene were used in association. The combined treatment of genistein and lycopene improved the bone damage induced by glucocorticoids and significantly restored the normal architecture of bones as well as adequate interconnectivity of bone trabeculae, thus increasing bone mineral density parameters. The obtained data demonstrated that genistein and lycopene but in particular their association might prevent GC’s adverse effects, thus stimulating bone formation and reducing bone resorption, improving bone structure and microarchitecture, through different molecular pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin and the Nrf-2 signaling.

Lycopene prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats and increases the number of osteocytes and osteoblasts

Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease with a high incidence in women at the onset of menopause mainly because of hormonal changes, genetics, and lifestyle, leading to decreased bone mass and risk of fractures. Maintaining bone mass is a challenge for postmenopausal women, with calcium-rich food intake being essential for bone health. Nevertheless, other nutrients such as carotenoids may influence bone metabolism because of their high antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the carotenoid lycopene on bone cells and in the microarchitecture of ovariectomized rats employing in vitro and in vivo assays. After 8 weeks of ovariectomy, femurs were removed to isolate bone marrow mesenchymal cells to be cultured in osteogenic medium (sham and ovariectomized/OVX) or with 1 μmol/L lycopene (OVX/Lyc). There were performed assays for alkaline phosphatase activity and its in situ detection, mineralization nodules, and quantitative expression of genes associated with osteogenesis. Daily ingestion of 10 mg/kg of lycopene by oral gavage for 8 weeks after ovariectomy was conducted for stereological evaluation of the number and volume of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes of femur distal epiphysis and for microtomographic evaluation of the bone microarchitecture of the femoral proximal epiphysis. Data were normalized and analyzed by comparison among the groups using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc tests with the significance level set out at 5%. Results showed that lycopene promoted an increase in ALP in situ detection as well as a significant increase in mineralized nodules deposition and expression of genes Runx2 and Bglap when compared with the OVX group. The administration by oral gavage of lycopene increased the total number of osteoblasts and osteocytes when compared to sham and ovariectomized groups. Additionally, it decreased the volume and number of osteoclasts and also reduced the volume of osteocytes compared to the sham group. These results suggest that lycopene improves bone cell metabolism and bone remodeling with the onset of osteoporosis. Future studies with different concentrations and periods of administration should be carried out to shed further light on it.

Antioxidant Phytochemicals for the Prevention of Fluoride-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis: a Review

Fluorosis is a major public health problem globally. The non-availability of specific treatment and the irreversible nature of dental and skeletal lesions poses a challenge in the management of fluorosis. Oxidative stress is known to be one of the most important mechanisms of fluoride toxicity. Fluoride promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting the activity of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in the excessive production of reactive oxygen species at the cellular level which further leads to activation of cell death processes such as apoptosis. Phytochemicals that act as antioxidants have the potential to protect cells from oxidative stress. Evidence confirms that clinical symptoms of fluorosis can be mitigated to some extent or prevented by long-term intake of antioxidants and plant products. The primary purpose of this review is to examine recent findings that focus on the amelioration of fluoride-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by natural and synthetic phytochemicals and their molecular mechanisms of action.

A Rapid and Cheap Method for Extracting and Quantifying Lycopene Content in Tomato Sauces: Effects of Lycopene Micellar Delivery on Human Osteoblast-Like Cells

Identifying and quantifying the beneficial molecules contained in nutraceuticals is essential to predict the effects derived from their consumption. This study explores a cheap and rapid method for quantifying lycopene content from a semi-solid matrix. In addition, it compares the in vitro effects of the extracts obtained from different tomato sauces available on the local market with Osteocol®, a patented tomato sauce from southern Italy. We performed a liquid extraction of lycopene using suitable solvents. The lycopene extracted was encapsulated in surfactant micelles and finally tested in vitro on Saos-2 cells. The effects exerted by lycopene on ALP and Wnt/β-catenin pathways were investigated by Western blotting. Hexane was found to be the best solvent for lycopene extraction. Spectrophotometrical and HPLC analyses showed similar trends. Osteocol® contained 39 ± 4 mg lycopene per 100 g of sauce, while the best commercial product contained 19 ± 1 mg/100 g. The Osteocol® lycopene extract increased ALP and β-catenin protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner, also showing statistically significant results (p < 0.05 respectively). In conclusion, despite both techniques showing similar final results, UV/VIS spectrophotometer is preferable to HPLC due to its cheap, rapid, and accurate results, as well as for the opportunity to analyze lycopene-loaded micelles. The extraction and release of lycopene to bone cells positively influences the differentiation of osteoblasts and increases the expression of the ALP and β-catenin proteins. As a consequence, as a lycopene-rich sauce, Osteocol® represents a useful supplement in the prevention of osteoporosis compared to its commercial competitors.

Hemp Seeds in Post-Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: A Pilot Clinical Study and an In Vitro Investigation

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. Due to their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory action, the phytochemical constituents of many vegetable varieties could represent a new frontier for the treatment of patients with Osteoarthritis and are still being explored. The aim of this pilot human study was to investigate the effects of pasta enriched with hemp seed flour on osteoarticular pain and bone formation markers in patients in post-arthroplasty rehabilitation. Another purpose was to evaluate the effect of hemp seed extract on bone metabolism, in vitro. A pilot, controlled, clinical study was conducted to verify the feasibility of pain symptom reduction in patients with Osteoarthritis undergoing arthroplasty surgery. We also investigated the effect of hemp seed extract on the Wnt/β-catenin and ERK1/2 pathways, alkaline phosphatase, RANKL, RUNX-2, osteocalcin, and COL1A on Saos-2. After 6 weeks, the consumption of hemp seed pasta led to greater pain relief compared to the regular pasta control group (−2.9 ± 1.3 cm vs. −1.3 ± 1.3 cm; p = 0.02). A significant reduction in serum BALP was observed in the participants consuming the hemp seed pasta compared to control group (−2.8 ± 3.2 µg/L vs. 1.1 ± 4.3 µg/L; p = 0.04). In the Saos-2 cell line, hemp seed extract also upregulated Wnt/β-catenin and Erk1/2 pathways (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03) and osteoblast differentiation markers (e.g., ALP, OC, RUNX2, and COL1A) and downregulated RANKL (p = 0.02), compared to the control. Our study demonstrated that hemp seed can improve pain symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis undergoing arthroplasty surgery and also improves bone metabolism both in humans and in vitro. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings.

CMTM3 suppresses bone formation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through inhibiting Erk1/2 and RUNX2 pathways

Osteoporosis, fracture, large-scale craniofacial defects and osteonecrosis are hot topics and are still underdiagnosed and undertreated in the clinic. It is urgent to understand the molecular mechanisms corresponding to the regulation of bone formation. CMTM3 (CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 3) connects the classic chemokine to the transmembrane 4 superfamily and plays an important role in intracellular vesicles transport, EGF receptor function maintenance and cancer development. However, its expression and function in bone remain unclear. In this paper, we found that the bone volume/total volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness and bone surface area/bone volume of Cmtm3 KO mice increased significantly, and trabecular separation and trabecular pattern factor decreased in Cmtm3 KO mice compared with WT mice by microcomputed tomography. Moreover, the bone mineral content, bone mineral density, ultimate force and stiffness were also increased in Cmtm3 KO mice. Using in vitro analysis, we showed that CMTM3 expression decreases during the differentiation of hBMSCs to osteoblasts. Knockdown of CMTM3 promoted ALP and mineralization of hBMSCs and facilitated osteoblastic differentiation with increasing RUNX2 expression. However, overexpression of CMTM3 got the opposite results. These results proved that CMTM3 was essential for osteogenic differentiation. In addition, knockdown of CMTM3 enhanced p-Erk1/2, but had no significant effect on p-Akt or p-STAT3 in hBMSCs and MC3T3-E1 cells. Taken together, our results indicated that Erk1/2 and RUNX2 pathways mediated by CMTM3 were involved in the process of osteogenic differentiation, and CMTM3 might be a new potential target in the treatment of bone formation-related disease.

Terpenoid treatment in osteoporosis: this is where we have come in research

Lower bone resistance to load is due to the imbalance of bone homeostasis, where excessive bone resorption, compared with bone formation, determines a progressive osteopenia, leading to a high risk of fractures and consequent pain and functional limitations. Terpenoids, with their activities against bone resorption, have recently received increased attention from researchers. They are potentially more suitable for long-term use compared with traditional therapeutics. In this review of the literature of the past 5 years, we provide comprehensive information on terpenoids, with their anti-osteoporotic effects, highlighting molecular mechanisms that are often in epigenetic key and a possible pharmacological use in osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

Scientometric and Methodological Analysis of the Recent Literature on the Health-Related Effects of Tomato and Tomato Products

The health benefits of tomato, a vegetable consumed daily in human diets, have received great attention in the scientific community, and a great deal of experiments have tested their utility against several diseases. Herein, we present a scientometric analysis of recent works aimed to estimate the biological effects of tomato, focusing on bibliographic metadata, type of testers, target systems, and methods of analysis. A remarkably variable array of strategies was reported, including testers obtained by standard and special tomatoes, and the use of in vitro and in vivo targets, both healthy and diseased. In vitro, 21 normal and 36 cancer human cell lines derived from 13 different organs were used. The highest cytotoxic effects were reported on cancer blood cells. In vivo, more experiments were carried out with murine than with human systems, addressing healthy individuals, as well as stressed and diseased patients. Multivariate analysis showed that publications in journals indexed in the agriculture category were associated with the use of fresh tomatoes; conversely, medicine and pharmacology journals were associated with the use of purified and formulate testers. Studies conducted in the United States of America preferentially adopted in vivo systems and formulates, combined with blood and tissue analysis. Researchers in Italy, China, India, and Great Britain mostly carried out in vitro research using fresh tomatoes. Gene expression and proteomic analyses were associated with China and India. The emerging scenario evidences the somewhat dichotomic approaches of plant geneticists and agronomists and that of cell biologists and medicine researchers. A higher integration between these two scientific communities would be desirable to foster the assessment of the benefits of tomatoes to human health.

Dietary Antioxidants in the Treatment of Male Infertility: Counteracting Oxidative Stress

Infertility affects about 15% of the population and male factors only are responsible for ~25-30% of cases of infertility. Currently, the etiology of suboptimal semen quality is poorly understood, and many environmental and genetic factors, including oxidative stress, have been implicated. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the capacity of the body to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants. The purpose of this review, by employing the joint expertise of international researchers specialized in nutrition and male fertility areas, is to update the knowledge about the reproductive consequences of excessive ROS concentrations and oxidative stress on the semen quality and Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) clinical outcomes, to discuss the role of antioxidants in fertility outcomes, and finally to discuss why foods and dietary patterns are more innocuous long term solution for ameliorating oxidative stress and therefore semen quality results and ART fertility outcomes. Since this is a narrative review and not a systematic/meta-analysis, the summarized information in the present study should be considered cautiously.

Functional Food for Elderly High in Antioxidant and Chicken Eggshell Calcium to Reduce the Risk of Osteoporosis-A Narrative Review

The elderly population is increasing globally and is predicted to reach 1.5 billion in 2050. The quality of life of the elderly must be concerned, for example, with developing functional food for the elderly. In this article, the development of functional food to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly is reviewed. Oxidative stress is one of the factors which accelerates osteoporosis. Various antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, or lycopene, have been proven by former studies to have antioxidant activity, therefore, could reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, the application of eggshell powder in various food products has been reported to improve calcium intake, and its usage is environmentally sustainable as this could contribute to reducing food waste. The application of both antioxidants and calcium could be a good combination, but the amount of some antioxidants must be concerned so it would not interfere with the bioavailability of calcium. Therefore, this review aims to explore the functional food for the elderly to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, particularly with antioxidants and calcium from chicken eggshells. The eating preference and dietary pattern of the elderly are also considered to determine the suitable form of functional food for the elderly. The results presented in the study may be the basis for the development of new calcium-enriched food products for the elderly.

Relationship between osteoporosis, multiple fractures, and egg intake in healthy elderly

Context:

The role of dietary patterns in the prevention of osteoporosis has been investigated in many studies, but few have examined the association between consumption of specific food and whole-body (WB) bone mineral density (BMD). Recent evidence suggests that whole eggs contain bioactive compounds that could have beneficial effects on BMD. BMD is also expressed as the T-score, which is used for the clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis and to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs.

Aims:

We conducted a study to assess the association between eggs consumption and bone density in a population of the elderly.

Settings and Design:

This cross-sectional study included 176 individuals of both genders and aged ≥65 years.

Subjects and Methods:

Egg intake was ascertained by a combination of dietary intake assessment, and a dual X-ray absorptiometry scan was performed to measure WB T-score.

Results:

In our study, among all the food groups and nondietary factors evaluated, we find a positive association between the WB T-score and egg consumption (B = 0.02; P = 0.02), gender (B = 0.85; P < 0.001), and body mass index (B = 0.04; P = 0.03). Multiple fractures were associated with the daily intake of eggs (B = ‒0.26; P = 0.02) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (B = 0.09; P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

This study provides novel evidence of a positive link between whole egg consumption and bone health. If results observed in this study will be confirmed through future randomized controlled trials, whole eggs may represent a viable strategy to prevent osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fractures in the elderly.

A Multi-Omic Analysis for Low Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Suggests a RELATIONSHIP between Diet, Metabolites, and Microbiota

The effect of microbiota composition and its health on bone tissue is a novel field for research. However, their associations with bone mineral density (BMD) have not been established in postmenopausal women. The present study investigates the relation of diet, the microbiota composition, and the serum metabolic profile in postmenopausal women with normal-BMD or with low-BMD. Ninety-two Mexican postmenopausal women were classified into normal-BMD (n = 34) and low-BMD (n = 58). The V4 hypervariable region was sequenced using the Miseq platform. Serum vitamin D was determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Serum concentrations of acyl-carnitines and amino acids were determined by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. The low-BMD group had fewer observed species, higher abundance of γ-Proteobacteria, lower consumption of lycopene, and lower concentrations of leucine, valine, and tyrosine compared with the normal-BMD group. These amino acids correlated positively with the abundance of Bacteroides. Lycopene consumption positively correlated with Oscillospira and negatively correlated with Pantoea genus abundance. Finally, the intestinal microbiota of women with vitamin D deficiency was related to Erysipelotrichaceae and Veillonellaceae abundance compared to the vitamin D non-deficient group. Associations mediated by the gut microbiota between diet and circulating metabolites with low-BMD were identified.

Potential Role of Lycopene in the Prevention of Postmenopausal Bone Loss: Evidence from Molecular to Clinical Studies

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density, which affects the quality of life of the aging population. Furthermore, disruption of bone microarchitecture and the alteration of non-collagenous protein in bones lead to higher fracture risk. This is most common in postmenopausal women. Certain medications are being used for the treatment of osteoporosis; however, these may be accompanied by undesirable side effects. Phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables are a source of micronutrients for the maintenance of bone health. Among them, lycopene has recently been shown to have a potential protective effect against bone loss. Lycopene is a lipid-soluble carotenoid that exists in both all-trans and cis-configurations in nature. Tomato and tomato products are rich sources of lycopene. Several human epidemiological studies, supplemented by in vivo and in vitro studies, have shown decreased bone loss following the consumption of lycopene/tomato. However, there are still limited studies that have evaluated the effect of lycopene on the prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal women. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the relevant literature on the potential impact of lycopene on postmenopausal bone loss with molecular and clinical evidence, including an overview of bone biology and the pathophysiology of osteoporosis.