The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 500-508.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.04.006

• Basic Research • Previous Articles    

To investigate the effect of aloperine on bone metabolism in osteoporotic mice based on autophagy and apoptosis mediated by Wnt/β⁃catenin signaling pathway

Zhizhou XIAO1,Ying HUANG2,Huawei. BIAN1()   

  1. Department of Clinical Nutrition,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat?sen University,Guangzhou 510630,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2024-11-25 Online:2025-02-25 Published:2025-02-28
  • Contact: Huawei. BIAN E-mail:southnutrition@sina.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of aloperine (ALO) on bone metabolism in osteoporosis (OP) mice via Wnt/β?catenin signaling pathway?mediated autophagy and apoptosis. Methods Sixty mice were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 10 per group): Sham group (sham?operated mice), OP group (osteoporosis model induced by bilateral ovariectomy), L?ALO group (OP mice intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg aloperine), M?ALO group (OP mice intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg/kg aloperine), H?ALO group (OP mice intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg aloperine), and EV group (OP mice administered 0.09 mg/kg estradiol valerate). Bone mineral density and microstructure of the tibia were assessed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to examine the morphology of tibial bone tissue. Serum levels of OCN, OPG, ALP, Ca, and P were measured using ELISA. Protein expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ, LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin?1, P62, Caspase?3, Caspase?9, Bax, Wnt3a, β?catenin, and C?Myc were analyzed by Western blot. Autophagosomes were visualized using immunofluorescence. Results Compared with the Sham group, the bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular thickness in the OP group were significantly reduced, while trabecular separation, bone surface area, and volume were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of OPG, OCN, Ca, and P were significantly downregulated, whereas ALP levels were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Additionally, the LC3?Ⅱ/LC3?Ⅰ ratio and expression levels of Beclin?1, Wnt3a, β?catenin, and C?Myc proteins were significantly decreased, while the expression levels of P62, Caspase?3, Caspase?9, and Bax proteins were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the OP group, the L?ALO, M?ALO, and H?ALO groups exhibited significant increases in BMD and trabecular thickness, along with significant decreases in trabecular separation, bone surface area, and volume (P < 0.05). The levels of OPG, OCN, Ca, and P were significantly upregulated, while ALP levels were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the LC3?Ⅱ/LC3?Ⅰ ratio and expression levels of Beclin?1, Wnt3a, β?catenin, and C?Myc proteins were significantly increased, while the expression levels of P62, Caspase?3, Caspase?9, and Bax proteins were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In contrast, compared with the OP group, the EV group showed significant increases in BMD and trabecular thickness, as well as significant decreases in trabecular separation, bone surface area to volume ratio (P < 0.05). The levels of OPG, OCN, Ca, and P were significantly upregulated, while ALP levels were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Moreover, the LC3?Ⅱ/LC3?Ⅰ ratio and expression levels of Beclin?1, Wnt3a, β?catenin, and C?Myc proteins were significantly increased, while the expression levels of P62, Caspase?3, Caspase?9, and Bax proteins were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusions Peanine may promote autophagy in osteoblasts and inhibit their apoptosis, thereby improving bone metabolism in OP mice. This effect may be mediated through the activation of the Wnt/β?catenin signaling pathway.

Key words: aloperine, osteoporosis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, autophagy, apoptosis

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