Therapeutic effect of icariin combined with stem cells on postmenopausal osteoporosis in rats

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of icariin combined with adipose-derived stem cells on osteoporosis in a postmenopausal osteoporosis model after ovariectomy in rats. After ovariectomy the rats were treated with icariin combined with adipose-derived stem cell transplantation. The levels of alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and bone γ-carboxyglutamate protein in serum were determined by ELISA. The bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mechanical properties were determined by a three-point bending test. The kidney functions were evaluated by an automatic analyzer and a diagnostic kit. Icarii n combined with stem cells significantly reduced body weight gain caused by ovariectomy, significantly decreased alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and bone γ-carboxyglutamate protein content in serum, significantly increased osteoprotegerin content, significantly elevat ed bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, left femur, and right femur, and enhanced bone biomechanical properties of the femur, including maximum bending load, bending rigidity, and fracture energy, in osteoporotic rats. In addition, icariin combined with stem cells substantially decreased the damage to the liver and kidney in osteoporotic rats. Icariin combined with stem cells can not only ameliorate reduction of bone mass and disruption of the microarchitectural structure of bone tissue...
Source: Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research