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Combined Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein and Silicon on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rat

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Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of concomitant supplementation of genistein and silicon on bone mineral density and bone metabolism-related markers in ovariectomized rat. Three-month-old Sprague Dawley female rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) or sham surgery, and then the OVX rats were randomly divided into four groups: OVX-GEN, OVX-Si, OVX-GEN-Si, and OVX. Genistein and silicon supplementation was started immediately after OVX and continued for 10 weeks. In the OVX-GEN group, 5 mg genistein per gram body weight was injected subcutaneously. The OVX-Si group was given soluble silicon daily in demineralized water (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The OVX-GEN-Si group was given subcutaneous injections of 5 mg genistein per gram body weight, at the same time, given soluble silicon daily (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The results showed that the genistein supplementation in the OVX rats significantly prevented the loss of uterus weight; however, the silicon supplementation showed no effect on the uterus weight loss. The lumbar spine and femur bone mineral density was significantly decreased after OVX surgery; however, this decrease was inhibited by the genistein and/or silicon, and the BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was the highest in the OVX-GEN-Si-treated group. Histomorphometric analyses showed that the supplementation of genistein and/or silicon restored bone volume and trabecular thickness of femoral trabecular bone in the OVX group. Besides, the treatment with genistein and silicon for 10 weeks increased the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus in the OVX rats; serum calcium and serum phosphorus in the OVX-GEN-Si group were higher than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si group (P < 0.05). At the same time, the treatment with genistein and/or silicon decreased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin, which were increased by ovariectomy; serum ALP and osteocalcin in the OVX-GEN-Si group were lower than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si groups (P < 0.05). The results above indicate that genistein and silicon have synergistic effects on bone formation in ovariectomized rats.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Qinling-Bashan Mountains Bioresources Comprehensive Development, Collaborative Innovation Center Research Funds QBXT-Z(P)-15-18 and QBXT-Z(P)-15-25, the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Department 2015JQ8305, the Shaanxi Provincial Science Association youth talent founds 20160128, Postdoctoral Scientific Research Project of Shaanxi Sci-tech University SLGBH16-03, and Doctoral Research Project of Shaanxi Sci-tech University SLGQD 14-01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vitamin D Research Institute, Shaanxi Sci-Tech University, Chaoyang Road, Hantai District, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, 723000, China

    Shanshan Qi

  2. College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Sci-Tech University, Hanzhong, Shaanxi, 723000, China

    Hongxing Zheng

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  1. Shanshan Qi
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  2. Hongxing Zheng
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Correspondence to Hongxing Zheng.

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All experimental procedures complied with the criteria in Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and this study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Qi, S., Zheng, H. Combined Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein and Silicon on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rat. Biol Trace Elem Res 177, 281–287 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0882-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0882-1

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