Effects of Acupoint Application Therapy with TianGui Powder on Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats through TGF‐β1 and Smad2/3 Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objectives To explore the effects of acupoint application therapy (AAT) with TianGui Powder (TGP) on the expressions of the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and Smad‐2/3 signaling pathway in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats. Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (group A), model group (group B), TGP group (group C), and Western medicine group (group D). Group A had only the corresponding amount of adipose tissue around the ovary removed; rats in the other groups had bilateral ovariectomies. After 1 week, groups A and B were given 1 mL/100 mg normal saline solution by gavage, group C was treated with AAT with TGP on ShenQue acupoint (0.2 piece/rat, 6 h/time, 1 time/d) and group D was given calcium carbonate vitamin D3 (36 mg/kg/d) and alfacalcidol (0.05 μg/kg/d) tablet suspension. In this study, the bone mineral density (BMD) , the levels of BALP, TRAP‐5b, and BGP in serum and the changes in bone histomorphology was detected. For acquiring lumbar experimental data, the expression of TGF‐β1, Smad‐2/3 proteins and mRNA of TGF‐β1and Smad‐2/3 were assessed. After 12 weeks, the data were collected for analysis. Results Compared with group A, the bone trabecula was thinner and significantly reduced in other groups. The result of BMD improved significantly in both groups C and D compared to group B after intervention ( P < 0.05). In contrast, compared to group B, the levels of BALP, TRAP‐5b, and BGP significantly declined in both groups C and D. In group C, the results of protein expressions in TGF‐β1, Smad‐2/3 were 2.870 ± 0.270, 1.552 ± 0.111, and 1.420 ± 0.079, respectively. In groups C and D, those indications significantly declined compared to group B ( P < 0.01). In group C, the level of mRNA expressions of TGF‐β1, Smad‐2/3 were 1.872 ± 0.177, 1.672 ± 0.086, and 1.790 ± 0.136, respectively. Compared with group B, those indications had significant difference in groups C and D ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Acupoint application therapy with TGP could significantly improve the BMD. The TGF‐β1 and Smad‐2/3 signaling pathway could be a therapeutic target of TGP in postmenopausal osteoporosis rats.

SPTBN1 Prevents Primary Osteoporosis by Modulating Osteoblasts Proliferation and Differentiation and Blood Vessels Formation in Bone

“…Recently, a series of studies found that interfering with the TGF-β signaling pathway can significantly affect the development of osteoporosis. Lin et al (2019) indicated that acupoint application therapy (AAT) using TianGui Powder (TGP) can prevent the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Song et al (2015) revealed that sulfuretin induces osteoblast differentiation by activating the TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway.…”

Analysis of Effects of PTEN-Mediated TGF-β/Smad2 Pathway on Osteogenic Differentiation in Osteoporotic Tibial Fracture Rats and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell under Tension

“…In the late stage, TGF-β can regulate the collagen secretion and calcium salt deposition of osteoblasts [17]. In addition, Lin's team found that there is abundant expression of Smad2 protein in normal bone tissue, it is widely expressed in the epiph-ysis, and it is mainly expressed in osteoblasts on the surface of bone matrix and around trabecular bone [18]. TGF-β/Smad2 signal transduction is a rather complicated process from cell membrane to nucleus; the main steps include activation binding stage, recombination separation stage, and transfer action stage, involving many genes and proteins.…”

Use of Shenhuang paste on Shenque point improves chemotherapy induced gastrointestinal toxicity in breast cancer

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