Gamma-Tocotrienol Stimulates the Proliferation, Differentiation, and Mineralization in Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells

Abstract

Gamma-tocotrienol, a major component of tocotrienol-rich fraction of palm oil, has been suggested to exhibit bone protective effects in vivo. However, the effects of -tocotrienol on osteoblast cells are still unclear. In this study, the effects of -tocotrienol on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated. Our results showed that -tocotrienol (2-8 mol/L) significantly improved the cell proliferation ( < 0.05), but it did not affect cell cycle progression.-Tocotrienol significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity ( < 0.05), secretion levels of osteocalcin (OC) and osteonectin (ON), and mRNA levels of collagen type I (Col I) of MC3T3-E1 cells. Meanwhile, we found that -tocotrienol is promoted in differentiation MC3T3-E1 cells by upregulation of the expression of Runx2 protein. Moreover, the number of bone nodules increased over 2.5-fold in cells treated with -tocotrienol (2-8 mol/L) for 24 d compared to control group. These results indicated that -tocotrienol at low dose levels, especially 4 mol/L, could markedly enhance the osteoblastic function by increasing the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, our data also indicated that Runx2 protein may be involved in these effects. Further studies are needed to determine the potential of -tocotrienol as an antiosteoporotic agent.

Annatto-derived tocotrienol stimulates osteogenic activity in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells: a temporal sequential study

“…Another study reported that γ-tocotrienol increased ALP activity and mineralized nodules in MC3T3-E1 cells. 27 In the same study, γ-tocotrienol did not alter collagen protein level, which was in contrast with our data.…”

“… 28 In contrast to our data, γ-tocotrienol (2–8 µmol/L) was shown to significantly increase cell viability and cell proliferation in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. 27 This indicated that γ-tocotrienol was less toxic to the preosteoblasts compared to AnTT.…”

“…25 , 26 In addition, γ-tocotrienol at doses >16 µg/mL caused a reduction in cell viability and morphological changes indicating toxicity in MC3T3-E1 cells. 27 Vitamin E is capable to act as antioxidant and prooxidant. In the absence of other antioxidants and at high doses, vitamin E tends to act as pro-oxidants.…”

Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress: A Mutual Interplay in Age-Related Diseases

“…In the context of osteoporosis, tocotrienols therapy has provided significant beneficial outcomes. Gamma-tocotrienol significantly enhanced the secretion levels of osteocalcin and osteonectin, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, and upregulated collagen type I mRNA and Runx2 protein expressions in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells (Xu et al, 2018 ). Several studies have also reached a similar finding, in which tocopherol and tocotrienol have an antiosteoporotic activity.…”

Histological evaluation of the ANTIOXIDANT effect of Vitamin E on reversing the negative impact of tartrazine on extraction socket healing. (Randomized controlled trial)

“…Vitamin E is an essential lipid-soluble vitamin that consists of two subgroups: tocopherol and tocotrienol (Wong et al, 2019). Due to presence of tocotrienol, there is an improve in proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization, and reduced apoptosis of osteoblastic cells (Abd Manan, Mohamed, & Shuid, 2012)and (Xu et al, 2018).…”