Therapeutic Effect of Organic Gallium on Ovariectomized Osteopenic Rats by Decreased Serum Minerals and Increased Bone Mineral Content

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of organic gallium on ovariectomized osteopenic rats. Thirty Wistar female rats used were divided into three groups: (1) sham-operation rats (control), (2) ovariectomized (OVX) rats with osteopenia, and (3) OVX rats with osteopenia treated with organic gallium. Treatments were performed over an 8-week period. At sacrifice, the fifth lumbar vertebral body, one tibia, one femur, and the fourth lumbar vertebrae were removed, subjected to micro-CT for determination of trabecular bone structure, and then processed for histomorphometry to assess bone turnover. The femoral neck was used for mechanical compression testing. Treatment with organic gallium increased bone volume in OVX animals. Organic gallium-treated animals had significant increases in trabecular and cortical thickness and bone strength. The plasma total calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations in OVX rats decreased and bone mineral content in the lumbar vertebrae and femur increased after treatment with organic gallium. These data provide an important proof of concept that organic gallium may represent a powerful approach to treating or reversing severe osteoporosis in humans.

Yeast-Incorporated Gallium Promotes Fracture Healing by Increasing Callus Bony Area and Improving Trabecular Microstructure on Ovariectomized Osteopenic Rats

“…Elemental gallium alters the mineral [27,28], matrix, and cellular properties of bone. According to animal experiments, yeast-incorporated gallium has been demonstrated the effect on ovariectomized osteopenic rats by decreased serum minerals and increased bone mineral content [10].…”

“…Currently, the anti-osteoporosis element such as gallium is effective in the treatment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats by decreased serum minerals and increased bone mineral content [10]. Yeast-incorporated gallium (YG) as an organic compound not only reduces elements-associated toxicity but also maintains its therapeutic effect [11][12][13].…”

Effects of thirty elements on bone metabolism

“…Organic gallium compounds, such as gallium maltolate or yeast incorporated gallium, have better bioavailability and lower toxicity and are better candidates for an alternative antiosteoporotic treatment. [118,119].…”

Gallium modulates osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro without affecting osteoblasts

“…In this context, we were interested in finding new anti-resorptive compounds. Given the potential anti-resorptive effects of gallium (Ga) suggested by a few studies (Donnelly et al, 1991;Blair et al, 1992;Ma and Fu, 2009), we focused our efforts on the effect of Ga on osteoclasts.…”

“…In a small trial of myeloma patients treated with chemotherapy, Ga was shown to attenuate the rate of bone loss in patients (Niesvizky, 2003). Moreover, treatment with organic Ga was shown to improve bone content and strength in osteopenic rats (Ma and Fu, 2009). All these data suggest that Ga may have a positive effect on these bone disorders, probably by decreasing the rate of bone resorption.…”