Oxytocin and bone quality in the femoral neck of rats in periestropause

• Grant number: 20/06931-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Duration: July 01, 2020 - December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biology
• Principal Investigator: Rita Cássia Menegati Dornelles
• Grantee: Rita Cássia Menegati Dornelles
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify whether oxytocin (ot) contributes to the reduction of osteopenia in the femoral neck of rats in periestropause. Animals in irregular estrous cycles received two NaCl injections (0.15 mol/L) or OT (134 ¼g/kg) over a 12-h interval, and after thirty-five days without treatments, the biological sample collection was performed. the oxytocin group (ot) demonstrated the highest enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase(p=0.0138) lowest enzymatic  activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (p=0.0045)higher percentage of compact bone (p = 0.0359), cortical expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (p = 0.0101), osterix (p = 0.0101), bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (p = 0.0101)and periostin (p = 0.0455). Furthermore, the mineral-to-matrix ratio (½ 1 po 4 /proline)was higher and type-B carbonate substitution (co 3 /½ 1 po 4 ) was lower (p = 0.0008 and 0.0303) in Ot group. The Ot showed higher arealbone mineral density(p=0.0050),cortical bone area(p= 0.0416), polar moment of inertia, maximum, minimum (p = 0.0480, 0.0480, 0.0035), bone volume fraction (p= 0.0166), connectivitydensity (p<0.0001), maximal load (p = 0.0003) and bone stiffness(p= 0.0145). In Ot percentage of cortical pores (p = 0.0102) and trabecular number (p = 0.0088) was lower. the results evidence action of ot in the reduction of osteopenia, suggesting that it is a promising anabolic strategy for the prevention of primary osteoporosis during the periestropause period. (AU)