Effect of morina-Sr2+ complexes on experimental bone loss

• Grant number: 21/12121-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Yasuyo Fukada Alves
• Grantee: Rita de Cássia Barbosa Macedo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/08568-2 - Investigation of the extracellular vesicles (VEs) role in the initiation, propagation, regeneration, and modeling of biological mineralization, AP.TEM

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disorder alleviated by the progressive loss of bone mass and bone deterioration, leading to bone fragility and a predisposition to fracture. This disease has been seen as one of the most aging-related pathologies, especially in females due to the loss of estrogen after menopause, which has been tested as a worldwide health problem with considerable medical consequences. Conventional predilections for osteoporosis consist of antiresorptive agents, however, such treatment strategies are not exempt from adverse effects, limiting their use. A chemical compound that affects the bone resorption and formation process is strontium, more specifically administered in the form of strontium ranelate. Previous studies showed that strontium and calcium present physicochemical similarity, thus strontium can replace calcium in some physiological processes which in turn lead to serious side effects, mainly related to cardiac damage in patients treated with strontium ranelate. This drug was therefore withdrawn from the market. In this line of investigation, natural compounds presenting bone protection properties and fewer side effects, have been shown as alternative strategies in order to overcome the limitations of existing therapies. Flavonoids represent a class of polyphenolic compounds distributed in the plant kingdom, being found in vegetables, fruits, and beverages such as red wine and tea. Some flavonoids have been investigated in the treatment of osteoporosis, including isoflavones, showing that flavonoids bind to estrogen receptors, stimulating in vitro the synthetic protein of osteoblastic cells. Therefore, based on the beneficial effects of flavonoids and Sr2+ on bones, this project aims to combine aspects related to the composition and structure of the morina-Sr2+ complex, to evaluate its role in bone remodeling.(AU)