Effect of pioglitazone on the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 protein in mouse osteoblasts / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on osteoblast proliferation and apoptosis.Methods MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 μmol/L pioglitazone for 24 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT, cell cycle and apoptosis were inspected with flow cytometry, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were examined via immuno-chemical staining. Results Survival of osteoblasts decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, the cells in the G0/G1 and G2/M stages increased, while the cells in S stage decreased significantly. The percentage of apoptosis at 5 and 10 μmol/L were lower than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05), While it was increased significantly at 30 and 40 μmol/L(P ＜0.01). Bax expression was attenuated at 10 μmol/L(P＜0. 01), returned to normal by 20 μmol/L, and was increased by 30 and 40 μmol/L(P ＜ 0. 01). Bcl-2 expression was enhanced at the dose ≤ 20 μmol/L(P ＜0.01). Positive correlation was found between the death rate and the expression intensity of Bax/Bcl-2(n = 15, r=0.796, P＜0.01). Conclusions Pioglitazone inhibits apoptosis of osteoblasts at low concentrations and protects the cells, but promotes their apoptosis at higher concentration, Bax/Bcl-2 may play an important role in mediating the piglitazone-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts. It inhibits DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.