Identification and Functional Characterization of Metabolites for Bone Mass in Peri- and Postmenopausal Chinese Women.

CONTEXT: Although metabolic profiles appear to play an important role in menopausal bone loss, the functional mechanisms by which metabolites influence bone mineral density (BMD) during menopause are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically identify metabolites associated with BMD variation and their potential functional mechanisms in peri- and postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed serum metabolomic profiling and whole-genome sequencing for 517 perimenopausal (16%) and early postmenopausal (84%) women aged 41 to 64 years in this cross-sectional study. Partial least squares regression and general linear regression analysis were applied to identify BMD-associated metabolites, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to construct co-functional metabolite modules. Furthermore, we performed Mendelian randomization analysis to identify causal relationships between BMD-associated metabolites and BMD variation. Finally, we explored the effects of a novel prominent BMD-associated metabolite on bone metabolism through both in vivo/in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Twenty metabolites and a co-functional metabolite module (consisting of fatty acids) were significantly associated with BMD variation. We found dodecanoic acid (DA), within the identified module causally decreased total hip BMD. Subsequently, the in vivo experiments might support that dietary supplementation with DA could promote bone loss, as well as increase the osteoblast and osteoclast numbers in normal/ovariectomized mice. Dodecanoic acid treatment differentially promoted osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, especially for osteoclast differentiation at higher concentrations in vitro (eg,10, 100 µM). CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on metabolomic profiles associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis risk, highlighting the potential importance of fatty acids, as exemplified by DA, in regulating BMD.

[Protective effects of bicyclol on alcohol-induced liver damage in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of bicyclol on alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. METHODS: Sixty male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. Ten mice were fed with Lieber-Decarli liquid diet without alcohol and used as normal controls. Fifty mice were fed with Lieber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% alcohol for four weeks so as to establish a model of alcohol-induced liver damage. Ten mice fed with Lieber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% alcohol for four weeks were used as model group. Bicyclol in a dose of either 200 or 300 .kg(-1).d(-1) was given orally simultaneously with alcohol intake as prevention groups (10 mice in each group), and bicyclol in a dose of either 200 or 300 .kg(-1).d(-1) was given orally 2 weeks after the beginning of alcohol intake as treatment groups (10 mice in each group). Twenty-four hours after the last dose of bicyclol the mice were decapitated and then their blood samples and livers were taken. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol (CHOL), and high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL), and liver triglyceride (TG), N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase (NDMA-DM), glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were determined by biochemical assays. The extent of liver damage was evaluated by histological examination. RESULTS: Four weeks after alcohol intake the serum ALT and TG were 1.9 and 2.7 times those of the normal control group. The levels of liver TG of the bicyclol 200 kg(-1).d(-1) and 300 kg(-1).d(-1) treatment groups were significantly lower than that of the model group by 28% and 32% respectively (both P < 0.05). The levels of liver TG of the bicyclol 200 kg(-1).d(-1) and 300 kg(-1).d(-1) prevention groups were significantly lower than that of the model group by 32%, and 47% respectively (both P < 0.01). Pathological changes including steatosis and hepatocyte ballooning degeneration were found in the livers of the model group. The levels of liver GSH, GST, and GR in the model group decreased by 37%, 22%, and 19% in comparison with the normal control group. The levels of liver GSH and GST of the bicyclol prevention groups were normal, and the liver GR level was 1.2 times that of the normal control group. The liver NDMA-DM activity of the model group was 1.9 times that of the normal control group and was normal in the bicyclol prevention and treatment groups. The liver cytoplasmic ALDH level was 30% lower in the model group than in the normal control group (P < 0.05), and was 2.9 times in the bicyclol groups (P < 0.01). The serum cholesterol levels of the bicyclol groups were all significantly lower than that of the model group (all P < 0.01). The serum levels of HDL of the bicyclol prevention groups and treatment were all significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bicyclol protects mice against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity by reduction of hepatic steatosis and cellular damage, acceleration of alcohol and aldehyde elimination and anti-peroxidation.