Abstract
The effect of various polyphenols on calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues of young rats in vitro was investigated. Bone tissues were cultured for 24 h in serum-free Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium containing either vehicle or various polyphenols (10-7—10-4 M). The presence of genistein (10-6—10-4 M) caused a significant increase in calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues. Resveratrol (10-4 M) decreased metaphyseal calcium content significantly, and it (10-6—10-4 M) had a significant inhibitory effect on diaphyseal enzyme activity. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg; 10-4 M) significantly inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues. EGCg (10-7—10-4 M) had no effect on bone calcium content. Meanwhile, glycitein, quercetin, or catechin in the range of 10-7 to 10-4 M did not have an effect on calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues. The present study suggests that a phytoestrogen genistein has a unique anabolic effect on bone calcification in vitro.
