| Objective To investigate the changes of iron metabolism and hepcidin expression in ovariectomized mice, and to explore the underlying mechanism of iron metabolic disorders in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods Sixteen-week female C57BL/6 mice were divided into 2 groups: bilaterally ovariectomized group (OVX) and sham operation group (SHAM). All the mice were sacrificed in 6 weeks. Blood, liver, spleen, uterus, and the femur of the mice were collected. The biomechanical properties of the femur, the serum levels of bone metabolic markers, and the iron levels in the liver and the spleen were determined. The expression of hepcidin was detected using PCR methods. Results Compared with that in SHAM group, the maximal bending stress and the modulus of bending elasticity of the femur decreased significantly in OVX group. The serum levels of iron and osteocalcin decreased. The expression of hepcidin, the content of the hepatic and splenic iron, and the serum levels of C-telopeptide of type I collagen increased significantly. Conclusion Estrogen deficiency could increase the expression of hepcidin, leading to iron overload in tissues, which is closely related to the occurrence and development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. |