Objective To explore the effects of simvastatin (SIM) combined with strontium ranelate (SR) on the
biological characteristics of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in rats. Methods The rat osteoblasts and osteoclasts were
isolated and cultured, and rat osteoblasts and osteoclasts were treated with SIM or SR and lower dose SIM
combined with strontium SR. The protein levels of p-akt, p-gsk3, β-catenin, p-β-catenin and NFATC1 in osteoblasts
and osteoclasts were detected by Western blot method. The ALP activity and TRACP activity were determined by
the corresponding kit. Results Compared with SIM or SR alone, the activity of osteoblasts was significantly
increased, while the ability of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption was significantly decreased by SIM
and SR treatment. Further study showed that compared with SIM or SR alone, the protein levels of p-akt, p-gsk3,
β-catenin, p-β-catenin and NFATC1 in osteoblasts treated with SIM and SR increased significantly (P<0.05). The
protein levels of p-akt, p-gsk3, β-catenin, p-β-catenin and NFATC1 in osteoclasts decreased significantly. Conclusion Compared with high dose SIM or SR alone, lower dose SIM combined with SR significantly mediates the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts through AKT/GSK3 β / β-catenin/NFATC1 signaling pathway. |