Objective To explore the effect and internal mechanism of Zhengqingfengtongning on the osteoporotic rats by Nrf2/SIRT3/SOD2 pathway. Methods 80 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=20), osteoporosis group (n=20), Zhengqing Fengtongning group (n=20), control drug group (n=20). Rats were given prednisone acetate (5mg/kg·d) by 4 weeks induced osteoporosis except for the normal control group, Zhengqing Fengtongning group were given Zhengqing Fengtongning (20mg/kg·d), control drug group were given resveratrol (5mg/kg·d), normal control group and osteoporosis group were given 0.5% CMC-NA solution for consecutive 8 weeks. Detected the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) , calcitonin, serum SOD2, MDA, osteocalcin (BGP), collagen typeⅠcarboxyl terminal crosslinking peptide and bone density, proximal femur pore; The protein expression of Nrf2, SIRT3 of the femoral organization were detected by WB, observe the pathological of the femoral organizatio by HE staining. Results In the model group, serum (ALP), calcitonin, BGP levels and SOD2 activity were significantly reduced, β-CTX levels and MDA levels were significantly increased, bone density was significantly reduced, and proximal femur porosity was significantly increased, HE staining showed sparse bone trabecula, thinning, structure was disorder, the protein expression of Nrf2, SIRT3 were significantly reduced. Compared with the osteoporotic group, in Zhengqing Fengtongning group, the content of ALP, calcitonin, BGP and SOD2 activity were significantly increased, the content of MDA and β-CTX were significantly reduced, the bone density were significantly increased, the porosity of the proximal femur were significantly reduced, the bone trabeculae were thickened and arranged neatly, and the bone tissue structure were significantly improved.the protein expression of Nrf2 and SIRT3 in the bone tissue were significantly increased. Conclusion Zhengqing Fengtongning can significantly improve osteoporosis in rats induced by prednisone acetate, and its mechanism may be related to the effect of Nrf2/SIRT3/SOD2 pathway. |