Objective Iron accumulation model was constructed by hepcidin1 gene knockout in male mice, the changes of iron metabolism indexes and bone microstructure were observed, and the dynamic effects of chronic iron accumulation on bone turnover and oxidative stress indexes were explored. Methods According to the genotype mice were divided into 2 groups, hepcidin1 knockout mice group (KO) and wild type mice group(WT). The mice were fed with normal diet. Serum, liver, femur and tibia of mice were collected at 7, 12 and 18 months of age. The body weight of mice was measured and the iron content tibia was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (ICP). Iron were stained on liver sections by Prussian blue staining. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to detect the microstructure of mouse femur bone. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum levels of hepcidn, ferritin, osteocalcin (OCN), type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide (CTX). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels reflecting oxidative stress levels were detected . Results There was no significant difference in body weight between the two groups. In KO group the serum Hepcidin level was significantly lower than that in WT group at each time point, while serum ferritin , iron content in liver and tibia were significantly higher in KO group. The longitudinal comparison showed that KO group presented gradually increasing iron accumulation. Micro-CT results showed that compared with WT group, BMD, Tb.Th, BV/TV, Tb.N and ConnD of cancellous bone in KO group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while TB.Sp and SMI were significantly increased (P<0.05). Cortical bone area in KO group was lower than that in WT group. Transverse comparison showed that serum OCN and SOD levels in KO group were significantly lower than WT group(P<0.05), while CTX levels in KO group were significantly higher than WT group at 12 months and 18 months except for 7 months, and MDA levels in KO group were higher than WT group at all time points(P<0.05). Conclusion After hepcidin1 gene knockout, mice developed chronic cumulative iron accumulation, which can stimulate oxidative stress and aggravate bone loss by inhibiting osteogenic activity and promoting osteoclast absorption. |