Objective To exploring the effect of quercetin-regulated MAPK signaling pathway on bone formation in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods SPF-grade SD female rats were divided into sham-operated group, model group, quercetin low and high dose group, and Tonjarol group. ELISA was used to detect serum estrogen E2 level, bone metabolism markers CBF-α1, CTX-Ⅰ, PINP, and OC level, and inflammatory indexes IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β level in rats. HE staining was used to observe the morphology changes of the bone tissue in rats. N.Oc/BS was observed with TRAP staining. The morphology of rat femur was observed with micro-CT scanning. BMD, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and Tb.Sp of rat femur were determined. MAPK signalling pathway related protein expressions were detected with WB. Results Compared to those in the sham-operated group, serum E2, CBF-α1, CTX-Ⅰ, PINP, and OC levels decreased, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels increased, N.Oc/BS increased, BMD, Tb.N and Tb.Th decreased, and Tb.Sp increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared to those in the model group, serum E2, CBF-α1, CTX-Ⅰ, PINP, and OC levels increased, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels decreased, N.Oc/BS decreased, BMD, Tb.N, and Tb.Th increased, and Tb.Sp decreased (P<0.05) in the quercetin low and high dosage groups and the tonic acid group. Bone tissue morphology and structure were normal in the sham-operated group. The bone cortical thickness was thin, the number of bone trabeculae was reduced and broken, and the arrangement was sparse in the model group. The newborn bone trabeculae appeared in the quercetin low- and high-dose groups and the Tonjarol group, the number of which increased, and the morphology and structure of the bone tissue were relatively intact and clear. Compared to those in the sham-operated group, the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared to those in the model group, the levels of MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins decreased in the quercetin low- and high-dose groups and the Tonjarol group (P<0.05). Conclusion Quercetin regulates estrogen levels, improves bone metabolism abnormalities, alleviates bone microstructural changes, and protects against osteoporosis in postmenopausal osteoporotic rats, which may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of proteins related to the MAPK signaling pathway, by reducing osteoclast formation, and by decreasing bone resorption. |