| Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin D on the repair of bone mass loss in osteoporosis rat model by regulating the mRNA and protein expressions of type Ⅱ collagen (Col Ⅱ), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), and activated protein 2 (AP-2). Methods SD male rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, osteoporosis group, and vitamin D group. Bone mineral density (BMD), femur biomechanics, and bone metabolism of rats in each group were detected. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Col Ⅱ, PPAR-γ and AP-2 in bone tissue of rats. Results Compared to those in sham operation group, cancerous BMD, cortical BMD, total BMD, maximum load, maximum stress, maximum energy, stiffness, serum calcium (Ca) level, and Col II mRNA and protein expression levels decreased significantly in osteoporosis group. Serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), phosphorus (P), parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and PPAR-γ, AP-2 mRNA and protein expression levels increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared to those in osteoporosis group, femur cancellous BMD, cortical BMD, total BMD, maximum load, maximum stress, maximum energy, stiffness, serum Ca level, and Col Ⅱ, AP-2 mRNA and protein expression levels increased significantly in vitamin D group. Serum levels of BALP, P, PTH, PPAR-γ, and AP-2 mRNA and proteins decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D effectively improves bone metabolism and reduces bone mass loss in osteoporosis rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Col Ⅱ, PPAR-γ, and AP-2 mRNA and protein expressions. |