Preventive effects of collagen Peptide from deer sinew on bone loss in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Deer sinew (DS) has been used traditionally for various illnesses, and the major active constituent is collagen. In this study, we assessed the effects of collagen peptide from DS on bone loss in the ovariectomized rats. Wister female rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows: sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized control (OVX), OVX given 1.0 mg/kg/week nylestriol (OVX + N), OVX given 0.4 g/kg/day collagen peptide (OVX + H), OVX given 0.2 g/kg/day collagen peptide (OXV + M), and OVX given 0.1 g/kg/day collagen peptide (OXV + L), respectively. After 13 weeks of treatment, the rats were euthanized, and the effects of collagen peptide on body weight, uterine weight, bone mineral density (BMD), serum biochemical indicators, bone histomorphometry, and bone mechanics were observed. The data showed that BMD and concentration of serum hydroxyproline were significantly increased and the levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were decreased. Besides, histomorphometric parameters and mechanical indicators were improved. However, collagen peptide of DS has no effect on estradiol level, body weight, and uterine weight. Therefore, these results suggest that the collagen peptide supplementation may also prevent and treat bone loss.

Figure 1

HPLC profiles of collagen peptide of deer sinew. Note: (a) collagen of deer sinew was extracted in boiling water. (b) Collagen peptide was treated with trypsin (1 : 1000, w/w) at 37°C for 3 h after boiling water.

Figure 2

BMD for all the groups after 13 weeks of treatment. Note: **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 compared with OVX group.

Figure 3

The changes in body weight in each group during 13 weeks.

Figure 4

Body and uterine weight in different treatment groups after 13 weeks. Note: **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 compared with OVX group.

Figure 5

Photomicrographs of trabecular bone. Note: undecalcified section (100x magnification) shows trabecular bone using multifunction true color pathological image analyzer. (a) SHAM, (b) OVX, (c) OVX + N, (d) OVX + H, (e) OVX + M, and (f) OVX + L.