Irisin Has a Protective Role against Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats
Enas N. Morgan, Ashwag Saleh Alsharidah, Ayman Mousa, Husam M. Edrees
Abstract
The reduction in estrogen levels results in a decrease in bone density at menopause. Irisin is a myokine that modulates the benefits of exercise, which may include bone health. This study was planned to examine irisin’s impact in preventing osteoporosis after ovariectomy. 4 groups of female albino rats (10 rats/group): control, sham‐operated, ovariectomized (OVX‐control), and OVX‐irisin‐treated. Serum levels of bone markers [osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), calcium (Ca ++ ), phosphorus (P)], glucose, and insulin were being measured. Body mass index, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR), dry and ash femur weight, and bone contents of Ca ++ and P were investigated. The femur was examined histopathologically. The OVX‐control group showed an increase in serum levels of OC, BALP, TRAP, calcium, phosphorus, BMI, glucose, insulin, and HOMA‐IR ( P < 0.05) and a reduction in dry and ash weight of the femur, the concentration of calcium and phosphorus content in bone ash ( P < 0.05). The OVX‐irisin‐treated group exhibited a decrease in serum levels of OC, BALP and TRAP, calcium, phosphorus, BMI, glucose, insulin, HOMA‐IR ( P < 0.05), and a rise in dry and ash weight of the femur, the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in bone ash ( P < 0.05). Histological examination of the distal femur diaphysis of the OVX‐irisin‐treated group exhibited proper bone architecture and density compared with that of the OVX‐control group. It is concluded that irisin treatment in the OVX rats safeguarded the regular bone architecture and normal levels of serum bone biomarkers. Irisin may be a possible novel target in the prohibition of postmenopausal osteoporosis.