Osteoporosis is characterized by skeletal fragility and microarchitectural deterioration. The
side effects of drugs to treat
osteoporosis will negatively affect the health of patients. This study aimed to investigate the
therapeutic effects of
icariin combined with adipose-derived stem cells on
osteoporosis in a
postmenopausal osteoporosis model after
ovariectomy in rats. After
ovariectomy the rats were treated with
icariin combined with adipose-derived
stem cell transplantation. The levels of
alkaline phosphatase,
tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase,
osteoprotegerin, and bone γ-carboxyglutamate
protein in serum were determined by ELISA. The bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mechanical properties were determined by a three-point bending test. The kidney functions were evaluated by an automatic analyzer and a diagnostic kit.
Icariin combined with stem cells significantly reduced
body weight gain caused by
ovariectomy, significantly decreased
alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant
acid phosphatase, and bone γ-carboxyglutamate protein content in serum, significantly increased
osteoprotegerin content, significantly elevated bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, left femur, and right femur, and enhanced bone biomechanical properties of the femur, including maximum bending load, bending rigidity, and fracture energy, in osteoporotic rats. In addition,
icariin combined with stem cells substantially decreased the damage to the liver and kidney in osteoporotic rats.
Icariin combined with stem cells can not only ameliorate reduction of bone mass and disruption of the microarchitectural structure of bone tissue caused by
osteoporosis in a rat model but can also have a beneficial effect on organ functions, such as those of the liver and kidney.