Volume 35, Issue 7 e22778
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Coenzyme Q10 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells

Delu Zheng

Corresponding Author

Delu Zheng

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

Correspondence Delu Zheng, Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 633 Longhua Rd, Huaishang District, Bengbu, 233000 Anhui, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Chenli Cui

Chenli Cui

The Operative Surgery Laboratory, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

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Chen Shao

Chen Shao

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

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Yanqiu Wang

Yanqiu Wang

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

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Chengsong Ye

Chengsong Ye

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

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Gaoyou Lv

Gaoyou Lv

Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China

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First published: 23 March 2021
Citations: 2

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been reported to improve bone density and the number of trabeculae in postmenopausal osteoporosis, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the effects of CoQ10 on receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. RAW264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of RANKL to differentiate into osteoclasts, and then these cells were treated with different concentrations of CoQ10 with or without H2O2. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to detect osteoclasts. Cell viability was tested by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry, and the effects of CoQ10 on protein and messenger RNA expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-associated proteins and osteoclast marker proteins were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to analyze the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). RANKL significantly induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells, with the greatest efficiency at 50 ng/ml. CoQ10 had no significant effects on cell viability but it significantly increased the percentages of cell apoptosis. Mechanically, CoQ10 statistically decreased the levels of Bcl-2 and cytochrome C in mitochondria and upregulated the levels of Bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cytochrome C in the cytoplasm. Moreover, CoQ10 significantly decreased RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis regardless of exposure to H2O2. In addition, CoQ10 statistically reduced MDA activity and elevated the activities of SOD and CAT, as well as the expression of oxidative stress-related proteins. CoQ10 may inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulation of mitochondrial apoptosis and oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells.

Highlights

  • 1

    Osteoclastic are efficiently differentiated at 50 ng/ml of RANKL in RAW264.7 cells.

  • 2

    Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) promotes mitochondrial apoptosis in RANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells.

  • 3

    CoQ10 inhibits mitochondrial oxidative stress in RANKL-treated RAW264.7 cells.

  • 4

    CoQ10 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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