mRNA of cytokines in bone marrow and bone biomarkers in response to propranolol in a nutritional growth retardation model

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess mRNA of IL-6, TNFα and IL-10 cytokines in bone marrow, possible mediators involved in altered bone remodeling with detrimental consequences on bone quality in NGR (Nutritional growth retardation) rats.MethodsWeanling male Wistar rats were assigned either to control (C) or experimental group (NGR) (n = 20 each). C and NGR groups were assigned to 2 groups according to receiving saline solution (SS) or propranolol hydrochloride (P): C, C + P (CP), NGR or NGR + P (NGRP). For 4 weeks, NGR and NGRP rats received 80% of the amount of food consumed by C and CP, respectively, the previous day, corrected by body weight. P (7 mg/kg/day) was injected ip 5 days/week, for 4 weeks in CP and NGRP rats. Body weight and length were recorded. After 4 weeks, blood was drawn. Femurs were dissected for RNA isolation from bone marrow and mRNA of cytokines assays.ResultsFood restriction induced a significant negative effect on body growth in NGR and NGRP rats (p < 0.001). P had no effects on zoometric parameters (p > 0.05). CTX-I increased in NGR rats vs. C (p < 0.001), but diminished in NGRP (p < 0.01). Serum osteocalcin, PTH, calcium and phosphate levels remained unchanged between groups (p > 0.05). In NGR, bone marrow IL-6 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA levels were low as compared to other groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, bone marrow TNF-α mRNA levels were significantly high (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study provides evidences that NGR outcomes in a bone marrow proinflammatory microenvironment leading to unbalanced bone remodeling by enhancement of bone resorption reverted by propranolol.