Baa. Scheven et Js. Milne, DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA) AND DHEA-S INTERACT WITH 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D-3 (1,25(OH)(2)D-3) TO STIMULATE HUMAN OSTEOBLASTIC CELL-DIFFERENTIATION, Life sciences, 62(1), 1997, pp. 59-68
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Biology,"Medicine, Research & Experimental","Pharmacology & Pharmacy
DHEA, an adrenocortical steroid, and its sulfate derivative (DHEA-S),
have been implicated in many biological functions, including the regul
ation of bone mass. In this study, we examined whether DHEA/DHEA-S are
capable of directly affecting bone cell proliferation and differentia
tion, and compared this with the effects of, and interaction with, the
established bone cell modulating steroid, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (
1,25(OH)(2)D-3). Two in vitro models of human osteoblastic cells were
used, viz. MG63 osteosarcoma cell line and normal primary osteoblastli
ke cells (HOB). Our results show that DHEA and DHEA-S failed on their
own to exert direct, independent significant effects on the growth and
differentiation of human osteoblastic cells, but treating the cells i
n conjunction with 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 resulted in enhancement of specific
ALP activity. Moreover, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3-induced osteocalcin production
was potentiated by the adrenal steroids in both cell models, DHEA-S pr
oved in general to be more potent than DHEA. In conclusion, this study
shows that the effects of DHEA/DHEA-S on osteoblastic cell growth and
differentiation are likely to be mediated via an effect on 1,25(OH)(2
)D-3-induced changes in bone cells, suggesting a distinctive role for
these steroids in the regulation of bone metabolism.