Preventive and therapeutic effects of antler collagen on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

The present study was aimed at evaluating the preventive and therapeutic effects of collagen extracted from Sika deer velvet on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Histomorphometric indices, serum biochemical parameters and biomechanical properties were measured in ovariectomized rats treated with/without antler collagen and in sham-operated rats. Compared with the ovariectomized group, significant elevation in the levels of bone mineral density (BMD), nitrogen monoxide (NO), NO synthase, bone-Ca, bone-P, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), trabecular bone volume (TBV), number of trabecular (N), mean trabecular plate thickness (MTPT), and biomechanical properties, while reduction in the level of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and mean trabecular plate separation (MTPS) were observed in antler collagen-treated groups. The extracted collagen was found  to play a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Key words : Antler, collagen, osteoporosis, preventive, therapeutic