[The effects of leptin on proliferation and function of human osteoblast].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of leptin on osteoblast. METHODS: Human osteoblast primary culture was carried out, and the morphology and function of osteoblast were observed. The effects of different levels of leptin on osteoblast in different days were assessed by MTT colorimetry. Osteocalcin production was measured also. RESULTS: Human osteoblasts were fusiform in shape and were positive for alkaline phosphatase by histochemical staining, positive for osteocalcin by immunofluorescence staining, and positive by Alizarin Reds staining after mineralized upon supplementation with ascorbate and beta-glycerophosphate. On the first, second and third days, the proliferation of osteoblast, cultured with different concentrations of leptin, had no changes. The leptin-stimulated synthesis of osteocalcin of cells was found to be dose-dependent (P < 0.05), but not time-dependent (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The above data indicated that there were no evidences for the effects of leptin on the proliferation of human osteoblast, but leptin could enhance the function of human osteoblast.