Effects of alendronate sodium on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells

Aim: To study the effects of alendronate sodium on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs). Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and Oil Red assay were used to investigate the effects of alendronate sodium on the growth, ostogenesis and adipogenesis of MSCs, respectively. Results: Alendronate sodium promoted the proliferation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells, inhibited osteogenic differentiation and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs at concentrations of 1 × 10^-10, 1 × 10^-9, 1 × 10^-8, 1 × 10^-7, 1 × 10^-6 and 1 × 10 ^-5 mol. L^-1, respectively (P <0.05). Conclusion: Alendronate sodium may have preventive and therapectic effects on osteoporosis by inhibiting adipogenesis of MSCs, thorough reducing cytokines secretion by adipocytes to inhibit formation, activation and bone resorption of osteoclasts.