Quercetin Attenuates Osteoporosis in Orchiectomy Mice by Regulating Glucose and Lipid Metabolism via the GPRC6A/AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Quercetin, a flavonoid found in natural medicines, has shown a role in disease prevention and health promotion. Moreover, because of its recently identified contribution in regulating bone homeostasis, quercetin may be considered a promising agent for improving bone health. This study aimed to elucidate the role of quercetin in androgen deprivation therapy-induced osteoporosis in mice. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to orchiectomy, followed by quercetin treatment (75 and 150 mg/kg/d) for 8 weeks. Bone microstructure was then assessed by micro-computed tomography, and a three-point bending test was used to evaluate the biomechanical parameters. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine the shape of the distal femur, gastrocnemius muscle, and liver. The balance motion ability in mice was evaluated by gait analysis, and changes in the gastrocnemius muscle were observed via Oil red O and Masson’s staining. ELISA and biochemical analyses were used to assess markers of the bone, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Western blotting analyses of glucose and lipid metabolism-related protein expression was performed, and expression of the GPCR6A/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins was also assessed. After 8 weeks of quercetin intervention, quercetin-treated mice showed increased bone mass, bone strength, and improved bone microstructure. Additionally, gait analysis, including stride length and frequency, were significantly increased, whereas a reduction of the stride length and gait symmetry was observed. H&E staining of the gastrocnemius muscle showed that the cross-sectional area of the myofibers had increased significantly, suggesting that quercetin improves balance, motion ability, and muscle mass. Bone metabolism improvement was defined by a reduction of serum levels of insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, whereas levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and high-density lipoprotein were increased after quercetin treatment. Expression of proteins involved in glucose uptake was increased, whereas that of proteins involved in lipid production was decreased. Moreover, the GPRC6A and the phospho-AMPK/AMPK expression ratio was elevated in the liver and tibia tissues. In contrast, the phospho-mTOR/mTOR ratio was reduced in the quercetin group. Our findings indicate that quercetin can reduce the osteoporosis induced by testosterone deficiency, and its beneficial effects might be associated with the regulation of glucose metabolism and inhibition of lipid metabolism via the GPCR6A/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.