To study the influence of eferoxamine (DFO) intervention on osteoblast defferentiation under iron overload environment [using ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) to offer iron overload environment].

The FAC and DFO intervention dosage was determined by method of cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Experiment was divided into three groups: control group, 50 μmol/L FAC intervention group, and FAC + DFO group (50 μmol/L FAC intervention + 20 μmol/L DFO). After intervention, alkaline phosphatase staining and quantitation, alizarin red staining and calcium nodule count were carried out. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detecting system (QPCR) was used to detect the osteogenesis related gene [runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), special protein 7 (Sp7), bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (Bglap), osteoprotegerin (OPG)] mRNA expression level.

CCK-8 showed 50 μmol/L FAC [(95.6±0.7)%], or 20 μmol/L DFO [(97.6±0.5)%] did not influence the cell viability, with the difference being not statistical differences among groups (P=0.427). As compared with control group, the expression of osteogenesis related genes (Runx2, Sp7, Bglap and OPG) was significantly decreased in the FAC group. As compared with the FAC group, the expression of osteogenesis related genes was significantly increased in the FAC + DFO group (P=0.026). As compared with the control group, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and quantitation, alizarin red staining and nodule count were decreased in the FAC group. As compared with the FAC group (36±3), the nodule count in the FAC + DFO group (120±6) was increased significantly (P=0.017).

Osteoblast differentiation is restrained under the iron overload environment. DFO intervention can restore osteoblast differentiation to a certain extent under the iron overload environment.

Deferoxamine; Osteoblast; Iron overload environment; Osteoporosis