Effects of C-peptide replacement therapy on bone microarchitecture parameters in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Maurotti, Samantha<sup>1</sup>; Russo, Cristina<sup>2</sup>; Musolino, Vincenzo<sup>3</sup>; Nucera, Saverio<sup>3</sup>; Gliozzi, Micaela<sup>3</sup>; Scicchitano, Miriam<sup>3</sup>; Bosco, Francesca<sup>3</sup>; Morittu, Valeria Maria<sup>4</sup>; Ragusa, Monica<sup>4</sup>; Mazza, Elisa<sup>1</sup>; Pujia, Roberta<sup>1</sup>; Gazzaruso, Carmine<sup>5</sup>; Britti, Domenico<sup>4</sup>; Valenti, Maria Teresa<sup>6</sup>; Deiana, Michela<sup>6,7</sup>; Romeo, Stefano<sup>1,8</sup>; Giannini, Sandro<sup>9</sup>; Carbonare, Luca Dalle<sup>6</sup>; Mollace, Vincenzo<sup>3</sup>; Pujia, Arturo<sup>1</sup>; Montalcini, Tiziana<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

²Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

³IRC-FSH Interregional Center for Food Safety and Health, Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

⁴Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

⁵Diabetes and Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Unit and the Centre for Applied Clinical Research (Ce.R.C.A.) Clinical Institute “Beato Matteo” (Hospital Group San Donato), Vigevano, Italy

⁶Department of Medicine, Specialized Regional Center for Biomolecular and Histomorphometric Research On Degenerative and Skelatal Diseases, Verona, Italy

⁷Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

⁸Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cardiovascolar and Metabolic Research, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden

⁹Department of Medicine, University of Padova and Regional Center for Osteoporosis, Padova, Italy

Abstract and keywords

C-peptide therapy protects against diabetic micro- and macrovascular damages and neuropatic complications. However, to date, the role of C-peptide in preventing diabetes-related bone loss has not been investigated. Our aim was to evaluate if C-peptide infusion improves bone quality in diabetic rats. Twenty-three male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group; sham diabetic control group; diabetic plus C-peptide group. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection and C-peptide was delivered subcutaneously for 6 weeks. We performed micro-CT and histological testing to assess several trabecular microarchitectural parameters. At the end, diabetic plus C-peptide rats had a higher serum C-peptide (p = 0.02) and calcium (p = 0.04) levels and tibia weight (p = 0.02) than the diabetic control group. The diabetic plus C-peptide group showed a higher trabecular thickness and cross-sectional thickness than the diabetic control group (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03). Both the normal control and diabetic plus C-peptide groups had more Runx-2 and PLIN1 positive cells in comparison with the diabetic control group (p = 0.045 and p = 0.034). Diabetic rats receiving C-peptide had higher quality of trabecular bone than diabetic rats not receiving this treatment. If confirmed, C-peptide could have a role in improving bone quality in diabetes.

Keywords: c-peptide; Bone microarchitectural parameters; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Osteoporosis; Diabetic rat model

Links

DOI: 10.1007/s00223-020-00716-0

PubMed: 32607636

WoS: 000544535700001

History

Received: 2020-05-18

Accepted: 2020-06-18

Online: 2020-06-30

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