Osteogenic effect of alogliptin in chemical-induced bone loss: a tri-modal in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analysis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Alogliptin in chemical-induced post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Methodology: The binding affinity of alogliptin with osteogenic proteins was analysed in silico. The effect of alogliptin on osteogenic proteins and mineralization of osteoblastic cells was evaluated in UMR-106 cells. Further, in vivo anti-osteoporotic activity of alogliptin was evaluated in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Various bone turnover markers were assayed in serum. This followed the analysis of microarchitecture of bone, histology, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of bone tissue.

Results: Docking scores showed that alogliptin has binding affinity for bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin, and bone morphogenic protein (BMP-2). Alogliptin also enhanced mineralization of osteoblast cells, evidenced with increased ALP, osteocalcin, and BMP-2. Animal studies revealed significant elevation of bone formation markers, bone ALP, osteocalcin and BMP-2, and decreased bone resorption markers, receptor activator of NF-κβ (RANKL), cathepsin K (CTSK), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP5b) in VCD-induced post-menopausal osteoporosis. Micro computed tomography (μCT) analysis and histology of femur bone and lumbar vertebrae demonstrated decrease in trabecular separation and improved bone density. IHC of femur showed reduced DPP4 enzyme.

Conclusions: Alogliptin increased mineralization in osteoblast cells. It had beneficial effects also altered bone turnover markers, repaired the trabecular microstructure, improved bone mineral density, and exhibited bone forming capacity targeting DPP-4 enzyme in postmenopausal osteoporosis.