Cellular and molecular events associated with the bone-protecting activity of the noncalcemic vitamin D analog ro-26-9228 in osteopenic rats

We have examined several analogs of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 [1,25-(OH)(2)D-3] in an animal model of osteoporosis (ovariectomized rats) to identify a compound with a greater therapeutic range than 1,25-(OH)(2)D-3 for treatment of this bone disease. Here, we report that one analog, Ro-26-9228, had a bone-protecting effect but did not induce hypercalcemia at a wide concentration range. Analysis of biochemical markers and the bone histomorphometry of analog-treated rats suggested that Ro-26-9228 acted by inhibiting bone resorption and increasing the number of differentiated osteoblasts. To determine the basis for the segregation between hypercalcemia and bone-protecting action, we examined gene expression in tissues that regulate calcium homeostasis. We found that 1,25-(OH)(2)D-3 induced 24-hydroxylase mRNA expression in the duodena of ovariectomized rats, but Ro-26-9228 did not. Furthermore, in the duodena of intact animals, 1,25-(OH)(2)D-3 induced a significant increase in calbindin D 9K and plasma membrane calcium pump 1 mRNAs, but Ro-26-9228 had no effect on these mRNAs. On the other hand, the osteoblast-specific gene products osteocalcin and osteopontin were significantly up-regulated in trabecular bone by both the natural hormone and Ro-26-9228. Further investigation of gene-regulatory events in trabecular bone revealed that both 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 and Ro-26-9228 up-regulated TGF beta1 and O-2 mRNAs. We concluded that the unique properties of Ro-26-9228 include preferential gene regulation in osteoblasts over duodenum and effective induction of growth factors in bone.