Research article

Direct effects of caffeine on osteoblastic cells metabolism: the possible causal effect of caffeine on the formation of osteoporosis

Yang-Hwei Tsuang¹ , Jui-Sheng Sun^1,2 , Li-Ting Chen³ , Samuel Chung-Kai Sun⁴ and San-Chi Chen⁵

¹  Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

²  Institute of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

³  HealthBanks Biotechnology Cooperation Limited, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

⁴  Department of Biochemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

⁵  Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2006, 1:7doi:10.1186/1749-799X-1-7

Published:	7 October 2006

Abstract

Background

Caffeine consumption has been reported to decrease bone mineral density (BMD), increase the risk of hip fracture, and negatively influence calcium retention. In this study, we investigated the influence of caffeine on the osteoblasts behaviour.

Method

Osteoblasts derived from newborn Wistar-rat calvaria was used in this study. The effects of various concentrations of caffeine on bone cell activities were evaluated by using MTT assay. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, von Kossa staining and biochemical parameters including ALP, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and total protein were performed at day 1, 3, and 7. DNA degradation analysis under the caffeine influence was also performed.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the viability of the osteoblasts, the formation of ALP positive staining colonies and mineralization nodules formation in the osteoblasts cultures decreased significantly in the presence of 10 mM caffeine. The intracellular LDH, ALP and PGE₂ content decreased significantly, the LDH and PGE₂ secreted into the medium increased significantly. The activation of an irreversible commitment to cell death by caffeine was clearly demonstrated by DNA ladder staining.

Conclusion

In summary, our results suggest that caffeine has potential deleterious effect on the osteoblasts viability, which may enhance the rate of osteoblasts apoptosis.