The effect of alendronate on the expression of important cell factors in osteoclasts

This study investigated the effects of alendronate (ALN) on critical cell factors in osteoclasts. RAW 264.7 cells were induced by sRANKL to change to mature osteoclasts. On the sixth day of incubation, the osteoclasts were treated with ALN at various concentrations and for different incubation times. The concentration groups included 10(-5) M, 10(-6) M and 10(-7) M ALN, respectively. The cells were incubated for 0 (control group), 2, 4, 6 and 8 h for each dose group. The mRNA and protein expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase II, osteoclast-associated receptor and FAS/FASL genes in osteoclasts was analyzed. A concentration-and time-dependent decrease in the mRNA and protein expression levels of the five genes was observed, and no significant difference between the two control groups was observed (P>0.05). Notably, significant differences between any two experimental groups were observed (P<0.05). Thus, ALN significantly decreased the expression of critical factors involved in osteoclast function.