Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42171674›Full record

ArticleJournal of endocrinological investigation2026

Icariin prevents ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by modulating marrow fatty acid metabolism.

Peng Luo, Mengyao Guo, Lei Jiang, Zeyang Miao, Hong Chen, Li Lu, Xiaoyong Zuo, Hua Nian, Guanwu Li

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Article in Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Peng Luo *Department of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Mengyao Guo *Department of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Lei JiangDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Zeyang MiaoDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Hong ChenDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Li LuDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Xiaoyong ZuoDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Hua NianDepartment of Pharmacy, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Guanwu LiDepartment of Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. guanwu.li@shutcm.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0840-9022

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82474604
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo investigate icariin's regulation of marrow fatty acid metabolism and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) indices in preventing ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis.

methodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham surgery or ovariectomy and were treated with either icariin (125 mg/kg/day) or vehicle via oral gavage for 12 weeks, 6 days per week. Bone marrow was collected from tibias for fatty acid profiling via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Tibial trabecular microstructure was assessed by micro-CT.

resultsOvariectomy significantly altered marrow fatty acid composition, marked by increased palmitic acid (C16:00) and palmitoleic acid (C16:1 n-7), decreased stearic acid (C18:00) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6), and elevated SCD indices. These changes were associated with deteriorated bone microarchitecture and impaired bone turnover. Icariin treatment effectively normalized marrow fatty acid levels, suppressed SCD indices, and consequently attenuated bone loss by improving bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and thickness, while reducing trabecular separation. Additionally, icariin restored the balance of bone turnover markers, increasing BALP and decreasing TRACP-5b. Significant correlations were identified between specific fatty acids and both bone structural parameters and remodeling markers.

conclusionsIcariin attenuates osteoporotic bone loss by preventing ovariectomy-induced disturbances in marrow fatty acid metabolism, particularly through the suppression of SCD indices and normalization of C16:00, C16:1 n-7, and C18:00 levels. This study highlights the critical role of lipid homeostasis in bone integrity and identifies icariin as a promising lipid-modulating candidate for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Indexed as

Bone MarrowFatty AcidsFlavonoidsLipid MetabolismOsteoporosisOvariectomyAnimalsFemaleRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyFatty AcidsFlavonoidsicariinFatty acidsMarrow adipose tissueOsteoporosisStearoyl-CoA desaturaseTrabecular microarchitecture

Identifiers

PMID42171674

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