Porcine placenta hydrolysates regulate calcium disturbance in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

BACKGROUND: In bone metabolism, Ca(2+) disturbance and oxidative damage are the main biochemical factors related to pathology. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that also control bone endocrinology. Endocrine hormones and proteins are matured, folded, and secreted in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER stress has emerged as a new pathological mechanism to explain bone disturbance. Here we studied the role of porcine placenta hydrolysates (PPHs) in the regulation of ER stress. METHODS: Cell viability was determined in vitro using trypan blue dye exclusion. ER stress and apoptosis were evaluated using immunoblotting and a caspase kit. The fluorescent Ca(2+)-binding dye Fura-2/AM was used to measure changes in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)). ROS levels, NADPH oxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also measured. RESULTS: PPHs protected MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells against thapsigargin (Tg)-induced ER stress. Moreover, PPHs regulated caspase-12 and −3 activities, thereby protecting against cell death, and also regulated Tg-induced Ca(2+) release. The Ca(2+) chelator BAPT/AM also regulated caspase-12 and −3 activities and prevented Ca(2) stress-induced cell death. In the presence of PPHs or BAPTA/AM, Ca(2+)-related ROS were also regulated, as demonstrated by alterations in NADPH oxidase and SOD activity. CONCLUSIONS: PPHs appear to regulate bone metabolism disturbance by controlling Ca(2+) concentrations, and thus ER stress and ROS, in osteoblasts cultured in vitro. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1202-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.