Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplants are routinely used to treat patients with cancers and other disorders of blood and immune systems. Osteoblasts constitute part of the stromal cell support system in marrow for hematopoiesis by participating in the formation of the HSC niche. It is believed that interaction between hematopoietic cells and bone forming osteoblasts regulate each other’s function. It is established that acute blood loss in animal models activates bone formation and niche development because of EPO stimulation. In this experimental study we have examined the co-culture of HSCs derived from cord blood which treated with EPO in vitro, on osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study MSCs isolated from bone marrow and co-cultured with CD 34+ CD38- HSCs isolated from cord blood. These co-cultured cells were treated with different doses of erythropoietin for 14 days, after that RNA were extracted from MSCs and analysed with RT-PCR to evaluate the expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin. Alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase staining were done for osteoblastic differentiation.

Results: Osteopontin and osteocalcin were expressed in MSCs. Cellular staining were positive for osteoblastic differentiation. Differentiated cells expressed osteoblastic markers.

Conclusion: These data suggest that EPO regulates the osteoblastic differentiation from bone marrow MSCs in vitro.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in human societies that dealing with its complications imposes enormous cost to the health system. The previous studies have shown that bone biochemical markers can be used for evaluation of bone metabolism in response to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of increasing 10-week aerobic exercise (AE) on serum osteocalcin, PTH and glycemic and anthropometric indices in postmenopausal women with type II diabetes.

Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 postmenopausal women with type II diabetes (40-60 years) as available subjects were selected and randomly assigned into two exercise (20) and control (20) groups. Exercise protocol was AE and walking activity for 10 weeks (3d/wk, 45 to 60 min/d with 45% to 60% HRRmax intensity). Blood samples were taken before and after exercise to measure serum variables. Data were analyzed by T-test and statistical significance criterion was set as p<0.05.

Results: AE makes a significant increase in osteocalcin levels and a decrease in insulin resistance index, insulin and fasting blood glucose in the experimental group (p<0.05). Changes in other variables such as PTH, HbA1c and anthropometric indices were not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Due to the favorable effects of AE on osteocalcin and glycemic indices, it seems that this training method can be recommended as a non-invasive treatment for maintaining bone density and controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients.