β-aminoisobutyric acid accelerates the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells via moderate activation of ROS signaling

BACKGROUD: Osteoporosis is one of the bone-metabolic diseases associated with decreased bone renewal and bone mineral density. β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), a natural thymine catabolite, can reduce inflammation in skeletal muscle and alleviate hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress. However, the roles of BAIBA in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation remain largely unknown. METHODS: ) was detected using a commercial kit. The level of NOX1, NOX2 and NOX4 was determined by Western-blot or qRT-PCR. RESULTS: We show that treatment of BAIBA stimulated the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells and enhanced the gene expression of osteoblast differentiation markers. Incubation of MC3T3-E1 cells with BAIBA evoked increases in NAD(P)H oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). Scavenging of reactive oxygen species (N-acetyl-l-cysteine) or inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase (apocynin) abolished the BAIBA-elicited proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results provide the first evidence that BAIBA stimulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells via activation of NAD(P)H oxidase/ROS signaling.