Hydrolyzed collagen promotes osteoblastogenesis and preserves bone mass in variectomized mice

National audienceCollagen I is the main component of organic bone matrix. Its correct synthesis, folding and degradation are crucial for bone homeostasis. According to this pivotal role in bone structure, we investigated the potential health benefits of hydrolyzed collagen (HC) from different origin on bone using translational approaches. Regarding the influence of HC on bone forming cells in vitro, we first insured the absence of cytotoxicity of HC addition in culture media. Consistently, as compared to BSA control conditions, HC even promoted pre- osteoblast proliferation independently of collagen origin. Then, cells were tested for differentiation parameters in the presence of HC. Only HC from bovin origin exhibited significant higher alkaline phosphase activity after 7 days of incubation when compared to its BSA control condition. This observation was supported by mineralization assays demonstrating that bovin HC enhanced Ca/P nodule formation in MC3T3- E1 cultures. To confirm these encouraging results, C3H/HeN mice were ovariectomized (OVX) to induce bone loss and were given, in parallel, HC enriched diets to determine whether HC intake may contribute to bone health by preventing decrease in bone mineral density upon OVX. Diets were designed to contain 15% casein, 17.5% casein or 15% casein plus 2.5% HC from porcin, fish or bovin origin. As expected, OVX induced a dramatic loss of bone mineral density. However, although modest, HC from both bovin and fish origin exhibited a significant higher BMD than OVX control mice suggesting a nutritional protective role for HC and further supporting its potential benefits on bone health