Odd chain fatty acids suppress RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation via Keap1/Nrf2 pathway

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11635
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Aichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Tomono Susumu 愛知医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60554011)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 奇数鎖脂肪酸 / 機能性脂質 / 破骨細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recently, some large-scale epidemiological studies reported an inverse association between chronic inflammatory diseases risk and odd-chain saturated fatty acids (OCFAs). However, the molecular mechanism by which OCFAs suppress inflammation remains unclear. In this study, we found that the addition of heptadecanoic acid and pentadecanoic acid inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived cells and RAW264.7. Furthermore, the inhibitory mechanism of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation was suggested to be due to activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

骨粗鬆症はQOL（quality of life：生活の質）を低下させるだけではなく、高齢者の生命にも関わる重大な疾患である。また、我が国の医療費は2018年度には42.5兆円と国家予算の約半分となり、国民の生活を圧迫する大きな要因ともなっており、骨粗鬆症予防が喫緊の課題となっている。奇数鎖脂肪酸（C15:0, C17:0）の破骨細胞分化抑制効果と骨の代謝メカニズムとの関連性を明らかとすることは、生体内に存在する脂質バランスと骨粗鬆症発症機序との関連性の解明や脂質に着目した食と栄養学的な骨粗鬆症発症予防に有用な知見となると考えられる。