Potential preventive effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on bone matrix quality in diabetic rats through modulation of the organic matrix

Ugur Dalaman; Ibrahim Cuneyit; Şevval Öztürk; Ege Rıza Karagur; Mert Ocak; Nazmi Yaras; Mustafa Unal; Baris Ozgur Donmez

doi:10.52312/jdrs.2025.2181

Ugur Dalaman¹, Ibrahim Cuneyit², Şevval Öztürk², Ege Rıza Karagur³, Mert Ocak⁴, Nazmi Yaras⁵, Mustafa Unal⁶, Baris Ozgur Donmez⁷

¹Department of Biophysics, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University School of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye
²Department of Anatomy, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Denizli, Türkiye
³Department of Medical Genetics, Pamukkale University, School of Medicine, Denizli, Türkiye
⁴Department of Anatomy, Ankara University, School of Dentistry, Ankara, Türkiye
⁵Department of Biophysics, Akdeniz University, School of Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye
⁶Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
⁷Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, College of Engineering, Indianapolis, United States

Keywords: Angiotensin-(1-7), biomechanics, bone organic matrix, bone quality, diabetes mellitus, raman spectroscopy, renin-angiotensin system.

Abstract

Objectives: This experimental study aims to investigate the effects of angiotensin (1-7) (Ang-[1-7]) on the microstructural, biomechanical, and biophysicochemical properties of bone tissue in diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats, aged three months and weighing between 280 and 330 g, were used in this study. Four groups, each containing 12 rats, were established: Control, diabetes mellitus (DM), DM-Ang-(1-7), and Ang-(1-7). The samples underwent analysis through micro-computed tomography (CT), Raman spectroscopy, and three-point bending biomechanical test.

Results: Diabetes significantly impaired bone quality, with reduced cortical thickness, maximum load, and flexural strength (p<0.05). The Ang-(1-7) treatment improved flexural strength (p<0.05), but did not fully restore mechanical function. Micro-CT showed decreased bone volume and trabecular thickness in both diabetic groups (p<0.05), with no significant recovery by Ang-(1-7). Raman spectroscopy revealed lower mineral-to-matrix ratio and disrupted collagen quality in diabetic bone (p<0.05), while Ang-(1-7) partially restored collagen-related parameters.

Conclusion: These findings highlight that Ang-(1-7) has minimal impact on bone minerals in DM rats. However, it may have a potential preventive effect on the triple-helix structural impairment within the bone organic matrix in this model.

Citation: Dalaman U, Cuneyit I, Öztürk Ş, Karagur ER, Ocak M, Yaras N, et al. Potential preventive effects of angiotensin-(1-7) on bone matrix quality in diabetic rats through modulation of the organic matrix. Jt Dis Relat Surg 2025;36(3):577-588. doi: 10.52312/ jdrs.2025.2181.