Astragalus Polysaccharides Alleviate Lung Adenocarcinoma Bone Metastases by Inhibiting the CaSR/PTHrP Signaling Pathway

Figure 5

APS inhibited bone metastasis and osteolysis of lung cancer in vivo. (a–d) A549 cells in 10 μL of PBS were injected into the right lumen bone platform of BALB/c-Nu/Nu mice. APS (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L) was daily intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks (n = 10 per group; 100 μL injection). Mice were imaged weekly to track tumor progression and the mice were sacrificed at 4 weeks and followed by microCT for the development of the osteolytic lesion area. APS inhibited bone tissue destruction and increased BV/TV and Tb.N, and reduced Tb.SP. This inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent, and the 200 mg/L of APS had a strong inhibitory effect on bone cortical destruction. (e) Representative H&E staining of the hindlimbs is presented. The red arrowheads denote A549 cell infiltration and bone metastasis (f, g). The TUNEL assay was used to detect the effect of APS treatment on A549 cell apoptosis in bone. The TUNEL assay showed that APS treatment promoted apoptosis which was concentration-dependent. (n = 10 per group, , , , , statistical test method was one-way ANOVA).

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