Green tea polyphenols improve bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet-induced obese female rats through suppressing bone formation and erosion

This study evaluates the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) on bone microarchitecture in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese female rats. Thirty-six 3-month-old female rats were fed either a control diet or a HFD for 4 months. Animals in the control group continued on the control diet for another 4 months. Animals in the HFD group were divided into two groups, with 0.5 g/100 mL GTP (the HFD+GTP group) or without GTP (the HFD group) in drinking water, in addition to the HFD for another 4 months. Compared to the control group, the HFD group increased bone formation and erosion rates at the tibia, decreased trabecular volume and thickness, but had no impact on bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular number (Tb.N), and separation. Compared to the control group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates a greater Tb.N at the proximal tibia, and a greater trabecular thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, but a smaller trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and mineralizing surface at the proximal tibia, and a reduced endocortical mineral apposition rate (MAR) at the tibia shaft. Relative to the HFD group, the HFD+GTP group demonstrates (1) a higher BMD at the femur, a greater trabecular volume, thickness, and number at the proximal tibia, a larger cortical area and thickness at the tibial shaft, and a greater trabecular volume and thickness at the femur and the lumbar vertebrae, (2) a smaller Tb.Sp, MAR, bone formation rate, and eroded surface at the tibia. We concluded that GTP supplementation in drinking water improves bone microarchitecture in the HFD-induced obese female rats, possibly through suppressing bone turnover, resulting in a larger net bone volume.