AKT/GSK3β/NFATc1 and ROS signal axes are involved in AZD1390-mediated inhibitory effects on osteoclast and OVX-induced osteoporosis

As a common disease in modern society, osteoporosis is caused by osteoclast hyperactivation, leading to enhanced bone resorption. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) metobolism and nuclear factor-activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) activities are two crucial processes during osteoclastogenesis. AZD1390 (AZD), an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), has been reported for antitumor effects, but little is known about how it plays a function in metabolic bone disease. Here, we found that AZD inhibits the generation, function and ROS-scavenging enzyme activity of mature osteoclast induced by RANKL stimulation, in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic analysis shows that AZD affects osteoclast function and differentiation by inhibiting RANKL-induced NFATc1 signaling pathway and by increasing ROS-scavenging enzymes production in oxidative stress pathways. Preclinical studies have shown that AZD protects against bone loss in an ovariectomy (OVX) mouse model. Finally, our data confirm that AZD may prevent OVX-induced bone loss by abrogating RANKL-induced AKT/GSK3β/NFATc1 signaling pathways, and by promoting the expression of ROS scavenging enzymes in oxidative stress pathways. Collectively, our research shows that AZD has the potential as a new therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.