Work

BSJPHXF modulates the FGF23-Klotho bone-kidney axis and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in ovariectomized rats with postmenopausal osteoporosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of the Kidney-Tonifying, Spleen-Strengthening and Blood-Activating Formula (BSJPHXF, also known as Gukang Formula) on the FGF23-Klotho bone-kidney axis and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in a rat model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods Forty SPF female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, ovariectomized (OVX; model), BSJPHXF and Liuwei Dihuang Wan (LWDHW; positive control) groups (n=10 per group) and treated by gavage for 4 weeks after a 12-week recovery period. Serum calcium and phosphorus were measured by automated biochemical analysis; serum FGF23, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1, 25-(OH) 2 D 3 ] by ELISA; renal Klotho, NaPi-IIa and 1α-hydroxylase (Cyp27b1) by Western blot; bone microstructure by Micro-CT; and renal histopathology by HE staining. Serum biochemistry and ELISA were performed in nine animals per group, and Western blot, Micro-CT and histology in three animals per group; the animal was the experimental unit. Results Compared with sham, OVX rats had lower serum calcium (1.997 ± 0.109 vs. 2.547 ± 0.189 mmol/L) and 1, 25-(OH) 2 D 3 (102.21 ± 2.87 vs. 201.74 ± 5.85 pg/mL) and higher serum phosphorus (2.019 ± 0.099 vs. 1.355 ± 0.027 mmol/L), FGF23 (366.82 ± 28.36 vs. 159.52 ± 20.39 pg/mL) and PTH (141.63 ± 15.29 vs. 33.91 ± 7.59 pg/mL) (all P<0.001). BSJPHXF attenuated these changes relative to OVX (P<0.001). BSJPHXF and LWDHW did not differ for calcium, FGF23 or PTH, whereas LWDHW produced a greater reduction in serum phosphorus (1.463 ± 0.062 vs. 1.587 ± 0.048 mmol/L, P = 0.0015) and a greater increase in 1, 25-(OH) 2 D 3 (174.66 ± 7.00 vs. 156.54 ± 13.09 pg/mL, P = 0.0002). On Micro-CT, BSJPHXF, but not LWDHW, improved trabecular bone volume fraction, separation and number versus OVX, and BSJPHXF was superior to LWDHW for all three; trabecular thickness did not differ among groups. Conclusion In OVX rats, BSJPHXF attenuated calcium-phosphorus disturbance, with accompanying changes in renal Klotho, NaPi-IIa and Cyp27b1 and in circulating FGF23, PTH and 1, 25-(OH) 2 D 3 , and improved trabecular microarchitecture. As the mechanistically most important endpoints rested on three animals per group and functional renal parameters were not measured, these findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating.

Source: Frontiers in Endocrinology

DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2026.1943198