Biopolym. Cell. 2026; 42(Special Issue):111.
Other Translational Studies
Beyond antiresorption: calixarenemethylene- bisphosphonic acids modulate bone turnover in ovariectomized rats
1Labudzynkyi D. O., 1Siromolot A. A., 1Bilous V. L., 1Pasichna E. P., 2Selikhova A. I., 2Cherenok S. O., 1Veliky M. M.
  1. Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, NAS of Ukraine
    9, Leontovicha str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 01054
  2. Institute of Organic Chemistry, NAS of Ukraine
    5, Akademika Kuharya Str., 5, Kyiv, Ukraine, 02094

Abstract

Background/Aim. Antiresorptive therapy limits osteoclast-driven bone loss, but excessive suppression of turnover remains a concern. Calixarene-methylene-bisphosphonic acids (CMBAs) are supramolecular bisphosphonate-like compounds with potential osteoregulatory properties. This study evaluated C145 and C1249 in estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporosis. Methods. Osteoporosis was induced by bilateral ovariectomy in female Wistar rats. After 12 weeks, animals received vitamin D3, zoledronic acid, or C145/C1249 with vitamin D3 for 12 weeks. Zoledronic acid, C145 and C1249 were administered orally at 40 μg/kg every 2 weeks. Serum deoxypyridinoline, CTX-1 and P1NP were assessed as bone-turnover markers. TRAP, cathepsin K, osteocalcin and β-catenin were analyzed in bone by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time served as hemostatic safety endpoints. Results. Ovariectomy induced high-turnover bone loss with enhanced resorption and increased formation. P1NP increased by ~70% versus intact animals, whereas β-catenin mRNA decreased by 42%. Zoledronic acid produced the strongest antiresorptive effect and reduced P1NP by ~45% versus ovariectomized controls. C145 decreased CTX-1 by ~25%, while C145 and C1249 reduced P1NP by 20—30% but maintained it above intact values, indicating attenuation of excessive turnover without comparable suppression of formation. C1249 and C145 increased total β-catenin protein by ~15% and ~25%, respectively. These protein changes did not fully parallel mRNA responses, suggesting regulation beyond transcription; however, without assessment of β-catenin activation status or canonical Wnt target genes, they can`t be interpreted as evidence of Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. TRAP and cathepsin K changes were consistent with a less resorptive phenotype. Hemostatic parameters remained unchanged. Conclusions. C145 showed the most favorable profile, attenuating bone resorption while preserving residual bone-forming activity. Its effects were accompanied by partial restoration of β-catenin protein abundance, although activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling cannot be concluded. These findings support further evaluation of calixarene-based bisphosphonate analogues as modulators of pathological bone turnover. Grants/Funding. Funded by NAS of Ukraine grants to young scientists’ research groups, 2024—2025, project No. 0124U002507.
Keywords: osteoporosis, ovariectomy, bone turnover, calixarene-methylene-bisphosphonic acids, C145, C1249, CTX‑1, P1NP, β-catenin