Although several animal and cell studies have indicated that blackcurrant anthocyanins exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which could potentially improve bone mass, the effect of blackcurrant on bone health has not been reported yet. Thus, this study was aimed to evaluate the effect of blackcurrant anthocyanins on bone mass in an estrogen deficiency mouse model. Fourteen-week-old C57BL/6J mice (n = 54) were ovariectomized or sham operated. The ovariectomized mice were divided into two groups, basal diet (OVX) or basal diet containing 1% anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract (OVX+BC), and sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone volume by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography, respectively, and serum bone markers were measured. Ovariectomy significantly reduced BMD and trabecular bone volume at all time points (P < .05). Blackcurrant supplementation attenuated ovariectomy-induced bone loss measured by BMD and trabecular bone volume at 8 weeks (P = .055 and P = .057) and the effect was more pronounced at 12 weeks (P = .053 and P < .05). Ovariectomy and blackcurrant treatment did not alter serum biomarkers of bone formation and resorption. Bone marrow cells extracted from OVX mice significantly induced osteoclast-like (OCL) cell formation compared with cells from sham controls (P < .05). Blackcurrant treatment decreased the number of TRAP(+) OCL compared with OVX mice at 8 and 12 weeks (P < .05). Furthermore, blackcurrant supplementation reduced bone resorption activity when measured by resorption pit assay, compared with OVX group (P < .05). These results demonstrate that blackcurrant may be effective in mitigating osteoclast-induced postmenopausal bone loss.

Bone remodeling is orchestrated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts in response to changes in redox status, inflammatory cytokines, and hormones. Several animal and cell studies indicate that black currant (BC) exerts antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties, which could potentially improve bone mass. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of BC on bone mass and structure in a mouse model of ovarian hormone deficiency. 14‐wk old C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham operated. The OVX mice were divided into two groups; OVX fed a basal diet (control) and OVX fed the same diet but with 1% BC extract (provided by the Just The Berries LTD), and sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 wk. Femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone volume (TBV) by DXA and micro‐CT and serum bone markers were determined. OVX significantly reduced BMD and TBV (p<0.05) at all time points. At 8 and 12 wk, BC supplementation attenuated OVX‐induced BMD and TBV. OVX and BC treatment did not alter serum biomarkers of bone formation and resorption. Additionally, we tested if BC supplementation affects osteoclast like cell (OCL) formation in bone marrow (BM) cell cultures. BM cells from OVX significantly induced OCL formation compared to cells from sham controls (P<0.05). BC treatment decreased the number of TRAP(+) OCL compared with OVX at 8 and 12 wk (P<0.05). Furthermore, BC supplementation reduced bone resorption activity when measured by resorption pit assay, compared with OVX group (P<0.05). These results show that BC is effective in mitigating osteoclast‐induced bone loss accelerated by ovariectomy. Grant Funding Source: this study was supported by the University of Connecticut USDA Hatch Grant.