Simultaneous Administration of Fluoride and Selenite Regulates Proliferation and Apoptosis in Murine Osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 Cells by Altering Osteoprotegerin

The receptor activator nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), are important for maintaining the balance between bone formation and resorption. However, the regulation of microelements on these factors remains unclear. In this study, we used murine osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells to examine the impact of sodium fluoride (NaF) and/or sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on the OPG/RANKL system. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with OPG or RANKL siRNA (or left untreated), and subsequently divided into a control group and five experimental groups, which were exposed to different concentrations of NaF and/or Na2SeO3, and subsequently analysed at 24 h. In particular, we examined cell viability, OPG and RANKL mRNA and protein expression, caspase-3 activity, and the cell cycle of the various cell groups. In summary, our findings suggest that the administration of NaF and/or Na2SeO3 affects the expression of OPG in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, thereby contributing to the proliferation and apoptosis induced by the OPG.