20.500.12556/RUL-182295 The early effect of alendronate, hop extract and their combination on bone structural properties in a rat model of osteoporosis Background/Objectives: New approaches using plant-based extracts are increasingly investigated for osteoporosis treatment, including hop extract, which contains potent compounds that favorably affect bone quality. The objective of this research was to evaluate the early effect of alendronate, standardized hop extract and their combination on bone tissue quality, hematological and biochemical parameters, and markers of bone turnover in a rat model of osteoporosis. Methods: The study was performed on 6 month-old female Wistar rats. A sham operation was performed on 10 animals, and bilateral ovariectomy on 60 animals. Ovariectomized animals were divided into six groups, one untreated, and the others treated with a low dose of alendronate, high dose of alendronate, hop extract, or a combination of low/high dose of alendronate and hop extract. Bone quality was assessed using micro-CT imaging. Hematology and serum biochemistry were analyzed using standardized kits, and bone turnover markers were measured using Western blot. Results: Treatment with high-dose alendronate, hop extract, and a combination of low-dose alendronate and hop extract significantly improved bone quality in ovariectomized animals, but high-dose alendronate combined with hop extract had no favorable effect. Hematological and biochemical parameters were mostly unaffected and remained within the normal range. Changes in markers of bone turnover were modest. Conclusions: For the first time, combining alendronate with hop extract was analyzed. Short-term treatment with low-dose alendronate and hop extract produced effects comparable to high-dose alendronate or hop extract alone, without clinically relevant alterations in hematological or biochemical parameters. Standardized hop extract may represent a valuable adjunct in osteoporosis therapy. alendronate bones hop extract micro-CT osteoporosis rats alendronat ekstrat hmelja mikro-CT true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-05-06 14:07:28 2026-05-06 14:07:37 2026-05-07 04:53:20 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 27 str. issue 2, art. 239 Vol. 14 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 616.71-007.234 2076-3271 10.3390/medsci14020239 277184515 RAZ_Rodak_Edi_2026.pdf RAZ_Rodak_Edi_2026.pdf 1 B33C89116FBB1AB831642536E5FBF9F9 8c4a76a6ceda0a07965491bd3b3954de4755ed41e2e6cbf6cc6240291b5b6f39 e1f04b44-4944-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=233432 https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/14/2/239 1 e2c24eb6-4943-11f1-b0ab-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=233431 Biotehniška fakulteta 0 0 0