Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by arachidonic acid, oestrogen and parathyroid hormone in MG-63 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well as oestrogen (E2) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) affect bone cells. The aim of the study was to determine whether arachidonic acid (AA), E2, and PTH increase prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis in MG-63 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and the level of mediation by COX-1 and COX-2. PGE(2) levels were determined in the conditioned culture media of MG-63 and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts after exposure to AA, PTH and E2. Cells were pre-incubated in some experiments with the unselective COX inhibitor indomethacin or the COX-2 specific blocker NS-398. Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on MG-63 cells to detect the presence and location of the two enzymes involved. AA increased PGE(2) secretion in both cell lines; production by MC3T3-E1 cells, however, was significantly higher than that of MG-63 cells. This could be due to autoamplification via the EP(1) subtype of PGE receptors in mouse MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Both COX-1 and COX-2 affected the regulation of PGE(2) synthesis in MG-63 cells. E2 had no effect on PGE(2) secretion in both cell lines, while PTH caused a slight increase in PGE(2) synthesis in the MG-63 cell line.