Electroacupuncture ameliorates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by modulating ferroptosis via the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.

Chuchu Zhang, Gang Ouyang

Acupunct Med

Jul 5, 2026

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This aim of the study was to investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) can mitigate osteoporosis (OP) in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced rat model by affecting the ferroptosis-related pathway. METHODS: Thirty-two 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: CONTROL, SHAM, OVX and EA. We examined the effects of OVX and EA on markers of bone resorption and formation, iron content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the expression of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In addition, femoral morphology and immunofluorescence were analysed. RESULTS: The OVX group exhibited a significant increase in bone resorption markers, iron and MDA levels, with a notable decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, FTH1, SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression, and impaired trabecular architecture. EA significantly reduced bone resorption markers, iron and MDA content while substantially elevating ALP levels and FTH1, SLC7A11 and GPX4 expression. At the same time, EA improved trabecular architecture. CONCLUSION: EA ameliorated OVX-induced OP by decreasing iron accumulation and activating the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.