Preventive Nutrition and Food Science最新文献

{"title":"Antioxidant Activity of Heated Radish (<i>Raphanus sativus</i> L.) and Tyrosinase Inhibition.","authors":"Yeon Jae Jo, Yun Jo Jung, Dan Hee Yoo, In Chul Lee, Bang Yeon Hwang, Junsoo Lee, Heon Sang Jeong","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.098","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibitory effects of heated radish (<i>Raphanus sativus</i> L.). The ethyl acetate fraction of the heated extracts markedly increased total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. It also strongly suppressed tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis, without exerting toxicity in B16F10 melanoma cells. It effectively suppressed the levels of key melanogenesis-related proteins, including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (52.59%), tyrosinase (38.32%), tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 (45.93%), and TRP-2 (50.26%). A series of chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses identified 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one as the major bioactive compound. It was characterized as a Maillard reaction product of the interactions between sugars and amino acids during heating, notably inhibiting tyrosinase. These results indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction of heated radishes holds potential as a natural ingredient in functional foods with anti-melanogenic activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523663/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mineral Profiling of Preterm, Term Breast Milk, and Commercial Infant Formula: Evaluating Nutritional Adequacy for Premature Neonates.","authors":"Samreen Latif, Munib Ahmed Shafique, Nauman Khalid","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.091","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed the mineral adequacy of mothers' own milk, term milk, and preterm formula for premature neonates, evaluated toxic element contents using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry, and audited formula labels. Preterm and term milk were inadequate in meeting European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition-modeled mineral requirements for preterm infants at an assumed enteral intake of 165 mL/kg/d, particularly for calcium, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and selenium. Preterm formula met or even exceeded the requirements for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc more frequently than human milk (<i>P</i><0.05), though these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small number of formula samples (n=5). Mineral composition was similar between preterm and term milk, except for higher phosphorus in term milk (<i>P</i><0.05). Aluminum concentrations were greater in human milk－preterm and term: 16.2 and 5.9 µg/mL, respectively－than in preterm formula at 1.16 µg/mL (<i>P</i><0.05). Labeled and measured formula values for calcium, sodium, sulfur, strontium, titanium, and zinc varied significantly (<i>P</i><0.05). Despite lower mineral content, mothers' milk with individualized fortification is recommended for its immune benefits. These findings underline the need for improved formula labeling and monitoring of toxic elements.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523657/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of an Interaction-Oriented, Information and Communication Technology-Based Community Care Service on Nutritional Status and Dietary Behavior of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.","authors":"Seojin Yun, Seulgi Lee, Eun Young Lee, Kirang Kim","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.063","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the effects of an information and communication technology-based, interaction-oriented community care service (Touch Care service) on the nutritional status and dietary behaviors of community-dwelling older adults. It integrated internet of things-based daily life monitoring, wearable devices, and AI voice interaction, providing personalized health feedback and notifications over an approximately 5-month intervention period. A total of 102 residents aged ≥65 years from Bugang-myeon, Sejong, were recruited, and 72 participants－33 and 39 in the case and control groups, respectively－who completed both pre- and post-assessments were finally analyzed. The case group received Touch Care; nutritional status was ascertained based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and dietary behaviors were evaluated via a simplified questionnaire on food group and daily meal frequencies, and water intake. At baseline, there were no significant between-group differences in any outcome measure. Following the intervention, the MNA score (<i>P</i>=0.020) and daily water intake (<i>P</i><0.001) increased significantly from baseline in the intervention group, whereas no significant within-group changes were observed in food group intake frequency or meal frequency. In the control group, no significant changes were observed in any outcome measure. When the magnitude of change was compared between groups, the differences were not statistically significant for either MNA score (<i>P</i>=0.448) or daily water intake (<i>P</i>=0.849). These findings suggest that Touch Care service was feasible to deliver and acceptable to community-dwelling older adults, suggesting that conversational digital interventions may be worth evaluating as a complement to existing community care models.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523658/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148850998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Purple Potato and Its Polyphenols Modulate Cecal Fermentation in Rats.","authors":"Miku Chiba, Aldrine Kilua, Ryuji Nagata, Kenichiro Shimada, Masayuki Tani, Kyu-Ho Han, Michihiro Fukushima","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.120","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the effects of the purple potato (PP) cultivar (cv.) 'Shadow-Queen,' rich in polyphenols and resistant starch (RS), on cecal fermentation in rats. It compared such effects with those obtained with a white potato (WP) cv. 'Toyoshiro,' and polyphenol-removed (decolorized purple potato, DPP) 'Shadow-Queen' potatoes. Seven-week-old male Fischer rats were fed diets containing WP, PP, or DPP. Compared to the cecal microbial composition of the control (CON), WP, and DPP groups, the PP group exhibited higher or lower relative abundances of the phyla Firmicutes or Bacteroidetes, respectively. Unclassified Clostridiales and <i>Lactobacillus</i> were more abundant in the PP than in the CON group. Compared to the other three, cecal succinate and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were elevated in the PP group. Compared to the CON group, cecal acetate, <i>n</i>-butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were enhanced in the PP, WP, and DPP groups; total SCFAs were higher in PP than in the WP or DPP groups. These results suggest that potato RS altered the cecal microbiota profile and increased SCFA production; the polyphenols in 'Shadow-Queen' potatoes further modulated the microbiota composition, thereby enhancing SCFA and IgA biosynthesis. Therefore, PPs may exert superior physiological effects compared to WPs due to the combined influence of RS and polyphenols.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523659/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing the Structural Integrity of <i>Gwapyeon</i> with Red Bull^Ⓡ and Enhancing Consumer Acceptability: A Comparison of Corn, Mung Bean, and Potato Starch.","authors":"Chae-Won No, Seongjin Yoon, Jisu Lee, Jiaxiang Zheng, Bong-Hyun Kim, Chung-Bae Oh, Miae Doo, Jung-Heun Ha","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.064","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.064","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Gwapyeon</i>, a traditional Korean fruit starch-based gel, offers a unique matrix for functional food diversifi-cation. This study investigated the technical feasibility of incorporating a commercial energy beverage (Red Bull^Ⓡ) into a <i>gwapyeon</i> system and evaluated how the source and concentration of plant-derived starch modulate its quality attributes. Corn, mung bean, and potato starch were utilized at 7%－11% under standard thermal processing conditions. The effects of the three starch parameters pH, soluble solids (Brix), chromaticity, syneresis during refrigeration, antioxidant capacity [total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)], and mechanical texture (texture profile analysis) were systematically analyzed, followed by a consumer (n=50) sensory evaluation. pH and Brix were not significantly affected by starch source or concentration, suggesting that they were primarily determined by the beverage-based matrix rather than starch formulation. Potato starch gels exhibited the greatest translucency and chromaticity (<i>L</i>*, <i>a</i>*, <i>b</i>*), whereas corn and mung bean starch produced more opaque matrices. Mung bean starch maintained superior network stability with minimal syneresis, while corn starch demonstrated higher initial moisture release followed by stabilization. Antioxidant retention (TPC and ABTS scavenging) was enhanced in corn and mung bean starch gels, likely due to entrapment within a denser network. Texturally, mung bean starch produced the firmest, most resilient gels, while potato starch yielded the softest. Sensory test results identified 9% corn starch formulation (RC9) as most favorable, balancing structural stability with moderate sweetness and chewiness. Starch is the primary determinant of structural and functional quality in beverage-incorporated gels, with corn starch being optimal for modernizing the traditional <i>gwapyeon</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523664/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ε-Viniferin Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Activation in Canine Macrophages by Regulating NF-κB and MAPK Pathways.","authors":"Minseo Cho, Jisu Lee, Hyunsoo Jang, Hyeon-Cheol Cha, Gisol Kim, Jaeho Pyee, Bong-Hyun Kim, Su-Cheol Han, Jeong Ho Hwang, Jung-Heun Ha","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.107","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic inflammation is a key pathogenic factor contributing to multiple canine diseases, including dermatitis, arthritis, and enteritis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ε-viniferin, a resveratrol dimer, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DH82 canine macrophages. The anti-inflammatory effects of ε-viniferin were evaluated using western blot analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. DH82 canine macrophages were pretreated with ε-viniferin (0.2, 0.5, and 1 µM) prior to exposure to LPS (0.1 µg/mL), with no cytotoxic effects observed at these concentrations. ε-Viniferin markedly suppressed the phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB α, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, indicating concurrent suppression of the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In addition, ε-viniferin reduced the mRNA expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (<i>Tnf-α</i>), interleukin-6 (<i>Il-6</i>), and interleukin-1β (<i>Il-1β</i>), while maintaining or enhancing interleukin-10 (<i>Il-10</i>) levels. The observed cytokine pattern decreased the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio and induced a shift toward an anti-inflammatory cytokine-dominant profile. BAY 11-7082, a pharmacological inhibitor of NF-κB activation, produced similar effects, suggesting that ε-viniferin exerts its anti-inflammatory action partly through the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that ε-viniferin attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory responses in canine macrophages via the suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, highlighting its potential as a nutraceutical for the management of chronic inflammatory conditions in companion animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523660/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultra-Processed Food Consumption, Diet Quality, and Nutritional Literacy among Adolescents in Eastern Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Beyza Nur Gürgen, Şaziye Ecem Örkü","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.055","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become increasingly prevalent in the diets of adolescents and are often associated with unfavorable dietary patterns and health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationships among UPF consumption, diet quality, nutritional literacy, and anthropometric indicators in adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 338 high school adolescents aged 13－17 years. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, a food frequency questionnaire, and the Adolescent Nutritional Literacy Scale, while the researcher collected the participants' anthropometric measurements. UPF consumption was classified using the NOVA system, and diet quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index-2015. UPFs accounted for 26.98% of total daily energy intake. When analyzed by quartiles (Q1: ≤18.53%, Q4: ≥35.07%), higher UPF consumption was associated with higher intakes of total fat, saturated fat, and total sugars, as well as vitamins B2 and B12 and calcium. However, no significant associations were observed between UPF consumption and diet quality or nutritional literacy. Most anthropometric indicators did not differ significantly across UPF consumption quartiles; however, body mass index-for-age z-scores differed significantly among male adolescents (<i>P</i>=0.026). UPFs constituted a substantial proportion of adolescents' energy intake and were associated with the increased intake of several nutrients that should be limited. The absence of associations between diet quality and nutritional literacy suggests that commonly used assessment tools may not fully capture the dietary impact of UPFs, highlighting the need for more sensitive evaluation approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523662/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probiotic Properties and Physiological Activities of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Traditionally Fermented Raw Makgeolli.","authors":"Yun-Ju So, Hee-Young Jung, Byung-Oh Kim","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.042","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the probiotic potential, safety profile, and functions of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from traditionally fermented raw makgeolli brewed in Suncheon, Korea, in 2024. In total, 70 LAB strains were isolated and identified as <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i>, <i>Leuconostoc mesenteroides</i>, <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>, <i>Weissella paramesenteroides</i>, <i>Pediococcus parvulus</i>, and <i>Pediococcus pentosaceus</i>. All strains showed excellent resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, with <i>L. plantarum</i> MG1-6 exhibiting >99% viability under simulated gastric conditions and 80% tolerance in bile-dominant environments. High cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation ability were also observed in <i>L. plantarum</i> MG2-5 and <i>Leu. mesenteroides</i> MG1-11, suggesting variations in physicochemical properties involved in surface-surface interactions. In 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays, <i>Leu. mesenteroides</i> MG1-8 and <i>P. parvulus</i> MG5-13 demonstrated the greatest free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, LAB supernatants displayed <i>in vitro</i> functional activities, including tyrosinase and α-glucosidase suppression. All strains were susceptible to antibiotics within European Food Safety Authority-recommended minimum inhibitory concentration thresholds, indicating safety for probiotic application. These results suggest that LAB isolated from raw makgeolli exhibited probiotic-related characteristics and safety profiles and may be potential candidates for further investigation as functional food ingredients.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523661/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148851133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of <i>Citrus unshiu</i> Intake on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Mood States: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Kensuke Nakajima, Takahiro Muro, Masatsugu Ohgami, Shigeru Oiso","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.010","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a critical mood regulator; increasing BDNF levels may help improve mood states. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of <i>Citrus unshiu</i> intake on serum BDNF levels and mood states. Healthy participants were assigned to an intake group [n=13; two <i>C. unshiu</i> fruits daily (106.9±37.2 g each)] or a non-intake group (n=13). Serum BDNF levels and mood states were assessed at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. In the primary analysis, a linear mixed-effects model revealed no significant group-by-time interaction contrast for serum BDNF levels, and no significant between-group differences were observed at any time point. Serum BDNF levels declined in the non-intake group over time, whereas an increase occurred from Week 4 to Week 8 in the intake group. In exploratory and unadjusted analyses, we examined within-group changes in serum BDNF levels. In the intake group, the change from Week 4 to Week 8 (median: +0.636 ng/mL) was significantly greater than that from Week 0 to Week 4 (median: -2.453 ng/mL). Based on the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition results, between-group comparisons of change scores showed significant improvements in Depression-Dejection and Vigor-Activity scores in the intake group compared with the non-intake group. Within-group analyses demonstrated decreases in Depression-Dejection and Total Mood Disturbance and an increase in Vigor-Activity following <i>C. unshiu</i> intake. The findings of our preliminary study suggest that <i>C. unshiu</i> intake may be associated with attenuating the decline in serum BDNF levels and inducing modest favorable changes in certain mood domains.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13314393/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148362030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deer Antler Extract Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation and Improves Bone Microarchitecture in an Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis Model.","authors":"Jae-Hee Kwon, Sang-Hoon Lee, Seung-Ho Lee, Sung-Won Kim, Young-Eun Cho","doi":"10.3746/pnf.2026.043","DOIUrl":"10.3746/pnf.2026.043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Deer antler has long been recognized for its pronounced influence on bone growth and regeneration via its unique ability to induce rapid repeated ossification. This study aimed to investigate whether deer antler water extract (DWE) can prevent osteoporosis by promoting osteoblast differentiation and preserving bone microarchitecture. <i>In vitro</i> experiments using MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells demonstrated that DWE enhanced osteoblast differentiation without affecting cell viability. DWE increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; intensified ALP, Von Kossa, and Alizarin Red S staining; and upregulated the expression of osteogenic markers, including runt-related transcription factor 2, ALP, osteopontin, and procollagen type I, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis mouse model, DWE improved serum biochemical parameters. Micro-computed tomography analysis of the femur revealed a marked restoration of bone microarchitecture, as indicated by increased bone volume to total volume and trabecular number, along with reduced trabecular separation. Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining further confirmed morphological improvements in bone tissue. Overall, these findings demonstrate that DWE contributes to bone homeostasis maintenance by enhancing osteoblast differentiation and improving bone microarchitecture both <i>in vitro</i> and in an OVX-induced osteoporosis model. This study suggests that DWE may serve as a promising natural product for osteoporosis prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":20424,"journal":{"name":"Preventive Nutrition and Food Science","volume":"31 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13314397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148362068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}