17β-estradiol attenuates homocysteine-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response as well as MAPKs cascade via activating PI3-K/Akt signal transduction pathway in Raw 264.7 cells

Oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascade are significant pathogenic factors of osteoporosis. It has been reported that elevated homocysteine (Hcy) may activate oxidative stress and reduce bone mineral density in post-menopausal osteoporosis. Moreover, hormone replacement therapy has been widely used in clinic to prevent and treat post-menopausa…