Objective:To construct a risk prediction model for early post-injury respiratory failure in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI) and validate its efficacy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 393 TCSCI patients admitted to Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to October 2024, including 294 males and 99 females, aged 18-82 years [59(45, 72)years]. Among them, 76 patients had respiratory failure (19.3%). The patients were randomly divided into the training set ( n=275) and validation set ( n=118) at a ratio of 7∶3. According to the presence of respiratory failure within one week after admission, 275 patients in the training set were divided into respiratory failure group ( n=53) and non-respiratory failure group ( n=222). The demographic data, injury characteristics, laboratory test results, and imaging findings of the patients were collected. Risk factors were determined through univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis and a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of the model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was plotted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the prediction model. Results:The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in history of respiratory diseases, causes of injury, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, ASIA-motor score (AMS), injury severity score (ISS), clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), hypoproteinemia and cervical vertebra fracture and dislocation between the respiratory failure group and non-respiratory failure group in the training set ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that GCS, ASIA classification, CPIS, and hypoproteinemia were independent risk factors for early post-injury respiratory failure in TCSCI patients ( P<0.05). Based on the above four variables, a Logistic regression equation was constructed: Logit( P)=2.361-0.675×ASIA classification+0.419×CPIS-0.358×GCS+0.854×hypoproteinemia. In the prediction model established based on this equation, the AUC was 0.96 (95% CI 0.94, 0.99) in the training set and 0.89 (95% CI 0.82, 0.96) in the validation set. In the calibration curves of the training set and validation set, the prediction curve and reference curve were approximately overlapping, with the average absolute errors of 0.04 and 0.03. DCA results demonstrated that both the training and validation sets exhibited positive net benefits when threshold probabilities fell within ranges of 0%-78% and 0%-87%, respectively. Conclusion:The risk prediction model for early post-injury respiratory failure in TCSCI patients based on GCS, ASIA classification, CPIS and hypoproteinemia has good predictive efficacy and clinical practicability.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies by the research group have shown that core proteoglycan in Cornus Cervi Col la can enter the bone,promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and has a good repair effect on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Cornus Cervi Colla on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats by fecal non-targeted fecal metabolomics.METHODS:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table method:the control group(n=10)was injected with normal saline into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks),and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The model group(n=10)was injected with methylprednisolone sodium succinate into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks)to establish a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The Cornus Cervi Co I la group(n=10)was also established with a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given Cornus Cervi Col la gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).After gavage,cecal feces and femoral heads were collected for fecal metabolomics analysis and bone tissue Micro-CT and hematoxylin-eosin staining,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Metabolomics analysis results showed that there were 233 differential metabolites between the Cornus Cervi Col la and model groups,with 65 significantly differing and clearly annotated metabolites.Lipid and amino acid metabolites were significantly increased,with bile acids,sulfated steroids,ephedrine,hypoxanthine,betaine,L-carnitine,B-mouse bile acid,cytidine,4-pyridoxic acid,taurine,N-acetyl-d-glucosamine,and butyric acid being the most impacted(variable weight value VIP＞5).The metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine were crucial in the metabolic regulatory network(pathway impact=0.428 57).(2)Micro-CT scanning results of bone tissue showed that the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Col la group had different degrees of damage;the femoral head contour was irregular;the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral head were missing and disordered,and some cystic structures were visible.Compared with the model group,the degree of trabecular damage in the rats of the Cornus Cervi Colla group was milder.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Colla group were sparse or interrupted,and the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion were increased.Compared with the model group,the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the Cornus Cervi Colla group were reduced.(3)These results conclude that Cornus Cervi Colla potentially mitigates steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through the metabolic processes involving taurine and associated pathways.

Objective:To construct a risk prediction model for early post-injury respiratory failure in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI) and validate its efficacy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 393 TCSCI patients admitted to Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2020 to October 2024, including 294 males and 99 females, aged 18-82 years [59(45, 72)years]. Among them, 76 patients had respiratory failure (19.3%). The patients were randomly divided into the training set ( n=275) and validation set ( n=118) at a ratio of 7∶3. According to the presence of respiratory failure within one week after admission, 275 patients in the training set were divided into respiratory failure group ( n=53) and non-respiratory failure group ( n=222). The demographic data, injury characteristics, laboratory test results, and imaging findings of the patients were collected. Risk factors were determined through univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis and a nomogram prediction model was constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of the model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was plotted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the prediction model. Results:The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in history of respiratory diseases, causes of injury, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, ASIA-motor score (AMS), injury severity score (ISS), clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), hypoproteinemia and cervical vertebra fracture and dislocation between the respiratory failure group and non-respiratory failure group in the training set ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that GCS, ASIA classification, CPIS, and hypoproteinemia were independent risk factors for early post-injury respiratory failure in TCSCI patients ( P<0.05). Based on the above four variables, a Logistic regression equation was constructed: Logit( P)=2.361-0.675×ASIA classification+0.419×CPIS-0.358×GCS+0.854×hypoproteinemia. In the prediction model established based on this equation, the AUC was 0.96 (95% CI 0.94, 0.99) in the training set and 0.89 (95% CI 0.82, 0.96) in the validation set. In the calibration curves of the training set and validation set, the prediction curve and reference curve were approximately overlapping, with the average absolute errors of 0.04 and 0.03. DCA results demonstrated that both the training and validation sets exhibited positive net benefits when threshold probabilities fell within ranges of 0%-78% and 0%-87%, respectively. Conclusion:The risk prediction model for early post-injury respiratory failure in TCSCI patients based on GCS, ASIA classification, CPIS and hypoproteinemia has good predictive efficacy and clinical practicability.

Objective:Endoscopic resection of giant submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the esophagus and gastric cardia is challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of various endoscopic procedures for resection of esophageal or gastric cardia SMTs with longitudinal diameter ≥7 cm and/or transverse diameter ≥3.5 cm.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data of 109 patients with giant esophageal/cardia SMTs originating in the muscularis propria who had undergone endoscopic resection in Zhongshan Hospital from July 2017 to February 2022. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) SMT diameter ≥7 cm longitudinally or ≥3.5 cm transversely; (2) presence of symptoms requiring intervention; and (3) tumor originating in the muscularis propria. Exclusion criteria included severe comorbidities, coagulation disorders, prior surgery, or tumor adjacent to vital organs precluding endoscopic treatment. The primary outcomes were en bloc and piecemeal resection rates, whereas secondary outcomes comprised adverse events and long-term survival.Results:Among the 109 patients who had successfully undergone endoscopic resection, the median tumor diameters were 7.5 (4.0-15.0) cm, and 4.5 (1.5-7.0) cm. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection, endoscopic full-thickness resection, and endoscopic submucosal excavation were performed on 77, 22, and 10 patients, respectively. The median duration of the procedures was 90 (30-300) minutes. The overall en bloc resection rate was 78.9% (86/109), and piecemeal resection rate 21.1% (23/109). Major adverse events occurred in 12.8% of patients (14/109), comprising pneumothorax or pleural effusion ( n=12), esophageal-pleural fistula ( n=3), severe delayed bleeding ( n=1), tunnel infection with abdominal abscess ( n=1), pulmonary abscess ( n=1), abdominal abscess ( n=1), and postoperative esophageal stricture ( n=1). During a median follow-up period of 33.6 (15.4-70.4) months, no tumor recurrences or metastases were detected. Multivariate analysis revealed that transverse diameter ≥4.5 cm was an independent risk factor for piecemeal resection (OR=6.016, 95%CI: 2.180-16.597, P<0.001); longitudinal diameter ≥9.0 cm (OR=2.728, 95%CI: 1.005-7.405, P=0.049) and transverse diameter ≥4.5 cm (OR=2.942, 95%CI: 1.099-7.874, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for prolonged operation time; and longitudinal diameter ≥9.0 cm (OR=5.040, 95%CI: 1.425-17.828, P=0.012) and piecemeal resection (OR=6.280, 95%CI: 1.741-22.656, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for major adverse events. Conclusion:Endoscopic resection is a safe and effective treatment modality for giant esophageal or gastric cardia SMTs of longitudinal diameter ≥9.0 cm and transverse diameter ≥4.5 cm.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS).Methods:A pedigree study was conducted.Two families with HGPPS diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Henan Children's Hospital from November 2023 to April 2024 were included, with 3 people from two generations in each family.Medical history and family history of the subjects were inquired.Vision acuity, diopter, anterior segment, intraocular pressure, wide-angle laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), ocular B-ultrasound, full spine AP+ lateral view, orbit+ skull+ cervical spine+ thoracic spine+ lumbosacral spine MRI plain scan were performed on the subjects.Whole genomic DNA was extracted from 2 ml of peripheral venous blood collected from the subjects, and gene sequencing was performed using whole exome sequencing (WES) technology.Suspicious pathogenic variant loci were verified by Sanger sequencing, and the pathogenicity of gene variant loci was analyzed according to the ACMG standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Children's Hospital (No.2024-KY-0024).All subjects and guardians signed informed consent forms and were informed of relevant matters before genetic testing.Results:The proband from family 1 was male, 3 years and 2 months old.At the age of 6 months, he was found to have head tilted to the left with a right scoliosis of the spine centered on T11-12 and no obvious abnormalities on VEP and ERG examinations.The proband from family 2 was male, 3 years and 4 months old, with a left scoliosis of the spine centered on T12.Both probands developed horizontal fixation paralysis, unable to rotate eye outward, slightly limited inward rotation, left eye hypertropia, mild horizontal nystagmus, normal vertical eye movement, backward development of major movements, and normal vision, anterior segment and fundus.MRI examination showed that the medulla oblongata was butterfly shaped, and a brainstem fissure could be seen in the center of the medulla oblongata.The genetic testing showed that the proband from family 1 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1054delC/p.Gln352Serfs *90 (M1) in exon 7 and c. 1219G>T/p.Gly407Cys (M2) in exon 8 of ROBO3 gene.The father of the proband carried M1 and the mother of the proband carried M2.The proband from family 2 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1888C>T/p.R630X (M3) in exon 12 and c. 2684C>A/p.A895E (M4) in exon 17 of ROBO3 gene.M1 and M3 were possible pathogenic, and M2 and M4 were of unknown clinical significance, and prediction software predicted M2 and M4 were harmful variations. Conclusions:The main clinical features of two HGPPS pedigree are horizontal fixation paralysis and progressive scoliosis, accompanied by nystagmus and strabismus.MRI shows brainstem fissure in the central medullary area.Four variants are novel variants, which increases the variation spectrum of ROBO3 gene.

Objective:To observe and analyze the ocular clinical features and pathogenic genes of horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS).Methods:A pedigree study was conducted.Two families with HGPPS diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Henan Children's Hospital from November 2023 to April 2024 were included, with 3 people from two generations in each family.Medical history and family history of the subjects were inquired.Vision acuity, diopter, anterior segment, intraocular pressure, wide-angle laser scanning ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), ocular B-ultrasound, full spine AP+ lateral view, orbit+ skull+ cervical spine+ thoracic spine+ lumbosacral spine MRI plain scan were performed on the subjects.Whole genomic DNA was extracted from 2 ml of peripheral venous blood collected from the subjects, and gene sequencing was performed using whole exome sequencing (WES) technology.Suspicious pathogenic variant loci were verified by Sanger sequencing, and the pathogenicity of gene variant loci was analyzed according to the ACMG standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Children's Hospital (No.2024-KY-0024).All subjects and guardians signed informed consent forms and were informed of relevant matters before genetic testing.Results:The proband from family 1 was male, 3 years and 2 months old.At the age of 6 months, he was found to have head tilted to the left with a right scoliosis of the spine centered on T11-12 and no obvious abnormalities on VEP and ERG examinations.The proband from family 2 was male, 3 years and 4 months old, with a left scoliosis of the spine centered on T12.Both probands developed horizontal fixation paralysis, unable to rotate eye outward, slightly limited inward rotation, left eye hypertropia, mild horizontal nystagmus, normal vertical eye movement, backward development of major movements, and normal vision, anterior segment and fundus.MRI examination showed that the medulla oblongata was butterfly shaped, and a brainstem fissure could be seen in the center of the medulla oblongata.The genetic testing showed that the proband from family 1 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1054delC/p.Gln352Serfs *90 (M1) in exon 7 and c. 1219G>T/p.Gly407Cys (M2) in exon 8 of ROBO3 gene.The father of the proband carried M1 and the mother of the proband carried M2.The proband from family 2 had compound heterozygous variations c. 1888C>T/p.R630X (M3) in exon 12 and c. 2684C>A/p.A895E (M4) in exon 17 of ROBO3 gene.M1 and M3 were possible pathogenic, and M2 and M4 were of unknown clinical significance, and prediction software predicted M2 and M4 were harmful variations. Conclusions:The main clinical features of two HGPPS pedigree are horizontal fixation paralysis and progressive scoliosis, accompanied by nystagmus and strabismus.MRI shows brainstem fissure in the central medullary area.Four variants are novel variants, which increases the variation spectrum of ROBO3 gene.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of the anti-cancer compound formula Feiyanning in inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. MethodsCell proliferation and activity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay to evaluate the effect of Feiyanning on the proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to examine Feiyanning's impact on the metastasis of A549 and H1299 cells. The effects of Feiyanning on EMT and the transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad signaling pathway proteins in A549 and H1299 cells were detected by Western blot. Exogenous TGF-β₁ was used to induce EMT in A549 and H1299 cells. The effects of Feiyanning on TGF-β₁-induced NSCLC cell metastasis， EMT， and the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway proteins were assessed by wound healing assay， Transwell assay， and Western blot. In vivo， an A549 lung metastasis model was established via tail vein injection in nude mice. A total of 28 SPF male nude mice were randomly divided into four groups： Model （NC） group， Feiyanning low-dose （FYN1） group， Feiyanning high-dose （FYN2） group， and the positive control group （TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 group）. The corresponding interventions were performed. After 40 days， the mice were euthanized， and lung metastases were analyzed. The expression of E-cadherin， N-cadherin， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsAfter Feiyanning intervention， compared to the blank group， Feiyanning inhibited the proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The metastasis ability of Feiyanning-treated cells was significantly decreased compared to the blank group （P<0.01）. The expression of EMT marker proteins N-cadherin and zinc finger transcription factors （Zeb1， Snail， Slug） was significantly reduced in the Feiyanning groups compared to the blank group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of p-Smad2/3， Smad2/3， TβRI， and TβRⅡ， key proteins in the TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway， was also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the TGF-β₁-induced EMT model， compared to the TGF-β₁ group， the cell metastasis ability in the Feiyanning groups was reduced （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of N-cadherin， Zeb1， Snail， and Slug were significantly lower （P<0.01）. The expression levels of p-Smad2/3， Smad2/3， TβRI， and TβRⅡ were also significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In vivo results showed that compared to the model group， the number of lung metastases in the FYN1， FYN2， and SB431542 groups was reduced （P<0.01）， and the range of cell infiltration was narrowed. Immunohistochemical results showed that compared to the model group， the expression of E-cadherin in the FYN1， FYN2， and SB431542 groups was increased （P<0.01）， the expression of N-cadherin decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3， key proteins of the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway， was reduced （P<0.01）. ConclusionFeiyanning inhibits the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC cells and EMT. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of the anti-cancer compound formula Feiyanning in inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and invasion and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. MethodsCell proliferation and activity were assessed using the cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay to evaluate the effect of Feiyanning on the proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to examine Feiyanning's impact on the metastasis of A549 and H1299 cells. The effects of Feiyanning on EMT and the transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad signaling pathway proteins in A549 and H1299 cells were detected by Western blot. Exogenous TGF-β₁ was used to induce EMT in A549 and H1299 cells. The effects of Feiyanning on TGF-β₁-induced NSCLC cell metastasis， EMT， and the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway proteins were assessed by wound healing assay， Transwell assay， and Western blot. In vivo， an A549 lung metastasis model was established via tail vein injection in nude mice. A total of 28 SPF male nude mice were randomly divided into four groups： Model （NC） group， Feiyanning low-dose （FYN1） group， Feiyanning high-dose （FYN2） group， and the positive control group （TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor SB431542 group）. The corresponding interventions were performed. After 40 days， the mice were euthanized， and lung metastases were analyzed. The expression of E-cadherin， N-cadherin， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsAfter Feiyanning intervention， compared to the blank group， Feiyanning inhibited the proliferation of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The metastasis ability of Feiyanning-treated cells was significantly decreased compared to the blank group （P<0.01）. The expression of EMT marker proteins N-cadherin and zinc finger transcription factors （Zeb1， Snail， Slug） was significantly reduced in the Feiyanning groups compared to the blank group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of p-Smad2/3， Smad2/3， TβRI， and TβRⅡ， key proteins in the TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway， was also significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the TGF-β₁-induced EMT model， compared to the TGF-β₁ group， the cell metastasis ability in the Feiyanning groups was reduced （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of N-cadherin， Zeb1， Snail， and Slug were significantly lower （P<0.01）. The expression levels of p-Smad2/3， Smad2/3， TβRI， and TβRⅡ were also significantly reduced （P<0.01）. In vivo results showed that compared to the model group， the number of lung metastases in the FYN1， FYN2， and SB431542 groups was reduced （P<0.01）， and the range of cell infiltration was narrowed. Immunohistochemical results showed that compared to the model group， the expression of E-cadherin in the FYN1， FYN2， and SB431542 groups was increased （P<0.01）， the expression of N-cadherin decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3， key proteins of the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway， was reduced （P<0.01）. ConclusionFeiyanning inhibits the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC cells and EMT. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Kangliu Zengxiao Jiandu Prescription(KLJD)in enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)through network pharmacology and in vivo/in vitro experiments.Methods Components of KLJD were screened via the TCMSP database to identify active components and potential targets.Lung cancer-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed on drug-disease intersection targets using the Metascape database;molecular docking was performed between core target proteins and main active components.A Lewis lung cancer mouse model was established,and intervened with KLJD and cisplatin.Organ indexes and tumor inhibition rate were counted,and Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of key pathway target proteins and mRNA;A549 and H1299 cells were intervened with KLJD,and Western blot was used to detect key target protein expressions.Results Network pharmacology identified 74 active components and 20 key targets of KLJD,primarily involved in biological processes such as cell proliferation and inflammatory response,and pathways in cancer and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway;molecular docking revealed stable binding between EGFR and major compounds.Animal experiments demonstrated that,compared with the model group,the KLJD group showed significantly higher tumor inhibition rate(P<0.01)and downregulation of EGFR,AKT and PI3K protein and mRNA expression in tumor tissues(P<0.05).Compared with the cisplatin group,the combination group exhibited significantly enhanced tumor inhibition rate(P<0.01),elevated thymic and splenic indices(P<0.01),and decreased EGFR,PI3K and AKT protein and mRNA expressions(P<0.01).Cell experiments showed that KLJD concentration-dependently inhibited A549 and H1299 cell proliferation(IC50:14.72 mg/mL and 14.68 mg/mL,respectively).Combined with cisplatin,KLJD synergistically down-regulated EGFR PI3K and AKT protein expressions(P<0.01).Conclusion KLJD effectively enhances cisplatin's chemotherapeutic efficacy in NSCLC by inhibiting the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway while improving immune organ function.Its mechanism likely involves multi-target regulation,including suppression of tumor proliferation,promotion of apoptosis,and modulation of the immune microenvironment.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies by the research group have shown that core proteoglycan in Cornus Cervi Col la can enter the bone,promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and has a good repair effect on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of Cornus Cervi Colla on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rats by fecal non-targeted fecal metabolomics.METHODS:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups using a random number table method:the control group(n=10)was injected with normal saline into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks),and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The model group(n=10)was injected with methylprednisolone sodium succinate into the right gluteal muscle(injected on the first 3 days of each week for 3 consecutive weeks)to establish a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given pure water gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).The Cornus Cervi Co I la group(n=10)was also established with a steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head model,and was given Cornus Cervi Col la gavage(once a day for 6 consecutive weeks).After gavage,cecal feces and femoral heads were collected for fecal metabolomics analysis and bone tissue Micro-CT and hematoxylin-eosin staining,respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Metabolomics analysis results showed that there were 233 differential metabolites between the Cornus Cervi Col la and model groups,with 65 significantly differing and clearly annotated metabolites.Lipid and amino acid metabolites were significantly increased,with bile acids,sulfated steroids,ephedrine,hypoxanthine,betaine,L-carnitine,B-mouse bile acid,cytidine,4-pyridoxic acid,taurine,N-acetyl-d-glucosamine,and butyric acid being the most impacted(variable weight value VIP＞5).The metabolic pathways of taurine and hypotaurine were crucial in the metabolic regulatory network(pathway impact=0.428 57).(2)Micro-CT scanning results of bone tissue showed that the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Col la group had different degrees of damage;the femoral head contour was irregular;the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral head were missing and disordered,and some cystic structures were visible.Compared with the model group,the degree of trabecular damage in the rats of the Cornus Cervi Colla group was milder.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that the trabeculae in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the model group and the Cornus Cervi Colla group were sparse or interrupted,and the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion were increased.Compared with the model group,the empty bone lacuna rate and adipocyte invasion in the subchondral bone of the femoral heads of rats in the Cornus Cervi Colla group were reduced.(3)These results conclude that Cornus Cervi Colla potentially mitigates steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through the metabolic processes involving taurine and associated pathways.