Effects of sodium ferulate on preventing steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rabbits

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of sodium ferulate (SF) on anti-apoptosis in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis in rabbits. Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (control group, treatment group, and model group), each with 24 rabbits. The model and treatment groups were first injected with an intravenous dose of horse serum, 10 ml/kg, three weeks later with an intravenous dose of 7.5 ml/kg, and two weeks later with an intramuscular dose of methylprednisolone, 45 mg/kg, three times in order to establish rabbit models of osteonecrosis. Concurrently, the treatment group was injected with intravenous doses of SF 20 mg/kg for two weeks, once per day. Three time points, Weeks 2, 4, and 8, were selected after modeling was completed. Osteonecrosis was verified by histopathology with haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The apoptosis rate of osteonecrosis was observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The apoptosis expressions of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The rabbit models of osteonecrosis were successfully established and observed by HE staining. SF was effective in intervening in apoptosis and decreasing the apoptosis rate in femoral head necrosis by the immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay (P<0.01). Western blot analysis indicated that there were statistical significances in the protein levels of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 (P<0.01). SF has a protective effect by reducing the incidence of early steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in rabbits, effectively intervening in apoptosis through decreasing caspase-3 expression and up-regulating Bcl-2 expression.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor Prevents Steroid-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Rabbits by Promoting Angiogenesis and Inhibiting Apoptosis

“…In a rabbit model of steroid-associated necrosis of the femoral head, our TUNEL assay results showed that apoptosis indeed existed in osteocytes and bone marrow cells in the early stage of glucocorticoid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis. In the study of Tian L et al, they observed the similar results [30]. Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein, but caspase-3 is a pro-apoptotic protein.…”

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction ameliorates steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head by regulating the HIF-1α pathway and cell apoptosis

“…Bcl-2 and caspase-3 are typical apoptosisrelated factors. Bcl-2 was found to be up-regulated and caspase-3 was found to be down-regulated during the development of SANFH (39). Intriguingly, HIF-1α appears to regulate numerous pro-apoptotic proteins (e.g.…”

The Effect of Cape on Steroid Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Rat Model

“…In another study total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found signifi cantly higher in animals with ONFH compared to controls 35) . Pritchett showed that statins reduce the incidence of osteonecrosis in 284 patients treated with high-dose steroid 37) .…”

“…Many drugs; pravastatin, sodium ferulate ,warfarin, low-molecularweight heparin, statins, vitamin E, naringin and salidroside have been tested, resulting in prevention or suppression of steroid-induced ONFH 3,[33][34][35][36][37][38] . However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study reported in the literature, so far evaluating the eff ect of CAPE on steroid induced ONFH.…”