Abstract | CONTEXT: OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the regulatory effects of QEP on gut microbiota in osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen female SD rats were divided into three groups: sham surgery ( SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX) and ovariectomized treated with QEP (OVX + QEP). Six weeks after ovariectomy, QEP was administered to OVX + QEP rats for eight weeks (4.5 g/kg/day, i.g.). After 14 weeks, the bone microstructure was evaluated. Differences in gut microbiota were analysed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Changes in endogenous metabolites were studied using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology. GC-MS was used to detect short-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, we measured serum inflammatory factors, such as IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ, which may be related to gut microbiota. RESULTS: OVX + QEP exhibited increased bone mineral density (0.11 ± 0.03 vs. 0.21 ± 0.02, p< 0.001) compared to that of OVX. QEP altered the composition of gut microbiota. We identified 19 potential biomarkers related to osteoporosis. QEP inhibited the elevation of TNF-α (38.86 ± 3.19 vs. 29.43 ± 3.65, p< 0.05) and IL-6 (83.38 ± 16.92 vs. 45.26 ± 3.94, p< 0.05) levels, while it increased the concentrations of acetic acid (271.95 ± 52.41 vs. 447.73 ± 46.54, p< 0.001), propionic acid (28.96 ± 5.73 vs. 53.41 ± 14.26, p< 0.01) and butyric acid (24.92 ± 18.97 vs. 67.78 ± 35.68, p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that QEP has potential of regulating intestinal flora and improving osteoporosis. The combination of anti- osteoporosis drugs and intestinal flora could become a new treatment for osteoporosis.
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Authors | Hui Xie, Zhengying Hua, Mengyu Guo, Shangyang Lin, Yaqian Zhou, Zebin Weng, Li Wu, Zhipeng Chen, Zisheng Xu, Weidong Li |
Journal | Pharmaceutical biology
(Pharm Biol)
Vol. 60
Issue 1
Pg. 785-800
(Dec 2022)
ISSN: 1744-5116 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 35387559
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Interleukin-6
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Topics |
- Animals
- Bone Density
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Interleukin-6
- Metabolomics
- Osteoporosis
(drug therapy)
- Ovariectomy
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(pharmacology)
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