| Objective To investigate the mechanism of Huashan strong bone powder on glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis (SANFH) via BMP/Smad/UPP pathway in rats. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Group A was the normal group, Group B was the model group，Group C was positive control drug strong bone and joint pill group, and Group D and E were the high-dose group and the low-dose group of Huashan strong bone powder, Rats in Group B, C, D, and E were injected with prednisolone acetate 20 mg/kg, twice a week, to create the glucocorticoid-induced femoral head necrosis animal model. Rats in Group A and B received 0.9% NaCL. Rats in Group C, D, and E were fed with corresponding drugs. After 10 weeks, the femoral head and kidney of rats were collected for RT-PCR detection and analysis. The mRNA expressions of BMP4, Smad4, Smurf1, and Smurf2 in the BMP/Smad/UPP pathway were detected. Results The mRNAs of BMP4, Smad4, Smurf1, and Smurf2 in all groups were expressed. Compared with the normal group, all indicators in the model group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), indicating that the pathogenesis of SANFH was closely related to the abnormality of BMP/Smad/UPP pathway. Compared with the model group, the mRNA expressions of BMP4, Smad4, Smurf1, and Smurf2 in the femoral head and kidney tissues of the high-dose group increased significantly (P<0.05). The expressions of BMP4, Smurf1, and Smurf2 in the femoral head of the strong bone and joint pill group increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Huashan strong bone powder improves the mRNA expressions of BMP4 and Smad4 in the femoral head and kidney of model rats, and up-regulates the mRNA expressions of Smurf1 and Smurf2 to prevent and to treat SANFH. |