Objective To explore the effect of reinforcing kidney and invigorating spleen method on ULK1/FUNDC1 mediated mitochondrial autophagy in osteoporosis rats. Methods Seventy-two 2-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, kidney-tonifying group, kidney-tonifying group, spleen-strengthening group, and Western medicine group (Fosamaxa), with 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and each medication group were modeled with tail suspension method. The modeling time lasted for 5 weeks. Rats in the normal group and model group received ultra-pure water. Rats in the other groups received corresponding drugs. After the modeling, blood samples were collected from the aorta. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) were determined with enzyme-related immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The morphological changes of the left femur were detected with micro-CT. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the left femur was detected with dual-energy X-ray. The pathological changes of the left gastrocnemius were observed using Masson staining. The expressions of mitochondrial proteins ULK1, FUNDC1, and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ extracted from the left femur and gastrocnemius were detected using Western blotting. Results Compared to those in the normal group, ALP decreased (P<0.01), TRACP increased (P<0.01), trabecular area and BMD decreased in model group (P<0.01), indicating successful modeling. Masson staining results suggested that the degree of gastrocnemius fibrosis was relieved after intervention with different treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine. Western blotting results showed that the expressions of ULK1, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, and FUNDC1 decreased (P<0.05) and the level of mitochondrial autophagy decreased compared to those in the model femur group after different treatment methods of traditional Chinese medicine. Compared to those in the model group, the protein expressions of ULK1, FUNDC1, and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ increased (P<0.05), and the level of mitochondrial autophagy increased. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of TCM treatment of reinforcing kidney and invigorating spleen on OP model rats may be due to the regulation of mitochondrial autophagy through ULK1/FUNDC1 pathway, and the effect of reinforcing kidney and invigorating spleen method is better. |