Decreased serum 4-Hydroxynonenal level as a biomarker for the progression of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Abstract

Background Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is becoming a prevalent global health problem. 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) serves as a common marker of oxidative stress. This study aims to study the potential role of 4-HNE in the progression of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH). Method Between April 2021 and December 2021, 64 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional case‒control study. Thirty-six patients were grouped based on the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification, and 28 healthy volunteers without hip pain or any lesions shown in anteroposterior and frog-leg lateral pelvic radiographs served as the normal control group. Bone hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), immunohistochemistry, and levels of plasma 4-HNE were evaluated. Results The 4-HNE level was higher in the SIONFH group than in the normal control group (P < 0.001), and 4-HNE levels were significantly higher in SIONFH patients in the early stage of disease (stage II). The 4-HNE level was negatively correlated with ARCO stage (r = − 0.6875, P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of 4-HNE in the trabecular bone, osteocytes, and bone marrow. Conclusion The 4-HNE level is negatively associated with ARCO stages. Lower levels of 4-HNE may serve as a critical biomarker for the progression of SIONFH.

Exploring molecular mechanisms of intra-articular changes in osteonecrosis of femoral head using DIA proteomics and bioinformatics

“…In the past decade, many studies have focused on identifying susceptible sites of ONFH [6][7][8]. With the continuous development of high-throughput sequencing technology, extensive research on the gene expression products of ONFH has identified thousands of differentially expressed genes, many of which can serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and molecular targeted treatment [9,10].…”