Combined high-resolution MRI and micro-CT to evaluate the repairing effect of Taohong Siwu Decoction on rabbit femoral head necrosis

  OBJECTIVE: To establish a rabbit model of hormonal osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH), and evaluate the repair effect of Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) on SIONFH's microscopic bone structure damage combined with high-resolution MRI and micro-CT.

  Methods: 25 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: 5 in the normal group, 10 in the model group and 10 in the traditional Chinese medicine group (Taohong Siwu Decoction group), prepared by the method of endotoxin (LPS) combined with methylprednisolone (MPS) For the hormone-induced femoral head necrosis model, the traditional Chinese medicine group was given 0.3 g/kg Taohong Siwu Decoction suspension by intragastric administration, and the normal group and the model group were given equal volume of ultrapure water. On the 8th week of the experiment, the head of the femur was examined by high-resolution MRI with a 3.0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging instrument, and the pathological examination of the head of the femur by hematoxylin-eosin staining and microCT examination.

  Results: 1) In the high-resolution MRI, low signal bands can be seen in the femoral head of the model group; the shape of the femoral head in the traditional Chinese medicine group tends to be normal, there is a small low-density area near the epiphysis in the femoral head, and most of the bone tissue gray value is normal. Compared with the normal group, the ROE value of the former structural parameter increased and the ROE/NR ratio increased in the model group compared with the model group. Compared with the model group, the ROE value of the traditional Chinese medicine group decreased, and the ROE/NR ratio decreased. The difference was significant (P<0.05). 2) In the hematoxylin-eosin staining, some trabecular bone fractures, bone cell nuclei shrinkage, bone trabecular empty bone lacuna, bone marrow cell necrosis were seen in the model group, the difference was significant (P<0.05), the traditional Chinese medicine group It can be seen that the osteogenesis activity is still active, and the trabecular bone shape is better. 3) In micro-CT, compared with the normal group, the model group has lower BV/TV, Conn.D., SMI, Tb.N, Tb.Th, and higher BS/BV and Tb.Sp values. In the traditional Chinese medicine group, BS/BV and Tb.Sp were significantly lower than the model group, and Conn.D., SMI, and Tb.N were increased, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). ROI three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the model group was trabecular bone disorder. It can be seen that there are general fractures and less bone; the bone quality of the Chinese medicine group is relatively improved, and the bone trabecula has local repair.

  Conclusion: Taohong Siwu Decoction can promote the repair of the microscopic bone structure and the improvement of the biomechanical environment of the rabbit SIONFH model.