2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (31): 5022-5027

Quantitative proteomic analysis of serum TMT markers for the effect of isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts in osteoporosis rat models

Zheng Jingjie1, 2, Huang Jinyong2, Tuerxunjiang·Dadihan2, Gao Yanhua3, Li Zhiqiang4, Ma Hairong1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In previous studies, isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts have preventive and therapeutic effects on osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency. However, the underlying mechanism has not been clarified.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts to prevent and treat osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats based on proteomics analysis of differentially expressed proteins in serum.  
METHODS: Twenty-seven 10-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into model, chickpea sprout isoflavone, and sham operation groups, with nine rats in each group. Animal models of osteoporosis were prepared by bilateral ovariectomizy in the model and chickpea sprout isoflavone groups. One week after modeling, the chickpea sprout isoflavone group was given 300 mg/kg isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts per day by gavage, while the sham operation and model groups were given the same volume of saline by gavage, once a day. After 3 months of continuous administration, serum samples from experimental groups were extracted for proteomic analysis. Tandem mass tag technology was used to screen the differentially expressed proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment analyses were also performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with the model group, 21 differentially expressed proteins were found in the isoflavone group, including signal transduction pathway related proteins and lipid metabolism related proteins. (2) GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mostly related to the regulation of lipid metabolism and transport. (3) The KEGG enrichment analysis showed the differentially expressed proteins were significantly enriched in cholesterol metabolism and proteasome pathways, which may regulate the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts via important pathways such as Wnt-β-catenin and RANKL/RANK/OPG. (4) To conclude, isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprout are involved in the expression of numerous lipoproteins and signaling pathway proteins in serum and can play a role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis through various signaling pathways.

Key words: osteoporosis, isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts, TMT technique, proteomic analysis, lipid metabolism, signaling pathway