基于实时剪切波弹性成像评价毛蕊异黄酮预防失重性肌萎缩的效果

Objective To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE). Methods The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups. Results There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats (F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different (F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.