Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-Y1 receptor (Y1R) signaling is known to negatively affect bone anabolism. Our study aimed at investigating the impact of NPY-Y1R signaling in the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid-related osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Femoral heads were retrieved from 20 patients with and without ONFH, respectively. The bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from ONFH femoral heads were treated with Y1R agonists and antagonists for subsequent analysis. We showed that the local NPY expression level was lower in ONFH heads. The Y1R agonists and antagonists disturb and facilitate the survival of BMSCs. The transcription of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was enhanced by Y1R antagonists. Our study showed that the local NPY expression level was lower in ONFH heads. Y1R antagonists facilitate the survival of BMSCs and stimulate the transcription of SDF-1 by BMSCs. These findings shed light on the role of NPY-Y1R signaling in the pathogenesis of ONFH.
Keywords: BIBO3304; neuropeptide Y; osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH); stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1).