Gut Microbiota Composition and Fecal Metabolomic Profile in Patients with Non-Traumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Recent studies have revealed a connection between gut microbiota composition and the progression of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH). Investigating the gut microbiota composition in NONFH patients, this study further analyzed the differences in gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolomic profiles between steroid-induced and alcohol-induced NONFH patients. A total of 79 fecal samples were collected, including 68 individuals with NONFH (32 steroid-induced and 36 alcohol-induced), as well as 11 individuals with traumatic ONFH as a control group. High-throughput 16S rDNA analysis was conducted to analyze DNA extracted from the samples. Metabolomic analysis using LC-MS/MS was performed on 39 NONFH samples (19 steroid-induced and 20 alcohol-induced). Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed between the traumatic and non-traumatic groups, as well as between the alcohol-induced and steroid-induced groups.