Serum metabolomics analyses reveal biomarkers of osteoporosis and the mechanism of Quanduzhong capsules

With the aging of the population, the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) is rising rapidly, making it an important public health concern. Early screening and effective treatment of OP are the primary challenges facing the management of OP today. Quanduzhong capsule (QDZ) is a single preparation composed of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., which is included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. It is used to treat OP in clinical practice, but its mechanisms are unclear. This study involved 30 patients with OP, 30 healthy controls (HC), and 28 OP patients treated with QDZ to identify potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of OP and to investigate the potential mechanism of QDZ in treating OP. The serum samples were analyzed using targeted amino acid metabolomics. Significant differences in amino acid metabolism were identified between the OP cohort and the HC group, as well as between OP patients before and after QDZ treatment. Compared with HC, the serum levels of 14 amino acids in OP patients changed significantly. Kynurenine, arginine, citrulline, methionine, and their combinations are expected to be potential biomarkers for OP diagnosis. Notably, QDZ reversed the changes in levels of 10 amino acids in the serum of OP patients and significantly impacted numerous metabolic pathways during the treatment of OP. This study focuses on screening potential biomarkers for the early detection of OP, which offers a new insight into the mechanism study of QDZ in treating OP. •Osteoporosis patients had dysfunctions in amino acid metabolic profiles.•The combination of four potential biomarkers is potential as diagnostic biomarkers.•Quanduzhong capsules reversed the clinical symptoms of osteoporosis.•Quanduzhong capsules reversed the changes in the amino acid profile of osteoporosis.