Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (30): 6574-6582.doi: 10.12307/2025.911

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Association between neuroimaging changes and osteonecrosis: a large sample analysis from UK Biobank and FinnGen databases

Zhang Bochun1, Li Wei1, Li Guangzheng1, Ding Haoqin1, Li Gang2, Liang Xuezhen1, 2   

  1. 1First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China; 2Department of Orthopaedic Microsurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2024-10-18 Accepted:2024-11-26 Online:2025-10-28 Published:2025-03-29
  • Contact: Liang Xuezhen, MD, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China; Department of Orthopaedic Microsurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Bochun, MS, First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82074453 (to LG); National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Project), No. 82205154 (to LXZ); Shandong Natural Science Foundation (Youth Project), No. ZR2021QH004 (to LXZ); Shandong Natural Science Foundation of China (General Project), No. ZR2024MH156 (to LXZ) 

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the continuous exploration of the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis, more and more research evidence shows that neuroimaging change is closely related to the onset of osteonecrosis. However, the specific causal relationship between neuroimaging change and osteonecrosis is still unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the causal relationship between neuroimaging indices and osteonecrosis using Mendelian Randomization analysis.
METHODS: Neuroimaging data were obtained from the UK Biobank database in the UK, which included a total of 36 778 individuals. Osteonecrosis data were obtained from the FinnGen database in Finland, including 1 543 cases and 391 037 controls. Instrumental variables were extracted and screened from outcome factors, and two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed. The data were analyzed by inverse variance weighted method, MR-Egger, weighted median method, simple model method, and weighted model method. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the main analysis method, and the other four methods were used as supplements. To verify the feasibility and stability of the data, sensitivity analysis of the results was performed. Based on the complexity of causal inference, a reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was further performed to evaluate the potential reverse causal relationship.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The results of inverse variance weighted analysis showed that 97 neuroimaging data were positively correlated with osteonecrosis (P < 0.05, OR > 1); 2 data were heterogeneous and 6 data had horizontal pleiotropy. 95 neuroimaging phenotypes were negatively correlated with osteonecrosis (P < 0.05, OR < 1); 5 data were heterogeneous, and 9 data had horizontal pleiotropy; 2 groups of data had reverse causal relationships. (2) The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis established the causal relationship between neuroimaging indicators and osteonecrosis in the academic community. These large sample numbers from the UK and Finland provide a new theoretical basis for the pathophysiology of osteonecrosis, and also provide ideas and methods for the prediction, screening, early diagnosis and prognosis of osteonecrosis in China, which is conducive to improving the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment of osteonecrosis.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建；骨细胞；软骨细胞；细胞培养；成纤维细胞；血管内皮细胞；骨质疏松；组织工程

Key words: neuroimaging, osteonecrosis, causality, Mendelian randomization, engineered tissue construction

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