OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Bushen Peiyuan Principle (BSPY, a TCM principle for tonifying Kidney and nourishing primordial energy) in treating patients with postmenopausal coronary heart disease (PCHD) instead of hormone treatment.

METHODSTwenty-five healthy women, who were monepaused for over 5 years but without CHD complication were allocated in Group A, 25 patients with PCHD complication suffered from estrogen contraindications such as embolism, hysteromyoma and mammary adenoma, were arranged in Group B, and 25 patients of PCHD without above-mentioned complications were divided into Group C. Group B and C was treated with BSPY and hormone replacement therapy respectively, and the drugs for hypolipidemics were withdrawn 1 month before the study. All the patients were observed for 3.5 months, with their blood levels of estradiol (E2) and lipids determined before and after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the level of E2 in the two treated groups was lower than that in the normal group significantly (P < 0.01), and the parameters of blood lipids were abnormal in them. These abnormalities were improved after treatment significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The level of E2 raised significantly (P < 0.01) after treatment in patients of Group C, with withdrawal vaginal bleeding presented in 90% of less than 56 years in age. In the Group B after treatment, level of E2 showed a slight rising and withdrawal vaginal bleeding was not found but with improvement of symptoms and signs better than that in Group C.

CONCLUSIONUsing BSPY in treating PCHD displayed significant adjustment on disturbance of blood lipid spectrum and improvement on clinical manifestations. As compared with the therapeutic effect of hormone replacement therapy, the risk of carcinogenesis caused by endometrial hyperplasia could be avoided because the blood level of E2 is only slightly increased by BSPY.