OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effectiveness of warm needling combined with element calcium on postmenopausal osteoporosis, and to explore its action mechanism.

METHODSEighty-five postmenopausal patients were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases) and a control group (42 cases). Both the two groups were treated with oral administration of caltrate-D tablet, 600 mg per day, once a day before sleep for one year. Patients in the observation group were treated with warm needling at Dazhu (BL 11), Shenshu (BL 23), Xuan-zhong (GB 39), once a day; 30 days of treatment were taken as a course, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 60 days between courses. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebra and hip joint, and the level of serum bone gla protein (S-BGP) and hydroxyproline/creatinine (Hyp/Cr) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTS(1)After treatment, the BMD in the observation group was significantly increased [lumbar vertebra (0. 811±0. 024) g/cm2 vs (0. 892±0.019) g/cm2, femoral neck (0. 512±0.014) g/cm2 vs (0. 554±0. 015) g/cm2, femoral trochanter (0. 716±0. 028) g/cm2 vs (0.769±0.026) g/cm2, Ward's trigonum (0. 590±0. 013) g/cm2 vs (0. 660±0. 017) g/cm2, all P<0. 05)]; the improvement in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (all P<0. 05). (2)After treatment, the index of bone metabolism in the control group was increased, and the serum S-BGP, the Hyp/Cr in the control group were higher than those in the observation group (both P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of warm needling combined with element calcium on postmenopausal osteoporosis is significant, which is likely to be achieved by reducing the bone metabolism of postmenopausal patients.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bone Density ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with TDP for treatment of postmenopausal patients with deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 56 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture combined with TDP, Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were selected as main points; the medication group was treated with oral administration of Nylestriol and Oryzanol. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after treatment of 3 months in the two groups, and the changes of estrogen,bone mineral density and endometrium of patients were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 94.6% in acupuncture group was superior to 75.0% in medication group (P<0.01), the acupuncture group was better than the medication group in increasing bone mineral density and decreasing the endometrial thickness (P<0.05, P<0.01), the medication group was better than the acupuncture group in decreasing the levels of serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and increasing the estradiol (E2) level (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical effect of acupuncture combined with TDP for treatment of postmenopausal patients with deficiency of liver and kidney syndrome is significant, and it can increase bone mineral density, decrease endometrial thickness and obviously regulate the estrogen level.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the better treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis of liver and kidney deficiency type.

METHODSOne hundred and five cases were randomly divided into an observation group, a control group A and a control group B equally. In control group A, Calcichew D3 tablets were taken with oral administration; in control group B, Calcichew D3 tablets and Xianling Gubao capsule were taken with oral administration. In observation group, Calcichew D3 tablets and acupoint catgut embedding were applied; Shenshu (BL 23), Ganshu (BL 18), Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Weizhong (BL 40) etc. were selected at acute stage; Shenshu (BL 23) and Ganshu (BL 18) etc. were selected at remission stage, once every half a month and 6 months treatment in all. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), bone mineral density(BMD), estradiol (E2) and clinical effects were compared among groups.

RESULTSAfter 3 and 6 months treatment, the scores of VAS were reduced among groups (all P < 0.01); the reduction in observation group and control group B was superior to that in control group A (all P < 0.001), and it was more obvious in observation group than that in control group B (both P < 0.001). After 6 months treatment, lumbar BMD and the serum level of Ez improved obviously in observation group and control group B (all P < 0.01). The comparison among groups after treatment showed that the BMD in observation group and control group B was superior o o that in control group A (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the serum level of E2 in observation group was superior to that in control group B and control group A (both P < 0.001), and it in control group B was superior to that in control group A. The total effective rate was 91.4% (32/35) in observation group, superior to that in control group A (57.1%, 20/35); and the total effective rate was 82. 9% (29/35) in control group B, superior to that in control group A.

CONCLUSIONCalcichew D3 tablets and acupoint catgut embedding therapy can relieve the pain caused by postmenopausal osteoporosis of liver and kidney deficiency, improve the bone mineral density and serum level of estradiol; in brief, it is the better method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Catgut ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Vitamin D ; therapeutic use

Aged ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Organometallic Compounds ; adverse effects ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; chemically induced ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Thiophenes ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether blood stasis is one of the main causes in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODSThe clinical manifestation of blood stasis syndrome were comprehensively scored in sixty postmenopausal osteoporosis patients, their vascular endothelial function and platelet activating capacity were also detected, and compared with those in 30 healthy women as control.

RESULTSThe molecular indexes as vascular endothelial function and platelet activating capacity, as well as comprehensive scores of clinical manifestation of blood stasis syndrome in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients were significantly different to those of healthy women (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere is objective molecular pathologic change of blood stasis syndrome in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Blood stasis plays an important role in pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Aged ; Blood Viscosity ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; etiology ; Platelet Activation ; physiology

INTRODUCTIONThere has been a resurgence of interest in studies concerning the role of elements in the development and maintenance of the skeleton. The aim of the study was to assess the plasma and red blood concentrations of some elements in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODSSeventy-seven postmenopausal women with osteoporosis aged 61 years (median interquartile range, 7.5; range, 46 to 74) and 61 age- and BMI-matched healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 years (median interquartile range, 8.0; range, 44 to 76) were included in the study. Element concentrations in plasma and red blood cells including magnesium (Mg), zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in both postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and healthy postmenopausal women.

RESULTSOnly statistically significant difference between the osteoporotic (51.51 [15.40] microg/mL) and healthy subjects (54.54 [15.42] microg/mL) was observed in red blood cell (RBC) magnesium concentration (Z=-2.07, P=0.039). However, no significant difference was found between patient and control groups, both in plasma and in red blood concentrations, for zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium.

CONCLUSIONMg levels in red blood cells are significantly lower in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. It is concluded that Mg transport mechanism(s) into the cell could be affected in patients with osteoporosis.

Aged ; Bone Density ; Case-Control Studies ; Copper ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Magnesium ; blood ; Manganese ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Selenium ; blood ; Turkey ; Zinc ; blood

This study was conducted to assess the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal women with mild renal dysfunction. A total of 328 postmenopausal women who underwent BMD measurement during health check-up was investigated. BMD was measured in lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck, total proximal femur and femoral trochanteric areas by dual energy radiography absorptiometry and renal function was estimated by eGFR using Cockcroft-Gault equation. Of the 328 subjects, 317 (96.6%) had an eGFR > or =60 mL/min/1.73 m2. By using simple linear regression analysis, age, height, weight and eGFR were significantly associated with BMD for the 4 aforementioned anatomic sites, while serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen did not influence BMD. When multiple regression analyses were applied, age and body weight still had significant associations with BMD at 4 different anatomic sites (P < 0.001). A significant association of eGFR with BMD remained in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and proximal total femur (P < 0.05) but not in the trochanteric area (P = 0.300). Our study suggests that a decline of renal function is associated with lower BMD in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total proximal femur areas in Korean menopausal women with mild renal dysfunction.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; *Bone Density ; Creatinine/blood ; Female ; Femur Neck/physiology ; *Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases/*physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/*physiopathology ; Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of warm needle moxibustion and medication on osteoporosis and to study the mechanism.

METHODSForty cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 20 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated by warm needle moxibustion at Dazhu (BL 11), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) etc. once other day, for 3 months; and the medication group was treated by oral administration of tablet Caltrate with Vit D2 for 3 months. The changes of bone mass density (BMD), estradiol (E2), osteocalcin (bone growth protein, BGP), urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) in the two groups before and after treatment and therapeutic effects were investigated.

RESULTSAfter treatment, BMD significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the acupuncture group and did not signifi cantly changed in the medication group (P>0.05) with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment E2 level significantly increased as compared with before treatment in both of groups (P<0.01); after treatment BGP significantly decreased as compared with before treatment in both of groups (P<0.01); after treatment Ca/Cr significantly decreased as compared with before treatment in the acupuncture group (P<0.05) ; af ter treatment, there were significant differences in BGP and Ca/Cr between the two groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The clinically controlled rate in the acupuncture group and in the medication group were 35.0%, 5.0%, respectively, the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture group being better than that of the medication group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of warm needle moxibustion on osteoporosis is better than that of oral administration of tablet Caltrate with Vit D2 and it can increase levels of hormones and delay bone loss. It is an effective method for preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Calcium ; urine ; Creatinine ; urine ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy

BACKGROUNDAlendronate, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate is a specific inhibitor of bone resorption and now in the forefront of treatment of osteoporosis. In this study, we reported a significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and the hip in postmenopausal women taking alendronate at 10 mg/d for 1, 2 and 3 years.

METHODSParticipants had received daily, oral, 10 mg dose of alendronate for one to three years and placed into one of three groups according to alendronate treatment duration: 41 women received alendronate for 1 year (group I), 46 received alendronate for 2 years (group II), and 30 received alendronate for 3 years (group III). Measurements of bone density had been made by dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry once each year.

RESULTSThe differences in L2-L4, L2, L4, femoral neck and trochanter BMD values before and after treatment for first group were significantly different. In second group, significant differences between initial and after treatment were found at the other sites except at the Ward's triangle. In the third group, only a significant increase in the L2-L4, L2, L3, L4, trochanter BMD values between before treatment and at the end of third year was found. Comparisons between groups were performed with Student's t test. ANOVA was used to test the age, menopause age, menopause duration and initial BMD values between the three groups. Calculated P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSAlendronate had increased BMD significantly at the spine and hip in postmenopausal women over three years. Increases of BMD in third group were significant during the first and second years. However, continued therapy with alendronate had been required to maintain the gain in BMD over the third year.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Aged ; Alendronate ; therapeutic use ; Analysis of Variance ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Resorption ; prevention & control ; Female ; Hip ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; Spine ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) osteogenesis in vitro and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) expression in bone osteoporotic to prevent and treat the osteoporosis.

METHODSTwenty 6-month-old female SD rats weighted (300±20) g underwent bilateral ovariectomized. At 3 months after operation, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density of rats,the values were compared with preoperative to ensure the model successfully, and the osteoporosis rats' BMSCs were cultured by bone marrow adherent cultured and the BMSCs morphology was observed under a phase contrast microscope upside down. The osteoporosis rats' BMSCs at the 2nd generation (p2) were randomly divided into experimental and control groups and were added complete medium (containing rhBMP-2) and osteogenic induced liquid, respectively. Two weeks later, the formation of cell calcium nodules were detected by Alizarin red staining method,alkaline phosphatase activity was measured by enzyme standard instrument and the expression of VEGF was detected by RT-PCT method.

RESULTS(1)Whole body bone mineral density of rats before and after operation were (0.179±0.007), (0.158±0.006) g/cm2,there was statistically significant (t=4.180,P< 0.05). (2)Alizarin red staining at 2 weeks after osteogenesis induced by BMSCs (P2) in the experimental group had more strong dyeing effect than the control group obviously. (3)Alkaline phosphatase activity at 2 weeks after osteogenesis induced by BMSCs (P2) of the experimental group (15.62±1.27) ug/gprot was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.62±0.93) ug/gprot,there was statistically significant (t=7.709, P<0.01). (4)The expression of VEGF at 2 weeks after osteogenesis induced by BMSCs (P2) of the experimental group 3.723±0.143 was significantly higher than that of the control group 0.950±0.072, there was statistically significant (t=29.462, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONRhBMP-2 can improve the in-vitro osteogenesis ability of ovary osteoporosis rat BMSCs, promote the VEGF expression of osteogenesis factor. Regulating the VEGF expression may be one of the mechanisms of BMP-2 to participate in bone metabolism.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism