To evaluate the effect of estrogen on its ability to restore the bone mass and bone quality in ovariectomized rats by examining the changes of bone morphology and histomorphometry, 3- month-old rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: normal control, ovariectomized (OVX), sham- operated (Sham-O) and OVX plus estrogen (OVX+E2). Treatment initiated from the day 8 weeks after operation and continued for 12 weeks. Bone morphology and histomorphometry were examined afterwards. Results showed that comparing to control group, the trabecular bone in OVX appeared thinner and reduced in the amount. The connectivity between trabecula was decreased and the struc- ture disordered. The free-end of trabecula was increased. The cavity of bone marrow enlarged. After treatment with estrogen, above changes improved remarkably by different degree, although did not reach the normal face. The bone histomorphometry results damonstrated that estrogen treatment in- creased bone mass and the amount of trabecula by 129% and 132% respectively (P<0. 05). The activity of bone resorption decreased significantly and the rate of bone formation increased to 203%. These results suggest that treatment of ovariectomized rats with estrogen can not only increase bone mass, also improve the bone structure and enhance the property of bone mechanics.
Objective： To observe the effects of Bushen Zhuanggu Formul on intedeukin 6 （IL-6） level and bone metabolism of the ovariectomized rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of preventing and treating postmenopausal osteo porosis by traditional Chinese Formul. Methods： SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： normal control group （N）, ovariectomized control group （OVX）, estrogen-treated group （OVX＋E） traditional and Chinese medicine-treated group （OVX＋ CM）. After treaanent, IL-6 levels in rat bone tissue media and serum were examined by ELISA. The proximal tibias（PTM） of rats were undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometry. Results： Compared with OVX group, both Bushen Zhuanggu medicine and estrogen decreased IL-6 level in rat bone tissue media. However, the effects of Bushen Zhuanggu Formul were weaker than those of estrogen. Furthermore, Bushen Zhuanggu Formul and estrogen produced a reduction in bone turnover by inhibiting bone formation and bone resorption at the same time. Conclusion： Bushen Zhuanggu Formul prevents ovariectomic bone loss by inhibiting IL-6 production in rat bone tissues.
Lulu Chen Huiqing Li Tianshu Zeng Wenfang Xia Juan Zheng Min Zhou
