School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China , Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
Am J Chin Med. 2014;42(1):143-55. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X14500104.
Du-Zhong has a long history of being used in traditional Chinese formulas to treat bone related diseases. The objective of the present study is to systematically investigate the effects of Du-Zhong cortex extract (DZCE) on disuse-induced osteoporosis. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, and three groups were treated with hind limb suspension (HLS). Control and HLS group received deionized distilled water, while the other two groups received alendronate (2.0 mg/kg/day) and DZCE (300 mg/kg/day) respectively by intragastric gavage for six weeks (two weeks prior to and during the four weeks of HLS). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, assay of biochemical markers, and three-point bending test were employed to determine the effect of various treatments on bone mass, turnover, and strength. The trabecular bone microarchitecture was assessed by microCT analysis. DZCE could effectively prevent the bone loss induced by HLS, which was indicated by decreased levels of bone turnover markers as well as the changes in urinary calcium and phosphorus. The DZCE treatment also enhanced the biomechanical strength of bone and prevented the deterioration of trabecular bone microarchitecture. DZCE administration was able to prevent disuse-induced osteoporosis by regulating the bone metabolism, suggesting that DZCE could be used as an alternative therapy for the prevention of disuse-induced osteoporosis.
杜仲在传统中药方剂中用于治疗骨相关疾病已有悠久的历史。本研究旨在系统研究杜仲皮提取物（DZCE）对废用性骨质疏松症的影响。大鼠随机分为四组，三组进行后肢悬吊（HLS）。对照组和 HLS 组给予去离子蒸馏水，另外两组分别给予阿仑膦酸钠（2.0mg/kg/天）和 DZCE（300mg/kg/天）灌胃，共 6 周（HLS 前 2 周和 4 周期间）。双能 X 射线吸收仪、生化标志物测定和三点弯曲试验用于确定各种治疗方法对骨量、周转率和强度的影响。采用 microCT 分析评估小梁骨微结构。DZCE 可有效预防 HLS 引起的骨丢失，这表现在骨转换标志物水平降低以及尿钙和磷的变化。DZCE 治疗还增强了骨的生物力学强度，并防止了小梁骨微结构的恶化。DZCE 给药通过调节骨代谢可预防废用性骨质疏松症，表明 DZCE 可作为预防废用性骨质疏松症的替代疗法。
