Effects of zuogui pill (see text) on Wnt singal transduction in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Pill (see text) in treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis from the angle of the Wnt signal transduction pathway and to provide further experimental evidence for expounding the scientific connotation of "the kidney dominating the bones" in TCM. METHODS: Forty-two male Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups, control group (n = 12), model group (n = 15) and Zuogui Pill group (n = 15). Form the beginning, The rats were injected dexamethasone for eight weeks to make the model of osteoporosis, and the Zuogui Pill were administered intragastrically to the rats of Zuogui Pill group for eight weeks. The relative morphological parameters were measured in the undecalcified tibial slices. And the protein expression levels of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in rat tibial osteoblasts (OB) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMC) were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, TBV% and TFS% decreased significantly, while TRS% increased significantly, and the protein expression of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in OB and BMC decreased significantly in the model group. And compared with the model group, TBV% and TFS% increased significantly, and expression levels of Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin proteins increased significantly in the Zuogui pill group. CONCLUSION: Zuogui Pill can prevent and treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in rats by up-regulating the expression of the key signal molecules Wnt1, LRP-5 and beta-catenin in Wnt signal transduction pathway.

[Effect of acupuncture of "Zusanli"(ST 36)on sexual hormone levels in spleen-deficiency syndrome rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the underlying mechanism of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) in clinical treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome (SDS). METHODS: Twenty-six adult male Wistar rats were randomized into normal control group (n=6), model group (n=8), saline + model (saline) group (n=6) and acupuncture + model (acupuncture) group (n=6). The spleen deficiency syndrome model was duplicated by intragastric perfusion of 50% alcohol (1 mL/100 g, once) and vinegar (pH 3, 1 mL/100 g, once daily for 10 d). Bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) was punctured with filiform needles which were manipulated for 1 min after insertion and retained for 20 min. The treatment was conducted once daily for 10 days. The contents of serum testosterone(T) and estradiol(E2)were detected by radioimmunoassay. The rats' physical strength was detected by exhausted swimming test in cool water. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the duration of exhausted swimming, serum T and E2 contents and T/E, were decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the duration of exhausted swimming, serum T and E2 contents and T/E2 in the acupuncture group were upregulated significantly (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the saline and control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) is able to reverse SDS-induced decrease of sexual hormones in spleen deficiency syndrome rats, which may contribute to its effect in improving physical strength.

[Effect of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on serum gastrin and cortisol contents in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the underlying mechanism of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome. METHODS: Twenty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 6), model group (n = 8), saline group (n = 6) and acupuncture group (n = 6). Spleen deficiency syndrome model was duplicated by intragastric perfusion of 50% alcohol (on the 1st day, 1 mL/100 g) and white vinegar for 9 days (1 mL/100 g). Before decapitation, the animals in all the 4 groups were forced to swim in a water pool under temperature of 18 degrees C till exhaustion (sinking to the bottom of the water pool). Blood samples were collected after decapitation of rats for detecting contents of serum gastrin and cortisol with radioimmunoassay. Unilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) was punctured and stimulated manually then the needle was retained for 20 min. The treatment was given once daily and continuously for 10 days. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, serum gastrin and cortisol contents of model and saline groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while compared with model group and saline group, both gastrin and cortisol levels increased remarkably in acupuncture group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between saline group and model group, and between normal control group and acupuncture group in serum gastrin and cortisol levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) can suppress alcohol and vinegar induced decrease of serum gastrin and cortisol, which may contribute to its effect in the treatment of spleen deficiency syndrome in the rat.