Positive Effects of Qing'e Pill () on Trabecular Microarchitecture and its Mechanical Properties in Osteopenic Ovariectomised Mice / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the impact of Qing'e Pill (, QEP) on the cancellous bone microstructure and its effect on the level of β-catenin in a mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.@*METHODS@#Ninety-six 8-week-old specific pathogen free C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (24/group): sham, ovariectomised osteoporosis model, oestradiol-treated, and QEP-treated groups. Three months after surgery, the third lumbar vertebra and left femur of the animals were dissected and scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to acquire three-dimensional (3D) parameters of their cancellous bone microstructure. The impact of ovariectomy, the effect of oestradiol and QEP intervention on cancellous bone microstructure, and the expression of β-catenin were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The oestradioland the QEP-treated groups exhibited a significant increase in the bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickneßs, bone surface to bone volume ratio (BS/BV), and β-catenin expression compared with those of the model group (P <0.05). In contrast, the structure model index, trabecular separation, and BS/BV were significantly decreased compared with those of the ovariectomised osteoporosis model group (P <0.05). No differences were observed in the above parameters between animals of the QEP- and oestradiol-treated groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The increased β-catenin expression may be the mechanism underlying QEP's improvement of the cancellous bone microstructure in ovariectomised mice. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEP as a dietary supplement to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women.

Effects of Modified Qing'e Pill () on expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2 and coagulation-related factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of femoral head / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To observe the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine, Modifified Qing'e Pill (, MQEP), on the expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and other potentially relevant risk factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 96 patients with nontraumatic ONFH were unequal randomly divided into treatment group (60 cases) and control group (36 cases). The treatment group were treated with MQEP while the control group were treated with simulated pills. Both groups were given caltrate D. Six months were taken as a treatment course. Patients were followed up every 2 months. The levels of plasma adiponectin, BMP2, OPG, von Willebrand factor (vWF), von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (vWF-cp), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), C-reactive protein (CRP), blood rheology, bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral head and Harris Hip Score were measured before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months of treatment, compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group had signifificantly higher adiponectin and BMP2 levels (P<0.01 and P=0.013, respectively), lower vWF, PAI-1 and CRP levels (P=0.019, P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively), and lower blood rheology parameters. BMD of the femoral neck, triangle area and Harris Hip Score in the treatment group were signifificantly higher than those in the control group. Moreover, plasma adiponectin showed a positive association with BMP2 (r=0.231, P=0.003) and a negative association with PAI-1 (r=-0.159, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MQEP may play a protective role against nontraumatic ONFH by increasing the expression of adiponectin, regulating bone metabolism and improving the hypercoagulation state, which may provide an experimental base for its clinical effects.</p>

Effect of Qing'e formula on circulating sclerostin levels in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Serum sclerostin is positively associated with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Our preliminary studies confirmed that Qing'e formula (QEF) could effectively increase serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but the effect of supplementation with QEF on serum sclerostin is unknown. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of QEF on serum sclerostin levels in patients with PMOP. Totally 120 outpatients and inpatients with PMOP treated in our hospital between January and October 2012 were randomly divided into QEF+calcium group, alfacalcidol+calcium group, and placebo+calcium group (n=40 each), with a follow-up period of 2 years. The serum levels of sclerostin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, and bone turnover markers (β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP) at baseline and at the 6th month, 1st year, 1.5th year, and 2nd year after treatment were measured. The results showed that the levels of circulating sclerostin were increased significantly at the 6th month after treatment in QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group as compared with placebo+calcium group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The levels of β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP in serum were decreased in both QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group at the 6th month after treatment, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). But the levels were significantly lower than that in placebo+calcium group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the mechanism by which QEF modulates bone metabolism in patients with PMOP might be related with the effect of QEF in increasing sclerostin expression. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEF as an effective drug to prevent bone loss in PMOP.

Association of serum Dkk-1 levels with β-catenin in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Wnt signaling plays an important role in the bone development and remodeling. The Wnt antagonist Dkk-1 is a potent inhibitor of bone formation. The aims of this study were firstly to compare the serum Dkk-1 levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients with age-matched healthy controls, and secondly, to assess the possible relationship between Dkk-1 and β-catenin, sclerostin, or bone turnover markers [CTX, PINP, N-MID-OT and 25(OH)D] in the setting of postmenopausal osteoporosis. A total of 350 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and 150 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled, and the serum levels of Dkk-1, β-catenin, sclerostin, OPG, and RANKL were detected by ELISA, and bone turnover markers [CTX, PINP, N-MID-OT and 25(OH)D] were measured by Roche electrochemiluminescence system in two groups. Serum Dkk-1 levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporosis group than in control group (P<0.001). Univariate analyses revealed that serum Dkk-1 levels were weakly negatively correlated to β-catenin (r=-0.161, P=0.003) and OPG (r=-0.106, P=0.047), while multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between serum Dkk-1 levels with β-catenin (β=-0.165, P=0.009) and BMD (β=-0.139, P=0.027), and a positive correlation between serum Dkk-1 levels and CTX (β=0.122, P=0.040) in postmenopausal osteoporosis group. No similar correlations ware observed in control group. The results provided evidence for the role of Dkk-1 in bone metabolism and demonstrated the link of Dkk-1 and Wnt/β-catenin in some ways.

Association of serum Dkk-1 levels with β-catenin in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Wnt signaling plays an important role in the bone development and remodeling. The Wnt antagonist Dkk-1 is a potent inhibitor of bone formation. The aims of this study were firstly to compare the serum Dkk-1 levels in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients with age-matched healthy controls, and secondly, to assess the possible relationship between Dkk-1 and β-catenin, sclerostin, or bone turnover markers [CTX, PINP, N-MID-OT and 25(OH)D] in the setting of postmenopausal osteoporosis. A total of 350 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and 150 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled, and the serum levels of Dkk-1, β-catenin, sclerostin, OPG, and RANKL were detected by ELISA, and bone turnover markers [CTX, PINP, N-MID-OT and 25(OH)D] were measured by Roche electrochemiluminescence system in two groups. Serum Dkk-1 levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporosis group than in control group (P<0.001). Univariate analyses revealed that serum Dkk-1 levels were weakly negatively correlated to β-catenin (r=-0.161, P=0.003) and OPG (r=-0.106, P=0.047), while multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between serum Dkk-1 levels with β-catenin (β=-0.165, P=0.009) and BMD (β=-0.139, P=0.027), and a positive correlation between serum Dkk-1 levels and CTX (β=0.122, P=0.040) in postmenopausal osteoporosis group. No similar correlations ware observed in control group. The results provided evidence for the role of Dkk-1 in bone metabolism and demonstrated the link of Dkk-1 and Wnt/β-catenin in some ways.

Serum sclerostin levels associated with lumbar spine bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sclerostin, expressed exclusively by osteocytes, is a negative regulator of bone formation. To gain insights into the action of sclerostin in postmenopausal osteoporosis, we evaluated serum sclerostin levels in postmenopausal women and investigated its possible associations with bone turnover markers in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We detected serum sclerostin, and measured lumbar spine bone mineral density in 650 Chinese postmenopausal women. We also assessed serum levels of β-isomerized C-terminal crosslinking of type I collagen, intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, N-mid fragment of osteocalcin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and estradiol.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum sclerostin levels were lower in postmenopausal osteoporotic women compared with non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women ((38.79 ± 7.43) vs. (52.86 ± 6.69) pmol/L, P < 0.001). Serum sclerostin was positively correlated with lumbar spine bone mineral density (r = 0.391, P < 0.001) and weakly negatively correlated with β-isomerized C-terminal crosslinking of type I collagen, intact N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen, N-mid fragment of osteocalcin (r = -0.225, P < 0.001; r = -0.091, P = 0.046; r = -0.108, P = 0.018; respectively) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. There was no significant association of serum sclerostin with age, body mass index, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and estradiol (r = -0.004, P = 0.926; r = 0.067, P = 0.143; r = 0.063, P = 0.165; r = -0.045, P = 0.324; respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sclerostin may be involved in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and may play a role in bone turnover.</p>

Effects of Bushen Huogu decoction on bone metabolism of ovariectomized osteoporotic rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Bushen Huogu decoction can effectively prevent and treat osteoporosis, but the concrete mechanism of pharmacology is still not clear. 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are important coupling factors, which can regulate bone resorption and formation.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effects of Bushen Huogu decoction on the bone mineral density, bone biomechanics, and level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in blood serum, liver and kidney in the ovariectomized osteoporotic rats.METHODS: Totally 108 healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into model group, sham-operated group, andtreatment group. All rats had been ovariectomized to induce estrogen absence and further establish osteoporotic models, except those in sham-operated group. Treatment group of rats were intragastrically administrated with 2 mL Bushen Huogu decoction,twice a day.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with model group, the bone mineral density in the rat femur was significantly increased in the treatment group (P 0.05). In the early period of estrogenic hormone absence, the Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs could activate bone metabolism, raise bone mineral density and reinforce quality of bone through up-regulating expression of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The survival analysis of metastatic prostate cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To analyze the clinical and pathological informations of metastatic prostate cancer patients to find the predictive factors of the survival.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To filter 364 cases of metastatic prostate cancer in the 940 cases of prostate cancer that were treated in Cancer Hospital Fudan University in Shanghai from March 1998 to June 2009, the cases had hormonal therapy and full clinical and pathological records. All the 364 cases were followed up and the clinical and pathological informations were analyzed, to find the predictive factors that related to the prognosis. Statistic software SPSS 15.0 was used for analysis. Cumulative survival was analyzed by the method of Kaplan-Meier. Cox regression was used for univariate and multivariate analysis. Log-rank method was used for the significance test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The last follow-up date was 30th June 2009 and the median follow-up time was 24 months. At the final follow-up, 240 cases were alive, 109 cases were dead and 15 cases were lost to follow up. The median survival time of metastatic prostate cancer was 64 months, and the one-year, two-year, three-year, four-year, five-year survival rate was 92%, 78%, 66%, 60%, 54%. The univariate analysis indicated that Gleason score (P = 0.033), clinical stage (P < 0.001), the effectiveness of hormonal therapy (P < 0.001), the prostate specific antigen (PSA) nadir during hormonal therapy (P < 0.001) and the time from the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir (P = 0.002) were predictive factors for the survival time of metastatic prostate cancer. The multivariate analysis indicated that the PSA nadir during hormonal therapy (P < 0.001) and the time from the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir (P < 0.001) were independent factors that predict the survival time of metastatic prostate cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PSA nadir during hormonal therapy and the time from the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir are independent factors that predict the survival time of metastatic prostate cancer.</p>

The study of electrical acupuncture stimulation therapy combined with pelvic floor muscle therapy for postprostatectomy incontinence / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effectiveness and significance of whether electrical acupuncture stimulation combining with pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) can improve the recovery of urinary continence.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 109 patients took part in the study of novel combination treatment for urinary continence from September 2008 to September 2009. Patients were divided into study group (n = 40) and control group (n = 69). The patients in study group received electrical acupuncture stimulation therapy combined with PFMT one week after removal the catheter. The patients in control group performed PFMT as the only treatment for post prostatectomy incontinence. The patients were followed up closely, with their clinical characteristics recorded, questionnaires of ICI-Q-SF filled up, and all the data for statistical analysis collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in the urinary control curve (P = 0.029). The difference of continence probability between these two groups became greater from 4 weeks after surgery, and the difference reached the peak at 6 weeks (P = 0.023). Then the difference became smaller, and there was no difference at 16 weeks after surgery. ICI-Q-SF questionnaires showed the same results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electrical acupuncture stimulation therapy combining with PFMT can improve the recovery of patients' urinary continence after radical prostatectomy.</p>

The survival analysis of the advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze predictive factors of advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 1996 to March 2008, 250 cases of advanced metastatic prostate cancer progressed into the stage of hormonal independent prostate cancer. The last follow-up date was 31 March 2008 and the median follow-up time was 24 months. During the follow-up, 131 cases were alive, 105 cases were dead and 14 cases were lost to follow-up. Clinical and pathological information of the cases was analyzed to find the predictive factors that related to the prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median survival time of advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer was 30 months, and the one-year, two-year, three-year survival rate was 79%, 59%, and 41%. The univariate analysis indicated that prostate specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, clinical stage, the PSA nadir during hormonal therapy, the time form the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir, the time of response duration during hormonal therapy, PSA velocity (PSAV) and PSA doubling time (PSADT) at the emergency of castration-resistant prostate cancer, age and PSA at the diagnosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer were factors that predicted the survival time of advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The multivariate analysis indicated that the PSA nadir during hormonal therapy, the time form the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir, PSAV at the emergency of castration-resistant prostate cancer, the time of response duration during hormonal therapy were independent factors that predicted the survival time of advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The PSA nadir during hormonal therapy, the time form the start of hormonal therapy to the PSA nadir, PSAV at the emergency of castration-resistant prostate cancer and the time of response duration during hormonal therapy are independent factors that predict the survival time of advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.</p>

Effects of Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs on bone mineral density (BMD), biomechanics, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 of ovariectomized osteoporosis rats / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs on bone mineral density, biomechanics, 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 of ovariectomized osteoporosis rats, and explore the mechanism of treating osteoporosis with the drugs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six female SD rats (four months) were randomly divided into model group, sham group and treatment group. All the rats had been ovariectomied except those in sham group. Selecting 4, 8, 12 weeks in the experiment, the value of bone mineral density (BMD) was measure by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of femoral head, while the biomechanics machine was applied to analysis femoral head biomechanics index and ELISA method was used to detect the content of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 discern in blood-serum, liver and kidney.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment group rats' BMD of femoral head was enhance compared with model group, significant differences were absent (P<0.05), and the maximal load and maximal stress measurement were improved, significant differences were absent (P<0.05). As the content of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 discern in blood-serum, liver and kidney were elevate, furthmore there were significant differences in group comparison, all significant differences were absent (P<0.05). But those compared with sham group, there was no significant difference (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the early period in absence of estrogenic hormone, the Chinese kidney-tonifying drugs could activate bone metabolism to raise BMD and reinforce quality of bone through up-regulating expression of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 at protein level.</p>