Effects of Qing’E Formula on the Expression of Bone Metabolic Markers and VDR mRNA in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Patients

Bo Shuai, Yanping Yang, Lin Shen, Hui Ke

Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

DOI: 10.4236/cm.2014.53018                

Abstract

Objectives: To study the partial mechanism of treating postmenopausal osteoporosis patients (POPs) using the ancient recipe of Qing’E Formula (QEF) by observing its effects on bone metabolic markers and VDR mRNA expression in primary POPs. Methods: Analysis was performed on 120 outpatient and inpatient POPs treated in our hospital between January and October 2013, where the patients were randomly divided into Qing’E group (QEF + Caltrate), Calcitriol group (Caltrate + Calcitriol soft capsules), and Compare group (Caltrate), each with a follow-up period of 1 year. Statistical analysis was then performed on bone mineral density, blood bone metabolic markers (β-CTX, N-MID, T-PINP) and changes in VDR mRNA expressions in the POPs before and after the treatments. Results: Prior to the treatments, bone mineral density and blood β-CTX, N-MID, T-PINP and VDR mRNA expression in the 3 groups of POPs exhibited no statistically significant differences, and the blood β-CTX, N-MID, T-PINP and VDR mRNA expression in the control group showed no statistically significant differences before and after the treatments. There were no significant differences in bone mineral density in the Qing’E group and the Calcitriol group before and after the treatments whereas the bone mineral density decreased in the control group after the treatments. As for blood β-CTX, N-MID, T-PINP and VDR mRNA expression, the measurements in POPs in the Qing’E group and the Calcitriol group were significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: By adjusting the VDR mRNA expression, the QEF, a kidney-invigorating Chinese herbal formula, is capable of activating bone metabolism to prohibit further losses of bone mass, thereby preventing the deterioration of osteoporosis.

Keywords

Qing’E Formula, VDR mRNA, Osteoporosis, Bone Metabolism, Bone Density

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Fan, L.Y., Tu, X.Q., Zhu, Y., Zhou, L., Pfeiffer, T., Feltens, R., Stoecker, W. and Zhong, R. (2005) Genetic Association of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in the Chinese. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 20, 249-255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03532.x
[2]	Van Etten, E. and Mathieu, C. (2005) Immunoregulation by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3: Basic Concepts. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 97, 93-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2005.06.002
[3]	Zhou, Y., Zhang H. and Cai D.H. (2005) Influence of Estrogen and Progesteron on Bone Metabolism and Renal Expression of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Receptors mRNA in Ovariectomized Rats. Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University, 26, 1270-1273.
[4]	Municio, M.J. and Traba, M.L. (2004) Effects of 24, 25-(OH)2D3, 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 on Alkaline and Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase Activities in Fetal Rat Calvaria. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 60, 219-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03167032
[5]	Uchida, M., Shima, M., Chikazu, D., Fujieda, A., Obara, K., Suzuki, H., Nagai, Y., Yamato, H. and Kawaguchi, H. (2001) Transcriptional Induction of Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 (Collagenase-3) by 1 Alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Mouse Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 Cells. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 16, 221-230. http://dx.doi.org/10.1359/jbmr.2001.16.2.221
[6]	Shuai, B., Shen, L., Yang, Y.P., Xie, J., Zhou P.Q., Xu X.J., Li, C.G. and Wu, M.X. (2012) Effect of Bushenhuoxue Decoction on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in the Steroid Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head. Research of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 4, 297-301.
[7]	Shuai, B., Shen, L., Yang, Y.P., Xie, J., Shou, Z.X. and Wei, B. (2010) Low Plasma Adiponectin as a Potential Biomarker for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head. The Journal of Rheumatology, 37, 2151-2155. http://dx.doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.100342
[8]	Guo, L.J., Luo, X.H., Xie, H., Zhou, H.D. and Liao, E.Y. (2005) The Effects of 1Alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Regulation Matrix Metalloproteinase and Tissue Metalloproteinase Inhibitors in Human Osteoblasts. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi, 44, 125-128.
[9]	Xue, Z.W., Shang, X.M., Lv, S.H., Xu, H., Zhang, Q. and Wang, C. (2013) Effects of Shenshao Decoction on the Inflammatory Response in The aorta of a Rat Atherosclerotic Model. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 19, 347352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1457-z
[10]	Yao, F.A., Dobs, A.S. and Brown, T.T. (2006) Alternative Therapies for Osteoporosis. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 34, 721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X06004235
[11]	Ling, J.Y., Shen, L., Liu, Q., Xue, S., Ma, W., Wu, H., Li, Z.X. and Zhu, R. (2013) Changes in Platelet GPIbα and ADAM17 during the Acute Stage of Atherosclerotic Ischemic Stroke among Chinese. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Medical Sciences), 33, 438-442.