[Experimental study on zhuanggu shengbao in preventing hormone-induced osteoporosis of rats]

Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats at 3 months of age were divided randomly into 3 groups. Prednisone acetate was given to the group B twice per weeks, Zhuanggu Shengbao (ZGSB) was added to the group C besides prednisone, the group A was control. The histomorphometric parameters of bone slides of proximal tibia were measured and calculated with image pattern analyser after 3 months of medication. Results showed that in comparing with group A, in group B the area and number of trabecula decreased, the intertrabecular space increased due to the bone resorption exceeded the bone formation, and the symptoms of osteoporosis revealed obviously. However, in group C, the bone resorption rate was markedly inhibited, and the formation of new bone accelerated so that the bone mass increased significantly. These results indicated the ZGSB could prevent the osteoporosis induced by prednisone acetate.