[Effects of epimedium on the expression of interleukin-6 messenger ribonucleic acid in bone of ovariectomized rat].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of the traditional herb-epimedium on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA in bone of ovariectomized rat.


METHODS
Forty female rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups, 10 in each: ovariectomized (OVX) group, sham operation group, OVX followed by epimedium (group 3) or nilestriol (group 4) for 3 months respectively. All rats were then sacrificed, and total RNA were directly isolated from their right tibia. Interleukin-6 mRNA expression was detected by relative semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. Lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X ray absorptiometry before sacrifice.


RESULTS
The BMD of epimedium group was significantly higher than that in the OVX group (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the IL-6 mRNA expression level of epimedium group was significantly lower than that in the OVX group (P < 0.01), but higher than those in the sham and nilestrial group (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
IL-6 may play a role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal teoporosis. Epimedium can inhibit the expression of IL-6 mRNA, which may contribute to its anti-resorptive effect.
Wang
B
B
Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Quan
J
J
Guo
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis; D010052:Ovariectomy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger