title: [Study on treatment of climacteric depression with bushen tiaogan qingxin recipe].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of bushen tiaogan qingxin recipe (BTQR) on Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD), monoamine meurotransmitter and endocrinal function in patients with climacteric depression, and to explore its mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into two groups, the 25 patients in the treated group treated with BTQR and 15 patients in the control group treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The HAMD scoring, levels of 5-HT, NE in plasma, serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined before and after treatment, and the thickness of endometrium was measured by B-Doppler ultrasonographic technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate, evaluated by the HAMD score reducing rate, in the treated group was 87.2%, and in the control group was 67.3%, showing significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment, 5-HT decreased (P<0.01), NE increased (P<0.05) and 5-HT/NE ratio lowered (P<0.01) in the treated group; E2 increased in both groups; FSH, LH and FSH/LH ratio decreased in the treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), FSH/LH ratio decreased in the control group (P<0.05). The thickness of endometrium increased in the control group after treatment (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mechanism of BTQR in treating climacteric depression might be related with its actions in: (1) To regulate the synthesis and release of monoamine neurotransmitter; (2) To adjust reproductive endocrine function; (3) To coordinate the neuroendocrinal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of TCM, Hospital of Obstetric and Gynecology, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100026. junqinhe@sina.com
authors.forename: Jun-qin
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xi-wei
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Huan-xian
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zuqiong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D002979:Climacteric; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal