A trial study of propranolol and Zhigancao decoction on the central depressant and anti-osteoporosic action in ovariectomized rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was originally designed to observe the effects of propranolol (a beta-blocker) and Zhigancao Decoction ([Chinese characters: see test] ZGCD) on bone mass in ovariectomized rats.


METHODS
Thirty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups initially, a sham-operated group (Sham, n=7), a model ovariectomized (OVX) group (Model, n=7), a propranolol group (Pro, n=12) and a ZGCD group (ZGCD, n=12). After 15 weeks of treatment, the expected effects were not found. In order to verify the situations of the experiment, we modified the study by administering calcitonin to a subgroup of the tested Pro and ZGCD rats.


RESULTS
The Pro and ZGCD treatments showed decreased heart rate and plasma norepinephrine level, but neither an increased bone mass nor any bone metabolism differences from the model rats were found. However, the OVX-induced bone loss was prevented by the sequent treatment of calcitonin.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide no evidence that the beta-blocker propranolol may stimulate bone formation, and do not justify its use for clinical treatment of osteoporosis.
Zhang
Wenping
W
Acupuncture Department, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka, Suzuka, Mie 510-0293, Japan.
Kanehara
Masayuki
M
Zhang
Yanjun
Y
Guo
Yi
Y
Urata
Shigeru
S
Nakazawa
Hiroyuki
H
Murakami
Takayasu
T
Takeda
Atushi
A
Ishida
Torao
T
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C526719:zhigancao decoction; D011433:Propranolol; D009638:Norepinephrine