title: A trial study of propranolol and Zhigancao decoction on the central depressant and anti-osteoporosic action in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture Department, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka, Suzuka, Mie 510-0293, Japan.
authors.forename: Wenping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanehara
authors.forename: Yanjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urata
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Takayasu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Atushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Torao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishida
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C526719:zhigancao decoction; D011433:Propranolol; D009638:Norepinephrine