title: [Effect of heat-sensitive point moxibustion on BMD, S-AKP, U-Ca/Cr in patients with primary osteoporosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the curative effects of primary osteoporosis treated with heat-sensitive point moxibustion and Gaitianli (Oyster Shell and Calcium Carbonate Chewable) tablets for oral administration and explore the treatment mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty cases of primary osteoporosis were randomly divided into a heat-sensitive point moxibustion group (moxibustion group) and a Gaitianli tablets group (medication group), 30 cases in each group. In the moxibustion group, the heat sensitized points were searched around Zusanli (ST 36), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Mingmen (GV 4) and treated by heat-sensitive point moxibustion; in medication group, Gaitianli tablets were taken by oral administration, 3 pills for once and 3 times a day. The curative effects, bone mineral density (BMD), alkaline phosphatase (S-AKP) and urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (U-Ca/Cr) in both groups were observed before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) in moxibustion group, superior to that of 76.7% (23/30) in medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the BMD of lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) mean was improved (P < 0.05), and the S-AKP and U-Ca/Cr were reduced (all P < 0.05); in medi cation group, the indexes above were no obvious changes (all P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The therapeutic effect of primary osteoporosis treated with heat-sensitive point moxibustion is superior to that with Gaitianli tablets for oral administration. The mechanism is restraining bone resorption, increasing bone strength, keeping balance of bone metabolism, in order to increase bone mineral density and improve the clinical symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Jiangxi College of TCM, Fuzhou 344000, China. lifeng-lily@163.com
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhong-Guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Guo-Qing
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Yao-Xing
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Xiao-Pin
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D015519:Bone Density; D002118:Calcium / Q000652:urine*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009071:Moxibustion / Q000379:methods*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium