Effects of therapies for regulating and reinforcing lung and kidney on osteoporosis in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term effects of the three therapies for regulating and reinforcing lung and kidney (reinforcing lung and invigorating spleen, reinforcing lung and replenishing kidney, and supplementing Qi and nourishing kidney) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on osteoporosis in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: Totally 120 rats were randomly divided into control, model, Bufeijianpi, Bufeiyishen, Yiqizishen, aminophyline groups. Repeated smoke inhalations and bacterial infections were used to duplicate the stable Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rat model. Normal saline was given to the air control and model groups, while Bufeijianpi granule, Bufeiyishen granule, and Yiqizishen granule, and aminophylline were administrated to rats in the Bufeijianpi, Bufeiyishen, Yiqizishen, and aminophylline groups respectively from weeks 9 through 20. Another 12 weeks without medicines to observe the long-term effect. Rats were sacrificed at week 20 and week 32. Bone mass density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), morphology of the femoral head, lung function, and levels of serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected.

Results: At weeks 20 and 32, tidal volume, peak expiratory flow and expiratory flow at 50% tidal volume in the three TCM-treated groups were higher than those in the model group (P < 0.05). Femur weight, BMD, and BMC were significantly higher in the three TCM-treated groups and the aminophylline-treated group compared with the model group (P < 0.01), except for BMC in the Yiqizishen-treated group at week 20.

Conclusion: Bufeijianpi, Bufeiyishen, and Yiqizishen granules show good effects in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, which can alleviate airflow limitations and inflammation, improve BMD and BMC of the femur, and have favorable long-term effects.