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 β-blocker） and Zhigancao Decoction （炙甘草汤 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 β-blocker propranolol may stimulate bone formation, and do not iustify its use for clinical treatment of osteoporosis.

Effect of Yiqi Yangyin prescription in treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy： a Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yiqi Yangyin prescription for dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM).METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for relevant clinical randomized controlled trials of DCM treatment using Yiqi Yangyin prescription(Shengmai and Zhigancao decoction). Databases searched included Pub Med, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biological Medicine from January 1, 1985, to October 31,2015. After literature screening and data extraction according to previously determined exclusion criteria, data were analyzed using Rev Man 5.3 and Stata12.0. Study heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test and Cochran's Q test. Egger's test was used to detect publication bias.RESULTS: Nineteen trials involving 1024 partici-pants were included in the Meta-analysis. Of these,15 used Shengmai(treatment group: 421 cases;control group: 344 cases) and 4 used Zhigancao decoction(treatment group: 133 cases; control group:126 cases). A Meta-analysis demonstrated that the total curative effect was significantly improved by combining Shengmai with conventional treatment[relative risk(RR) = 1.32, 95% confidence intervals(CI)(1.22, 1.43), P < 0.01]. Left ventricular ejection fraction [standard mean difference(SMD) = 1.13,95% CI(0.55, 1.70), P < 0.01] and left ventricular end diastolic [SMD =-0.46, 95% CI(-0.70,-0.23), P <0.01] were also improved. Adding Zhigancao decoction achieved the same effect [total efficiency of RR = 1.34, 95% CI(1.16, 1.54), P < 0.01].CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional therapy, Yiqi Yangyin prescription can significantly improve the curative effect, increase left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduce left ventricular end diastolic. Thus, it can effectively improve heart function in patients with DCM.