| Objective To investigate the effect of 2 types of bisphosphonates combined with Gukangling decoction on the treatment of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in a rabbit model. Methods Animal experiment included 2 stages, model establishment and grouping therapy. In the first stage，rabbit ANFH model was established by intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (DX) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks，bone histopathology，bone mineral density (BMD)，bone biomechanics，X- ray，CT，region of interest ratio ( ROI ratio) on 99m Tc-MDP bone scans，and serum bone alkaline phosphatase ( BALP) and osteocalcin (BGP) were detected and analyzed to evaluate the successful establishment of the rabbit ANFH model. In the second stage，rats were divided into group A (normal control)，group B (ANFH control)，group C (ANFH treated with99 Tc-MDP)， group D (ANFH treated with alendronate sodium)，group E (ANFH treated with Gukangling decoction)，group F (ANFH treated with99Tc-MDP and Gukangling decoction)，group G (ANFH treated with alendronate sodium and Gukangling decoction). After 16- week treatment，the above indexes were detected and analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Statistic analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. Results Histopathology results in the first stage demonstrated that the trabeculae displayed regularly without bone destruction in rats of group A. However，in group B the bone trabeculae were sparse and ruptured. BMD and biomechanical parameters were declined. 99mTc-MDP was significant uptaken at the femoral head in and BALP and BGP increased,indicating the rabbit model of ANFH was established successfully. In the second stage, histopathology results were similar to the first stage in group A and B. Bone trabeculae were significantly restored in group F, almost similar to group A. Bone trabeculae were also restored in group C, D, and G comparing to those in group B. In group E, density of bone trabeculae slightly increased, while the trabecular bone repair was not obvious. Results of BMD, bone morphology,bone biomechanics, biomechanical parameters, femoral head ROI ratio on 99mTc-MDP bone scan, BALP, BGP, and bone mineral deposition in different groups changed in various degrees. Relative efficacy evaluation results showed that group F was markedly effective, group C, D, and G were effective, but group E was not obviously effective. Conclusion 99 Tc-MDP combined with Gukangling decoction shows markedly therapeutic effect, and the maximal effect is achieved in group F, indicating that 99Tc-MDP combined with right recipe of Chinese herbal medicine may have great value in the treatment of ANFH. |