| Objective To study to the effect of strengthen the spleen, benefiting the kidney, and strengthen the bone acupuncture method on the prevention of the femoral fracture in ovariectomized SD rats. Methods The 6-month-old SD rats were divided into 3 groups after 3-mongth ovariectomy, control group (C), alendronate group (AS), and acupuncture group (A). Rats in acupuncture group received acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), and Dazhu (BL11) points once a day, 5 times a week, for 6 months. Rats in alendronate group were injected subcutaneously with alendronate sodium. Rats in control group were released and captured like the other two groups. The minimum external force, histomorphometry, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mechanics were examined after 6-month treatment. Results The minimum external force of femur fractures in vivo in group A and group AS was significantly greater than that in group C. The fresh femoral proximal transverse diameter in group A was obviously smaller than that in group C and group AS. BMC in group A and AS group was significantly higher than that in group C. Conclusion 1. Acupuncture at ST36, BL23, and BL11 for 6 months is effective in prevention of hip fracture in postmenopausal osteoporosis model rats. Its mechanism may be closely related to promoting femoral morphological adaptation, increasing femur BMD, and increasing the ability of resistance of external force. 2. The acting mechanism of acupuncture and alendronate sodium is not identical. |