| Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Zhuchun capsule in treating osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods? 80 cases of osteoporotic patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups, namely, Zhuchun capsule treatment group (n=40) and alendronate sodium control group (n=40). Patients in the Chinese medicine treatment group was administrated with Zhuchun capsule, 5 capsules twice daily, while patients in the alendronate sodium control group were administrated with alendronate sodium, 70 mg once per week. Both treatments lasted for two courses (3 months/course). Bone mineral density (BMD) as well as serum levels of Ca, P, bone glutamic acid protein (BGP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP-5b) were determined before and after treatment. Results? Administration of Zhuchun capsule to osteoporotic patients significantly increased BMD, elevated serum levels of Ca, P and BGP, decreased serum levels of TRAP-5b, as well as improved TCM symptoms after 6 months treatment. In addition, Zhuchun capsule has good advantage over alendronate sodium in improving BGP and clinical symptoms in osteoporotic patients with diabetes. Conclusion? The efficacy of Zhuchun capsule in preventing the development of osteoporosis in patients with diabetes was confirmed, which deserves to be further studied for the underlying mechanisms. |