| Objective To investigate the effects of Zhuanggu Qiangji Decoction on skeletal muscle morphology and function in ovariectomized rats. Methods Thirty-two 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were routinely fed for three months, and then randomly divided into sham operation group(n=8) and model group(n=24). In the sham operation group, part of the adipose tissue around the ovaries was removed, while the rats in the model group underwent bilateral ovariectomy. After 12 weeks of postoperative feeding, the model group was equally divided into three groups, including model control group, Zhuanggu Qiangji decoction group and allenphosphate sodium group. Two rats were selected from each group to verify the success of ovariectomy model. Finally, according to the equivalent dose conversion formula, the rats in each group were treated by gavage for 12 weeks. After the end of gavage, the limb grip strength of the rats was measured. The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were weighed and the skeletal muscle mass index was calculated. The morphological structure of muscle fibers was observed by HE staining, and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers was measured. Results The limb grip strength, gastrocnemius index and triceps calves index of rats in the sham operation group, Zhuanggu Qiangji decoction group and alendronate sodium group were significantly higher than those in the model group(P＜0.05). The mean cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fiber in the sham operation group and the Zhuanggu Qiangji decoction group was significantly higher than that in the model group(P＜0.05), while there was no significant difference between the alendronate sodium group and the model group(P＞0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference among the sham operation group, Zhuanggu Qiangji decoction group and alendronate sodium group(P＞0.05). The morphological structure of skeletal muscle fibers in the three groups was also better than that in the model control group under HE staining. Conclusion Zhuanggu Qiangji decoction can significantly improve the morphology and function of skeletal muscle in ovariectomized rats. |