Clinical Analysis of Properties of Alendronate Sodium Based on the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine

CHEN Xiaoyun; SU Li; MAO Jianchun; GU Junhua

Abstract：Objective:To study the symptoms and adverse reactions of the primary and secondary osteoporosis (OP) patients before and after taking alendronate sodium,and to analyze alendronate sodium properties based on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Methods:A prospective cohort study was performed. OP patients from the clinic and ward of the rheumatology department were enrolled. There were 30 patients with primary osteoporosis and 30 patients with secondary osteoporosis. All the 60 patients were given oral administration of alendronate sodium,70 mg per week. Six months after treatment,changes of bone density of lumbar spine (L2~L4) were observed. Also,60 patients were evaluated with TCM symptom integration score for the syn-drome before and after treatment and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Based on the TCM symptoms change and adverse reaction,disease mechanism of TCM were analyzed. Also based on the nature,taste and channel tropism theory of TCM,TCM properties of alendronate sodium were studied. Results:After the treat-ment the increase of bone density in primary OP patients was more obvious than that in the secondary OP patients(P<0.05). On TCM symptoms integration score,primary OP patients and secondary OP patients both showed relieved low back pain (38.9%,38.9%),relieved cold limbs and aversion to cold (59.3%,59.3%),re lieved stiffness and pain of the joints (45.34%,47.41%);but there were some adverse reactions like aggravat-ed mouth and throat dryness (32.2%,40.5%),aggravated vexing heat (36.6%,39.3%),and aggravated insomnia (29.5%,29.5%). Conclusion:Alendronate sodium could increase bone density ,especially for primary OP. Ac-cording to TCM theory,the nature of alendronate sodium is warm and hot,enters kidney meridian,have the function of warming yang,tonifying kidneys and supplementing essence. Based on the understanding for its properties,it could be combined with TCM herbs to reduce the occurrence of side effects.