Clinical Study of Therapy of Nourishing Kidney and Strengthening Bone in Preventing and Treating Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis of Nephrotic Syndrome Patients

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of therapy of nourishing kidney and strengthening bone on the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in nephrotic syndrome patients.Methods A randomized,double-blind and control trial was performed in 37 nephrotic syndrome patients which received treatment of glucocorticoid.The patients were divided into 2 groups,19 in the treatment group and 18 in the control group.The treatment group was given capsules including the herbal powder of Herba Epimedii,Radis Dipsaci,Frusctus Psoraleae,Rhizoma Rehmanniae Preparata,Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Rhizoma Anemarrhenae for reinforcing kidney,while patients in the control group received the placebo.After treatment for 6 months,the changes of bone mineral density(BMD),ostalgia score and serum calcium level were observed.Results After treatment for 6 months,BMD of lumbar vertebrae,left hip and right hip remained unchanged in the treatment group(P0.05 compared to that before treatment),but was decreased in the control group(P0.05 or P0.01).The difference of BMD was significant between the two groups after treatment(P0.05).The ostalgia score was increased in both groups(P0.05 or P0.01 compared to that before treatment),and the increase in the treatment group was superior to that in control group(P0.05).Serum calcium level was also increased in both groups(P0.05 compared to that before treatment),but the level in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P0.05).During the medication,no side effect was found.Conclusion The therapy of nourishing kidney and strengthening bone can greatly relieve the osteoporosis in nephrotic syndrome induced by glucocorticoid.