Effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Ligand and Osteoprotegerin in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective:To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on receptor activator of nuclear factors-kappa B ligand(RANKL)and osteoprotegerin(OPG) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods:Sixty-five patients with AS were randomized into two groups.Western medicine group(n=32) was treated with sulfasalazine(SSZ) for three months.Combination group(n=33) was treated with Bushen Huoxue Decoction combined with SSZ for three months too.Serum levels of RANKL,OPG,osteocalcin(OC) and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(CTX)were detected by ELISA.Results:Serum RANKL levels was decreased obviously in both groups after treatment(P 0.05,P 0.01compared with that before treatment).Serum OPG level was elevated significantly in both groups after treatment(P 0.05).RANKL/OPG ratio was decreased obviously in both groups after treatment(P 0.05,P 0.01 compared with that before treatment).There was significant difference between the two groups after treatment(P 0.05).Serum OC level was elevated obviously and serum CTX level was decreased obviously after treatment(P 0.05,P 0.01 compared with those before treatment).There was significant difference between the two groups after treatment in serum OC level(P 0.05).Conclusion:Bushen Huoxue Decoction has an effect on regulating RANKL/ RANKL/OPG system,which may be one of its mechanisms in preventing bone destruction in AS patients.