Objective: To explore the correlations between bone mineral density(BMD) and endogenous hormone levels

and then investigate the mechanism of anti-GIOP of combination of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus. Method: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group

model group

Epimedii Folium group

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus group

Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus mixture group(compatibity group) and positive drug group. All rats received intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (1 mg· kg-1

twice a week) for 8 weeks to establish osteoporosis model except those in the control group

rats in treatment groups were treated with intragastric administration of traditional Chinese herbs or positive drug respectively

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus group was given Ligustrum lucidum with 9.5 g· kg-1

Epimedii Folium group was given Epimedium with 9.5 g· kg-1

the compatibility group were given Epimedii Folium-Ligust rilucidi Fructus with 9.5 g· kg-1 the positive group was administered Caltrate calcium D3 tablets with 0.277 3 g·kg-1. Eight weeks later

serum corticosteroid (COR)

testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay

and BMD of femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Result: The content of serum COR

T

E2 and BMD of modle group were lower than normal control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with model group

serum levels of COR were upregulated significantly in each administration group(P<0.05 or P<0.01)

serum T levels in compatibility group and E2 levels in Ligustri Lucidi Fructus group and compatibility group were increased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01)

BMD increased obviously in each treatment group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The correlation analysis showed that BMD was positively correlated with serum hormone levels(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: BMD was closely related to endogenous hormone levels in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rats

which indicate that the effect of combination of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus on hormone levels may be one of the mechanisms of its prevention and treatment of GIOP.