We investigated the effects and optimal treatment frequency of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). A comparison was performed with the cyclical alendronate and a course of PEMFs in the treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis on bone mineral density (BMD), pain intensity and balance function. There was no significant difference between the two groups on mean percentage changes from baseline of BMD within 24 weeks after random treatments (P≥0.05). However, at the ends of 48 weeks and 72 weeks, the BMD of the PEMFs group were significantly lower than that of the alendronate group (P<0.05). No significant difference was detected between the two groups with regard to treatment effects on Visual Analogue Scale score, the Timed Up & Go Test and Berg Balance Scale score. Compared with cyclical alendronate, a course of PEMFs was as effective as alendronate in treating PMO for at least 24weeks. So its optimal treatment frequency for PMO may be one course per six months.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a type of osteoporosis with high bone transformation rate, caused by a decrease of estrogen in the body, which is a systemic bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and increased risk of fracture. In recent years, as a kind of non-pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis, defined by whole-body vibration less than 1 g (g = 9.81 m/s2), low magnitude whole-body vibration is widely concerned, mainly because of its small side effects, simple operation and relative safety. Studies have shown that low magnitude whole-body vibration can improve bone strength, bone volume and bone density. But a lot of research found that, the therapeutic effects of low magnitude whole-body vibration are different depending on ages and hormone levels of subjects for animal models or human patients. There has been no definite vibration therapy can be applied to each subject so far. Studies of whole-body and cellular level suggest that low magnitude whole-body vibration stimulation is likely to be associated with changes of hormone levels and directed differentiation of stem cells. Based on the analysis of related literature in recent years, this paper made a review from vibration parameters, vibration effects and the mechanisms, to provide scientific basis and clinical guidance for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with low magnitude whole-body vibration.
Objective To summarize the research progress of postmenopausal breast cancer and estrogen metabolites, which is aimed at providing the basis for early diagnosis and early treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer, at the same time, providing beneficial information for the future study. Methods In recent years, the literatures about postmenopausal breast cancer and estrogen metabolites were reviewed from the databases of WanFang, VIP, CNKI, PubMed, and so on, to make an review. Results Estrogen metabolites had a dual role for postmenopausal breast cancer, such as 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), 2-methoxyestrone1 (2-MeOE1), and 4-methoxyestrone1 (4-MeOE1) played a protective role for postmenopausal breast cancer, but 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OHE1) and 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1) played a carcinogenic role for postmenopausal breast cancer, so it needed to be further studied. Conclusions Estrogen metabolites may be a reliable predictor for the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, it is not only to provide clues for the mechanism of postmenopausal breast cancer, but also provide new train of thought for early diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer.