The linkage between Qi and mitochondria was investigated by exploring the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Qi-invigorating herbs on mitochondrial function at the biochemical and molecular levels. Three Chi...The linkage between Qi and mitochondria was investigated by exploring the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Qi-invigorating herbs on mitochondrial function at the biochemical and molecular levels. Three Chinese herbs (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Herba cistanche</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Panax ginseng</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i>) were used to treat cultured mouse kidney cells and the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured. The Qi-invigorating herb, <i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i>, was selected for further </span></span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">study using additional biological and molecular parameters, including ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP),</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> mtDNA copies, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), cell growth, cell viability and transcriptomes. We also chose two concentrations of <i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i> to study the hormetic effect. The results indicated that: 1) Qi-invigorating herbs have significant effects on the function of mitochondria, with ATP production and the antioxidant capacity being significantly enhanced, and ROS le</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">vels being reduced, allowing for a more optimal oxidation environment. The effect of the herbs followed a hormetic curve with a stimulating effect at lower</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">doses but an inhibiting effect at high doses;2) The growth of the cells was not</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">affected despite numerous biochemical changes associated with mitochondrial</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">function, indicating the powerful ability of mitochondria to maintain cellular homeostasis;3) The up-regulation of NOCT gene, related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) synthesis, offers a molecular basis for the ATP-promoting effect of the Qi-invigorating herbs. This work provides additional insight into the efficacy of TCM herbs from a western perspective.展开更多
Jie qi(subseasonal phases or solar qi)constitutes the solar component of the ancient Chinese lunisolar calendar. It divides the year into twenty-four subseasonal phases i.e. li chun(beginning of spring),chun fen(sprin...Jie qi(subseasonal phases or solar qi)constitutes the solar component of the ancient Chinese lunisolar calendar. It divides the year into twenty-four subseasonal phases i.e. li chun(beginning of spring),chun fen(spring equinox),etc.From the premodern perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),normal climate change(qi hou bian qian)moves in harmony with the temporal flow of the qi(qi yun)and is thus beneficial to human health.However,abnormal,abrupt weather or climatic changes like those weather features of being too cold or too hot,too windy,too humid,too dry or a combination of two or more of these weather/climatic features which occur out of season can lead to'seasonal diseases'(shi bing)or 'diseases brought about by external influences'(wai gan zhi bing)or by the'six excessive climatic qi etiological factors'(liu yin zhi bing 六因致病).Some examples of seasonal diseases are SARS,influenza,the common cold and heat stroke. But the temporal flow of the subseasonal qi(qi yun) in Australia is the reverse of that of the northern hemispherical regions of China,United States and Europe.This situation thus leads to a temporal desynchronisation of TCM practice and practitioners with the rhythm of the seasons.In order to address this problem,I have constructed a Chinese Medical & Agricultural Lunisolar Calendar (Northern & Southern Hemispheres),which'reverses'the flow of the subseasonal phases in the southern hemisphere.Having this calendrical tool,Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia can'reverse'their clinical activities in accordance with the natural rhythm of the seasons here.展开更多
1 The Cyclical Flow of the Sixty-Gan zhi Temporal Units 'Time for the Chinese is forever flowing without beginning or end',noted Thome H. Fang. And'it is customary for Chinese to use the kan-Chih(gan zhi)t...1 The Cyclical Flow of the Sixty-Gan zhi Temporal Units 'Time for the Chinese is forever flowing without beginning or end',noted Thome H. Fang. And'it is customary for Chinese to use the kan-Chih(gan zhi)to mark the passage of time.There are ten heavenly stems(gan)and twelve earthly branches(zhi),an alternating and sequential combination of the two makes a cycle of sixty years,months,days and two-hour period shi chen(时辰)in a day'. The sixty gan zhi temporal cycle is very important in the practice of Chinese medicine.It is an important practical temporal tool in the acupuncture practice of 子午流注(zi wu liu zhu)which is a method of choosing and using acupuncture points in dealing with a specific clinical pattern in accordance with the patient's temporal clotting and flowing of his/her Qi and blood.In addition,the sixty gan-zhi temporal cyclical system is also an important tool in forecasting adverse weather/climactic conditions and the illnesses that comes with them on the basis of the ancient methodology of 'the circulating five elements/phases and the six climactic influences'五运六气.Hence,I have included this gan zhi or celestial stems and earthly branches for each of the days in the Chinese Medical and Agricultural Lunisolar Calendar for the year of Rat wu zi nian(wu is the celestial stem while zi is the earthly branch for the year 2008).展开更多
Objective: To investigate the biological basis of qi, blood and vessel in immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) patients with syndrome of qi failing to govern blood(SQFGB) based on traditional Chinese medicine.Methods: A total...Objective: To investigate the biological basis of qi, blood and vessel in immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) patients with syndrome of qi failing to govern blood(SQFGB) based on traditional Chinese medicine.Methods: A total of 52 ITP patients with SQFCB were enrolled and divided into bleeding group(38 cases) and non-bleeding group(14 cases).Bleeding group was further divided into mild qi deficiency group(25 cases) and moderate/severe qi deficiency group(13 cases) based on Chinese Medicine syndrome score.20 healthy volunteer were recruited as control group.The count of platelet(PLT) was taken as the blood related indicator.The expressions of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-17 A, TNF-α, CD40 L, and TGF-β, detected by Aim Plex Multiple Immunoassays for Flow, were taken as the qi related indicators.The expressions of VEGF-A, detected by Aim Plex Multiple Immunoassays for Flow and NO, NOS, and ET-1 detected by ELISA, were taken as the vessel related indicators.Results: As compared to the control group, the count of PLT, taken as the blood related indicator, was significantly lower in ITP group patients with SQFCB(P<0.05).The expression levels of IL-17 A and TNF-α, taken as the qi related indicators, were significantly higher, while those of CD40 L, IL-1β, and TGF-β, also taken as the qi related indicators, were significantly lower in ITP patients with SQFCB, respectively(P<0.05).The expression levels of NO and ET-1, taken as the vessel related indicators, were significantly higher, while the expression levels of NOS and VEGF-A also taken as the vessel related indicators, were significantly lower in ITP patients with SQFCB, respectively(P<0.05).The count of PLT, taken as the blood related indicator, was significantly lower in moderate/severe group than those in mild group(P<0.05).The expression levels of CD40 L and TGF-β, taken as the qi related indicators, were also significantly lower in moderate/severe group than those in mild group, respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion: The count of PLT might be the biological basis of blood.The expressions of NO, NOS, ET-1 and VEGF-A might be the biological basis of vessel.The expressions of IL-1β, IL-17 A, TNF-α, TGF-β, and CD40 L may be the biological basis of qi.The expressions of CD40 L and TGF-β could reflect the degree of qi deficiency in ITP patients based on the theory of qi and blood.展开更多
文摘The linkage between Qi and mitochondria was investigated by exploring the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Qi-invigorating herbs on mitochondrial function at the biochemical and molecular levels. Three Chinese herbs (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> Herba cistanche</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, </span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Panax ginseng</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i>) were used to treat cultured mouse kidney cells and the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured. The Qi-invigorating herb, <i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i>, was selected for further </span></span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">study using additional biological and molecular parameters, including ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP),</span><span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> mtDNA copies, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), cell growth, cell viability and transcriptomes. We also chose two concentrations of <i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Astragali radix</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i> to study the hormetic effect. The results indicated that: 1) Qi-invigorating herbs have significant effects on the function of mitochondria, with ATP production and the antioxidant capacity being significantly enhanced, and ROS le</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">vels being reduced, allowing for a more optimal oxidation environment. The effect of the herbs followed a hormetic curve with a stimulating effect at lower</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">doses but an inhibiting effect at high doses;2) The growth of the cells was not</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">affected despite numerous biochemical changes associated with mitochondrial</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">function, indicating the powerful ability of mitochondria to maintain cellular homeostasis;3) The up-regulation of NOCT gene, related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) synthesis, offers a molecular basis for the ATP-promoting effect of the Qi-invigorating herbs. This work provides additional insight into the efficacy of TCM herbs from a western perspective.
文摘Jie qi(subseasonal phases or solar qi)constitutes the solar component of the ancient Chinese lunisolar calendar. It divides the year into twenty-four subseasonal phases i.e. li chun(beginning of spring),chun fen(spring equinox),etc.From the premodern perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),normal climate change(qi hou bian qian)moves in harmony with the temporal flow of the qi(qi yun)and is thus beneficial to human health.However,abnormal,abrupt weather or climatic changes like those weather features of being too cold or too hot,too windy,too humid,too dry or a combination of two or more of these weather/climatic features which occur out of season can lead to'seasonal diseases'(shi bing)or 'diseases brought about by external influences'(wai gan zhi bing)or by the'six excessive climatic qi etiological factors'(liu yin zhi bing 六因致病).Some examples of seasonal diseases are SARS,influenza,the common cold and heat stroke. But the temporal flow of the subseasonal qi(qi yun) in Australia is the reverse of that of the northern hemispherical regions of China,United States and Europe.This situation thus leads to a temporal desynchronisation of TCM practice and practitioners with the rhythm of the seasons.In order to address this problem,I have constructed a Chinese Medical & Agricultural Lunisolar Calendar (Northern & Southern Hemispheres),which'reverses'the flow of the subseasonal phases in the southern hemisphere.Having this calendrical tool,Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia can'reverse'their clinical activities in accordance with the natural rhythm of the seasons here.
文摘1 The Cyclical Flow of the Sixty-Gan zhi Temporal Units 'Time for the Chinese is forever flowing without beginning or end',noted Thome H. Fang. And'it is customary for Chinese to use the kan-Chih(gan zhi)to mark the passage of time.There are ten heavenly stems(gan)and twelve earthly branches(zhi),an alternating and sequential combination of the two makes a cycle of sixty years,months,days and two-hour period shi chen(时辰)in a day'. The sixty gan zhi temporal cycle is very important in the practice of Chinese medicine.It is an important practical temporal tool in the acupuncture practice of 子午流注(zi wu liu zhu)which is a method of choosing and using acupuncture points in dealing with a specific clinical pattern in accordance with the patient's temporal clotting and flowing of his/her Qi and blood.In addition,the sixty gan-zhi temporal cyclical system is also an important tool in forecasting adverse weather/climactic conditions and the illnesses that comes with them on the basis of the ancient methodology of 'the circulating five elements/phases and the six climactic influences'五运六气.Hence,I have included this gan zhi or celestial stems and earthly branches for each of the days in the Chinese Medical and Agricultural Lunisolar Calendar for the year of Rat wu zi nian(wu is the celestial stem while zi is the earthly branch for the year 2008).
基金the National Program on Key Basic Research Project(2015CB554403)
文摘Objective: To investigate the biological basis of qi, blood and vessel in immune thrombocytopenia(ITP) patients with syndrome of qi failing to govern blood(SQFGB) based on traditional Chinese medicine.Methods: A total of 52 ITP patients with SQFCB were enrolled and divided into bleeding group(38 cases) and non-bleeding group(14 cases).Bleeding group was further divided into mild qi deficiency group(25 cases) and moderate/severe qi deficiency group(13 cases) based on Chinese Medicine syndrome score.20 healthy volunteer were recruited as control group.The count of platelet(PLT) was taken as the blood related indicator.The expressions of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-17 A, TNF-α, CD40 L, and TGF-β, detected by Aim Plex Multiple Immunoassays for Flow, were taken as the qi related indicators.The expressions of VEGF-A, detected by Aim Plex Multiple Immunoassays for Flow and NO, NOS, and ET-1 detected by ELISA, were taken as the vessel related indicators.Results: As compared to the control group, the count of PLT, taken as the blood related indicator, was significantly lower in ITP group patients with SQFCB(P<0.05).The expression levels of IL-17 A and TNF-α, taken as the qi related indicators, were significantly higher, while those of CD40 L, IL-1β, and TGF-β, also taken as the qi related indicators, were significantly lower in ITP patients with SQFCB, respectively(P<0.05).The expression levels of NO and ET-1, taken as the vessel related indicators, were significantly higher, while the expression levels of NOS and VEGF-A also taken as the vessel related indicators, were significantly lower in ITP patients with SQFCB, respectively(P<0.05).The count of PLT, taken as the blood related indicator, was significantly lower in moderate/severe group than those in mild group(P<0.05).The expression levels of CD40 L and TGF-β, taken as the qi related indicators, were also significantly lower in moderate/severe group than those in mild group, respectively(P<0.05).Conclusion: The count of PLT might be the biological basis of blood.The expressions of NO, NOS, ET-1 and VEGF-A might be the biological basis of vessel.The expressions of IL-1β, IL-17 A, TNF-α, TGF-β, and CD40 L may be the biological basis of qi.The expressions of CD40 L and TGF-β could reflect the degree of qi deficiency in ITP patients based on the theory of qi and blood.
