Study on the Biological Basis of Qi, Blood, and Vessel in Immune Thrombocytopenia Patients With Syndrome of Qi Failing to Govern Blood Based on the Theory of Qi and Blood

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.

Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation

Objective： To compare the different therapeutic effects of acupuncture and Phenolphthalein for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Methods： A total of 50 patients with constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group by the random digital table, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated by puncturing Gongsun（SP 4）, Sanyinjiao（SP 6）, Taichong（LR 3）, Zusanli（ST 36）, Shangjuxu（ST 37）, Hegu（LI 4）, Lieque（LU 7）, and Tianshu（ST 25）, once every day, and 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses; while the patients in the medication group were given Phenolphthalein, 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses. Compared the Cleveland clinic constipation score（CCS） between the two groups after one course, 3 courses and 3 months after the treatment, as well as the frequency of defecation within one week. Results： After one week of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the medication group than in those of the acupuncture group（P〈0.01）. After 3 weeks of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significant in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group（P〈0.05）. Three months after the end of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture and medication are effective in the treatment of constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Their short-term therapeutic effect is similar, but the long-term therapeutic effect is better in the acupuncture group than in the medication group.