Efficacy evaluation of high-frequency ultrasound in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with α-lipoic acid combined with traditional Chinese medicine package treatment

Objective:To use high-frequency ultrasound to evaluate the efficacy ofα-lipoic acid combined with traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN),so as to provide a basis for clinical medication and evaluation of therapeutic effect.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2019,110 patients with DPN who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were divided into observation group and control group according to different treatment plans.The control group was treated withα-lipoic acid,and the observation group was treated withα-lipoic acid combined with traditional Chinese medicine encapsulation treatment,and used high-frequency ultrasound,nerve conduction velocity and serological examination to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of the two treatment methods.Results:The mean amplitude of glycemic excursions(MAGE)value of the observation group and the control group after treatment was significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05);After treatment,the SCV of the ulnar nerve,median nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the two groups was significantly faster than before treatment(P<0.05).Similar to SCV,the MCV of the three nerves measured after treatment in the two groups was significantly faster than before treatment(P<0.05).Compared between the groups after treatment,the three kinds of nerve SCV and MCV in the observation group were significantly faster than those in the control group(P<0.05).The cross-sectional area(CSA)value of the ulnar nerve,median nerve and common peroneal nerve in the observation group after treatment was significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group after treatment,the three nerves CSA in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Abnormal ultrasound performance:The proportion of abnormal ultrasound performances of the ulnar nerve,median nerve,and common peroneal nerve in the observation group after treatment was significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05).The composition ratio of internal echo reduction and ambiguity in the observation group after three nerve treatments was significantly lower than that in the control group after treatment(P<0.05).In the correlation analysis,the three kinds of nerve CSA before and after treatment were negatively correlated with SCV and amplitude(P<0.05),and positively correlated with latency(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination ofα-lipoic acid and Chinese medicine encapsulation technology has a good effect on the treatment and repair of DPN nerve damage,and can be routinely applied in clinical treatment.High-frequency ultrasound can intuitively observe changes in peripheral nerves and can be used to evaluate the prognosis of DPN.

Review on the research of Chinese medicine promoting tissue regeneration

In the long history of the Chinese nation,traditional Chinese medicine has made great contributions to the protection of the health of the Chinese people.Given that many pathological processes can cause tissue damage,does Chinese medicine also promote tissue regeneration in the process of disease recovery?It has been found from recent research articles that traditional Chinese medicine can promote tissue regeneration in the treatment of diseases.The following is an illustration of the role of Chinese medicine in selected parts of the study.

The mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ promoting sciatic nerve regeneration

3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-cycloastragenol （astragaloside IV）, the main active component of the traditional Chinese medicine astragalus membranaceus, has been shown to be neuroprotective. This study investigated whether astragaloside IV could promote the repair of injured sciatic nerve. Denervated sciatic nerve of mice was subjected to anastomosis. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10, 5, 2.5 mg/kg astragaloside IV per day for 8 consecutive days Western blot assay and real-time PCR results demonstrated that growth-associated protein-43 ex- pression was upregulated in mouse spinal cord segments L4-6 after intervention with 10, 5, 2.5 mg/kg astragaloside IV per day in a dose-dependent manner. Luxol fast blue staining and elec- trophysiological detection suggested that astragaloside IV elevated the number and diameter of myelinated nerve fibers, and simultaneously increased motor nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude in the sciatic nerve of mice. These results indicated that astragaloside IV con- tributed to sciatic nerve regeneration and functional recovery in mice. The mechanism underlying this effect may be associated with the upregulation of growth-associated protein-43 expression.

Chaihu-Shugan-San exerts an antidepressive effect by downregulating miR-124 and releasing inhibition of the MAPK14 and Gria3 signaling pathways

Dysregulation of mi R-124 has been reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine, has antidepressive activity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, to generate a rodent model of depression, rats were subjected to a combination of solitary confinement and chronic unpredictable mild stress for 28 days. Rats were intragastrically administered Chaihu-Shugan-San（2.835 m L/kg/d） for 4 weeks, once a day. Real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, mi RNA microarray, western blot assay and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that ChaihuShugan-San downregulated mi R-124 expression and upregulated the m RNA and protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase 14（MAPK14） and glutamate receptor subunit 3（Gria3）. Chaihu-Shugan-San also promoted synapse formation in the hippocampus. The open field test, sucrose consumption test and forced swimming test were used to assess depression-like behavior. After intragastric administration of Chaihu-Shugan-San, sucrose consumption increased, while the depressive behaviors were substantially reduced. Together, these findings suggest that Chaihu-Shugan-San exerts an antidepressant-like effect by downregulating mi R-124 expression and by releasing the inhibition of the MAPK14 and Gria3 signaling pathways.

Neuroprotective effects of salidroside on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury involve the nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway

Salidroside,the main active ingredient extracted from Rhodiola crenulata,has been shown to be neuroprotective in ischemic cerebral injury,but the underlying mechanism for this neuroprotection is poorly understood.In the current study,the neuroprotective effect of salidroside on cerebral ischemia-induced oxidative stress and the role of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）pathway was investigated in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion.Salidroside（30 mg/kg）reduced infarct size,improved neurological function and histological changes,increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase,and reduced malon-dialdehyde levels after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.Furthermore,salidroside apparently increased Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 expression.These results suggest that salidroside exerts its neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia through anti-oxidant mechanisms and that activation of the Nrf2 pathway is involved.The Nrf2/antioxidant response element pathway may become a new therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Hippocampal gene expression in a rat model of depression after electroacupuncture at the Baihui and Yintang acupoints

Preliminary basic research and clinical findings have demonstrated that electroacupuncture ther- apy exhibits positive effects in ameliorating depression. However, most studies of the underlying mechanism are at the single gene level; there are few reports regarding the mechanism at the whole-genome level. Using a rat genomic gene-chip, we profiled hippocampal gene expression changes in rats after electroacupuncture therapy. Electroacupuncture therapy alleviated depres- sion-related manifestations in the model rats. Using gene-chip analysis, we demonstrated that electroacupuncture at Baihui （DU20） and Yintang （EX-HN3） regulates the expression of 21 genes. Real-time PCR showed that the genes Vgf, lgf2, Trnp32, Loc500373, Hifla, Folrl, Nrnb, and Rtn were upregulated or downregulated in depression and that their expression tended to nor- malize after electroacupuncture therapy. These results indicate that electroacupuncture at Baihui and Yintang modulates depression by regulating the expression of particular genes.

Role of the nucleus tractus solitarii in the protection of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosal lesions

Previous studies have shown that somatic sensation by acupuncture and visceral nociceptive stimulation can converge in the nucleus tractus solitarii where neurons integrate signals impact- ing on the function of organs. To explore the role of the nucleus tractus solitarii in the protective mechanism of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosa, nucleus tractus solitarii were damaged in rats and pre-moxibustion treatment at the Zusanli （ST36） point followed. The gastric mucosa was then damaged by the anhydrous ethanol lavage method. Morphological observations, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western immunoblot analyses showed that gastric mucosa surface lesion and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly ameliorated after pre-moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, the gastric mucosal damage index and somatostatin level were reduced, and epidermal growth factor content in the gastric mucosa and heat-shock protein-70 expression were increased. These results were reversed by damage to the nucleus tractus solitarii. These findings suggest that moxibustion pretreatment at the Zusanli point is protective against acute gastric mucosa injury, and nucleus tractus solitarii damage inhibits these responses. Therefore, the nucleus tractus solitarii may be an important area for regulating the signal transduction of the protective effect of pre-moxibustion on gastric mucosa.

Effects of triptolide on hippocampal microglial cells and astrocytes in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease

The principal pathology of Alzheimer＇s disease includes neuronal extracellular deposition of amyloid-beta peptides and formation of senile pl aques, which in turn induce neuroinflammation in the brain. Triptolide, a natural extract from the vine-like herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive efficacy. Therefore, we determined if triptolide can inhibit activation and proliferation of microglial cells and astrocytes in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease. We used 1 or 5 μg/kg/d triptolide to treat APP/PS1 double transgenic mice （aged 4-4.5 months） for 45 days. Unbiased stereology analysis found that triptolide dose-dependent- ly reduced the total number of microglial cells, and transformed microglial cells into the resting state. Further, triptolide （5 μg/kg/d） also reduced the total number of hippocampal astrocytes. Our in vivo test results indicate that triptolide suppresses activation and proliferation of microglial cells and astrocytes in the hippocampus of APP/PS 1 double transgenic mice with Alzheimer＇s disease.

Electroacupuncture in liver regeneration:a Chinese traditional medicine approach to enhancing liver regeneration

We read with great interest the paper by Yang et al.,published in Advanced Science(1),which presents an intriguing exploration into the use of electroacupuncture(EA)to enhance liver regeneration.This study primarily investigates the roles of the vagus nerve and hepatic macrophages in facilitating liver regeneration,focusing on the brain-liver axis and the underlying mechanisms.

Zishenpingchan granules for the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease：a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial

Levodopa preparations remain the preferred drug for Parkinson＇s disease.However,long-term use of levodopa may lead to a series of motor complications.Previous studies have shown that the combination of levodopa and Zishenpingchan granules（consisting of Radix Rehmanniae preparata,Lycium barbarum,Herba Taxilli,Rhizoma Gastrodiae,Stiff Silkorm,Curcuma phaeocaulis,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Rhizoma Arisaematis,Scorpio and Centipede） can markedly improve dyskinesia and delay the progression of Parkinson＇s disease,with especially dramatic improvements of non-motor symptoms.However,the efficacy of this combination has not been confirmed by randomized controlled trials.The current study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee and was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register（registration number：Chi CTR-INR-1701194）.From December 2014 to December 2016,128 patients（72 males and 56 females,mean age of 65.78 ± 6.34 years） with Parkinson＇s disease were recruited from the Department of Neurology of Longhua Hospital and Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China.Patients were equally allocated into treatment and control groups.In addition to treatment with dopamine,patients in treatment and control groups were given Zishenpingchan granules or placebo,respectively,for 24 weeks.Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using the Unified Parkinson＇s Disease Rating Scale,on-off phenomenon,Hoehn-Yahr grade,Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson＇s disease–Autonomic,Parkinson＇s disease sleep scale,Hamilton Anxiety Scale,Hamilton Depression Scale,Mini-Mental State Examination,and the Parkinson＇s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire.Artificial neural networks were used to determine weights at which to scale these parameters.Our results demonstrated that Zishenpingchan granules significantly reduced the occurrence of motor complications,and were useful for mitigating dyskinesia and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson＇s disease.This combination of Chinese and Western medicine has the potential to reduce levodopa dosages,and no obvious side effects were found.These findings indicate that Zishenpingchan granules can mitigate symptoms of Parkinson＇s disease,reduce toxic side effects of dopaminergic agents,and exert synergistic and detoxifying effects.

Verbascoside promotes the regeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra

Tyrosine hydroxylase is a key enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. Change in tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the nigrostriatal system is closely related to the occurrence and development of Parkinson＇s disease. Verbascoside, an extract from Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata has been shown to be clinically effective in treating Parkinson＇s disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. It is hypothesized that the effects of verbascoside on Parkinson＇s disease are related to tyrosine hydroxylase expression change in the nigrostriatal system. Rat models of Parkinson＇s disease were established and verbascoside（60 mg/kg） was administered intraperitoneally once a day. After 6 weeks of verbascoside treatment, rat rotational behavior was alleviated; tyrosine hydroxylase m RNA and protein expression and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the rat right substantia nigra were significantly higher than the Parkinson＇s model group. These findings suggest that the mechanism by which verbascoside treats Parkinson＇s disease is related to the regeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra.

男性情志问题与肝的相关性研究

目的:通过调查男性人群生活习惯、抑郁情绪、焦虑情绪、自尊水平等,分析男性情志问题与肝的关系,为制定男性情志问题干预策略提供依据。方法:共纳入2023年3—5月符合标准的男238例,通过问卷调查方式采集基本信息、中医肝脏象情绪量表、自尊量表等资料。结果:基本信息显示,调查对象以中青年男性为主,超重及肥胖者占59.7%,喜咸、喜辛辣和喜炙烤者偏多,47.1%有胃肠问题,17.6%有心脏问题,47.9%有睡眠问题,42.9%的男性基本不运动,男性疾病情况显示前列腺炎者14.3%、前列腺增生者4.6%、早泄者10.1%。中医肝脏象情绪量表总分异常者有169例(71.0%),抑郁情绪异常者173例(72.7%),焦虑情绪异常者152例(63.9%),肝经证候异常者134例(56.3%)。在年龄、寒热、喜咸、喜炙烤、睡眠、运动、心脏问题、胃肠问题、前列腺炎、前列腺增生、阳痿等维度,中医肝脏象情绪量表得分差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);抑郁情绪、焦虑情绪与肝经证候因子正相关;自尊水平与中医肝脏象情绪量表总分、抑郁情绪、焦虑情绪、肝经证候因子负相关。结论:男性情志问题与肝的关系密切,调节男性情志应以改善生活习惯、疏肝解郁为主要方法。

艾灸热敏化腧穴结合中药熏蒸治疗腰椎源性下腰痛疗效观察

目的 探讨艾灸热敏化腧穴结合中药熏蒸治疗腰椎源性下腰痛的效果。方法 采用随机平行对照方法将河南中医药大学第一附属医院2020年4月至2023年5月收治的138例腰椎源性下腰痛患者按随机数表法分为对照1组、对照2组和观察组各46例。对照1组采取艾灸热敏化腧穴,对照2组采取中药熏蒸,观察组采取艾灸热敏化腧穴+中药熏蒸。治疗2周后比较三组患者的治疗效果,治疗前、治疗2周后的中医证候积分、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、改良Qswestry功能障碍指数量表(ODI)、血管活性调节因子[血栓素2 (TXB2)、6-酮-前列腺素(6-keto-PGF1α)]、神经传导速度、等长肌力(IMS)、腰背肌后伸活动度(ROM),同时比较两组患者治疗期间的不良反应发生情况。结果 观察组患者的治疗总有效率为93.48%,明显高于对照1组的76.09%和对照2组的71.74%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗2周后,观察组患者的中医证候积分及VAS、ODI评分分别为(1.31±0.30)分、(1.98±0.42)分、(15.24±1.68)分,明显低于对照1组的(1.50±0.33)分、(2.64±0.46)分、(18.78±2.34)分和对照2组的(1.47±0.34)分、(2.70±0.41)分、(19.11±1.29)分,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗2周后,观察组患者的血清TXB2水平为(40.42±4.25) ng/mL,明显低于对照1组的(45.56±4.71) ng/mL和对照2组的(44.88±5.03) ng/mL,6-keto-PGF1α水平为(53.53±5.78) ng/mL,明显高于对照1组的(49.95±5.42) ng/mL和对照2组的(50.11±6.64) ng/mL,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗2周后,观察组患者的腓总神经、腓浅神经传导速度分别为(42.50±4.43) m/s、(42.63±4.56) m/s,明显快于对照1组的(39.12±3.78) m/s、(39.40±3.87) m/s和对照2组的(38.89±4.05) m/s、(39.11±3.95) m/s,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗2周后,观察组患者的ROM、IMS分别为(7.65±1.85)°、(498.68±75.51) N,明显高于对照1组的(6.25±1.36)°、(452.62±70.33) N和对照2组的(6.32±1.44)°、(450.13±72.68) N,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);三组患者治疗期间均未出现明显不良反应。结论 艾灸热敏化腧穴结合中药熏蒸能改善腰椎源性下腰痛患者临床症状,调节血管活性因子水平,促进神经传导速度及腰椎功能恢复,疗效显著且安全性高。

益气活血开窍类中药及复方调控干细胞促进缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复的作用

背景:大脑内源性神经发生和外源性干细胞移植对包括缺血性脑卒中在内的神经系统疾病展现出巨大的治疗潜力,能够修复和替代丢失的神经元、促进突触重构、抑制细胞凋亡。益气活血开窍类中药及复方治疗缺血后神经功能障碍具有一定的优势,通过多种途径靶向神经修复,包括促进内源性神经发生及外源性干细胞存活、增殖、归巢、诱导神经元分化。目的:综述益气活血开窍类中药及复方促进缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复的机制,以期为缺血性脑卒中的新药研究及治疗提供参考。方法:检索中国知网和PubMed数据库2010-2022年期间关于益气活血开窍类中药及复方促进缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复的文献,以“益气活血;开窍;中药;复方;缺血性脑卒中;神经修复;干细胞”为中文检索词,以“supplementing qi and activating blood circulation;inducing resuscitation;traditional Chinese medicine(TCM);compounds;ischemic stroke;nerve repair;stem cells”为英文检索词。排除陈旧及重复的观点,将检索到的文献进行分析整理,共纳入124篇文献进行分析。结果与结论:①梳理了干细胞、缺血性脑卒中的定义及缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复途径。②总结了益气活血开窍类中药及复方促进缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复的作用机制,主要包括促进干细胞增殖、提高干细胞活力及存活率、促进干细胞归巢、诱导干细胞向神经元分化、抑制神经细胞凋亡、促进轴突再生、调控血管新生及重塑、提高神经营养因子水平及修复血脑屏障完整性。③通过现有的研究总结了益气活血开窍类中药及复方促进缺血性脑卒中急性期神经修复的相关因子及信号通路,如Nestin蛋白表达、DCX蛋白表达、脑源性神经营养因子、血管内皮生长因子及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路、Notch信号通路、PI3k/Akt信号通路、BDNF/TrkB信号通路和ERK/MAPK信号通路等,为今后缺血性脑卒中特效药物及新的临床治疗方法的研究提供相关参考。

新型冠状病毒感染后认知功能障碍的研究现状

目的对新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)与认知功能障碍的关系及新冠后遗症中认知功能障碍的发生机制进行综述。方法检索中国知网和PubMed数据库,收集2020年1月1日至2023年10月30日中医、西医关于SARSCoV-2感染后认知功能障碍的相关报道。结果SARS-CoV-2感染后可能会出现认知功能障碍,这可能与SARSCoV-2病毒具有神经侵袭性、嗜神经性、神经毒力有关,或与感染后介导的过度炎症反应、血清素水平及病毒转移等因素有关;并发现部分中药单体具有改善SARS-CoV-2感染后认知功能障碍的作用。结论SARS-CoV-2感染后可能会出现短时间或长期的认知功能障碍,其具体机制有待临床和基础研究的进一步验证,中药在改善此症状中具有较好的研究潜力。

动眼神经麻痹中西医研究进展

动眼神经麻痹常会导致上睑下垂、眼球运动功能障碍、复视、眼肌麻痹等疾病。其较常见病因为动脉瘤压迫、高血压、糖尿病、外伤、炎症等及其他不常见疾病。动眼神经麻痹的治疗主要包括,中医治疗(针刺、灸法、推拿、中药方剂和联合治疗)与西医治疗(药物治疗、手术治疗)。现从动眼神经麻痹的中医、西医病因及治疗等方面综述该病的研究进展,以期为中西医治疗动眼神经麻痹的更深层次研究提供参考。

从“水火失济”论治房颤

本文从君火、相火、肾水的关系探讨水火既济的过程,认为水火既济,体内如环运动,而水亏火旺、水盛火衰、君火不明相火失位皆可使水火失济,影响心神而发为心房颤动(房颤)。西医学认为自主神经功能紊乱是房颤的重要原因,交感神经绝对或相对兴奋,心房肌细胞自律性增强,房室传导加快,表现为快速性房颤;迷走神经兴奋亦会导致心房电重构,延缓房室传导,表现为慢心室率房颤。自主神经系统受中枢神经系统支配,二者之间相互作用亦可诱发房颤。针对水火阴阳的失衡结合西医学对房颤机制的研究,本文提出“滋阴潜阳以治火”“益火之源以培元”“益气镇惊以调神”,旨在促进心肾相交、水火相济、阴阳交感和合,恢复自主神经张力平衡,减少房颤发生的频次和持续时间,终止房颤的发作,拓宽临床治疗房颤的思路。

从“治痿独取阳明”论治动眼神经麻痹

动眼神经麻痹(ONP)是导致眼睑下垂及复视的常见病因,因其病因诊断复杂,是目前尚未解决的医学难题。本病属于中医学“痿证”范畴,基于对《黄帝内经》“治痿独取阳明”的理解,本文以“痿”论治ONP,从病因病机、治疗等方面阐述ONP与痿证的关系,治疗上强调以“取阳明”为中心,结合辨证论治,从中药和针灸2个方面阐述其临床应用,以期为ONP的临床治疗提供新的思路。

梅花针叩刺法治疗1例动眼神经麻痹患者的护理体会

动眼神经麻痹严重影响患者视觉及生活质量。本文总结采用梅花针叩刺法治疗1例轻度动眼神经麻痹患者的护理经验。根据护理评估及中医辨证分型,在生活起居、饮食护理、情志护理基础上,采用梅花针中医护理技术,有效改善了患者上睑下垂、斜视、眼球活动受限等症状。

电针联合中药外敷治疗特发性面神经麻痹的临床疗效观察

[目的]评价电针联合中药外敷治疗特发性面神经麻痹的临床疗效和安全性。[方法]符合纳入与排除标准的180名特发性面神经麻痹患者按1∶1∶1比例被随机分为治疗1组、治疗2组和对照组,治疗1组采用电针治疗,治疗2组采用电针联合中药外敷治疗,对照组采用西药口服治疗,3组患者均接受3周的治疗。主要结局指标为Sunnybrook面部分级系统(SFGS)评分,次要结局指标为House-Brackmann分级量表(HBGS)评分,Nottingham System评分和不良事件发生率。[结果]164人完成了3周的治疗,其中治疗1组56例,治疗2组53例,对照组55例,3组患者的基线特征一致。治疗3周后,3组患者的SFGS评分、HBGS评分和Nottingham System评分均优于治疗前(P<0.01),且治疗2组的各评分优于治疗1组和对照组(P<0.05),差异均具有统计学意义;研究过程中3组患者均未出现不良反应。[结论]电针联合中药外敷是一种安全有效的特发性面神经麻痹治疗方案,可以促进面神经功能的恢复,为进一步改善特发性面瘫患者的预后提供了新的治疗思路。