TCM Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Supplementing the Kidney and Invigorating the Blood Circulation

The therapeutic effects in treating the intermediate and late rheumatoid arthritis by supplementing the kidney and invigorating blood circulation were observed. In the 43 cases of the treatment group, No. 2 Qu Feng Shi Ling capsules (祛风湿灵胶囊2号) and Fenbid (芬必得) were prescribed, while in the 39 cases of the control group Lei Gong Teng Tablets (雷公藤总甙片) and Fenbid were given. The results showed that the total effective rate in the treatment group was more satisfactory than that in the control (P<0.05 or P<0.01). With less toxic effects, the former could better improve the local swelling and lower the blood viscosity.

Creatine Supplementation Improves Physical Performance,Without Negative Effects on Health Markers,in Young Weightlifters

Purpose The safety of creatine supplementation has been investigated,however,the safety of a high-dose/short-term or low-dose/long-term supplementation dosing scheme,combined with a resistance training program,a commonly used dosing scheme,has not yet studied.The aim of this study was to evaluate physical performance and the safety of the cited creatine supplementation dosing scheme in a double-blind placebo-controlled study by assessing blood and urine health indicators in subjects undertaking resistance training.Method Thirty-four healthy male subjects were randomly assigned to creatine supplement(CREA/7 days,0.3 g/kg body mass+21 days,0.03 g/kg)or placebo(PLA)group and both groups participated in a resistance training intervention(6 exercises,3 sets of 8-12 repetitions per exercise at 85%of 1RM,3 d/week).Blood and urine samples were collected pre-,7 and 30 days post-supplementation.For blood(26 parameters)and urine markers(15),between-group differences were calculated by using 2 groups(CREA and PLA)×2 measures(“POST7 minus PRE”and“POST30 minus PRE”)terms.Results The CREA group exhibited significant body weight and 1RM increase(POST30 minus PRE)of all evaluated exercises,when compared to PLA group.Regarding the blood and urine health markers,only hematocrit,LDL,Uric Acid,Phosphatase Alkaline and Creatinine exhibited between-group differences,but with small magnitude of differences and maintained into the range of clinical reference values.Conclusion Our data suggest that creatine supplementation the used dosing scheme,concomitantly with resistance training,improves physical performance with no evident risk or protection to health for young weightlifters.

Clinical Study on Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Supplementing Kidney and Qi and Activating Blood Circulation in Treating Intrauterine Growth Retardation of Fetus

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect and the possible working mechanism in using Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for supplementing Kidney and Qi, and activating blood circulation in treating intrauterine growth retardation of fetus (IUGR). Methods: Fifty-five cases of IUGR were divided into two groups, 30 cases in the CHM group treated with CHM and the 25 in the control group treated with amino acids. The effect of CHM treatment was observed and compared with that of the control group, normal pregnancy group and non-treated IUGR group. Results: Body weight of the newborns in the CHM was markedly higher than that in the control group. Not only the maternal fundal height (FH) and the abdominal circumference (AC), but also the fetal growth parameters, including biparietal diameter, head circumference (HC), and femur length (FL) in the CHM group increased much faster than those in the control group. After CHM treatment, the maternal serum levels of estriol (E3) and human placental lactogen (hPL) approached to those in the normal pregnancy group, but the control group,in comparison with the normal pregnancy group, was significantly different. The umbilical venous plasma concentration of essential amino acids in both treated groups improved, but the improvement in the CHM group was more significant than that in the control group. No apparent adverse effect of CHM was observed in either mother or fetus.Conclusion: CHM for supplementing Kidney and Qi and activating blood circulation was more effective in improving placental function and enhancing amino acid transportation than amino acid

Effects of Preventive Administration of Juanbi Capsules on TNF-α、 IL-1 And IL-6 Contents of Joint Fluid in the Rabbit with Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:To probe into the mechanism of the Chinese herbs with functions of reinforcing kidney and supplementing qi for preventing knee osteoarthritis of the rabbit. Methods: Totally 72 healthy Japan long-ear white rabbits, aged 4 months, were randomly divided into 6 groups, blank group (A), model group (B), high dose Chinese herb group (C), middle dose Chinese herb group (D), small dose Chinese herb group (E), aminoglucose hydrochloride capsule control group (F), 12 rabbits in each group. All the rabbits in the groups, except the group A, were fixed with plaster cast for six weeks to establish rabbit knee osteoarthritis. At the same time of modeling, the different doses of Juanbi Capsules and aminoglucose hydrochloride capsule were administrated intragastrically in the group C, D, E, F, respectively, for 4 weeks, for preventive treatment. In the group B, the rabbit was administrated intragastrically with equal volume of normal saline to the medication groups, twice each day, in the morning and the evening, and in the group A, nothing was administrated. After modeling for 6 weeks, the joint fluid was taken and TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 contents were detected with ELISA method, and the articular cartilage was taken for macroscopic and microscopic examinations. Results: In all the preventive treatment groups, the articular cartilage color changed to varying degrees with formation of osteophyte and bone cyst, superficial erosion on the chondral articular surface, and the cartilage defect reached to the mid layer in a part of specimens with cartilage exfoliation, but which in the extent were significantly lower than those in the model group. There were significant differences between the group A and B in TNF-α , IL-1 and IL-6 contents in the joint fluid (P<0.05), indicating that the modeling is successful; and there were significant differences as group B compared with the group C,D, E, F, showing that TNF-α , IL-1 and IL-6 contents are decreased in all the medication groups; and significant differences between group C, D, E suggests that the increase of Chinese herb doses strengthened the effect of reducing TNF-α , IL-1 and IL-6 contents in joint fluid. Conclusion: The Juanbi Capsule prevents osteoarthritis possibly through decreasing serum TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 contents.

Toxicological and histopathological effects of Dennettia tripetala seed used as grain protectant,food,and medicine

The study revealed the safety of Dennettia tripetala seed on man and the environment.Adult male rats weighing 0.158-0.168 kg housed in standard cages with free access to food and water were used for the experiments.The median lethal dose(LD50)was estimated using revised up and down procedure.The LD50 for D.tripetala seed extract was 5785 mg/kg and this evoked paralysis in rats for 4 days coupled with discharge from the eyes and eventual death.The least weight gain by the animals administered 75%seed powder of D.tripetala(4338.75 mg/kg)was an index of high powder concentration,whereas the weight loss experienced by group V animals is strongly attributed to chemical assault by permethrin designated as a standard insecticide.The high values of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and urea in the groups administered 75%permethrin powder(4338.75 mg/kg)and 75%D.tripetala seed powder is an index of liver and kidney injury and dysfunction.The presence of normal serum levels of ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,and creatinine;normal liver and kidney structures;and normal weight gains in the animal groups fed basal diet(control)and basal diet plus 25%D.tripetala is a strong indication that 25%D.tripetala seed powder(1446.25 mg/kg)supplementation is not toxic to the liver and kidney and therefore supports normal organ functions.The LD50 recorded strongly indicates that D.tripetala has a moderately high safety margin.Supplementation of less than 50%(2892.5 mg/kg)is recommended in the safe use of the plant material as grain protectant,food,and medicine.The botanical insecticide,D.tripetala,is safer than the conventional synthetic insecticide,permethrin,on account of the latter showing evidence of kidney damage.

Effects of lemon-tomato juice consumption on crystal formation in the urine of patients with calcium oxalate stones:A randomized crossover clinical trial

Background:Dietary supplementation with citrate-containing juices may serve as an effective alternative to potassium citrate therapy for preventing calcium oxalate stone recurrence.This study was performed to evaluate whether consumption of lemon-tomato juice can decrease the tendency for stone formation in the urine of calcium oxalate stone formers.Materials and methods:The study was conducted as a prospective interventional randomized crossover clinical trial with a repeated-measures design.Twenty-two patients with calcium oxalate stones and no metabolic abnormalities in the urine treated with lithotripsy at a tertiary care center from August 2017 to July 2018 were recruited.After a 14-hour overnight fasting,urine samples were collected after the patients consumed either milk only or milk and lemon-tomato juice.Their urine was tested for multiple parameters,including urine pH,specific gravity,calcium-creatinine ratio,and supersaturation with sodium oxalate,followed by optical density measurement via spectrophotometry.Results:There were no significant differences in the background characteristics between the 2 groups.The optical density of the urine samples obtained after consumption of milk only was significantly higher than that after consumption of milk and lemon-tomato juice(mean=0.131 for milk only vs.0.053 for milk and lemon-tomato juice,p<0.001).The urine calcium-creatinine ratio was similar between the groups(mean=0.141 for milk only vs.0.076 for milk and lemon-tomato juice,p=0.019).Conclusions:The addition of lemon-tomato juice as a source of citrate in the diet significantly decreases the established risk factors for calcium oxalate stone formation in patients.This study was prospectively registered at CTRI under number CTRI/2017/04/008312 on April 7,2017.