Association between metabolic syndrome and body constitution of traditional Chinese medicine:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:The constitution theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)states that body constitution and disease are associated;therefore,the identification of body constitution can provide reference for disease prevention and treatment.A series of clinical studies evaluating the association between TCM constitution and metabolic syndrome(MetS)have been conducted in recent years.The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and evaluate the clinical evidence of the relationship between constitution and MetS.Methods:The PubMed,Embase,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Chongqing VIP,and Wanfang Data electronic databases were searched from April 2009 to July 2020.The search terms included“metabolic syndrome,”“constitution,”and“Chinese medicine.”Observational studies evaluating the relationship between body constitution of TCM and MetS were included.The primary outcome included the distribution of constitutional types in the MetS population,and odds ratio(OR)or relative risk(RR)between constitution and MetS.Effect size was expressed as proportion or OR with 95%confidence interval(CI).Methodological quality of included studies was evaluated by the NewcastleeOttawa Scale(NOS)or the American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality(AHRQ)criteria.Results:Three caseecontrol and 26 cross-sectional studies involving 30435 cases were included.Phlegm-dampness,qi-deficiency,and damp-heat were the main constitution types in patients with MetS,accounting for 29%(22%e39%),18%(13%e24%),and 12%(9%e17%)of the population,respectively;the risk of MetS in people with phlegm-dampness and qi-deficiency constitution was 1.74[1.27,2.38]and 1.29[1.01,1.65]times higher than that in those with other constitutions.There were sex-and age-related differences in the distribution of TCM constitution in patients with MetS.Conclusion:Phlegm-dampness and qi-deficiency were associated with the occurrence of MetS.Welldesigned cohort and caseecontrol studies are needed to provide evidence for the use of TCM to prevent and treat MetS.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between traditional Chinese medicine qi-deficiency and balanced constitutions

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)in a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)qi-deficiency constitution(QDC)by comparing with balanced constitution(BC)and screen the related biomarkers.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,the TCM constitutions of subjects were determined based on published the Classification and Determination of constitution in TCM and further confirmed by a TCM clinician.Clinical characteristics were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing using the Illumina Miseq platform.The FAM structure was described using alpha-diversity indexes,beta-diversity indexes,and the relative abundances of the dominant taxa.Differences in the FAM distribution and function were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis,after which a receiver operating characteristic curve based on the specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed to calculate the area under the curve.Results:Our study population was composed of 22 BCs and 9 QDCs.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the distribution of clinical characteristics or alpha-diversity indexes,except for the sweets preference and blood glucose level.In principal coordinate analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis,the bacterial communities in the BC group samples and QDC group samples clustered separately.Notably,there were 214 OTUs significantly distributed between groups in the MetagenomeSeq analysis,200 OTUs identified by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and 6 OTUs found by the LEfSe analysis.Predicted function analysis revealed that six metabolic pathways were distinctly distributed between the two groups.The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve based on the four specific OTUs was 0.88.Conclusion:Unique FAM structural and related functional characteristics are displayed in individuals with a QDC,and four specific OTUs could be used as QDC biomarkers to assist in clinical diagnosis.

Concepts of body constitution, health and sub-health from traditional Chinese medicine perspective

This paper described and discussed the important literature and ideas about the concepts, types and measurement of body constitution, in terms of healthy,sub-healthy and disease status. In view of traditional Chinese medicine, ‘‘healthy" state is a status of relative balance of Yin and Yang to keep our bodily homeostasis. If there are significant physical and/or psychological stressors, such as loss of a beloved one and failure in study or work, the body can no longer keep its own bodily condition balanced and subsequently enter a state of ‘‘sub-health"(sub-optimal health).‘‘unhealthy" body constitution such as ‘‘Dampnessheat", ‘‘Cold-dampness" and ‘‘Heat- or Cold- dryness"with a subnormal body temperature and humidity and clinical manifestations such as insomnia, malaise and overweight will be presented. Immediate, appropriate strategies such as modification of life-style and seeking medical treatment can prevent evolution of an illness.Otherwise, the body will enter a disease status with a‘‘pathological" body constitution of ‘‘Yin or Yang deficiency'', ‘‘Blood-stasis" and/or ‘‘Phlegm-dampness". To be complimentary with health promotion and disease prevention in Western medicine, understanding about an individual's body constitution, together with itsdeterminants(e.g., healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors), can contribute to a more proactive, holistic and individualized healthcare.

The theory development of traditional Chinese medicine constitution: a review

Traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC),as one of the most important parts of Chinese medicine theory,attracted the attention of more and more researchers and many research projects were conducted during past several decades in China's Mainland.This review provided a historic overview of TCMC theory and research progress in its classification,evaluation criteria and epidemiology,so as to give people through a different lens to understand human health.

Correlation between Tibetan and traditional Chinese medicine body constitutions: A cross-sectional study of Tibetan college students in the Tibet Autonomous Region

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between the body constitution types of Tibetan medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Methods:The cluster sampling method was employed to recruit participants from a university in the Tibet Autonomous Region.Tibetan medicine and TCM questionnaires were respectively used to assess the participants' constitution information.Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the baseline and constitution characteristics of the participants.Two-factor correlation analysis and the paired chi-square test were applied to analyze the correlation between Tibetan and TCM constitution types.Results:Data from 466 Tibetan students were analyzed.The mean scores of the rlung,mkhris pa,and bad kan constitution types in Tibetan medicine were 43.2 (11.1),42.1 (10.1),and 45.0 (8.0),respectively;participants with the three-factor convergence body constitution type accounted for 13.7% of the whole population.Among the TCM constitution types,qi stagnation was the most common (21.5%),followed by the balance type (16.5%);the other constitutions detected were qi deficiency,yin deficiency,and yang deficiency.The rate of consistency for the identification of the three-factor convergence constitution in Tibetan medicine and the balance constitution in TCM was 89.1%,with a Kappa coefficient of 0.57 (P >.05).The rlung constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the yin deficiency,yang deficiency,and blood stasis constitutions in TCM.The mkhhris pa constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the damp heat and yin deficiency constitutions in TCM.The bad kan constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the phlegm dampness,qi deficiency,and yin deficiency constitutions in TCM.Conclusion:There is a correlation between the body constitution types of Tibetan medicine and TCM.The reliability and validity of the Questionnaire for TibetanMedicine Constitution requires improvement,and more studies with larger sample sizes and more varied populations are warranted to verify the correlation between Tibetan medicine and TCM constitutions.

Relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and traditional Chinese constitution in subjects with high-normal blood pressure

Objective: We explored the relationship between traditional Chinese constitution and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subjects with high-normal blood pressure (BP). Methods: The traditional Chinese constitution of 80 subjects with high-normal BP was judged by questionnaires and interviews. Measurements of cardiovascular and metabolic health in- cluded BP, body weight, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT2h), and waist cir- cumference. Statistical relationships between cardiovascular disease risk factors and specific Chinese constitution were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Ping He, Tan Shi, and Yin Xu were the dominant constitutions in subjects with high-normal blood pressure. There were significant differences in weight, LDL-C, BMI, OGTT2h, and waist circumference between Tan Shi and Ping He (P P < 0.05), and weight, BMI, waist circumference, SBP, and LDL-C between Tan Shi and Yin Xu constitutions (P < 0.01). Logistic regression found a strong association between the Tan Shi constitution and LDL-C in subjects with high-normal blood pressure. Conclusion: Ping He, Tan Shi, and Yin Xu are the principle traditional Chinese constitutions in subject with high-normal blood pressure. The Tan Shi constitution is associated with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (LDL-C, BMI, body weight, and waist circumference), while OGTT2h is closely related to the Yin Xu constitution.

A Brief Analysis of the Correlation Between Allergic Rhinitis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution

Allergic rhinitis(AR)and is a type of allergic diseases caused by an inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by allergens.Clinically,AR is a common allergic disease and is difficult to treat.Due to differences in individual constitutions also known as body type,the severity of the disease is also different and it may even affect the daily life of the patient if it is severe.The effective treatment of AR has become a hot topic in current allergic disease research.Traditional Chinese Medicine’s understanding of constitution is based on the“Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic”book,and Professor Wang Qi put forward the“physical constitution theory of traditional Chinese medicine”.The constitution is a key internal factor of the occurrence and development of diseases.It is believed in Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)that the constitution can be regulated,and rectifying the patient’s imbalanced constitution has a positive effect on the diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of the disease.Therefore,based on the“physical constitution theory of TCM”,this study considers the idea of treating body differently applying TCM constitution in the treatment of AR as the breakthrough point,and explores the correlation between AR and TCM constitution.The results show that TCM constitution is an intrinsic factor affecting the pathogenesis of AR.The use of TCM constitution theory in the treatment of AR has a positive effect and should be popularized in application.

A Study on the Correlation Between Cerebral Small Vascular Disease and Constitution Types of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective:To study the correlation between cerebral small vascular disease and constitution types of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM).Methods:The severity of lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis were graded in 230 patients with cerebral small vascular disease,and they were divided into TCM constitution types.The survey of TCM constitution types was carried out by using standardized TCM constitution scale,and order multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between TCM constitution types with severity of lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis.Results:Yang-deficiency(阳虚)constitution,blood-stasis constitution and phlegm-dampness constitution were the most common TCM constitution types in patients with lacunar infarction,accounting for 33.7%,12.5%,11.5%respectively.Yang-deficiency constitution,blood-stasis constitution and Yin-deficiency(阴虚)constitution were the most common TCM constitution types in patients with leukoaraiosis,accounting for 28.8%,18.5%,13.7%respectively.There were significant differences in lacunar infarction of Yang-deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution(P<0.05),and there were significant differences in leukoaraiosis of phlegmdampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution(P<0.05).Single factor analysis showed that the main risk factors of lacunar infarction were age,smoking,alcohol consumption,Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the main risk factors of leukoaraiosis were age,smoking,hypertensive disease,phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution.The ordered multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that the severity of lacunar infarction was closely related to age,and the severity of leukoplosis was closely related to age,smoking and hypertension disease.Conclusion:TCM constitution types of lacunar infarction in patients with small cerebral vascular disease is mainly Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the risk factors include age,smoking,alcohol consumption,Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution.Age is closely related with lacunar infarction.TCM constitution types with leukoaraiosis are mainly phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the risk factors are age,smoking,hypertension disease,phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution.Age,smoking and hypertension disease are closely related with leukoaraiosis.

Constitution identification model in traditional Chinese medicine based on multiple features

Objective To construct a precise model for identifying traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitutions;thereby offering optimized guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment plan-ning;and ultimately enhancing medical efficiency and treatment outcomes.Methods First;TCM full-body inspection data acquisition equipment was employed to col-lect full-body standing images of healthy people;from which the constitutions were labelled and defined in accordance with the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ);and a dataset encompassing labelled constitutions was constructed.Second;heat-suppres-sion valve(HSV)color space and improved local binary patterns(LBP)algorithm were lever-aged for the extraction of features such as facial complexion and body shape.In addition;a dual-branch deep network was employed to collect deep features from the full-body standing images.Last;the random forest(RF)algorithm was utilized to learn the extracted multifea-tures;which were subsequently employed to establish a TCM constitution identification mod-el.Accuracy;precision;and F1 score were the three measures selected to assess the perfor-mance of the model.Results It was found that the accuracy;precision;and F1 score of the proposed model based on multifeatures for identifying TCM constitutions were 0.842;0.868;and 0.790;respectively.In comparison with the identification models that encompass a single feature;either a single facial complexion feature;a body shape feature;or deep features;the accuracy of the model that incorporating all the aforementioned features was elevated by 0.105;0.105;and 0.079;the precision increased by 0.164;0.164;and 0.211;and the F1 score rose by 0.071;0.071;and 0.084;respectively.Conclusion The research findings affirmed the viability of the proposed model;which incor-porated multifeatures;including the facial complexion feature;the body shape feature;and the deep feature.In addition;by employing the proposed model;the objectification and intel-ligence of identifying constitutions in TCM practices could be optimized.

Randomized control study in the influence of different training methods of Tai Chi on Chinese medicine constitution of international students with depression or depression tendency

Objective： To evaluate the effect of different training methods of Tai Chi on Chinese medicine constitution of international students with depression or depression tendency. Methods： Thirty-eight Africa international students were randomly divided into the physical exercise group who receiving the simple physical exercise of simplified 24-form Tai Chi （physical exercise group） and the breathing group who receiving both deep breathing method plus simple physical exercise （breathing group）. The average scores of Chinese medicine gentleness and various biased constitutional types in the two groups were compared. Results： The average score of thirty-eight students with biased constitution in both groups decreased significantly compared with that before training （P 〈 0.05）. Compared with that before training, the average scores of biased constitutional types in the breathing group, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, phlegm-dampness and Qi stagnation, were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05）. The average scores of Yang deficiency, blood stasis and Qi stagnation constitutional types of students in simple physical group after training were also significantly decreased after training （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the average scores of biased constitutional types, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm and dampness, Qi-stagnation, in the breathing group were significantly lower than those of the simple exercise group, suggesting the superior therapeutic effect of breathing training method （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： When combines with the deep breathing method, Tai Chi training achieves better effect on improving the biased constitutional types which may be related to depression or depression tendency, including Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm and dampness, Qi-stagnation.

Clinical Research on the Treatment of Simple Obesity by Oral Chinese Medicine Combined with Health Education to Improve Phlegm Dampness Constitution

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of oral traditional Chinese medicine granules combined with health education to regulate phlegm constitution and treat simple obesity. METHODS: According to the method of constitution evaluation in TCM Constitution Classification and Evaluation(Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine), the TCM classification of Chinese medicine was performed on patients who came to the outpatient department of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Pinggu District of Beijing and met the diagnostic criteria of simple obesity. One hundred patients with phlegm constitution were selected and those in accordance with the standards, were randomly divided into group with oral TCM granules combined with health education(refer to as treatment group) and health education group(refer to as control group) according to 1:1 ratio. The control group was given health education including diet and exercise instruction. Treatment group:(1) Health education includes diet and exercise instruction.(2) Oral Chinese medicine granules: ingredients: atractylodes rhizome 15g, raw barley 30g, Folium Nelumbinis 10g, Chinese hawthorn fruit 10g, Chinese waxgourd peel 15g, milk-vetch root;15g, kudzuvine root 15g, danshen root10g, 2 times/d. The two groups were intervened for 12 weeks each time, and obesity evaluation indicators such as body weight, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, weight index, and score table of TCM constitutional were observed before and after the intervention. Statistical software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The total curative effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group(P<0.001). The weight index, body weight, waist and hip circumference decreased significantly after treatment(P <0.01). Compared with the two groups, the treatment group is better than the control group in terms of dampness constitution improvement, weight and fat losing and waist and hip circumference reducing.(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Oral Chinese medicine granules Jiangzhuo Fang(combined with health education) and simple health education can improve phlegm constitution, and improve the body weight, body fat percentage and other indicators of the patients, but oral granules combined with health education to improve the physical fitness of phlegm is better than simple health education. The thoughts and methods of Chinese medicine granules combined with health education to regulate phlegm constitution is effective for weight losing and is worthy of further research and promotion.

Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution among patients with allergic rhinitis and its correlation with anxiety and depression

OBJECTIVE:To preliminary investigate the distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)constitution among patients with allergic rhinitis(AR)and reveal the related factors with anxiety and depression.METHODS:Between July 2020 and June 2021,specialist doctor recruited AR patients in Beijing and Shanghai.A total of 630 patients admitted to participate in the survey,and 516(81.9%)(male 54.3%,female 45.7%)participants completed the questionnaires.Three scales including Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ),Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire(GAD-7)and The Patient Health Queationaire-9(PHQ-9)were applied.Theχ^(2)and the Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate the classification data,multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the related factors of anxiety and depression.RESULTS:According to 516 AR patients,the most commonly first-constitution was Yang-deficiency(22.1%)and frequent of all constitutions was inherited-special(21.6%).One third of AR patients(33.5%)suffered from anxiety,nearly half of AR patients(46.5%)were found to be depressive.Inherited-special(27.7%)was the most common constitution in patients with anxiety whereas Yang-deficiency(26.7%)was most common constitution in patients with depression.Sex,duration of symptoms,balanced,Qi-deficiency,phlegm-dampness,Qi-stagnation,and inherited-special constitutions were related with anxiety;Sex,income,duration of symptoms,balanced,Qi-deficiency,Yang-deficiency,phlegm-dampness,Qi-stagnation,and inherited-special constitutions were related with depression.CONCLUSIONS:According to our study,the commonly constitution types of AR were Yang-deficiency and inherited-special.We found that the prevalence value of anxiety and depression were high.People with Qi-deficiency,phlegm-dampness,Qi-stagnation,and inherited-special constitutions were more likely to have mental problems than the others.Controlling these influential factors might be beneficial for clinical health management of AR patients,and the government should apply appropriate mental health treatment services to offer psychiatric support.

Polymorphisms in PPARD,PPARG and APM1 associated with four types of Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions

Based on the theory of constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM）, the human population is divided into nine constitutions including one balanced constitution （Normality） and eight unbalanced constitutions （Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, Phlegm-wetness, Qi-deficiency, Wetness-heat, Blood stasis, Depressed constitution, and Inherited special constitution）. Different constitutions have specific metabolic features and different susceptibility to certain diseases. However, whether a genetic basis accounts for such constitution classification is yet to be determined. Here we performed a genetic study to assess the association between genetic variations of metabolic genes including PPARD, PPARG and APM1 and the constitutions. A total of 233 individuals of the Han population in China were classified into four groups, Normality, Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and Phlegm-wetness with whom 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in the three genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） method. Biased distribution of PPARD rs2267669 and rs2076167, APM1 rs7627128 and rs1063539 in Yang-deficiency, PPARG Prol2Ala in Yin-deficiency and PPARD rs2076167, APMI rs266729 and rs7627128 in Phlegm-wetness were observed. The frequencies of Haplotypel3 （Hapl3） of PPARG in Yin-deficiency, Hap25 of APM1 in Yang-deficiency and Hap2 of PPARD and Hapl4 of PPARG in Phlegm-wetness, were significantly different from those in Normality, suggesting those might be group-associated haplotypes. These results suggested that single SNP and haplotypes ofPPARD, PPARG and APM1 may underlie the genetic basis of the constitutions classified in TCM.

Clinical research linking Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution types with diseases:a literature review of 1639 observational studies

OBJECTIVE:To analyze clinical studies on correlations between Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)body constitution types and diseases published in the past 10 years,and to provide an evidence base to support the use of such correlations for health maintenance and disease prevention.METHODS:We searched five databases for the period April 2009 to December 2019:China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,Wanfang Database,China Science and Technology Journal Database,PubMed and Embase.Three types of observational studies on correlation between constitution types and diseases were included:cross-sectional,case-control and cohort studies.Descriptive statistical methods were employed for data analysis.RESULTS:A total of 1639 clinical studies were identified:1452(88.59%)cross-sectional studies,115(7.02%)case-control studies and 72(4.39%)cohort studies covering 30 regions of China and five other countries(Malaysia,South Korea,Singapore,Thailand and France).The collection of studies comprised 19 disease categories and 333 different diseases.The 10 most commonly studied diseases were hypertension,diabetes,stroke,coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CAHD),sleep disorders,neoplasm of the breast,dysmenorrhea,fatty liver disease,chronic viral hepatitis B and dyslipidemia.We found high distributions for each biased constitution type in different patient populations as follows:Qi-deficiency constitution in stroke,diabetes,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and hypertension;Yang-deficiency constitution in female infertility,osteoporosis,irritable bowel syndrome,gonarthrosis and dysmenorrhea;Yin-deficiency constitution in hypertension,diabetes,constipation,female climacteric states and osteoporosis;phlegm-dampness constitution in hypertension,stroke,fatty liver disease,diabetes and metabolic syndrome;damp-heat constitution in acne,chronic gastritis,chronic viral hepatitis B,human papillomavirus infection and hyperuricemia;blood-stasis constitution in CAHD,endometriosis and stroke;Qi-stagnation constitution in hyperplasia and neoplasms of the breast,insomnia,depression and thyroid nodules;and inherited-special constitution in asthma and allergic rhinitis.CONCLUSION:Eight biased TCM constitutions were closely related to specific diseases,and could be used to guide individualized prevention and treatment.More rigorously designed studies are recommended to further verify the constitution-disease relationship.

Correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions: an analysis based on a sample from general population of China

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory.METHODS:The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ)was used.A sample of 8448subjects from nine provinces and municipalities was chosen from the database of the TCM constitution and health status survey.Constituent ratio and correspondence analysis were used to find the relationship between smoking and drinking and TCM constitution.RESULTS:There was an association between smokinganddrinkingandtheGentleness,phlegm-dampness,and dampness-heat type constitutions.People that did not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol tended to have Yang-deficiency,Yin-deficiency,Qi-depression,Qi-deficiency,special diathesis,orblood-stasis type constitutions.CONCLUSION:There was a significant correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and TCM constitutions.To improve patient health,more attention should be paid to tobacco and alcohol control.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between phlegm-dampness constitution and balanced constitution

Objective: This study aimed to explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecalassociated microbiome(FAM) between the phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC) and balanced constitution(BC), and to screen the related specific operational taxonomic unit(OTU) biomarkers.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. After strictly identifying the constitution of subjects, their clinical index was recorded and counted. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the relative abundance of dominant bacterial taxa were used to describe the FAM structure, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Metagenome Seq, and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se) were used to screen specific bacterial taxa. Specific OTUs were screened to construct receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.Results: Thirty-two subjects were enrolled, including 22 subjects with BC and 10 subjects with PDC.There were significant differences in cold preference, levels of aspartate transaminase, β2-microglobulin,and creatine kinase MB, and alpha diversity indices(Shannon and Shannoneven) between the two groups. In principal coordinate analysis by abund-jaccard distance measure and partial least squares discriminant analysis, bacterial communities clustered separately between the two groups. Furthermore,based on Metagenome Seq, LEf Se, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a total of 43, 18, and 130 OTUs were differentially distributed between BC group and PDC group, respectively, and OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 were screened when P≤.01. The area under the ROC curve constructed from the 3 selected OTUs was 0.93.Conclusion: The FAM structure and related functional characteristics of the PDC group differed from those of the BC group. In particular, OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 can be used as unique markers of PDC to assist clinical diagnosis.

Physical and mental health conditions of young college students with different Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions in Zhejiang Province of China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) constitutions of youths in colleges,and their physical and mental health conditions of different TCM constitutions, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the TCM way to improve young people's physical and mental health.METHODS: The Standard TCM Constitutions' Classification and Determination Questionnaire was used to measure the body health condition, and the Symptom Checklist 90 Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of the National Student Physical Health Standards were used to determine mental and physical health conditions respectively in 1421 young participants validly answering the questionnaires in Zhejiang Province.RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 19.96years(SD = 0.95 years) with the majority of females(55.10%). One fourth of the 1421 participants were the Ping-he constitution and others were the tendency constitutions. Participants with Ping-he module(which has characteristics of moderate posture,rosy, energetic and is a healthy condition in TCM)were healthier than those with tendency constitutions in physical and mental health, with 65.81 ±7.83(men) and 77.99 ± 7.24(women) scores in the physical test and around 1.25 scores in the mental health test. College students with combined biased constitutions were more likely suffer force, sensitive, depression and anxiety.CONCLUSION: Most of college students have a tendency or biased constitution which could be more likely to suffer suboptimal health status and diseases. Youths in college themselves and health providers should pay more attention to their potential health issues and make proper healthcare plan according to their own TCM constitution.

Logistics Regression Analysis between TCM Constitution Types of Patients with Hypertension,Insomnia and ABPM,PSQI

[Objectives]The research aimed to explore the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia,and study the clinical characteristics of patients with different constitutions,in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of patients with hypertension and insomnia.[Methods]Cross sectional observation method was used,and 420 patients with hypertension and insomnia were selected.Required information was collected,and the constitution type of traditional Chinese medicine was determined,and relevant data were recorded.SPSS and Logistic regression analysis method were used to explore the correlation between the distribution of TCM constitution types and gender,age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV,PSQI score,etc.[Results]Among 420 patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most,and others in turn were Qi deficiency constitution>Yang deficiency constitution>phlegm dampness constitution>Qi stagnation constitution>Yin deficiency constitution>blood stasis constitution>damp heat constitution>special constitution.Among male patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most.Among female patients,the proportion of Qi deficiency constitution was the most.In each constitution,the proportion of men and women was different,and the difference in gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yin deficiency constitution had statistical significance(P<0.05).The proportion of gentleness constitution for young and middle-aged patients was the most,while elderly patients with Qi deficiency constitution was the most.There was difference in the distribution of TCM constitution in different age groups,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with gentleness constitution,the patients with Qi deficiency constitution,Yang deficiency constitution,Yin deficiency constitution,damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and Qi stagnation constitution had different differences in terms of age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score,and there was statistical significance(P<0.05).Except damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and special constitution,other constitutions had certain correlation with age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score.[Conclusions]TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia were dominant by gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yang deficiency constitution.The distribution of TCM constitution in different gender and age groups was different,and different TCM constitution was related to ABPM and PSQI.

Optimal exercise intensity and volume to impact rats with Traditional Chinese Medicine phlegm-dampness constitution

Objective:We aim to investigate the effects of different exercise intensities and volumes on Phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC).Methods:The rats were fed with high-fat food and lived in 75%–85%humidity for 6 weeks to establish the model of PDC.Then PDC rats were screened and intervened by varying exercise intensities for 8 weeks.Weight,constitution scores,blood and liver tissues were collected to detect the concentration of serum total cholesterol(Tch),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),homocysteine(Hcy),blood glucose(GLU),alanine transaminase(ALT)and percentage of lipid droplet area in liver tissue(PLDA).Results:The weight,Tch,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Hcy,GLU,and ALT of rats in moderate-intensity exercise group returned to normal.The rats with high-intensity or low-intensity exercise did not recover as well as moderate-intensity.Conclusion:Different exercise intensities and volumes have different effects on PDC,moderate-intensity exercise over an 8-week intervention is most appropriate.

Structure and function of the fecal-associated microbiome in qi stagnation constitution

Objective:To clarify the structural and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in individuals with qi stagnation constitution(QSC)and identify the potential biomarkers related to QSC.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved individuals with QSC and balanced constitution(BC)confirmed by TCM clinicians.The clinical features were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.The structure of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)was described by the alpha-diversity indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances of dominant taxa.The differences in FAM distribution were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis.The 16S rDNA gene sequences were assigned to the KEGG dataset to predict the functional information of bacterial metabolic pathways by using PICRUSt.Differences in functional pathways between groups were assessed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.The ROC curve based on specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed,and the AUC was calculated.Results:Twenty-two individuals with BC and 8 with QSC were recruited.Significant differences between the two groups were found in body mass index,health status,and low-density lipoprotein,etc.There was no significant difference in the alpha-diversity index.PCoA showed no evident clustering of bacterial communities according to constitutions.Bacteroidaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminococcaceae,and Prevotellaceae were the four common bacteria with high abundances.Notably,MetagenomeSeq,LEfSe analysis,and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test identified significantly different distributions of 66,42,and 36 OTUs,respectively.Predictive function analysis showed that 13 metabolic pathways were significantly differentially distributed,including those related to fatty acid synthesis.Five specific OTUs were selected as potential biomarkers of a QSC,and the AUC was 0.94.Conclusion:Individuals with QSC have unique FAM structure and related functional characteristics.Five specific OTUs were identified to serve as potentially effective biomarkers related to QSC.