Application progress of Chinese medicine in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome based on the brain-gut axis theory

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal diseases,with a global prevalence of about 12%[1].Modern studies have shown that the abnormality of brain-gut peptides is closely related to the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome.This article starts with vasoactive intestinal peptide,substance P,serotonin,neuropeptide Y,corticotropin releasing factor,calcitonin gene-related peptide,cholecystokinin and other brain-gut peptides and their correlation with intestinal flora,to summarize the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine in recent years.

Effect of amitriptyline on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides: A double-blind trial

AIM: To study the effects of low-dose amitriptyline (AMT) on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides in healthy Chinese volunteers. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-period cross-over trial. Twentyeight healthy volunteers were randomised and administered 1-wk treatments of AMT (12.5 mg tid) or placebo. Before and during the final two days of treatment, gastric emptying, proximal gastric accommodation and visceral sensitivity were measured by drinkingultrasonography test; the orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test, and fasting blood was collected. Plasma levels of ghrelin, motilin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.RESULTS: AMT slowed the OCTT (109.2 ± 29.68 min vs 96.61 ± 23.9 min, P = 0.004) but did not affect liquid gastric emptying and had no effect on proximal gastric accommodation. AMT resulted in decreases in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for difficulty in drinking 600 and 800 mL of water (3.57 ± 0.94 vs 2.98 ± 0.85, 5.57 ± 0.82 vs 4.57 ± 0.98, P < 0.01 for both), although it had no significant effect on the VAS for difficulty in drinking 200 mL and 400 mL of water. AMT significantly increased the plasma ghrelin level (442.87 ± 176.79 pg/mL vs 526.87 ± 158.44 pg/mL, P = 0.04) and the neuropeptide-Y level (890.15 ± 131.46 pg/mL vs 965.64 ± 165.63 pg/mL, P = 0.03), whereas it had no effect on the MTL level. CONCLUSION: Low-dose AMT could slow OCTT, make the stomach less sensitive and increase the plasma levels of ghrelin and NPY. Thus, we recommend the use of low-dose AMT for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Brain-gut axis in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is the main pathogenic factor for upper digestive tract organic diseases.In addition to direct cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects,H.pylori infection may also induce abnormalities indirectly by affecting the brain-gut axis,similar to other microorganisms present in the alimentary tract.The brain-gut axis integrates the central,peripheral,enteric and autonomic nervous systems,as well as the endocrine and immunological systems,with gastrointestinal functions and environmental stimuli,including gastric and intestinal microbiota.The bidirectional relationship between H.pylori infection and the brain-gut axis influences both the contagion process and the host’s neuroendocrine-immunological reaction to it,resulting in alterations in cognitive functions,food intake and appetite,immunological response,and modification of symptom sensitivity thresholds.Furthermore,disturbances in the upper and lower digestive tract permeability,motility and secretion can occur,mainly as a form of irritable bowel syndrome.Many of these abnormalities disappear following H.pylori eradication.H.pylori may have direct neurotoxic effects that lead to alteration of the brain-gut axis through the activation of neurogenic inflammatory processes,or by microelement deficiency secondary to functional and morphological changes in the digestive tract.In digestive tissue,H.pylori can alter signaling in the brain-gut axis by mast cells,the main brain-gut axis effector,as H.pylori infection is associated with decreased mast cell infiltration in the digestive tract.Nevertheless,unequivocal data concerning the direct and immediate effect of H.pylori infection on the brain-gut axis are still lacking.Therefore,further studies evaluating the clinical importance of these host-bacteria interactions will improve our understanding of H.pylori infection pathophysiology and suggest new therapeutic approaches.

Brain-gut-microbiota axis in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease(PD) is characterized by alphasynucleinopathy that affects all levels of the braingut axis including the central, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems. Recently, it has been recognized that the brain-gut axis interactions are significantly modulated by the gut microbiota via immunological,neuroendocrine, and direct neural mechanisms. Dysregulation of the brain-gut-microbiota axis in PD may be associated with gastrointestinal manifestations frequently preceding motor symptoms, as well as with the pathogenesis of PD itself, supporting the hypothesis that the pathological process is spread from the gut to the brain. Excessive stimulation of the innate immune system resulting from gut dysbiosis and/or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and increased intestinal permeability may induce systemic inflammation, while activation of enteric neurons and enteric glial cells may contribute to the initiation of alpha-synuclein misfolding.Additionally, the adaptive immune system may be disturbed by bacterial proteins cross-reacting with human antigens. A better understanding of the brain-gutmicrobiota axis interactions should bring a new insight in the pathophysiology of PD and permit an earlier diagnosis with a focus on peripheral biomarkers within the enteric nervous system. Novel therapeutic options aimed at modifying the gut microbiota composition and enhancing the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in PD patients could influence the initial step of the following cascade of neurodegeneration in PD.

Neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To summarize and synthesize current literature on neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:A database search for relevant literature was conducted using Pub Med,Scopus and Embase in February 2015.Date filters were applied from the year2009 and onward,and studies were limited to those written in the English language and those performed upon human subjects.The initial search yielded 797articles,out of which 38 were pulled for full text review and 27 were included for study analysis.Investigations were reviewed to determine study design,methodology and results,and data points were placed in tabular format to facilitate analysis of study findings across disparate investigations.RESULTS:Analysis of study data resulted in the abstraction of four key themes:Neurohormonal differences,anatomic measurements of brain structure and connectivity,differences in functional responsiveness of the brain during rectal distention,and confounding/correlating patient factors.Studies in this review noted alterations of glutamate in the left hippocampus(HIPP),commonalities across IBS subjects in terms of brain oscillation patterns,cortical thickness/gray matter volume differences,and neuroanatomical regions withincreased activation in patients with IBS:Anterio cingulate cortex,mid cingulate cortex,amygdala anterior insula,posterior insula and prefrontal cortex.A striking finding among interventions was the substantia influence that patient variables(e.g.,sex,psychologica and disease related factors)had upon the identification of neuroanatomical differences in structure and con nectivity.CONCLUSION:The field of neuroimaging can provide insight into underlying physiological differences that distinguish patients with IBS from a healthy population.

Role of the brain-gut axis in gastrointestinal cancer

Several studies have largely focused on the significant role of the nervous and immune systems in the process of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The brain-gut-axis is a new paradigm in neuroscience, which describes the biochemical signaling between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system. This axis may play a critical role in the tumorigenesis and development of GI cancers. Mechanistically, the bidirectional signal transmission of the brain-gut-axis is complex and remains to be elucidated. In this article, we review the current findings concerning the relationship between the brain-gut axis and GI cancer cells, focusing on the significant role of the brain-gut axis in the processes of tumor proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, autophagy, and metastasis. It appears that the brain might modulate GI cancer by two pathways: the anatomical nerve pathway and the neuroendocrine route. The simulation and inactivation of the central nervous, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems, or changes in the innervation of the GI tract might contribute to a higher incidence of GI cancers. In addition, neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors can produce stimulatory or inhibitory effects in the progression of GI cancers. Insights into these mechanisms may lead to the discovery of potential prognostic and therapeutic targets.

Study on the regulation of brain-gut peptide by Shenling Baizhu San in functional diarrhea rats

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS) on functional diarrhea (FDr) by studying the brain-gut axis and related neuropeptides.Methods:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group,model group,SLBZS-treated group and Montmorillonite Powder-treated group (MP-treated group) (n =15/group).Rats received gavage after the establishment of functional diarrhea.An equal volume of SLBZS solution and Montmorillonite Powder (MP) solution was administered to the SLBZS-treated group and MP-treated group,respectively,and an equal volume of distilled water was administered to the control group and the model group.The chemical components and targets related to SLBZS were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID).The effective chemical components were screened based on oral bioavailability (OB) and drug like-index (DL),and their biological functions were analyzed by GlueGO.Based on this screening,the expression of Cholecystokinin (CCK) and Ghrelin in the hypothalamus of rats was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting.Results:In this study,72 effective components and 190 core targets of SLBZS were screened.SLBZS may regulate smooth muscle contraction,energy metabolism and other biological processes.The results of RT-PCR showed that in the model group,the expression of CCK mRNA (P =.001) and Ghrelin mRNA (P =.000) increased significantly.Compared with the model group,CCK mRNA (P =.007) and Ghrelin mRNA (P =.001) levels in SLBZS-treated rats were decreased significantly.The results of western blotting showed that in the model group,the protein expression of CCK (P =.001) and Ghrelin (P =.000) increased significantly.The protein levels of CCK (P =.001) and Ghrelin (P =.005) in the SLBZS-treated group were decreased significantly compared with the model group.Conclusion:SLBZS improved functional diarrhea by regulating the brain-gut axis.Changes in the expressions of brain-gut peptide,CCK and Ghrelin might explain the pathogenesis of functional diarrhea related to brain-gut peptide and gastrointestinal hormone.

The Role and Significance of Brain-gut Peptide and Its Receptor's Expression in the Mechanism's Explanation of Cleaning Away Heat and Dampness

Cleaning away Heat and Dampness is one of the general methods in treating the syndrome of the Spleen and Stomach’s damp heat in Febrile Diseases,and its efficacy of invigorating the spleen regulating the stomach is involved in regulation of gastrointestinal motility.Many factors and systems act as the regulation,including Brain-gut peptide,which quantitative change in the gastrointestinal tissues and plasma can reflex the functions of gastrointestinal motility.So carrying on an investigation into the relation between brain-gut peptide and its receptors and gastrointestinal dyskinesia in the syndrome of damp heat in the spleen and stomach has its relevant to the explanation of the mechanism of cleaning away Heat and Dampness.

Therapeutic effect of zhuodu theory on ulcerative colitis and its effect on brain-gut peptide in serum and inflammatory factor

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine xiezhuojiedu decoction on ulcerative colitis(UC)based on zhuodu theory and its effect on serum brain-gut peptide and inflammatory factors.Methods:110 cases of UC patients were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with mesalazine,and the treatment group was given oral administration of Chinese medicine xiezhuojiedu decoction on the basis of the control group.Both groups received continuous treatment for 8 weeks.Integral of TCM syndromes,serum inflammatory factor and brain-gut peptide before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.The clinical efficiency,mucosal healing rate and endoscopic response rate of the two groups were compared.Results:After treatment,Integral of the main TCM syndromes abdominal pain,diarrhea,abdominal distention,mucous hematochezia,tenesmus of the treatment group were lower than the control group(P<0.01),the levels of serum(Tumor necrosis factor-α,(TNF-α),Interleukin(IL)-33,Substance P(SP)were lower than the control group(P<0.01),the levels of IL-10,vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),Somatostatin(SS)were higher than the control group(P<0.01),the clinical efficiency and mucosal healing rate were higher than control group(P<0.05),The difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:Based on the zhuodu theory,the xiezhuojiedu decoction can effectively regulate the levels of inflammatory factor and brain-gut peptide in the treatment of UC,improve the symptoms of patients,and promote the repair of intestinal mucosa.It's effective in treatment.

Effect of Xiaoyao San on the brain-gut axis in rats after chronic immobilization stress

Objective:To investigate the effect of Xiaoyao San on the brain-gut axis in rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress (ClS).Methods:Rats were divided into control,model,and treatment groups.The rats belonging to the model and treatment groups were subjected to CIS for 21 consecutive days,during which they were administered Xiaoyao San decoction [3.854 g/(kg· d)] or vehicle by gavage,and their body weight gain,food intake and water intake were monitored.The rats were subsequently subjected to the open field test (OFT) and D-XyloSe absorption test,and the expression levels of neuropeptides secreted by the hypothalamus and stomach were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),radioimmune analysis,or real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Gastric mucosal morphology was also assessed.Results:The model rats exhibited complex brain-gut axis abnormalities following exposure to CIS,abnormalities signified by decreases in food intake,reductions in digestive absorption,decreases in body weight,decreases in the total distances traveled and increases in the time in the central zone during the OFT,gastric mucosal lesion development and decreases in gastrointestinal hormone secretion.These changes were reversed after treatment with Xiaoyao San,which also regulated the secretion of both peripheral (serum and stomach) and central (hypothalamus) brain-gut peptides.Specifically,the levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neuropeptide Y receptor Y5,which are secreted by the hypothalamus and promote digestive function,were increased in the Xiaoyao San-treated group compared with the model group.Furthermore,the levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its receptor,melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R),which are secreted by the hypothalamus and inhibit digestive function,were significantly decreased in the treatment group compared with the model group.However,the levels of ghrelin (GHRL),gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL),which are secreted by the stomach,were significantly increased in the serum and stomach of the treatment group compared with the serum and stomach of the model group following Xiaoyao San treatment (P <.05 vs.the model group).Conclusion:Xiaoyao San attenuates CIS-induced gastrointestinal dysregulation by regulating the peptides secreted by both the hypothalamus and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT),suggesting that its effects are associated with the brain-gut axis.

Clinical Application and Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Brain-Gut Interaction

Acupuncture and moxibustion is an important part of traditional medicine.Acupuncture and moxibustion can affect the digestive function of human body by interfering with the interaction between the brain and the intestines,while simultaneously having a benign adjustment effect on the mental state.In recent years,a large number of clinical studies at home and abroad have further proved the importance of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of physical and mental diseases,and related mechanism studies have provided modern scientific evidence for the intervention of acupuncture and moxibustion in the brain-gut interaction from the perspectives of intestinal flora and brain functional imaging.On this basis,we integrate relevant viewpoints to provide ideas and methods for future research.

New technologies to investigate the brain-gut axis

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and pain is their commonest presenting symptom. In addition, patients with these disorders often demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to experimental visceral stimulation, termed visceral pain hypersensitivity that is likely to be important in their pathophysiology. Knowledge of how the brain processes sensory information from visceral structures is still in its infancy. However, our understanding has been propelled by technological imaging advances such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission To-mography, Magnetoencephalography, and Electroen-cephalography (EEG). Numerous human studies have non-invasively demonstrated the complexity involved in functional pain processing, and highlighted a number of subcortical and cortical regions involved. This review will focus on the neurophysiological pathways (primary afferents, spinal and supraspinal transmission), brain- imaging techniques and the influence of endogenous and psychological processes in healthy controls and patients suffering from functional gastrointestinal dis- orders. Special attention will be paid to the newer EEG source analysis techniques. Understanding the pheno- typic differences that determine an individual's response to injurious stimuli could be the key to understanding why some patients develop pain and hyperalgesia in response to inflammation/injury while others do not. For future studies, an integrated approach is required incorporating an individual's psychological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, and genetic prof ile to def ine phenotypic traits that may be at greater risk of developing sensitised states in response to gut in? am- mation or injury.

Microbiota-host interactions in irritable bowel syndrome: Epithelial barrier, immune regulation and brain-gut interactions

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is a common, sometimes debilitating, gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. While altered gut motility and sensation, as well as aberrant brain perception of visceral events, are thought to contribute to the genesis of symptoms in IBS, a search for an underlying aetiology has, to date, proven unsuccessful. Recently, attention has been focused on the microbiota as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of IBS. Prompted by a number of clinical observations, such as the recognition of the de novo development of IBS following enteric infections, as well as descriptions of changes in colonic bacterial populations in IBS and supported by clinical responses to interventions, such as antibiotics and probiotics, that modify the microbiota, various approaches have been taken to investigating the microbiota-host response in IBS, as well as in animal models thereof. From such studies a considerable body of evidence has accumulated to indicate the activation or upregulation of both factors involved in bacterial engagement with the host as well host defence mechanisms against bacteria. Alterations in gut barrier function, occurring in response, or in parallel, to changes in the microbiota, have also been widely described and can be seen to play a pivotal role in generating and sustaining host immune responses both within and beyond the gut. In this manner a plausible hypothesis, based on an altered microbiota and/or an aberrant host response, for the pathogenesis, of at least some instances of IBS, can be generated.

EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON CANINE PYLORIC PRESSURE AND ITS RELATION WITH BRAIN-GUT PEPTIDE LEVEL IN THE GASTRIC MUCOSAL TISSUES

Aim of the study: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on canine pyloric pressure and its relation with contents of motilin (MTL), somatostatin (SS) and nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) in the gastric mucosal tissues. Methods: The total and basic pressure of the pyloric sphincter, and the frequency of the high pressure waves were measured by using a gastrotonometer; and the contents of MTL, SS and NOS in tissues of the gastric body and gastric antrum mucosa were detected by using radioimmunoassay(RIA) and biochemical methods in 20 dogs. Results: After EA of Zusanli (ST 36), the total and basic pressure of the pyloric sphincter, and the frequency of the high pressure waves, the content of SS in the gastric body mucosa, MTL and SS in the gastric antrum mucosa all decreased significantly (P<0.05) and the level of NOS increased clearly (P<0.05). While after EA of Xiajuxu (ST 39), all the indexes had not any striking changes except significant decrease of SS content in the gastric body mucosa (P<0.05). Conclusions: EA has a significant modulating action on gastrointestinal functional activities by lowering canine pyloric pressure and contracted frequency, which is also related with its influence on contents of some brain gut peptides (BGP) and is of specificity in meridians and acupoints.

适宜运动与过度训练调控肠道功能和肠-脑轴的作用机制

对运动介导肠道与大脑联络的相关文献进行综述,分析适宜运动与过度训练对肠道功能和肠-脑轴之间神经传导及生物信号分子的影响,以揭示其作用机制。发现:肠道与大脑之间关系密切,肠-脑轴之间的双向神经联系和相关生物信号分子是实现肠道与大脑之间对话的媒介。运动可通过调控肠道与大脑之间的神经联系和相关生物分子影响肠-脑轴,介导肠道与大脑的健康及神经、精神疾病的转归。肠道微生物是实现肠-脑轴之间信息沟通的重要参与者,运动对肠道功能与肠-脑轴的调节可通过调控肠道微生态,及其介导的神经传导途径和生物信号分子的变化发挥终端效应,进而影响高级神经功能。不同强度的运动对肠道微生态及肠-脑轴的调节效应差异颇大,适宜运动和过度训练引起的干预结果截然不同。

Diet and physical activity influence the composition of gut microbiota,benefit on Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with complex etiology.Gut microbiota influences the gutbrain axis,which may affect pathways related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.Additionally,diet and physical activity are likely to affect the pathology of Alzheimer's disease as well as the gut microbiota.This demonstrates that it may be possible to prevent or halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the gut microbiota using diet and physical activity strategies.Therefore,the present study reviews the association between these two interventions and gut microbiota in the human body.It also summarizes how these two interventions benefit Alzheimer's disease.Furthermore,the primary limitations of these two interventions are discussed and promising strategies are proposed,which may be beneficial to further study and develop the intervening measure for the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Immune cell signatures and causal association with irritable bowel syndrome:A mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND The mucosal barrier's immune-brain interactions,pivotal for neural development and function,are increasingly recognized for their potential causal and therapeutic relevance to irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).Prior studies linking immune inflammation with IBS have been inconsistent.To further elucidate this relationship,we conducted a Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis of 731 immune cell markers to dissect the influence of various immune phenotypes on IBS.Our goal was to deepen our understanding of the disrupted brain-gut axis in IBS and to identify novel therapeutic targets.AIM To leverage publicly available data to perform MR analysis on 731 immune cell markers and explore their impact on IBS.We aimed to uncover immunophenotypic associations with IBS that could inform future drug development and therapeutic strategies.METHODS We performed a comprehensive two-sample MR analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between immune cell markers and IBS.By utilizing genetic data from public databases,we examined the causal associations between 731 immune cell markers,encompassing median fluorescence intensity,relative cell abundance,absolute cell count,and morphological parameters,with IBS susceptibility.Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate our findings and address potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy.RESULTS Bidirectional false discovery rate correction indicated no significant influence of IBS on immunophenotypes.However,our analysis revealed a causal impact of IBS on 30 out of 731 immune phenotypes(P<0.05).Nine immune phenotypes demonstrated a protective effect against IBS[inverse variance weighting(IVW)<0.05,odd ratio(OR)<1],while 21 others were associated with an increased risk of IBS onset(IVW≥0.05,OR≥1).CONCLUSION Our findings underscore a substantial genetic correlation between immune cell phenotypes and IBS,providing valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the condition.These results pave the way for the development of more precise biomarkers and targeted therapies for IBS.Furthermore,this research enriches our comprehension of immune cell roles in IBS pathogenesis,offering a foundation for more effective,personalized treatment approaches.These advancements hold promise for improving IBS patient quality of life and reducing the disease burden on individuals and their families.

脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死血清代谢组学研究

目的 分析脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死的血清代谢组学的影响。方法 纳入2018年3月—2022年12月医院收治的急性脑梗死患者126例作为研究对象,随机数字表法分为两组,对照组63例采用常规疗法,观察组63例在此基础上采用脑肠同调论针刺治疗,对比两组治疗效果、神经功能,炎症因子水平以及对血清代谢组学的影响。结果 观察组总有效率为96.83%(61/63),远高于对照组的80.96%(57/63),神经功能缺损评分(NIHSS)评分低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组白介素-17(Interleukin-17,IL-17)、超敏C反应蛋白(hypersensitive C-reactive protein, hs-CRP)、血浆氧化三甲胺(trimethylamine oxide, TMAO)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后观察组苯丙氨酸、溶血卵磷脂、焦谷氨酸水平低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 脑肠同调论针刺治疗急性脑梗死效果明确,可减轻患者炎症反应,调节其肠道菌群代谢产物水平及氨基酸、磷脂代谢障碍等,使紊乱的代谢趋于正常,以达促进神经功能恢复,改善患者预后的目的,有较高应用价值。

中医肠脑同治理论与神经影像学视角下的精神分裂症肠脑轴

精神分裂症是一种复杂的精神疾病,其发病机制尚未完全阐明。近年来,肠道微生物群与大脑之间的双向互动,即“肠脑轴”引起了广泛关注。中医学“肠脑同治”理论与肠脑轴概念相似,强调肠道与大脑的相互作用及其对健康的影响。本文综述了肠脑轴的基本概念、中医肠脑同治理论的内涵,同时探讨了神经影像学技术在揭示肠道菌群与大脑结构、功能相关性方面的研究成果。综合分析表明,精神分裂症患者的肠道菌群组成异常,且与大脑结构和功能密切相关。肠道微生物群可能通过免疫、神经、内分泌等多种途径参与精神分裂症的发病过程。中医药治疗精神分裂症的优势在于调节肠道菌群、修复肠脑轴紊乱,进而缓解精神症状。深入挖掘中医肠脑同治理论的内涵,借助神经影像学等现代技术,有望为精神分裂症的诊断、治疗带来新的突破。

由“肠道微生态”浅谈从“脑”防治骨质疏松症

骨质疏松症是临床常见的一种以骨密度和骨质量下降为特征的慢性代谢性骨科疾病。应用中医理论对骨质疏松症探讨已有诸多文献,但大多仅局限于从五脏论述。该文通过总结归纳现代分子生物学关于肠道微生态相关研究,探讨脑-肠道微生态-骨质疏松症三者之间相关性,用现代微生态学的观点揭示从中医奇恒之府“脑”防治骨质疏松症的科学内涵,为中医防治骨质疏松症提供新思路,同时充实完善中医奇恒之府的科学实质。