Immune function, gastrointestinal hormone levels, and their clinical significance in patients with gastric ulcers complicated with depression

BACKGROUND Gastric ulcer(GU)is a common digestive tract disease,and medical records of GU combined with depression are increasingly common.Currently,the risk factors and pathogenesis of GU complicated with depression remain unclear.Low immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels may also be significant risk factors.Therefore,this study explored the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone levels in patients with GU combined with depression.AIM To explore the immune function,gastrointestinal hormone level,and clinical significance of patients with GU combined with depression.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 300 patients with GU combined with depression admitted to Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2022 as the study subjects.According to the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)score,patients were divided into mild-to-moderate(n=210)and heavy(n=90)groups.Basic data,immune function indices[immunoglobulin A(IgA),IgM,IgG,serum CD4+and CD8+percentage,and CD4+/CD8+ratio],and gastrointestinal hormone indices[serum gastrin(GAS),cholecystokinin(CCK),and motilin(MTL)levels]were collected.The basic data of the two groups were compared,and the immune function and gastrointestinal hormone indices were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the severity of GU complicated with depression.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to analyze the value of the immune function index,gastrointestinal hormone index,and combined index in predicting the severity of GU complicated with depression.RESULTS There were no marked differences in sex,age,body mass index,abdominal distension,abdominal pain,belching,nausea,vomiting,or sleep disorders between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P>0.05).There was a marked difference in the family history of depression between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in serum IgA and IgM levels and serum CD4+,CD8+,and CD4+/CD8+ratios between the heavy and mild-to-moderate groups(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that IgA,IgM,GAS,and CCK serum levels influenced the severity of GU with depression(P<0.05).The AUC of the ROC curve for serum IgA level predicting GU with depression severity was 0.808[95%confidence interval(CI):0.760-0.857],the AUC of the serum IgM level was 0.757(95%CI:0.700-0.814),the AUC of the serum GAS level was 0.853(95%CI:0.810-0.897),the AUC of the serum CCK level was 0.762(95%CI:0.709-0.822),the AUC of immune function(IgA,IgM)and gastrointestinal hormone levels(GAS,CCK)for the prediction of GU with depression severity was 0.958(95%CI:0.933-0.976).CONCLUSION Important factors influencing GU complicated with depression are serum IgA,IgM,GAS,and CCK indicators.They can be used as indicators to predict the severity of GU complicated with depression.

Rikkunshito increases appetite by enhancing gastrointestinal and incretin hormone levels in patients who underwent pyloruspreserving pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Rikkunshito(TJ-43)relieves gastrointestinal disturbance by increases in the levels of acylated ghrelin.AIM To investigate the effects of TJ-43 in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.METHODS Forty-one patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy(PpPD)were divided into two groups;patients took daily doses of TJ-43 after surgery or after postoperative day(POD)21.The plasma levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin,cholecystokinin(CCK),peptide YY(PYY),gastric inhibitory peptide(GIP),and active glucagon-like peptide(GLP)-1 were evaluated.Oral calorie intake was assessed at POD 21 in both groups.The primary endpoint of this study was the total food intake after PpPD.RESULTS The levels of acylated ghrelin were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 administration at POD 21,and oral intake was significantly increased in patients treated with TJ-43.The CCK and PYY levels were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 treatment.Furthermore,the GIP and active GLP-1 levels increased and values at POD 21 were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 administration.Insulin secretion tended to increase in patients treated with TJ-43.CONCLUSION TJ-43 may have advantages for oral food intake in patients in the early phase after pancreatic surgery.Further investigation is needed to clarify the effects of TJ-43 on incretin hormones.

Effects of Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction drug serum on gastric antrum smooth muscle cells from rats with functional dyspepsia by regulating gastrointestinal hormones

Objective:To observe the effect and mechanism of Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction(XSLJZD)drug serum on gastric antrum smooth muscle cells(SMCs)in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods:Gastric antrum SMCs from rats with FD were isolated,cultured,and then divided into six groups as follows:control,model,domperidone,low-dose XSLJZD(LXSLJZD),medium-dose XSLJZD(MXSLJZD),and high-dose XSLJZD(HXSLJZD).Each group was administered the corresponding drug serum for intervention.Drug serum intervention conditions and proliferative activity of SMCs were tested by cholecystokinin octapeptide.Ghrelin,gastrin,somatostatin,and substance P(SP)levels were measured by ELISA.Somatostatin and SP mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR.Results:A concentration of 10%drug serum for 24 h was decided to be the best intervention condition for later study.The mean optical density value in the model group was lower than that in the control group(P紏.001).Optical density values in the domperidone and HXSLJZD groups were higher than those in the model group(P?.025,P?.032,respectively).Gastrin,SP,and ghrelin levels in the model group were lower(P?.007,P?.037,P?.005,respectively),but somatostatin levels were higher,compared with those in the control group(P?.031).Gastrin,SP,and ghrelin levels in the domperidone,MXSLJZD,and HXSLJZD groups were higher than those in the model group(all P<.05).Somatostatin levels in the four drug-treated groups were lower than those in the model group(P?.002,P?.007,P?.001,P?.009,respectively).SP mRNA levels in the model group were lower than those in the control,domperidone,MXSLJZD,and HXSLJZD groups(P?.037 P?.016,P?.025,P?.002,respectively).Somatostatin mRNA levels in the model group were higher than those in the control and MXSLJZD groups(P紏.042,P紏.035).Conclusions:XSLJZD and domperidone drug serum effectively promote proliferative activity of gastric antrum SMCs in an FD model.The mechanism of this activity may be regulated by gastrointestinal hormones.

Effect of explosive noise on gastrointestinal transit and plasma levels of polypeptide hormones

AIM： To investigate the effect of firing noise on gastrointestinal transit and probe its mechanism by measuring the levels of plasma polypeptide hormones. METHODS： A total of 64 SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and three stimulating groups. Firing noise of different intensity by sub-machine guns was used as inflicting factor. The effect of firing noise on liquid substance gastrointestinal transit and solid substance gastrointestinal transit was observed by measuring the ratio of carbon powder suspension transmitting and barium sticks transmitting respectively. Plasma levels of polypeptide hormones were measured by radio-immunoassay. RESULTS： The noise accelerated gastrointestinal transit of solid food by more than 80 db;and accelerated gastrointestinal transit of liquid food significantly by more than 120 db. Meantime, plasma levels of plasma motilin （MTL）（157.47±16.08; 151.90±17.08）, somatostatin （SS）（513.97±88.77; 458.25±104.30）, substance P （SP）（115.52±20.70; 110.28±19.96） and vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） （214.21±63.17; 251.76±97.24） remarkably changed also. CONCLUSION： Within a certain intensity range, the firing noise changes the levels of rat plasma gastrointestinal hormones, but the gastrointestinal transit is still normal. Beyond the range, the noise induces plasma hormone levels disturbance and gastrointestinal transit disorder. ~

Effect of intestinal flora from children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura on visceral sensitivity, gastrointestinal hormones and cytokines secretion in pseudo-sterile rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of intestinal flora from Henoch-Schönlein purpura(HSP)on visceral sensitivity,gastrointestinal hormones and cytokines in pseudo-sterile rats.Methods:The pseudo-sterile rat model was established.The rats were was given fecal microbiota solutions of children with abdominal HSP and healthy children,respectively.The visceral sensitivity was determined by abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)which was induced by rectal balloon distention in all the rats.And serum gastrin(Gas),motilin(MTL),cholecystokinin(CCK),substance P(SP),tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αand interleukin(IL)-6 levels in rats were measured with ELISA method.Results:The volume of rectum water injection under the score 3 of AWR in the rats administrated with fecal microbiota solution from HSP children(HSP group)was significantly decreased compared with that in the rats administrated with fecal microbiota solution from healthy children(HC group),and there was significant difference between these two groups(P<0.05).The serum Gas,MTL,CCK and SP levels were higher in HSP group than those in HC group.And serum MTL,CCK and SP levels in HSP group were significantly different from those in the HC group.The serum TNF-αandIL-6 levels were higher in HSP group than those in HC group,there was significant difference between these two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Intestinal flora from HSP can induce the production of visceral sensitivity,inhibit gastrointestinal hormone secretion and prompt cytokine production.

Gastrointestinal hormone abnormalities and G and D cells in functional dyspepsia patients with gastric dysmotility

AIM: To investigate the relationship between gastric dysmotility,gastrointestinal hormone abnormalities, and neuroendocrine cells in gastrointestinal mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).METHODS: Gastric emptying was assessed with solid radiopaque markers in 54 FD patients, and the patients were divided into two groups according to the results, one with delayed gastric emptying and the other with normal gastric emptying. Seventeen healthy volunteers acted as normal controls. Fasting and postprandial plasma levels and gastroduodenal mucosal levels of gastrointestinal hormones gastrin, somatostatin (SS) and neurotensin (NT)were measured by radioimmunoassay in all the subjects.G cells (gastrin-producing cells) and D cells (SS-producing cells) in gastric antral mucosa were immunostained with rabbit anti-gastrin polyclonal antibody and rabbit anti-SS polyclonal antibody, respectively, and analyzed quantitatively by computerized image analysis.RESULTS: The postprandial plasma gastrin levels, the fasting and postprandial plasma levels and the gastric and duodenal mucosal levels of NT were significantly higher in the FD patients with delayed gastric emptying than in those with normal gastric emptying and normal controls. The number and gray value of G and D cells and the G cell/D cell number ratio did not differ significantly between normal controls and the FD patients with or without delayed gastric emptying.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the abnormalities of gastrin and NT may play a role in the pathophysiology of gastric dysmotility in FD patients, and the abnormality of postprandial plasma gastrin levels in FD patients with delayed gastric emptying is not related to the changes both in the number and gray value of G cells and in the G cell/D cell number ratio in gastric antral mucosa.

Biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin on quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone level in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND With the change in people’s lifestyles,the incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC)is increasing.It is essential to study the efficacy of various treatment methods for CRC patients to prevent and treat CRC.AIM To investigate the efficacy of biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin in improving the quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone levels of patients with CRC.METHODS A total of 120 patients with CRC who were admitted to our hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 were included in the study.They were randomly divided into four groups(n=30):the control group(group A),the biofeedback therapy intervention group(group B),the Baduanjin exercise intervention group(group C),and the combination group(group D).Patients in group A adopted the standard nursing mode and necessary health education.Patients in group B were treated with biofeedback therapy based on routine nursing care.Patients in group C were given Baduanjin intervention for 12 wk based on conventional drug treatment and care.Patients in group D were treated with biofeedback therapy and Baduanjin exercise.In this study,patients’quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,and clinical efficacy in the four groups were observed at baseline and 12 wk after intervention.Meanwhile,the correlation between gastrointestinal hormone levels and various functional areas of quality of life was analyzed.By comparing the observed indicators of patients in the four groups,the efficacy of biofeedback therapy combined with Baduanjin in improving the quality of life and gastrointestinal hormone levels of patients with CRC was explored.RESULTS At baseline,there were no significant differences in quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,or clinical efficacy among the four groups(P>0.05).Twelve weeks after the intervention,the combination group’s quality of life,gastrointestinal hormone levels,and clinical effectiveness were better than those of the three other groups.CONCLUSION On the basis of routine nursing care,patients with CRC combined with biofeedback therapy and Baduanjin exercise can improve the quality of life of patients with CRC and the efficacy of gastrointestinal hormone levels.

Jianqu,a traditional Chinese medicine,alleviates functional dyspepsia in high-calorie and high-protein diet mice

Background:Jianqu has been used to alleviate symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia,but its specific anti-functional dyspepsia effect is still unclear.Therefore,our study aimed to investigate the impact of Jianqu on functional dyspepsia in mice.Methods:The phytochemical profile of Jianqu was analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.Subsequently,Kunming mice were fed a high-calorie or high-protein diet(HCHP)for 7 days,and then orally treated with vehicle or Jianqu(1.62 g/kg body weight(b.w.)and 3.25 g/kg b.w.)for 10 days.A carbon powder solution was used to detect the gastric emptying and intestinal transit rate.The pathological changes in stomach and duodenum were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The occludin,claudin-1,ZO-1 and CD45 expression was measured by immunocytochemical staining.Importantly,the serum gastrointestinal hormones were detected by ELISA.In addition,the gut microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.The cecal short chain fatty acids were assessed by gas chromatography.Results:In general,17 phytochemical compounds were identified from Jianqu,which significantly improved the gastric emptying rate and intestinal transit rate(p<0.01),increased the body weight and food intake(p<0.0001)in HCHP mice as well.Though HCHP did not cause significant pathological lesions in the gastrointestinal tract,increased the expression of CD45 in the duodenum(p<0.05)was observed.Notably,Jianqu attenuated this abnormal expression of CD45(p<0.05).The levels of serum gastrointestinal hormones were significantly normalized by Jianqu intervention(p<0.05).Moreover,Jianqu increased the relative abundance of Roseburia as well as short chain fatty acids levels in cecum(p<0.05).Conclusion:The present results showed that Jianqu alleviated dyspeptic symptoms in HCHP mice possibly through reducing the duodenal leukocyte infiltration,and regulating the expression of gastrointestinal hormones.These effects may be partly related to the increasing cecal short chain fatty acids levels probably via gut microbial modulation.

Effects of intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide on gastrointestinal hormone levels in irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea patients

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy difference in treating irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea(IBS-D)of liver-qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency pattern with different treatment protocols,and the effects on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),substance P(SP)and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),for unveiling the mechanism of intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide in treating IBS-D.Methods:A total of 123 IBS-D patients were divided into an observation group,a Western medication group and an integrated Western and Chinese medication group using the random number table method,with 41 cases in each group.The Western medication group was given oral pinaverium bromide,50 mg each time and 3 times a day.The integrated Western and Chinese medication group was given additional Chinese herbal medicine Tong Xie Yao Fang,one dose each day.The observation group was given additional intradermal needle therapy on the basis of the Western medication group.The whole intervention lasted for 6 weeks.Before and after treatment,the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms,irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)and IBS quality of life(IBS-QOL)questionnaire,as well as the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP were observed.The clinical efficacy was estimated.Results:The total effective rate was 92.7%in the observation group,68.3%in the Western medication group and 78.1%in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group.The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the other two groups,and higher in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group,showing statistical significance(all P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,TCM symptoms and IBS-SSS showed significant decreases in the three groups,presenting statistical significance compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,TCM symptoms and IBS-SSS were notably lower in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and lower in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the eight component scores of IBS-QOL showed significant increases in the three groups compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the eight component scores in IBS-QOL were significantly higher in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and higher in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP decreased markedly in the three groups compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP were significantly lower in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and lower in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Treatment with intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide results in significant improvements in the gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS-D of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern,and effectively regulates the gastrointestinal hormone production.

State of art on the mechanisms of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus

Obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are metabolic disorders.Obesity increases the risk of T2DM,and as obesity is becoming increasingly common,more individuals suffer from T2DM,which poses a considerable burden on health systems.Traditionally,pharmaceutical therapy together with lifestyle changes is used to treat obesity and T2DM to decrease the incidence of comorbidities and allcause mortality and to increase life expectancy.Bariatric surgery is increasingly replacing other forms of treatment of morbid obesity,especially in patients with refractory obesity,owing to its many benefits including good long-term outcomes and almost no weight regain.The bariatric surgery options have markedly changed recently,and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG)is gradually gaining popularity.LSG has become an effective and safe treatment for type-2 diabetes and morbid obesity,with a high cost-benefit ratio.Here,we review the mechanism associated with LSG treatment of T2DM,and we discuss clinical studies and animal experiments with regard to gastrointestinal hormones,gut microbiota,bile acids,and adipokines to clarify current treatment modalities for patients with obesity and T2DM.

Mechanisms underlying feed intolerance in the critically ill: Implications for treatment

Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients. Although nutritional support is yet to be proven to improve mortality in non-malnourished critically ill patients, early enteral feeding is considered best practice. However, enteral feeding is often limited by delayed gastric emptying. The best method to clinically identify delayed gastric emptying and feed intolerance is unclear. Gastric residual volume （GRV） measured at the bedside is widely used as a surrogate marker for gastric emptying, but the value of GRV measurement has recently been disputed. While the mechanisms underlying delayed gastric emptying require further investigation, recent research has given a better appreciation of the pathophysiology. A number of pharmacological strategies are available to improve the success of feeding. Recent data suggest a combination of intravenous metoclopramide and en/thromycin to be the most successful treatment, but novel drug therapies should be explored. Simpler methods to access the duodenum and more distal small bowel for feed delivery are also under investigation. This review summarises current understanding of the factors responsible for, and mechanisms underlying feed intolerance in critical illness, together with the evidence for current practices. Areas requiring further research are also highlighted.

Role of Helicobacter pylori infection on nutrition and metabolism

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative pathogen that is widespread all over the world, infecting more than 50% of the world&#x02019;s population. It is etiologically associated with non-atrophic and atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer and shows a deep association with primary gastric B-cell lymphoma and gastric adenocarcinoma. Recently, the medical research focused on the modification of the gastric environment induced by H. pylori infection, possibly affecting the absorption of nutrients and drugs as well as the production of hormones strongly implicated in the regulation of appetite and growth. Interestingly, the absorption of iron and vitamin B12 is impaired by H. pylori infection, while infected subjects have lower basal and fasting serum levels of ghrelin and higher concentration of leptin compared to controls. Since leptin is an anorexigenic hormone, and ghrelin stimulates powerfully the release of growth hormone in humans, H. pylori infection may finally induce growth retardation if acquired very early in the childhood and in malnourished children. This review is focused on the nutritional effects of H. pylori infection, such as the reduced bioavailability or the malabsorbption of essential nutrients, and of gastrointestinal hormones, as well as on the relationship between H. pylori and the metabolic syndrome.

Heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium

The objectives of this review are to outline the recent findings related to the morphological heterogeneity of the biliary epithelium and the heterogeneous pathophysiological responses of different sized bile ducts to liver gastrointestinal hormones and peptides and liver injury/toxins with changes in apoptotic, proliferative and secretory activities. The knowledge of biliary function is rapidly increasing because of the recognition that biliary epithelial cells （cholangiocytes） are the targets of human cholangiopathies, which are characterized by proliferation/damage of bile ducts within a small range of sizes. The unique anatomy, morphology, innervation and vascularization of the biliary epithelium are consistent with function of cholangiocytes within different regions of the biliary tree. The in vivo models [e.g., bile duct ligation （BDL）, partial hepatectomy, feeding of bile acids,carbon tetrachloride （CCI4） or α-naphthylisothiocyanate（ANIT）] and the in vivo experimental tools [e.g., freshly isolated small and large cholangiocytes or intrahepatic bile duct units （IBDU） and primary cultures of small and large murine cholangiocytes] have allowed us to demonstrate the morphological and functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium.These models demonstrated the differential secretory activities and the heterogeneous apoptotic and proliferative responses of different sized ducts. Similar to animal models of cholangiocyte proliferation/injury restricted to specific sized ducts, in human liver diseases bile duct damage predominates specific sized bile ducts.Future studies related to the functional heterogeneity of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium may disclose new pathophysiological treatments for patients with cholangiopathies.

Low serum levels of ghrelin are associated with gallstone disease

AIM： To explore the role of ghrelin in gallstone disease. METHODS： We carried out a cross-sectional study in 150 subjects, 38 with gallstones （cases） and 112 controls. We also did a real-time PCR-RT study in twenty gallbladder samples each. Body mass index （BNI）, serum insulin, ghrelin, and serum lipids were measured. Logistic regression analyses （univariate and multivariate） were conducted to estimate the probability of gallstone disease associated with serum ghrelin concentrations. RESULTS： Cases were statistically different from controls in gender distribution （P = 0.01）, age （53 vs 44 yr, P = 0.002）, BNI （28 vs 25; P = 0.004）, and glucose （5.26 vs 4.98 mmol/L; P = 0.05）. The prevalence of ghrelin serum levels above the third tercile was lower in subjects without metabolic syndrome （P 〈 0.05）. In a multivariate model, we found a protective effect, when ghrelin values were higher than the median value （OR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.09-0.82, P = 0.02）. Twenty （20%） gallbladder specimens expressed ghrelin mRNA. CONCLUSION： Serum ghrelin concentrations are associated with a protective effect of GD.

Shouhui Tongbian Capsule in treatment of constipation: Treatment and mechanism development

Constipation is common in the diseases of the digestive system in clinics.With the change in diet structure and the increase in life pressure,the prevalence rate increases year by year.In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the location of the disease of constipation is in the large intestine,which is related to the dysfunction of lung,spleen,liver,kidney and other viscera.Its pathogenesis is conductive dysfunction of large intestine.Based on the theory,Shouhui Tongbian Capsule(SHTB)is composed of eight traditional Chinese medicines,including Polygoni multiflori Radix(Heshouwu in Chinese),Aloe(Luhui in Chinese),Cassiae Semen(Juemingzi in Chinese),Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(Renshen in Chinese),Lycii Fructus(Gouqizi in Chinese),Asini Corii Colla(Ejiao in Chinese),Aurantii Fructus Immaturus(Zhishi in Chinese),and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(Baizhu in Chinese),which could help to release excessive turbid,and nourishing yin and supplementing qi in the treatment.This study has been carried out to review the latest advances of SHTB in the treatment of constipation.The results showed that significant effect of SHTB was found in the treatment of constipation,such as functional constipation,and constipation associated with tumor chemotherapy,colitis,type 2 diabetes and chronic cardiac failure.Besides,obvious adverse reactions were not observed.SHTB could effectively treat five types of constipation,provide direction for the future exploration of SHTB in the treatment of other types of constipation。

Clinical Studies on Functional Dyspepsia Treated with Different Dosage-Form of Zhishi Xiaopi Pill Recipe (枳实消痞丸方)

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of three different dosage-forms of Zhishi Xiaopi Pill (ZSXPP, 枳实消痞丸) recipe on functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: The total of 158 patients were included in this study and were randomly divided into four groups. Three group patients of FD were respectively treated with three different dosage-forms of ZSXPP, while the control group were treated with cisapride. Results: The treatment outcome indicated that there was no difference in the total therapeutic efficacies of these four groups. The tension of vagus nerve and the plasma level of motilin in FD patients were significantly increased by the treatment with ZSXPP; the impaired contraction function of lower esophageal sphincter in some FD patients was improved, too. Conclusion: All of three different dosage-forms of ZSXPP were as effective as cisapride on FD. The efficacy was partly due to the improvement of esophageal and gastric dynamics which was probably related to the increasing of the tension of vagus nerve and the plasma level of motilin.

Decoction vs extracts-mixed solution: effect of Yiqihuoxue formula on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats of the decoction of Yiqihuoxue formula and the solution prepared with the extracts from the individual herbal medicines of the formula. METHODS: The rat models of NAFLD were established with high-fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the model group, the decoction group and the solution group, 8 for each group. From the 6th week, drinking water, the decoction and the solution were intragastrically administrated accordingly to the rats for 5 weeks. The pathological changes of the liver tissues were observed with Hematoxylin and eosin staining, triglyceride levels in liver tissues measured, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity measured, and serum gastrin and motilin tested. RESULTS: Fatty degeneration and vacuole-like changes to various degrees occurred in hepaticcells of the model group. Indicators for fat metabolism, serum ALT activity and hepatic triglyceride level significantly increased, while serum gastrin and motilin levels significantly decreased. Serum ALT activity and the fatty deposition in hepatocytes were significantly reduced. In the meantime, the expressions of gastrin and motilin in the serum rose significantly in the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Both the decoction and the extracts-mixed solution had effect on NAFLD of protecting the liver function and reducing the fatty deposition in liver, which might be achieved by regulating the expression of gastrin and motilin.