Investigation of TCM constitution in 138 patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution and characteristics of TCM constitution in patients with primary biliary cholangitis(PBC). METHODS: 138 PBC patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups according to the stage of disease development: group A(group of basic normal), group B(group of symptom stage) and group C(group of decompensation stage). Each group collected 46 cases, and every patient was reexamined, which included blood routine examination, liver function test, image ultrasound examination, autoantibody examination and immunoglobulin test. Then, the patients' clinical symptoms were observed and recorded, and their constitution of traditional Chinese medicine were classified. RESULTS:(1) For 138 patients with PBC, their TCM constitution was characterized by biased constitution, among which constitution of Qi stagnation(19.57%) was the majority, which was followed by constitution of Qi asthenia(15.94%), constitution of Yin asthenia(15.94%) and constitution of damp-heat(14.49%). There was no significant correlation between the type of constitution and the age of onset(P>0.05).(2) The constitution types of group A and B were mainly constitution of Qi stagnation, constitution of Qi asthenia and constitution of damp-heat, while group C was mainly composed of constitution of blood stasis, constitution of Yin asthenia and constitution of Yang asthenia.(3) The highest positive rate of autoantibodies in patients with PBC was constitution of Qi stagnation, which was followed by constitution of damp-heat, constitution of Yin asthenia and constitution of Qi asthenia. The most abnormal liver function and immunoglobulin were constitution of Qi stagnation, which was followed by constitution of Qi asthenia, constitution of Yin asthenia, constitution of damp-heat.CONCLUSION: Constitution of Qi stagnation, constitution of Qi asthenia, constitution of damp-heat and constitution of Yin asthenia were the susceptible constitutions of PBC patients.

Clinical effect of Jiutengzhuyu tablets on promoting blood circulation in women with oviducal obstruction

OBJECTIVE： To test the clinical curative effect of Jiutengzhuyu tablets, a patented Chinese vine-de- rived drug used for promoting blood circulation, on women with oviducal obstruction. METHODS Patients with tubal infertility were di- vided randomly into two groups： 58 patients in the treatment group and 57 in a control group. The treated patients took Jiutengzhuyu tablets orally for 25 days. The control group received an intrauter- ine infusion of 5 mg dexamethasone sodium phos- phate, 4000 units of chymotrypsin, 80 000 units of gentamicin sulfate dissolved in 20 mL of normal sa- line at I mL/min. After 3 months of treatment, the curative effect on tubal patency was assessed and a l-year follow-up visit was used to document any pregnancies. RESULTS The total effective rate was 78% in the treatment group and 32% in the control group with a statistically significant difference （x2=24.57, P〈0.01）.CONCLUSION： Jiutengzhuyu was effective in treat- ing infertility caused by tubal infertility with a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis of blood stasis.

Effects of extracts from soothing-liver and invigorating-spleen formulas on the injury induced by oxidative stress in the hepatocytes of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet

OBJECTIVE:To investigate effects of the extracts from soothing-liver and invigorating-spleen formulas on the injury due to oxidative stress,mediated by the Nuclear factor-like 2(Nrf2)-Antioxidant response element(ARE) pathway,in the hepatocytes of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet.METHODS:Soothing-liver and invigorating-spleen formula mixtures were prepared for five groups:normal,model,soothing-liver formula group(SLG),invigorating-spleen formula group(ISG),integrated formula group(IG).The rat model of NAFLD was induced by feeding rats a high-fat diet(HFD).After 16 weeks,the hepatic tissue was examined following Haematoxylin-Eosin(H&E) staining and with Transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Levels of hepatic lipids,serum lipids and hepatic functions were measured using a biochemical analyser.Hepatocytes were isolated from the livers of rats and were identified by cellar immunohistochemistry,cellular immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.The expression levels of Nrf2,Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1(Keap-1),haeme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) m RNAs were assessed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Nrf2,Keap-1,HO-1 and NQO1 proteins were measured by Western blotting.Finally,the levels of oxidative stress factors Superoxide Dismutase(SOD),malonaldehyde(MDA) and Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) in hepatocytes were measured by WST-1,TBA and colorimetry.RESULTS:The H & E and TEM results showed that the NAFLD model rats successfully reproduced typical pathogenetic and histopathological features.The liver function and levels of hepatic lipids and serum lipids from the model rats were dramatically increased.Compared with the model group,the levels of hepatic lipids,serum lipids and hepatic function in the treatment groups were ameliorated to different degrees.The yields of purified hepatocytes in each rat were 4-5 × 108.The viability of the isolated hepatocytes was higher than 95%,with a purity over 93.2%.Cellular immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the hepatocytes were brown,while in the cellular immunofluorescence analysis,the hepatocytes showed green fluorescence.The expression levels of Nrf2,Keap-1,HO-1 and NQO1 m RNA and protein in the hepatocytes were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P < 0.05,P < 0.01).Compared with the model group,the expression of Nrf2,Keap-1,HO-1 and NQO-1 m RNAs and proteins in all treatment groups increased,especially in the IG(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:The extracts from soothing-liver and invigorating-spleen formulas may protect the liver against the injury induced by oxidative stress in hepatocytes by influencing the Nrf2-ARE pathway,which may be the mechanism having the potential for prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Acupuncture-moxibustion Theories of Wang Shu-he

Wang Shu-he, or Wang Xi, was anoutstanding physician from Gaoping （Gaoping of Shanxi Province; another saying is Ji＇ning of Shandong Province） of Western Jin Dynasty who lived around the 3rd CeIltUi3T His major contribution was the 10 w）lumes of Mai.