Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan最新文献

Objective: To explore the relationship between colorectal polyps and pulmonary nodules from the perspective of the lung and the large intestine being internally and externally connected, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent electronic colonoscopy and were found to have colorectal polyps at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2023. We also reviewed their lung CT results and used statistical software to analyze the recurrence, location, size, and pathology of colorectal polyps in relation to the presence, number, and size of pulmonary nodules.

Results: Both colorectal polyps and pulmonary nodules are more common in elderly males. Patients with recurrent colorectal polyps are more likely to have pulmonary nodules, which tend to be located in the left colon and are more likely to be adenomatous in nature; those without pulmonary nodules show no clear pattern in polyp distribution, with a tendency towards inflammatory and hyperplastic pathology; the data from this study suggests that the proportion of lung nodules larger than 0.5 cm in the recurrent group is higher than in the non-recurrent group, and the proportion of colorectal polyps larger than 1 cm in the recurrent group is also higher than in the non-recurrent group.

Conclusion: There is a certain connection between the pathogenesis and treatment of colorectal polyps and pulmonary nodules. Cold, phlegm, dampness, blood stasis, and toxic coagulation are common pathogenic factors of the two diseases. Patients with larger colorectal polyps should be advised to undergo regular colonoscopy. Patients with recurrent polyps or those with left colon necrosis or cancer indicated by colonoscopy should be advised to complete lung related examinations to rule out the possibility of pulmonary nodules.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic potential and gut microbiota (GM) modulation effects of Xiong's Shiwei Wendan decoction (, XSWD).

Methods: For in vitro study, Tsuchiya human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-1 (THP-1) derived foam cells were used to examine the possible anti-atherosclerotic effect of XSWD and XSWD-medicated serum. Atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were utilized for in vivo analysis. After an 8-week high-fat diet (HFD) adminstration, 25 male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group, different doses of XSWD groups (1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/mL), and atorvastatin group (2.6 mg/kg). Following a continuous 8-week intervention, all mice underwent examination for AS lesion formation and assessment of its serum lipid profile. To investigate the effect on the gut microbiome, 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable region was performed on the colonic content of mice.

Results: XSWD administration attenuated lipid deposition in THP-1 cells, significantly reduced aortic plaque lesions, improved the lipid profile, and normalized GM composition in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice.

Conclusion: This study investigated the potential anti-atherosclerotic and gut microbio-ta-restoring effects of XSWD in ApoE-/- mice, with findings suggesting that XSWD may be a promising preventive measure against atherosclerosis through its ability to reduce lipid accumula-tion in foam cells, improve lipid profile, and restore gut microbiota composition.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Xiaoyin Anshen Yin (, XYAS) in treating psoriasis associated with sleep focusing on melatonin and the regulation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway.

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, and administered distilled water, XYAS and its two different disassembly prescriptions by gavage respectively. Four types of drug-containing serums corresponding to the four groups were then prepared. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulated HaCaT was used to establish a psoriasis cell model, and the serums and the retinoid related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) inverse agonist were used respectively to intervene in the model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and melatonin in each group; flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis; Western blot was used to evaluate the levels of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), cytochrome-c (Cyt-c), inhibitor of kappa-B alpha (IκBα), p65 and phosphorylated p65.

Results: XYAS and its disassembly prescriptions inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, reduced the ROS content and Cyt-c expression, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and SOD2 content, promoted the apoptosis in HaCaT cells and inhibited the activation of the NF-κB pathway. XYAS was also found increase the melatonin content. The above effects are beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis combined with sleep disorders. Meanwhile, XYAS no longer had a significant ameliorative effect after applying the RORα inverse agonist, suggesting that the therapeutic effect of XYAS is related to RORα.

Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that XYAS can be utilized for the treatment of psoriasis combined with sleep disorders via inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-apoptotic, which is in part related to the regulatory role of melatonin and its receptor RORα.

Objective: To find more influencing factors Qi-deficiency constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) using dynamic and comprehensive information.

Methods: Because grey relational analysis (GRA) is good at processing incomplete information and has no special requirements for sample size and distribution. We acquired 2122 pieces of valid Qi-deficiency constitution dynamic data after preprocessing, and used GRA combing with χ ² test and multivariate logistic regression analysis to discover and sort the influencing factors of Qi-deficiency constitution.

Results: For the calculation results of GRA, there were 10 (62.5%) aspects whose grey correlation degrees were greater than 0.6. The results of χ ² test showed that all the above 10 aspects were statistically significant with Qi-deficiency constitution. The analysis results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the following factors were positively correlated with Qi-deficiency constitution: premature birth, sleeping late and getting up early, sleeping late and getting up late, irregular sleeping, sleeping 6.0-6.9 h per day, artificial feeding, female, age at 18-19, and father's age at 18-19 years old when a baby at birth. The following factors were negatively correlated with Qi-deficiency constitution: sleeping 8.0-8.9 h per day and ≥ 9.0 h per day, and age at 30-39 and 40-49 years old.

Conclusions: It is necessary to pay attention to these innate and acquired information of individuals which may lead to Qi-deficiency constitution. And our research also provides a novel methodological thinking for analyzing the influential factors of TCM constitution.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of matrine on coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in a mouse model of ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), with a focus on the underlying mechanisms, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK)/ nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling pathway.

Methods: An INOCA model was established in mice, and CMD was induced by peritoneal injections of AGEs. Matrine was administered daily via intraperitoneal injections. Coronary microcirculation was evaluated using coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), and cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were isolated for assessment of apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and microthrombosis. Markers of ER stress and the PERK/NFAT pathway were examined through immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and enzymatic assays. The effect of matrine were further evaluated in CMECs treated with AGEs and the PERK agonist.

Results: Matrine treatment significantly improved CFVR and reduced CMD in AGEs-exposed INOCA mice. In CMECs, matrine attenuated AGEs-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and microthrombosis. It also suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, ER stress markers, and PERK/NFAT signaling. Matrine's effects were concentration-dependent and partially reversed by the PERK agonist, confirming its action through the ER stress pathway. No significant toxicities were observed with matrine administration.

Conclusion: Matrine attenuates AGEs-induced CMD in INOCA by suppressing the ROS-mediated ER stress PERK/NFAT signaling pathway in CMECs. This study highlights matrine's potential as a therapeutic agent for CMD in diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Objective: To study the correlation between five flavors (Wuwei) and the chemical substances of Chinese herbal medicines in Lamiaceae and to establish five flavors identification models.

Methods: A total of 245 herbs belonging to the Lamiaceae family were selected from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020 and Chinese Materia Medica. A database of the chemical substances of these herbs was constructed, with the chemical substances obtained from the professional literature and databases. A three-level classification system of the material components was established on the basis of the molecular structure and biosynthetic pathway of these substances. Apriori association rule analysis and feature selection were employed to obtain the material basis of the five flavors. A multiple logistic regression analysis method was employed to establish identification models for the five flavors.

Results: The association rule analysis revealed 34 high-value groups and 30 specific groups for the main flavors, and 39 high-value groups and 36 specific groups for the combined flavors. Sixteen groups of chemical components were the decisive groups for the main flavors, and 13 groups were the decisive groups for the combined flavors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to successfully establish identification models with an overall accuracy of 88.8% for the main flavors and 87% for the combined flavors.

Conclusions: Five flavors are often characterized by the interaction of multiple classes of substances, and a single class of substances cannot be used to characterize flavors. The organic combination of multiple classes of substances is the material basis of the five flavors, both the main and combined flavors. Significant differences exist in the material basis of the main and combined flavors, suggesting that the "natural flavor" and "functional flavor" may have different material bases.

Objective: To take Baihui (GV20) and Fengchi (GB20) targeting inflammatory response to regulate migraine as an example to describe a new method for studying the mechanism of stimulating acupoints.

Methods: The target information of Baihui (GV20) and Fengchi (GB20) was retrieved, and after intersection with migraine, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Reactome, and UniProt Keywords were used for functional enrichment. After selecting the main pathway, rats were selected and nitroglycerin was used for modeling, and the behavioral scores, inflammatory factors, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), protein kinase B (AKT1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (P-ERK1/ERK2) and other states of the rats in the acupuncture, twisting, and electroacupuncture groups were compared.

Results: A total of 135 Baihui (GV20) targets and 27 Fengchi (GB20) targets were collected. A total of 73 target information were obtained after the intersection of these targets in migraine. These 73 targets have three main pathways: hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, signaling by interleukins and inflammatory response. The main targets in the pathway were verified and found that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and HMOX1, AKT1, STAT3, P-ERK1/ERK2 can be regulated by Baihui (GV20) and Fengchi (GB20).

Conclusion: Baihui (GV20) and Fengchi (GB20) can regulate migraine by regulating inflammatory factors and HMOX1, AKT1, STAT3, P-ERK1/ERK2 and other changes in HIF-1 signaling pathway, Signaling by Interleukins and Inflammatory response pathways. Based on systems biology and network pharmacology, and with the model of "acupoint-target-disease", explore the research methods of systematic acupuncture and moxibustion. We believe this is a usable research direction for exploring the mechanism of acupuncture stimulation.

Objective: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) therapy for overactive bladder (OAB) exerts its effect by modulating mechanosensitive channels in the urothelium, thereby improving bladder sensory function.

Methods: In this study, a rat model of OAB was created by using intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide. We performed either EA or bladder perfusion with HC-067047 [a transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) antagonist] and assessed the efficacy of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of OAB in rats viaurodynamic determination and Void spot assay. tissue morphology, distribution and expression of the TRPV4 protein and the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Ca2+ released from urothelial cells in each group of rats were observed to identify the mechanism by which electroacupuncture improves OAB in rats.

Results: EA ameliorated bladder function and voiding behaviour, improved bladder uroepithelial tissue morphology, and significantly reduced the immun-ofluorescence intensity and the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPV4 in the uroepithelium of OAB rats. Moreover, the simulated mechanical stimulation-induced increases in Ca²⁺ concentration and the release of ATP and acetylcholine (Ach) from bladder urothelial cells were inhibited. The changes in EA followed the same trend as those in HC-067047.

Conclusions: These results suggest that EA inhibits bladder sensory function by downregulating the expression of mechanically activated TRPV4 ion channels distributed in bladder urothelial cells, which correspondingly decreases the inward flow of extracellular Ca²⁺ and reduces the release of ATP and Ach, thereby attenuating excitatory signals.

Objective: To observe whether electroacupuncture stimulation of auricular concha region (EA-ACR) on behavior changes of depression by loss of control over stress model (LOC), and whether its effect is improved by regulating the expression levels of hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) 1A receptor (5-HT_1AR)/ hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) 2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) in hippocampus.

Methods: LOC was prepared using a Skinner box, and EA-ACR to observe behavioral changes, and Western Blot was used to detect the changes of 5-HT_1AR/5-HT_2AR in the hippocampus, and then observe the changes of EA-ACR behavior after microinjection of 5-HT_1AR/5-HT_2AR antagonist into the hippocampus.

Results: EA-ACR improve depressive-like behavior, up-regulated 5-HT_1AR expression and down-regulated 5-HT_2AR expression in hippocampal brain area. EA-ACR did not improve depression-like behavior after hippocampal microinjection of 5-HT_1AR antagonist, while injection of 5-HT_2AR antagonists can improve depression-like behaviors.

Conclusion: EA-ACR can improve depressive-like behaviors. Loss of control over stress leads to up-regulation of 5-HT_1AR and down-regulation of 5-HT_2AR in the hippocampus, while EA-ACR mainly improves depressive behavior by regulating 5-HT_1AR in Hip.

Objective: To explore the correlation between acupuncture treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation by investigating changes in serum immune factors, HPA axis-associated hormone levels, activation levels of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons, and the severity of nasal mucosal lesions, in rats with AR before and after acupuncture treatment.

Methods: After establishing the AR rat model, ovalbumin was administered vianasal drip to all groups except the blank control. Each group received continuous treatment for 14 d: the acupuncture, acupuncture + RU-486 (mifepristone), and RU-486 groups received acupuncture only, RU486 intraperitoneal injection and acupuncture, and RU-486 intraperitoneal injection only, respectively. Following the intervention period, behavioral scoring was performed on all AR rats, and peripheral blood, nasal mucosa samples, and brains tissue (containing PVN region) were obtained following euthanization. Interleukin (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), corticosterone (CORT), and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels were evaluated in peripheral blood samples. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay assay, and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on the nasal mucosa samples. The expression levels of c-Fos in PVN neurons following acupuncture treatment were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining.

Results: Following the intervention period, the behavioral scores for the blank control group were lower than those of other groups (P < 0.05), while the acupuncture group scores were lower than those in the model control, acupuncture + RU486, and RU486 groups (P < 0.05). The blank control group had lower serum IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). The acupuncture group had lower serum IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels than those in the model control, acupuncture + RU486, and RU486 groups (P < 0.05). The blank control group had the highest serum IFN-γ levels among all groups, followed by the acupuncture group. The serum CORT, CRH, and ACTH levels in the blank control group were lower than those in the remaining groups (P < 0.05). These biomarker levels were also lower in the acupuncture group than those in the model control, acupuncture + RU486, and RU486 groups (P < 0.05). Compared with model, rats in the acupuncture group exhibited an increased c-Fos expression in PVN neurons.

Conclusion: Acupuncture can alleviate AR symptoms and regulate serum inflammatory factor levels and HPA axis-related hormones in AR rats. Moreover, these effects are inhibited by glucocorticoid antagonists, suggesting that acupuncture may regulate AR symptoms through HPA axis regulation.