Latest Issue

    2014 Year 20 Vol. 3 Issue

      OriginalPaper

    • Jie Wang,Gui Yu
      2014, 20(3): 163-169. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1461-3
      Abstract:The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is increasing, and has been a severe burden on society and family worldwide. New ideas need to be achieved for developing more efficacious and safe therapies to treat CHD. Chinese medicine (CM) uses multicomponent drugs to prevent disease and ameliorate symptoms based on patients’ different syndromes. The benefit of CM in CHD has recently been proven by increasing clinical evidence. More importantly, linking CM syndrome differentiation and biomedical diagnosis might provide innovative thinking for treating CHD. According to epidemiological investigations, blood stasis syndrome (BSS) is the major type of syndrome in CHD. Investigating the biomedical mechanisms of BSS of CHD is a topic of CM research. Because the holistic perspective of systems biology is well matched with CM, the application of omics techniques and other integrative approaches appears inherently appropriate. A wide range of omics techniques, including transcriptomics and proteomics, have been used in studies of BSS of CHD to search for a common ground of understanding. These approaches could be useful for understanding BSS of CHD from clinical and biological viewpoints. Nevertheless, current studies mainly contain results from a single approach, and they have not achieved the holistic, systematic and integrative concept of system biology. Therefore, we discuss the progress and challenges in exploring the biomedical mechanisms of BSS of CHD by systems biology approaches. With further development of systems biology, a better platform to study BSS of CHD may be provided, and biomarkers for BSS of CHD and therapeutic targets may be found. The study of BSS of CHD by systems biology approaches will also be beneficial for developing personalized treatment for BSS of CHD patients.  
      Keywords:Blood Stasis Syndrome;coronary heart disease;systems biology   
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    • Bhushan Patwardhan,Gururaj Mutalik
      2014, 20(3): 170-178. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1745-2
      Abstract:This article provides global and Indian scenario with strengths and limitations of present health care system. Affordability, accessibility and availability of health care coupled with disproportionate growth and double burden of diseases have become major concerns in India. This article emphasizes need for mindset change from illness-disease-drug centric curative to person-health-wellness centric preventive and promotive approaches. It highlights innovation deficit faced pharmaceutical industry and drugs being withdrawn from market for safety reasons. Medical pluralism is a growing trend and people are exploring various options including modern, traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. In such a situation, knowledge from Ayurveda, yoga, Chinese medicine and acupuncture may play an important role. We can evolve a suitable model by integrating modern and traditional systems of medicine for affordable health care. In the larger interest of global community, Indian and Chinese systems should share knowledge and experiences for mutual intellectual enrichments and work together to evolve a novel model of integrative medicine.  
      Keywords:Ayurveda;Chinese Medicine;Integrative Medicine;healthcare   
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    • Yan-zhi Chen,Xiao-bing Feng,Zhan-dong Li,Wen-xian Zheng,Hong Sun,Ping-ping Li
      2014, 20(3): 179-183. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1770-6
      Abstract:To investigate the prognostic influence on long-term overall survival (OS) from treatment with Chinese medicine (CM) and chemotherapy or targeted therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The clinical data of 206 advanced NSCLC patients who were treated with CM and Western medicine in Beijing Cancer Hospital from April 1999 to July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Long-term survivors were defined as OS ⩾ 3 years after treatment with CM and chemotherapy. Twenty-eight patients had OS ⩾ 3 years, 178 had OS < 3 years, and all clinical data were statistically analyzed with the Cox model. Variables were gender, age, smoking status, performance status (PS) score, pathological type, clinical stage, first-line chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and use of CM. Univariate survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank sequential inspection. Multivariate survival analysis was used to analyze the meaningful factors of univariate survival analysis with the Cox model. The survival rate of patients with OS ⩾ 3 years was 13.6% (28/206). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that PS score, clinical stage, disease control rate to first-line chemotherapy, and use of CM were independent factors of longterm OS (all <0.05). However, gender, age, smoking, and use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosinekinase inhibitor were not significant (P>0.05). PS score, clinical stage, disease control rate to firstline chemotherapy, and use of CM are probably independent prognostic factors for long-term OS in patients with advanced NSCLC.  
      Keywords:non-small cell lung cancer;long-term overall survival;prognosis;Chinese Medicine   
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    • Ling Zhao,Wei Qin,Ji-xin Liu,Li Fang,Ming-hao Dong,Fu-wen Zhang,Cui Jiang,Jin-bo Sun,Karen M. von Deneen,Fan-rong Liang
      2014, 20(3): 184-193. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1744-3
      Abstract:To investigate whether the neural representations underlying alternating two acupoint combinations (ACs) are the same or not. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, two sets of analgesia ACs were utilized, including Waiguan (TE5) and Qiuxu (GB40) for Group A, and Neiguan (PC6) and Taichong (LR3) for Group B, which are the most commonly adopted in clinical treatment. Each group had 20 healthy subjects. An experimental design was proposed, which consisted of a pre-needling resting phase, a needling phase and a post-needling resting phase. This paradigm optimally mimics the clinical protocol as well as focuses on both the stimulation and the resting periods. The results were subjected to general linear model analysis, conjunction analysis and the functional connectivity analysis. The rostral anterior cingulated cortex was engaged in the initiative period of the acupuncture effect in both groups, and it was chosen as the seed region for the functional connectivity analysis for the following resting period. The results showed that several shared brain regions were involved in both groups, in particular the insula, amygdala and hypothalamus. Moreover, significant differences were located at the posterior cingulated cortex as revealed by a two sample -test (P<0.05, corrected). Other regions showed no significant differences. This finding was further supported by the spatial correlation analysis that the two groups were significantly correlated (r =0.51, P<0.01). This preliminary research helps us understand the neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture when following clinical guidelines on ACs, as well as provides an important opportunity to develop better treatment strategies for reducing, or even preventing pain.  
      Keywords:acupoint combination;Acupuncture Analgesia;functional magnetic resonance imaging   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Ya-ping Xu,Bao-xing Liu,Xiu-ping Zhang,Chao-wei Yang,Chuan-hang Wang
      2014, 20(3): 194-199. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1743-4
      Abstract:To evaluate the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Wuzi Yanzong Pill (五子衍宗丸, WYP) on the spermatogenesis and specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells in rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats including the control group, the model group, the low-dose WYP group, the medium-dose WYP group and the high-dose WYP group (5 in each group) were treated daily with vehicle, multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (GTW) either alone (20 mg/kg) or followed by WYP (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg daily), respectively for 30 days. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), inhibin B (INHB) and testosterone (T) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Androgenbinding protein (ABP) gene expression and transferrin (TF) protein expression in testis tissue specimens of all rats were determined using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Histopathological alterations in the testis were determined using Johnsen’s score. The toxicity of GTW towards Sertoli cell secretory functions and spermatogenesis was accompanied by increased serum FSH concentrations and decreased INHB and T concentrations. Upregulated ABP mRNA levels, and decreased TF protein expression and Johnsen’s scores were detected in the model group compared with the control group P<0.05 or P<0.01). Oral high-dose WYP administrations to GTW-treated rats effectively alleviated all of the GTW-induced changes in specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells (ABP, INHB and TF). Furthermore, serum T level and Johnsen’s score of the testis increased greatly compared with the model group (P<0.01). WYP has the ability to improve the spermatogenesis, possibly through modulating the secretory proteins expression of Sertoli cells.  
      Keywords:Wuzi Yanzong Pill;spermatogenesis;sertoli cell;secretory function;Chinese Medicine   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Yue Yang,Ri-bao Wei,Xiao-yong Zheng,Qiang Qiu,Shao-yuan Cui,Zhong Yin,Suo-zhu Shi,Xiang-mei Chen
      2014, 20(3): 200-208. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1740-7
      Abstract:To observe the effect of Compound Shenhua Tablet (复方肾华片, SHT) on the sodiumpotassium- exchanging adenosinetriphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the renal tubular epithelial cells of rats with acute ischemic reperfusion and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of SHT on renal ischemic reperfusion injury (RIRI). Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham surgery group, model group, astragaloside group [150 mg/(kg·d)], SHT low-dose group [1.5 g/(kg·d)] and SHT high-dose group [3.0 g/(kg·d)], with 10 rats in each group. After 1 week of continuous intragastric drug administration, surgery was performed to establish the model. At either 24 or 72 h after the surgery, 5 rats in each group were sacrificed, blood biochemistry, renal pathology, immunoblot and immunohistochemical examinations were performed, and double immunofluorescence staining was observed under a laser confocal microscope. Compared with the sham surgery group, the serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were significantly increased, Na+-K+-ATPase protein level was decreased, and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) protein level was increased in the model group after the surgery (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the SCr, BUN, pathological scores, Na+-K+-ATPase, and the KIM-1 protein level of the three treatment groups were significantly improved at 72 h after the surgery (P<0.05 or P<0.01). And the SCr, BUN of the SHT low- and high-dose groups, and the pathological scores of the SHT high-dose group were significantly lower than those of the astragaloside group (P<0.05). The localizations of Na+-K+-ATPase and megalin of the model group were disrupted, with the distribution areas overlapping with each other and alternately arranged. The severity of the disruption was slightly milder in three treatment groups compared with that of the model group. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the SHT high-dose group had a superior effect as compared with the astragaloside group and the SHT low-dose group. The SHT effectively alleviated RIRI caused by ischemic reperfusion, promoted the recovery of the polarity of renal tubular epithelial cells, and protected the renal tubules. The therapeutic effects of SHT were superior to those of astragaloside as a single agent.  
      Keywords:Compound Shenhua Tablet;Astragaloside;renal ischemic reperfusion injury;Na+-K+- adenosinetriphosphatase   
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      Published:2021-08-27
    • Qing Ma,Li Zhang,Lan Yao,Hai-ping Chen,Bao-en Wang
      2014, 20(3): 209-215. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1741-6
      Abstract:To investigate the effects of Herbal Compound 861 (Cpd 861) on collagen synthesis and degradation in rat mesangial cells exposed to high glucose. The third to fifth passage of rat mesangial cells were exposed to high glucose and Cpd 861 at a concentration of 0.25–4.00 g/L for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Benazepril (10−7–10−3 mmol/L) was selected as positive control. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of Cpd 861 on cell proliferation. After incubation with Cpd 861 at a concentration of 2.00 g/L for 48 h, the protein secretions of collagen type IV, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. And rat mesangial cells were harvested to determine MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and HGF mRNA expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cpd 861 inhibited cell proliferation induced by high glucose in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared with high glucose, collagen type IV production was decreased significantly by Cpd 861 (P<0.01). Cpd 861 increased the protein secretions and mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and HGF, whereas the protein secretions and mRNA expressions of TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 were reduced markedly (P<0.05). The ratio of MMP-9 to TIMP-1 was enhanced by Cpd 861 significantly. There was no significant difference in all above-mentioned effects between Cpd 861 (2.00 g/L) and benazepril (10−5 mmol/L). The anti-glomerulosclerosis mechanisms of Cpd 861 were partly attributed to its effects of inhibiting mesangial cell proliferation, decreasing collagen synthesis and enhancing collagen degradation.  
      Keywords:Herbal Compound 861;mesangial cells;collagen type IV;matrix metalloproteinase;cytokine   
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    • Wei Li,Wei Sun,Chuan-hua Yang,Hong-zhen Hu,Yue-hua Jiang
      2014, 20(3): 216-223. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1380-3
      Abstract:To test whether tanshinone II A (Tan II A), a highly valued herb derivative to treat vascular diseases in Chinese medicine, could protect endothelial cells from bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS)-induced endothelial injury. Endothelial cell injury was induced by treating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with 0.2 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. Y27632 and valsartan were used as positive controls. The effects of tanshinone II A on the LPS-induced cell viability and apoptosis rate of HUVECs were tested by flow cytometry, cell migration by transwell, adhesion by a 96-well plate pre-coated with vitronectin and cytoskeleton reorganization by immunofluorescence assay. Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathwayassociated gene and protein expression were examined by microarray assay; quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to confirm the changes observed by microarray. Tan II A improved cell viability, suppressed apoptosis and protected cells from LPS-induced reductions in cell migration and adhesion at a comparable magnitude to that of Y27632 and valsartan. Tan II A, Y27632 and valsartan also normalized LPS-induced actomyosin contraction and vinculin protein aggregation. A microarray assay revealed increased levels of fibronectin, integrin A5 (ITG A5), Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA), myosin light chain phosphatase, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K, or PIP2 in Western blotting), focal adhesion kinase, vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in the damaged HUVECs, which were attenuated to different degrees by Tan II A, Y27632 and valsartan. Conclusion: Tan II A exerted a strong protective effect on HUVECs, and the mechanism was caused, at least in part, by a blockade in the Rho/ROCK pathway, presumably through the down-regulation of ITG A5.  
      Keywords:tanshinone II A;human umbilical vein endothelial cells;Rho/Rho kinase pathway   
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    • Yu Wang,Nan-xiang Su,Ze-qi Chen,Zhe Wang,Si-fang Zhang
      2014, 20(3): 224-231. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1619-z
      Abstract:To observe effects of Fengbaisan (丰白散, FBS) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate the preventive and therapeutic mechanisms of FBS. The COPD rat model was established by cigarette smoke exposure and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intra-tracheal dripping. The histopathological changes of lung tissue was observed via hematoxylin/eosin staining. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. The typical histopathological changes of COPD were displayed in the model group, Ambroxol Hydrochloride group and FBS group, and the pathological lesions in the FBS group were less than those in the model group. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the model group increased significantly compared with those in the normal group (P<0.05). After treatment for successive 28 days, the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the FBS group decreased remarkably as compared with the model group (P<0.05). FBS can regulate MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance to prevent airway and lung parenchyma remodeling process via reducing the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissue of COPD rats, and this may be a possible therapeutic mechanism of FBS on COPD.  
      Keywords:Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease;Fengbaisan;matrix metalloproteinase-9;tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1;airway remodeling;Chinese Medicine   
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    • Zhong-wei Hou,Yun-liang Li,Li-hua Zhang,He Yu,Yan-huan Miao,Xiao-hong Gu
      2014, 20(3): 232-234. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1689-6
      Abstract:To observe the physiological and psychological effects of Chinese traditional healthcare exercises (CTHE) on the adolescents. A total of 136 healthy students of junior school were recruited and randomly divided into the test group (68 cases) and the control group (68 cases). The subjects in the test group practiced CTHE, while those in the control group did “the 8th radio calisthenics”, an official recommended calisthenics for promoting healthcare in China, 3 times a week, and 7 weeks practicing overall. The general body function examination and the meridian energy detection system were used to determine the effects of the two groups. (1) After exercise, the chest circumference and heart rate were increased significantly (P<0.01), and both the systolic pressure (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) were decreased significantly (P<0.01), while the weight had no significant change (P>0.05) in the test group. In the control group, the chest circumference, the SP and DP had no significant improvement (P>0.05), while the heart rate was significantly increased and the weight was significantly decreased (P<0.01). (2) The test group achieved significant positive changes in the performance status, state of mind and fatigue index (P<0.01 or P<0.05), while the control group only achieved a significant positive change in performance status (P<0.01), and a negative significant decrease in the autonomic nerve function (P<0.05). Junior school students would get physiological and psychological benefit from practicing CTHE, and which is suitable for them to practice.  
      Keywords:Chinese traditional healthcare exercises;junior school students;healthcare effect;clinical trial   
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    • Xin-rong Li,Qin-xiu Zhang,Min Liu,Qing Chen,Yang Liu,Fu-bing Zhang,Jing Deng,Zhen-dong Zhong
      2014, 20(3): 235-240. DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1748-z
      Abstract:To assess the effectiveness and the possible adverse effects of catgut implantation at acupoints for allergic rhinitis (AR). This systematic review was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0 and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Extensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Excerpta Medical Databases, the Cochrane Library, the China National Infrastructure, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, and the Weipu Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database. The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center was also searched for ongoing trials up to September 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias. Five RCTs with 285 participants were found from 49 relevant studies, but there was just one RCT which met the inclusion criteria for this review. The study showed that treatment of catgut implantation at acupoints could lead to a better alleviation of the signs and symptoms of AR than the crude herb moxibustion. No adverse events were reported in this study. Because of the methodological shortcoming and the risk of bias of the included trial, catgut implantation was proved with only limited evidence for the treatment of AR. Robust RCTs with high quality and larger sample size in this field are hoped to be carried out in the future.  
      Keywords:catgut implantation at acupoints;Allergic Rhinitis;systematic review   
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