Clinical effect and action mechanism of Weicao Capsule (威草胶囊) in treating gout

Objective： To study the therapeutic effect of Weicao Capsule （威草胶囊, WCC） on gout. Methods： Two hundred gout patients were assigned to two groups. The treated group was treated with WCC and the control group was treated with Tongfengding Capsule （痛风定胶囊）. Both groups were given the respective treatments orally 3 times a day, 2 capsules each time with 2 weeks as one course and all patients received 2 successive courses of treatment. Changes of blood β2- microglobulin （13 2-M）, hemoglobin （Hb）, 24 h urinary protein （24 h UP）, pH value of urine and blood uric acid （BUA） as well as kidney function were observed. Results： After treatment, level of β 2-M got lowered significantly, Hb and 24 h UP, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and the clearance rate of creatinine, as well as blood lipids all improved obviously in the treated group （all P〈0.01）, while these parameters remained unchanged in the control group （P〉0.05）. The pH value of urine was improved in both groups showing an insignificant difference between them （P〉0.05）. BUA was decreased in both groups with a decrease to a larger extent in the treated group （P〈0.01）. The total effective rate was 87% in the treated group, which was superior to that in the control group （62%, P〈0.05）. Conclusion： WCC has a favorable therapeutic effect on gout and its mechanism of action for improving renal function and reducing urinary protein could be related with the lowering of blood β 2-M, BUA and lipids.     

A Clinical Study of Suogudan Granule (索骨丹颗粒) in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of Suogudan Granule (SGDG, 索骨丹颗粒) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Ninety patients with RA were randomly divided into the treated group and the control group. The treated group was administered orally with SGDG 6 g each time,thrice a day, while the control group with the combined therapy of Fenbid Capsules 0.3 g each time, twice a day and Tripterygium tablet 20 mg each time, thrice a day. The treatment course for both groups was 6 weeks. The changes of clinical symptoms and signs, and laboratory indices such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), antistreptolysin O (ASO), routine examination of blood and urine,liver and kidney function, etc. before and after treatment were observed. Results: (1) The total effective rate in the treated group (88.0%) was obviously higher than that in the control group (67.5 %) with significant difference ( P＜0.05). (2) The improvement in arthralgia, joint swelling, time of morning stiffness, 15-meter walking, analgesia initiation and persistence in the treated group was better than that in the control group ( P＜0.05, P＜0.01), but there was no obvious difference in improvement of joint tenderness, range of joint motion, grip strength, and initiating detumescence time ( P＞0.05 ). (3) The improvement in ESR and RF in the treated group was better than that in the control group with significant difference ( P＜0.05). The negative-conversion rate of ASO in the treated group was also higher than that in the control group ( P＜0.01 ).(4) No evident abnormality in blood, urine, liver or kidney function was found in either group. Conclusion:SGDG is effective and safe for the treatment of RA.     

Effects of Rebixiao Granules(热痹消颗粒剂) on Blood Uric Acid in Patients with Repeatedly Attacking Acute Gouty Arthritis

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Rebixiao granule (热痹消颗粒剂, RBXG) in treating repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis and through experimental study on blood uric acid to explore RBXG's therapeutic mechanism. Methods: Ninety repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis patients were divided into the treated group (n= 60) and control group (n = 30). The treated group was treated with RBXG, and the control group was treated with Futalin tablets (diclofenac sodium). The baseline treatment including good rest, Iow purine diet, sufficient water drinking and urine alkalization, etc. was then given to both groups. Hypoxanthine 600 mg/kg and niacin 100 mg/kg was applied to hyperuricemic mice by gastrogavage to establish the animal models. Results: The clinical effective rate of the treated group was 95.0% and that of the control 90.0 %. Good therapeutic effects were won, insignificant difference (P＞0.05)was shown between the two groups. However, the cure rate of the treated group was 26.7% while that of the control group was 10.0%, with significant difference (P＜0.01) shown between them. The treated group had its blood uric acid lowered, which was significantly different (P＜0.05) from that of the control group. The animal experiment indicated that all the three groups treated with different dosages of RBXG, as well as the Ash bark and Smilax glabra rhizome groups had their blood uric acid content reduced in the hyperuricemic mice. Conclusion: RBXG has a quicker initiation and better treatment effects than sole anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents on the treatment of repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis, showing no obvious toxic or adverse reactions and therefore good for long-term administration and likely to be a safe TCM preparation to control the symptoms and reduce the onsets of repeatedly attacking of acute gouty arthritis. The animal experiment shows that both the compound preparation and part of the single ingredients in the recipe have the function of reducing blood uric acid. However, the compound recipe has better therapeutic effects, proving to be superior to single drugs.     

Effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide-iron complex on iron deficiency anemia in rats

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide- iron complex(APIC)on rats with iron deficiency anemia(IDA).Methods:The IDA rat model was established by adopting low-iron forage with a small amount of regular bloodletting.The rats were randomly divided into a model group,three AIPC groups(high,middle,and low dosage),an Angelica sinensis polysaccharide(ASP)group,a mixture group(ASP FeCl_3)and a positive control group (Niferex).Changes in hemoglobin(Hb),red blood cell count(RBC),hematocrit(HCT)and iron content of whole blood were observed.Results:There was a significant difference before and after administration in all treated groups and all indices were restored to near-normal levels in the APIC groups and the positive control group.There was a significant difference among the changes of the indices in all the APIC groups and those of the model group but not between those of the APIC groups and the positive control group.However,the recovery of the indices in the APIC groups was superior to that in the positive control group.Conclusion:APIC not only has a superior therapeutic effect on IDA,but also has the effect of the ASP on supplementing blood and activating blood circulation.Hence,it may be used as a new iron-supplementing agent with a double therapeutic efficacy on blood supplementation for the treatment of IDA.     

Clinical observation on chemical damage of nephron and the preventive and therapeutic effects of Baoshen Mixture (保肾合剂) on it

Objective:To observe the change of nephron damaged by chemotherapy and to evaluate the effect of Baoshen Mixture(保肾合剂,BSM) in protecting and treating damaged nephrons.Methods:Four hundred tumor patients with normal renal function and ready to receive chemotherapy were randomly assigned to two groups.Both groups received one cycle of chemotherapy program of 28-30 days with conventional hydratization,alkalization and chloridization.To the 200 cases in the treated group BSM was given orally thrice a day,150 mL every time for 15 successive days and the other 200 cases in the control group were treated by chemotherapy alone.The clinical efficacy was compared after treatment,and the changed condition of damaged nephrons were monitored dynamically and compared at different time points(the 3rd,7th,14th and 21st day after chemotherapy) by measuring the micro-globulin β2(β2-MG),albumin(Alb) and immunoglobulin G(IgG) levels in urine with radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results:(1) The effective rates in the treated group at the 4 time points of observation were all higher than those in the control group respectively(P<0.05 or P<0.01);(2) Less occurrence of abnormal β2-M,Alb and IgG levels on the 14th and 21st day in the treated group took place compared to that in the control group(P<0.01);(3) Urinary levels of β2-MG,Alb and IgG reached the peak on the 7th day in both groups,and then,they came down gradually and returned to the normal level on the 21st day.However,comparison between the two groups showed that all the three parameters in the treated group on day 3,14 and 21 were lower than the respective one at the corresponding time points in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:The chemotherapy damage on nephron is regular in time,and reversible when treated suitably.TCM shows a marked effect in protecting and treating the damage on nephron caused by chemotherapy.     

改良补肾活血方对实验性骨关节炎兔子模型的控制代谢及抗氧化作用

Objective: To observe the metabolic, regulatory and anti-oxidative effects of modified Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD, 补肾活血方), a Chinese herbal medicine for Kidney (Shen)-reinforcement and blood-activation, on an osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model. Methods: A rabbit model for knee joint OA was established by the classic Hulth''s method. The OA model rabbits were randomized into 5 groups: the model control group, the positive control group treated with glucosamine sulfate, and the three BSHXD treated groups treated respectively with low, moderate, and high doses of BSHXD. In addition, a normal control group and a sham-operated group were set up. Experimental animals were sacrificed after a 7-week treatment, and pathological changes in cartilaginous tissue were estimated using the Mankin criteria. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents in blood serum and urine, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content in blood serum and knee joint synovial homogenates were detected. Results: Mankin scoring showed insignificant statistical differences between the various treatment groups (P>0.05), but all were better than the model control group (P<0.05). Serum and urinary contents of Hyp and MDA as well as serum and synovial levels of NO were significantly lower, but the SOD activity in blood serum and synovial tissue was higher in the BSHXD treated groups than in the model group (P<0.01); the effect of BSHXD was dose-dependent to some extent. Conclusion: The modified BSHXD shows an effect of improving cartilage metabolism in experimental rabbits with OA, and possesses osteo-chondric protective effects in antagonizing peroxidation injury.     

Effect of Tiaozhi Yanggan Decoction (调脂养肝汤) in treating patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tiaozhi Yanggan Decoction (调脂养肝汤,TZYGD)in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver.Methods:One hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled and randomized into two groups according to the random number table in a ratio of 3:1,with 8 cases eventually dropping out.The symptoms,signs,liver function markers, blood lipids,iconographic indices and clinical comprehensive efficacy after a 12-week treatment course were assessed in 101 patients treated with TZYGD in the treated group and 29 patients treated with Thiola in the control group.Results:The total effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 81.19% and 68.97%,respectively,showing a significant difference between the two groups with the former being significantly higher than the latter(P<0.05).Moreover,the improvements in the symptoms,signs,liver function,blood lipids and iconographic indices in the treated group were favorable with no serious adverse reactions.Conclusion:TZYGD is effective and highly safe in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver.     

Effect of Yitangning Granule on Glycometabolism and Urinary Micro Albumin of Diabetes B Patients

One hundred and twenty patients with diabetes B that belong to the type of kidney deficiency andblood stasis were randomly divided into a treatment group treated with Yitangning Granule ( 益糖宁颗粒), a control group A treated with Jiangtangshu Capsule (降糖舒胶囊) and a control group B treated with Glurenorm Tablet (糖适平片). A better total effective rate was found in the treatment group, as compared with the two control groups, but there was no obvious difference. However, the treatment group was superior to the two control groups (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) in the reduction of blood sugar and urinary micro albumin. It indicates that Yitangning Granule can improve the clinical symptoms and glycometabolism in patients with diabetes B and has a reverse effect on early diabetic nephropathy (DN).     

Comparative Study on the Effects of Small Dose of Aspirin Combined with Ginkgo-damole Injection(银杏达莫注射液) and the Effects of Conventional Dose of Aspirin in Treating Senile Unstable Angina Pectoris

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic and adverse effect of small dose of aspirin (Asp) combined with Ginkgo-damole injection (GDI,银杏达莫注射液) in treating senile unstable angina pectoris (UA). Methods: One hundred and twenty old in-patients of coronary heart disease with UA were randomly divided into two groups. The 60 patients in the treated group were treated with oral administration of enteric soluble 50 mg Asp once a day and GDI 20 ml per day by intravenous dripping, with 14 days as one therapeutic course, while the other 60 in the control group were treated with enteric soluble Asp 100 mg alone once a day orally. Besides, isosorbide-5-mononitrate 20 mg twice a day was applied to both groups, and the β-ad-renoceptor blocker, blood lipids regulatory agents and nitroglycerin (10 mg by intravenous dripping) were given accordingly. The angina total improving rate, hemorrheologic indexes (whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, platelet aggregation rate), comprehensive clinical terminal     

Acupuncture Treatment of Vomiting

CASE HISTORY A female patient, 46 years old, head of the foreign affairs department of a certain university in Beijing, paid her first visit on October 9, 2006, with the chief complaint of vomiting for one month. She got vomiting after meals in early September. Before that, she had discomfortable sensation in the stomach due to angry with others, but she didn't pay much attention. Later, it developed into vomiting after eating. After the vomiting, the discomfort would be relieved, but with slight hypodynamia. She was once diagnosed as having 'neurogenic vomiting'. Having taken some western and Chinese drugs, the above symptoms were a little bit improved, but she would have nausea upon eating and with regurgitation. Because of the fear for vomiting, she did not dare to have food intake, with body weight reduction of 6 kilos in one month.     

Qiu Baoguo''''s Experience in Treating Consumptive Syndromes after Radio-Chemotherapies

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the important modern medical therapies for malignant tumors,yet they can also bring about serious local and systemic toxic side reactions so to decrease the patient;'s life quality,manifested by a series of consumptive symptoms.Having engaged in the combined work of Chinese and western medicine for nearly 50 years,the research fellow Qiu Baoguo in Henan Provincial Academy of TCM has developed his unique views on the TCM study of consumptive syndromes.The author of this essay had once the fortune tO follow Dr.Qiu in clinic,and specially would like to introduce in the following Dr.Qiu's experience in treating consumptive syndromes after radio-chemotherapies for patients with malignant tumor.     

Insomnia Due to Deficiency of Both the Heart and Spleen Treated by Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Chinese Tuina

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effects of the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen. METHODS: 92 cases were divided randomly into the treatment group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina) and the control group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion). RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was obviously superior to that of the control group (the CHI2 test showed P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina can give marked therapeutic effects for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen.     

Analysis of CK-19,PDX-1,Nestin,Ngn3 in different donor islet purity in rats

Objective: To investigate if there are the CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 positive cells in the donor islets of different purity in rats. Methods: Thirty male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Islets were isolated using digestion by ductal injection of collagenase. Group Ⅰ (n=10): Separating cell preparations were not purified, Group Ⅱ(n=10): Islet sediment was purified with 25% Ficoll400 ,Group Ⅲ (n=10): Islet sediment was purified with 25% and 11% Ficoll-400. The levels of protein of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin and Ngn3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and the mRNA of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 was amplified by RT-PCR. Results: After two different purification methods applied, three islet preparations of different purities were obtained. The difference of islet purity was significant among various groups (P＜0.05). Compared with group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ,the protein and mRNA of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin,Ngn3 were both higher in group Ⅰ; group Ⅲ was poorly expressed. Conclusions: The three different islet purity donor islet have different CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 positive cells within them, indicating that there are some islet stem cells in the purified donor islet.     

A preliminary screening study on the associated proteins in human psoriasis vulgaris by serum proteomics technologies

Objective：To investigate the optimum screening conditions of associated proteins in human psoriasis vulgaris by serum proteomics technique, and to screen the different expression proteins related with psoriasis vulgaris. Methods：Serum samples of peripheral blood were collected from newly diagnosed psoriasis vulgaris patients in the clinic, and 20 matched healthy persons. Serum albumin IgG was removed by filtering with ProteoExtract Albumin/IgG. After comparative proteomics analysis the different protein spots were identified using 2-DE and MS. Results ：Electrophoresis figures with high resolution and reproducibility were obtained. Three different expression proteins were found only in the serum from psoriasis vulgaris patients, while nine other different proteins expressing from healthy volunteers. Conclusion：The protein expression was different in the serum between the psoriasis vulgaris patients and healthy volunteers. It was hoped that we could find the biomarkers related to psoriasis vulgaris by using proteomics.     

A CASE OF HUGE GASTRIC DISOPYROBEZOAR

PYTOBEZOARS are common bezoars in gastrontestinal tract, commonly seen in stomach and mall intestine,1but huge disopyrobezoars are     

Acupuncture Treatment of Chest Bi Syndrome

CASE HISTORY A male,a retired officer of 61 years old,paid his first visit on May 12,2006.The patient stated that 2 weeks before he suddenly got paroxysmal precordial choking pain,with irregular attacks.Each attack would last several seconds to several minutes.The attack was accompanied with heavy oppressed sensation in the precordial region,palpitation,lassitude,and in severe cases,sweating,which was once diagnosed by a hospital as'coronary heart disease'.Recalling the case history,the patient said that several days before he got angry with others because of some affairs in work,and he was not so used to the life pattern since he had just retired from his busy working post.At usual times,he was quick tempered and peevish.In recent days,he had poor appetite,and loose stool.     

Instructions to Contributors

The English edition of Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine is edited and published by the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Press.Original scientific papers of advanced clinical and experimental medicine in the field of complementary/alternative medicine or integrative medicine are expected.