芍药甘草汤的历史沿革与现代研究

芍药甘草汤最早见于张仲景《伤寒杂病论》,由白芍和甘草(炙)等比例配伍而成,具有养血敛阴、调和肝脾、缓急止痛之功效,用于血虚津伤和筋脉失濡所致的腿脚挛急、脘腹疼痛。被历代医家推崇并沿用至今,并且拓展出了应用范围。现代药理研究表明,芍药甘草汤具有显著的解痉、止痛、镇咳、平喘及抗炎等作用,用于治疗痉挛性疾病、疼痛性疾病、炎症性疾病、支气管哮喘及妇产科疾病等。笔者从芍药甘草汤的历史沿革与方义衍变、组方配伍分析、药理药效学研究、现代临床应用4个方面进行系统阐述,以期为该经典名方的现代研究开发提供理论依据和文献参考,并为其制剂的临床定位提供理论和实践支撑。     

按法对大鼠脑卒中后肌痉挛的影响及其机理研究

目的:观察按法干预后脑卒中后肌痉挛大鼠血浆及脊髓L1-L3节段灰质前角组织中γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)和甘氛酸(Gly)含量的变化,探讨按法缓解脑卒中后肌痉挛的作用机制。方法:健康成年雄性Sprague-DawIey(SD)大鼠80只,随机抽取10只为空白组,其余70只造模。采用左颈外动脉插入线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉局灶性脑缺血(MCAO)模型。Longa神经功能评定为2-3分,且改良Ashworth肌张力评分评定为;1+、1+及2级的30只大鼠纳入实验。用随机数字表法将30只造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组、按肌腱组和按肌腹组。造模成功2 d后,按肌腱组及按肌腹组大鼠分别接受大鼠按法橾作治疗仪按股四头肌肌腱和按股四头肌肌腹治疗,压力控制在(350±50)g,按压频率为5s/次,每次15 min,每日1次,连续治疗5d。各组于治疗第5次后,采用改良Ashworth#挛评定标准对大鼠股四头肌的张力进行评定。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法观察大鼠血浆及脊髓L1-L3节段中Gly的含量变化,采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)观察大鼠血浆及脊髓L1-L3节段中GABA的含量变化。结果:各组改良Ashworth量表肌张力评定中,按肌腱组大鼠肌张力下降较按肌腹组更为明显(P<0.01);按肌腱组血浆及香髓L1-L3节段组织中Gly及GABA的含量增加较按肌腹组更为明显(均P<0.01)。结论:基于腱器官“反牵张反射”理论,采用按法刺激腱器官诱发“反牵张反射”对大鼠肌痉挛状态的改善效果优于按压肌腹。大鼠血浆和脊髓L1-L3节段中Gly和GABA含量的增加,可能是按法刺激腱器官改善大鼠肌痉挛状态的作用机制之一。     

Does Rest Time before Ultrasonography Imaging Affect Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Thickness,Cross-Sectional Area and Echo Intensity Measurements?

In the work described here, our aim was to determine, in an elderly population, changes in muscle thickness (MT), cross-sectional area (CSA) and echo intensity (EI) of the quadriceps muscles at four time points (0, 5, 10 and 15 min; i.e., T0, T5, T10 and T15, respectively) after changing from a standing to supine position. Twenty-one elderly participants (14 men: 68.1 ± 4.6 y; 8 women: 66.8 ± 4.1 y) were evaluated at four time points. Rectus femoris CSA (RF_CSA), MT and EI of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscles were assessed. EI significantly increased from T0 to T5, T10 and T15 (p < 0.001), whereas no differences were observed between T5 and T15 in the rectus femoris (RF_EI), vastus intermedius (VI_EI) and quadriceps femoris (QF_EI). No differences were observed between any time points in the RF_CSA and MT of QF muscles. In summary, these results suggest that periods >5 min are not necessary to obtain consistent MT and EI measurements of quadriceps femoris muscles in the elderly population.     

Can muscle weakness and disability influence the relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain worsening in patients with knee osteoarthritis? A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo verify if the relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain worsening would be mediated by muscle weakness and disability in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study in a hospital out-patient setting. Convenience sampling was used with a total of 50 participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Pain and the activities of daily livings (ADL) were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscale. Pain catastrophizing was assessed using the Coping Strategy Questionnaire (CSQ) subscale. Muscle strength of knee extension and 30-s chair stand test (30CST) were also assessed. Path analysis was performed to test the hypothetical model. Goodness of fit of models were assessed by using statistical parameters such as the chi-square value, goodness of fit index (GFI), adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI), comparative fit index (CFI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA).ResultsThe chi-square values were not significant (chi-square = 0.283, p = 0.594), and the indices of goodness of fit were high, implying a valid model (GFI = 1.000; AGFI = 0.997; CFI = 1.000; RMSEA = 0.000). Pain was influenced significantly by muscle strength and ADL; muscle strength was influenced significantly by ADL via 30CST; ADL was influenced by pain catastrophizing.ConclusionThe relationship between pain catastrophizing with pain worsening are mediated by muscle weakness and disability.     

A novel single-leg squat test with speed and accuracy requirements: Reliability and validity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed individuals

BackgroundSome traditional single-leg squat tests focused on number of repetitions may not demand precise control of lower limb dynamic alignment, especially in the frontal and transverse planes. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate test–retest reliability and construct validity of a novel single-leg squat test – the ‘precision-squat test’ (PST) – designed to assess performance under varying task demands that can impact the execution of lower limb movements. A secondary objective was to investigate whether musculoskeletal factors predict performance in the PST in healthy individuals.MethodsThirty healthy participants were assessed to verify test–retest reliability. To verify the test’s construct validity, we compared the performance of 21 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed (ACLR) individuals and 21 matched controls. Finally, 36 healthy individuals were assessed to verify the musculoskeletal factors related to PST performance. All participants performed the PST: they executed single-leg squats while moving a laser pointer (attached to the thigh) between two targets. We varied target size and distance between targets to manipulate the task difficulty.ResultsReliability of the PST was excellent at all demand levels (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)_(3,2) > 0.93). Squat time increased under test conditions involving higher task difficulty (P < 0.001) and in ACLR individuals compared with age-matched controls (P < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that reduced knee extensors and hip external rotators torques are related to increased squat time (P < 0.05).ConclusionsPST is a valid and reliable tool to assess performance of healthy and ACLR individuals. In addition, hip and knee strength are associated with performance during the test.