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To summarize and elucidate the characteristics and evolvement of Chinese medicine (CM) patterns reflecting the physical and mental conditions of participants in the Mars 500 long-term closed environment. The DS01-T Digital TCM Four-Diagnostic Instrument and CM Inquiring Diagnostic Questionnaire were used to collect information from 6 participants in the Mars 500 International Joint Research Project, through diagnostic methods of observation, palpation and inquiry according to CM theory. During the 520 days of the experiment, data collection was performed 37 times; a total of over 400 digital images of tongues and facial complexion and over 20,000 data were collected. These data were then analyzed by a team of experts in CM, statistics, and data mining. The CM pattern evolvement of participants in the long-term closed environment followed some common trends. Qi deficiency was the main CM pattern observed, with individual features depending on constitutional differences [manifested in varying degrees of accompanying patterns of Gan (Liver) qi stagnation, Pi (Spleen) deficiency, dampness encumbering, or yin deficiency]. The research has verified the effectiveness of CM syndrome differentiation based on the four diagnostic methods, which should serve as a solid foundation for observation, monitoring, and intervention in regard to the health conditions of astronauts in long-term space flights in the future.

To comprehensively evaluate the health status of 6 volunteers from the Mars 500 Project through analyzing their pulse graphs and determining the changes in cardiovascular function, degree of fatigue and autonomic nervous function. Six volunteers were recruited; all were male aged 26–38 years (average 31.83±4.96 years). Characteristic parameters reflflecting the status of cardiovascular functions were extracted, which included left ventricular contraction, vascular elasticity and peripheral resistance. The degree of fatigue was determined depending on the difference between the calendar age and biological age, which was calculated through the analysis of blood pressure value and characteristic parameters. Based on the values of pulse height variation and pulse time variation on a 30-s pulse graph, autonomic nervous function was evaluated. All parameters examined were marked on an equilateral polygon to form an irregular polygon of the actual fifigure, then health status was evaluated based on the coverage area of the actual fifigure. The results demonstrated: (1) volunteers developed weakened pulse power, increased vascular tension and peripheral resistance, and slight decreased ventricular systolic function; (2) the degree of fatigue was basically mild or moderate; and (3) autonomic nervous function was excited but generally balanced. These volunteers were in the state of sub-health. According to Chinese medicine theories, such symptoms are mainly caused by the weakening of healthy qi, Gan (Liver) failing in free coursing, and disharmony between Gan and Wei (Stomach), which manifests as a weak and string-like pulse.

To investigate effects of Chinese herb-compound on blood rheology and circulatory system of rabbits under simulated weightlessness in order to provide bases for protecting against the influence of simulated weightlessness on cardiovascular function.Rabbits were exposed to head-down tilt (HDT -20 degrees) for 9 d to simulate weightlessness. The effect of Chinese herb-compound on indices related to blood rheology, blood-fat and orthostatic tolerance in these rabbits were examined.After head-down tilt, hematocrit value and red blood cells deformability decreased significantly; cholesterol and low density lipoprotein increased markedly; plasma fibrinogen content and triglyceride showed increasing trend. Administration of the Chinese herb-compound didn't improve the blood rheology indices, but showed a trend to decrease triglyceride and to inhibit the increase of cholesterol. In the head-up tilt (HUT) plus lower body negative pressure (LBNP) experiment, orthostatic tolerance time of the rabbits in the control group decreased, and myocardial ischemic changes in ECG, such as dropped ST segment, inverse T wave, and arrhythmia were observed. While in the Chinese herb-compound group, the heart rate of the rabbits kept smooth, ischemic changes in ECG were not clear, and orthostatic tolerance time increased.The Chinese herb-compound shows an effect of preventing orthostatic tolerance from decreasing, and improves blood-fat metabolism. It regulates different human systems on the whole, and increases ability of adaptation to ill environment.

To study the effect of active fractions from Lycopus lucidus (L. F04) on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation so as to investigate its mechanism of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.The effects of Lycopus lucidus L. F04 on platelet aggregation induced by ADP in vivo, and thrombosis of artery-vein by-pass and thrombus formed in circuitous loop in vitro were examined using the blood stasis animal model of rats made by injecting high molecular weight dextran (HMWD).The increase of maximum platelet aggregation rate induced by ADP in vivo in HMWD model was evidently inhibited with 0.408 g/kg or 0.204 g/kg or L. F04, and the effect showed a trend of concentration-dependence. As compared with the control, the thrombus weight in rat model of blood stasis increased clearly and its length showed only a trend of increase. Both 0.408 g/kg and 0.204 g/kg of L. F04 had the effect of resisting the thrombus formation, while 0.408 g/kg showed better effects of reducing the thrombus dry weight and wet weight. Both 0.408 g/kg and 0.204 g/kg of L. F04 could inhibit the thrombosis in artery-vein by-pass; the inhibition rates were 27.41% and 27.14% respectively.Lycopus lucidus L. F04 could significantly inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.

To investigate effects of Chinese herb compound on myocardial SDH, ATP-ase and energy reserves in tail-suspended rats.Male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 each): (A) normal control group; (B) tail-suspended group; (C) tail-suspended + Chinese Medical herb compound group. Rats in group B and C were tail-suspended (-30 degrees) for 5 d to simulate weightlessness. All rats B were decapitated after the experiment. Myocardial SDH (method of Anderson N-BT), ATP-ase (method of Wachstein and Meisel) and energy reserves (method of HPLC) were examined.Compared with rats in groups A and C, SDH activity increased, SDH staining deepened, value of OD SDH enhanced, ATP-ase activity and OD value increased and enhanced significantly (P0.01) but value of myocardial energy reserves decreased in group B rats.Tail-suspension strengthens compensatory oxidation metabolism of cardiac muscle and activates SDH and ATP-ase, at the same time decrease, myocardial energy reserves. Normal are maintained the low level of metabolism by the medical herb compound used which shows a protecting effects through mitigation, tranguilization and replenishment of Qi.

To study the effects of short-term simulated weightlessness on human vectorcardiogram (VCG).Seven d -6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR) was used to simulate weightlessness. Eight healthy males, aged 19-21, served as the subjects. VCG was recorded before and on day 1, 3, 7 of HDBR.QRS loop in the horizontal plane rotated counterclockwise, while QRS loop in the right sagittal plane rotated clockwise during HDBR (P0.05 or P0.01). QRS-T angle in the horizontal and right sagittal plane increased significantly during HDBR.Seven d HDBR leads to changes of VCG parameters, which were all in normal ranges and in accordance with the volume changes of atrium and ventricle, but obviously different from those resulted from pathological ventricular thickening and myocardial ischemia.

To investigate effects of Qiang Gu Kang Wei prescription on bone morphology in tail-suspended rats.Rats were tail-suspended (-30 degrees) for 21 d to simulate weightlessness. The effects of this prescription on thickness of periost and cortex at epiphyseal plate of tibial shaft and 3 mm under it were examined. The effects of this prescription on histology and ultrastructure of tibia were also observed.Compared with the normal control, cortex at both epiphyseal plate of tibial shaft and 3 mm under it in suspended rats thinned significantly (P0.01 or P0.05). Histological observation showed that in bone of suspended rats, uncalcific matrix was more, bone cells' number was lower and their appearance was more infantile, osteoblasts were less and smaller, while osteoclasts were more and larger, haversian system of transection also showed more irregular than in bone of normal control. Ultrastructure observation showed that the function of osteoblasts was inhabited and that of osteoclasts was active. All the three doses groups of the prescription could increase cortex at either epiphyseal plate of tibial shaft or 3 mm under it (P0.01 or P0.05) compared with the tail-suspended group. The appearance of bone in the three groups was improved as well under optical or electron microscope.This prescription could improve abnormal change in bone morphology resulted from being tail-suspended in rats and make it normal.

To investigate effects of "Qiang Gu Kang Wei" prescription on biochemical indices of bone and related organs in tail-suspended rats.Rats were tail-suspended (-30 degrees) for 21 d to simulate weightlessness. The effect of this prescription on biochemical indices such as Ca, P in serum, osteocalcin (BGP) in serum and bone, oxyproline hydroxyproline (Hyp) in bone, alkaliphosphatase (ALP) in serum, small intestine and bone in these rats were examined.Comparing with the normal control, serum Ca decreased significantly (P0.05) while serum P showed only a trend to decrease, at the same time BGP dropped in both serum and bone (P0.05) and Hyp dropped only in bone (P0.05). There was significant decrease of ALP activity in serum, small intestine and bone (P0.01 or P0.05) in suspended rats. The prescription showed different effects with different doses. In all the three dose groups (30 g/kg, 20 g/kg, 10 g/kg) Ca and P in serum levels increased (P0.01 or P0.05), BGP in serum and bone improved (P0.05) or showed only a trend to increase. ALP activity increased in serum, small intestine and bone (P0.05). Increase of Hyp in bone was found in the middle and the small dose groups (P0.05).This prescription shows an effect of improving biochemical indices in bone and related organs such as serum and small intestine in tail-suspended rats. But no distinct concentration-dependence was found.

Objective. To investigate the effects of Qiang Gu Kang Wei compound on hemorheology in tail-suspended rats. Method. Rats were tail-suspended (-30 degrees) for 21 d to simulate weightlessness. The effect of the compound on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hematocrit value (HCT), plasma fibrinogen content (PFC), blood viscosity, red blood cells deformability and erythrocytes aggregation were examined. Result. PFC, whole blood reducing viscosity (eta h), whole blood viscosity (eta b), erythrocyte rigid index (IR) and maximum aggregation index (MAXD) increased significantly (P0.01 or P0.05 ) and maximum deformity index (DImax) (P0.01) decreased significantly in suspended rats as compared with the normal control. Different doses of the compound showed different effects. The small dose group (10 g/kg) inhabited eta h and eta b (P0.01 or P0.05) of all shear rates, abnormal IR and MAXD (P0.01); The middle dose group (20 g/kg) decreased PFC (P0.01); The big dose group (30 g/kg) inhabited eta h and eta b (P0.01 or P0.05) of high shear rates, decreased IR (P0.01), and improved DImax (P0.01). Conclusion. This compound could improve hemorheology in tail-suspended rats. But there was no concentration-dependence.

Objective. To study the effects of active fractions from Lycopus lucidus (L. F04) on erythrocyte rheology so as to investigate its mechanism of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Method. The effects of L. F04 on erythrocytes deformability, aggregation, liquidity of membrane were examined in the present study and the blood stasis animal model of rats made by injecting high molecular weight dextran (HMWD) was used. Result. HMWD injection decreased red blood cells deformability (P0.05) and liquidity of membrane (P0.01) and increased erythrocytes aggregation (P005). Compared with the model, both L. F04 0.612 g/kg and 0.306 g/kg improved red blood cells deformability (P0.05), inhibited erythrocytes aggregation (P0.05), and showed the trend of improving liquidity of membrane. But there was no concentration-dependence. Conclusion. L. F04 can significantly improve the deviant erythrocyte rheology characteristics.