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The pharmacodynamics, 1 H NMR metabolomics and endogenous network pharmacology strategy approaches were integrated to investigate the preventive mechanism of Gushudan (GSD) on kidney-yang-deficiency-syndrome (KYDS) rats in this study. Firstly, the KYDS rat model was achieved by hydrocortisone induction, and the efficacy of GSD on KYDS model rats was assessed by the pharmacodynamic indicators. Next, the comprehensive untargeted serum metabolic profile of rats was obtained in 1 H NMR metabolomics study, 29 potential biomarkers closely associated with KYDS were identified, which were mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism and intestinal flora metabolism. In addition, the potential biomarkers-targets-pathways-disease metabolic network was further investigated for deeper understanding the preventive effects of GSD on KYDS rats and its mechanism, which was further obtained for the important targets related to biomarkers and diseases such as NOS3, PTGS2 and CXCL8, and important metabolic pathways such as glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and microbial metabolism in diverse environments. Finally, compared with our previous anti-osteoporosis study of GSD, it suggested that some similar metabolic pathways, which would provide some scientific reference of the existence of the kidney-bone axis under the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of "kidney dominates bone"., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Er Shen Wan (ESW), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula comprised of Psoraleae Fructus (Babchi seeds, from Psoralea corylifolia Linn.) and Myristicae Semen (Nutmeg, from Myristica fragrans Houtt.), is widely used to treat spleen-kidney Yang deficiency (SKYD)-induced diarrhea. Previous studies have demonstrated preliminarily that the petroleum ether extract of ESW (ESWP) exhibits significant anti-diarrheal activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diarrhea activity of ESWP and to explore the underlying mechanisms with respect to fluid metabolism in a rat model of SKYD-induced diarrhea., Materials and Methods: A high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) approach was developed and validated for qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main constituents of ESWP. SKYD model rats were established and treated with an effective dose (3.5?g/kg) of the extract for two weeks. Anti-diarrheal activity and stool properties were observed. After the experiment, the appearance and histology of the intestines were evaluated. Serum levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were also determined. Furthermore, to characterize the regulation of aquaporin-4 (AQP 4) and Na + /H + exchanger isoform 3 (NHE 3) in the colon, quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting (WB) were employed to detect mRNA and protein expression levels., Results: In the rat models, oral ESWP administration significantly reduced the diarrhea score and the number and weight of wet stools. Jejunal and ileac histological damage was impeded, and the histology score decreased. Serum VIP levels were significantly decreased, in contrast to NPY levels. In addition, AQP 4 and NHE 3 expression levels increased significantly., Conclusions: These results showed that ESWP's anti-diarrheal effect might at least partially involve the regulation of hormones intimately involved in maintaining fluid and electrolyte levels, as well as by increasing AQP 4 and NHE 3 expression levels and enhancing the absorption of Na + and water., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on depression differentiated as yang deficiency between the combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and escitalopram and the simple application escitalopram., Methods: Eighty patients of depression differentiated as yang deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, escitalopram was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg a day, after each breakfast. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, the ginger-isolated moxibustion was supplemented at Dazhui (GV 14) and bilateral back- shu points of five zang organs[Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Feishu (BL 13) and Shenshu (BL 23)]. Moxibustion was used 5 times a week. Twenty times of moxibustion were taken as one session and totally 3 sessions were required (totally 84 days). After 3 sessions of treatment, the concentration of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) before and after treatment and clinical efficacy were observed in the two groups. After 3 sessions of treatment, escitalopram was taken continuously, 10 mg a day for 9 months in the two groups and the recurrent rate was observed in a half year after discontinuity of medication in the two groups., Results: The total effective rate was 97.5% (39/40) in the observation group and was 92.5% (37/40) in the control group. The total effective rate was similar between the two groups (both P >0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 82.5% (33/40) in the observation group, better than 62.5% (25/40) in the control group ( P <0.05). The serum 5-HT after treatment was increased as compared with that before treatment in the patients of the two groups (both P <0.05), but the diffe-rence was not significant statistically between the two groups ( P >0.05). The recurrent rate of depression was 7.7% (3/39) in the observation group, lower than 27.0% (10/37) in the control group ( P <0.05)., Conclusions: The combined therapy of ginger-isolated moxibustion and escitalopram achieves the better curative and remarkably effective rate as compared with the simple western medicine and it significantly reduces the recurrence of depression.

This work was designed to explore the effective components and targets of herbal medicine AS1350 and its effect on "Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome" (KYDS) based on a chinmedomics strategy which is capable of directly discovering and predicting the effective components, and potential targets, of herbal medicine. Serum samples were analysed by UPLC-MS combined with pattern recognition analysis to identify the biomarkers related to the therapeutic effects. Interestingly, the effectiveness of AS1350 against KYDS was proved by the chinmedomics method and regulated the biomarkers and targeting of metabolic disorders. Some 48 marker metabolites associated with alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, sphingolipids metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and amino acid metabolism were identified. The correlation coefficient between the constituents in vivo and the changes of marker metabolites were calculated by PCMS software and the potential effective constituents of AS1350 were also confirmed. By using chinmedomics technology, the components in AS1350 protecting against KYDS by re-balancing metabolic disorders of fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, etc. were deduced. These data indicated that the phenotypic characterisations of AS1350 altering the metabolic signatures of KYDS were multi-component, multi-pathway, multi-target, and overall regulation in nature.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi Decoction (MXF) as a famous formula for the treatment of colds, fever, nasal congestion and headache with elder people, has always been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study is aimed at investigating the treatment effect of MXF on Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome in mice simultaneously infected with H1N1 virus., Materials and Methods: We employed the Kidney-Yang deficiency mouse model to investigate the effect of MXF against influenza A virus (A/FM/1/47, H1N1). Mice were infected with the virus after fifteen days Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome was established (intraperitoneal injection of estradiol benzoate), while MXF was orally administrated with 1.2-4.7g/kg/d for 6 consecutive days after inoculation. Body weight, rectal temperature, morbidity, and mortality were recorded daily. Histopathologic changes, antioxidant activity of SOD and MDA were detected. Moreover, levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, TNF-α were measured in the sera of mice., Results: We found that the extract of MXF at dosages of 2.3-4.7g/kg could effectively diminish mortality rate, ameliorate lung edema and inflammation. Administration of MXF decoction significantly depressed the expression of IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α, and markedly increased expression of IL-10 in serum. Simultaneously, the extract was also found to reduce MDA and increase SOD in the lung tissue of mice., Conclusion: These data support the notion that the extract of MXF could treat Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome in mice simultaneously infected with influenza A virus by reducing inflammation and increasing antioxidant activities., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To explore metabolite profiling changes in serum of rats with pi-qi deficiency syndrome (PQDS) and pi-yang deficiency syndrome (PYDS) based on liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) technique, and to explore the essence of Pi-deficiency syndrome (PDS) from small molecule metabolite level., Methods: Totally 21 male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into three groups, the normal control group, the PQDS group, and the PYDS group, 7 in each group. Rats in the PQDS group overate for 1 day and fasted for 2 days. They drank freely and then swam to be exhausted in water at 35 degrees C - 37 degrees C for 15 successive days. The PYDS model was established by the same method for PQDS rats plus drenching 20% Folium sennae water extract (2 mL/100 g), once in the morning and once in the evening for one successive week. After modeling, models were evaluated according to rat general state, changes in body weight and rectal temperature. Serum metabonomic profiles were detected using LC-MS technique. Difference in inter-group metabolite spectrograms was analyzed using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Potential biomarkers related to syndrome types in rat serum were selected via the parameter of variable importance in the projection (VIP)., Results: The weight of rats in the PQDS group and the PYDS group decreased more significantly after modeling. The difference in prepost weight was statistically significant from that of the normal control group (P < 0.01). It was more obviously lowered in the PYDS group than in the PQDS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the rectal temperature of rats in the PYDS group and the PQDS group decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). It decresed more in the PYDS group than in the PQDS group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, levels of PC(19:0)/PE(22:0), PC(17:0)/PE(20:0), capric acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, glucose increased; arachidonic acid, linolenic acid, lauric acid, androsterone, 4-heptanone, dihydroxyacetonephosphate (DHAP) (6:0), and uridine decreased in the PYDS group and the PQDS group. Compared with the PQDS group, levels of PC(22:1), PC (22:6), PE (18:0)/PC (15:0), retinol, and deoxycytidine increased significantly in the PYDS group; PC (18:1), PC(19 :3), PC (20:3), PC (17:0)/PE (20:0), PC (19:1)/PE (22:1), PC (19:0)/PE (22:0), PC (17:1)/PE (20: 1), PC (16:1)/PE (19:1), cholic acid, hippuric acid, furoic acid, undecanedicarboxylic acid, palmitoleic acid, hydroxy stearic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, serine, carbamoyl aspartic acid, palmitoyl carnitine, tetradecanoyl carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and linoleylcarnitine decreased more significantly in the PYDS group., Conclusions: Comparative contents of various serum metabolites changed significantly in PQDS and PYQS model groups. Some potential small molecular biomarkers related to PDS were preliminarily identified. These results might provide some data reference for exploring scientific connotation and pathological mechanisms of PDS.

Objective: To study the development mechanism of kidney-Yang deficiency through the establishment of support vector machine models of relevant hormones of the pituitary-target gland axes in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome., Methods: The kidney-Yang deficiency rat model was created by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone, and contents of the hormones of the pituitary-thyroid axis: thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4); hormones of the pituitary-adrenal gland axis: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT); and hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T), were determined in the early, middle, and advanced stages. Ten support vector regression (SVR) models of the hormones were established to analyze the mutual relationships among the hormones of the three axes., Results: The feedback control action of the pituitary-adrenal axis began to lose efficacy from the middle stage of kidney-Yang deficiency. The contents all hormones of the three pituitary-target gland axes decreased in the advanced stage. Relative errors of the jackknife test of the SVR models all were less than 10%., Conclusion: Imbalances in mutual regulation among the hormones of the pituitary-target gland axes, especially loss of effectiveness of the pituitary-adrenal axis, is one pathogenesis of kidney-Yang deficiency. The SVR model can accurately reflect the complicated non-linear relationships among pituitary-target gland axes in rats with of kidney-Yang deficiency.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with branch-foundation acupoint combination on the indices regarding pituitary-target gland axis in aging rats with yang deficiency, so as to explore its regulating mechanism on aging rats with yang deficiency., Methods: Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an EA group and an EA control group, 10 rats in each group. Except the normal control group, the rats in the rest 3 groups were all treated with subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 d, followed by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone for 7 d to establish aging model with yang deficiency. After the successful establishment of model, the EA group was treated with EA at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui "(GV 20) while the EA control group was treated with EA at "Zhongji" (CV 3) "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (GV 29); the rats in the normal control group and model group were immobilized and fixed during the same time period. The treatments were given 6 times per week totally for 4 weeks. With radiation immunity analysis method, the 8 biological indices of pituitary-target gland axis, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine-4 (T4), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected to observe the changes of their content., Results: Compared with the normal control group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were reduced in the model group (P<0.05, P< 0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum level of TSH, T3, T4 and E2 were increased in the EA group (P<0.05, P<0.01) while those of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the EA control group, the content of TSH was increased in the EA group without statistical significance (P>0.05), that of T3, T4 and E2 was increased (all P<0.05) and that of ACTH, CORT, FSH and LH was significantly reduced (all P<0.05)., Conclusion: The electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination has benign regulating effects on the key hormones of pituitary-target gland axis, which could effectively improve the dysfunction of pituitary-target gland axis that is caused by aging with yang deficiency; the efficacy of electroacupuncture with branch-foundation acupoint combination is superior to that of adjacent control acupoint combination.

Objective: To study serum visfatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) grouped by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) patterns. To study the correlations of serum visfatin levels with homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), body mass index (BMI), testosterone (T), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG)., Methods: Two hundred and twelve PCOS patients were placed into the following TCM pattern subgroups: Kidney-Yang deficiency (KYD) group, Spleen-Yang deficiency (SYD) group, stagnant Liver-Qi transforming into heat (SLQTH) group, and Kidney-Yin deficiency (KYIND) group. The correlations between serum visfatin levels and HOMA-IR, FPG, FINS, BMI, T, TC, and TG were analyzed., Results: Of all patients with PCOS, there were 82 in the KYD group (38.6%), 67 in the SYD group (31.6%), 37 in the SLQTH group (17.5%), and 26 in the KYIND group (12.3%). Visfatin levels in all PCOS subgroups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Among these subgroups, the visfatin levels in the SYD group were significantly higher than those in the other three TCM pattern groups (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences among the remaining three pattern groups. The levels of BMI, FINS, HOMA-IR, T, and TG were significantly higher in all subgroups than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in FPG and TC between all PCOS subgroups and the control group (P > 0.05). The SYD group had higher levels of FINS and HOMA-IR compared with the KYD, SLQTH, and KYIND groups (P < 0.05). In all subgroups, after controlling for BMI, TG, TC, and age, visfatin was positively correlated with FINS (r = 0.197, P = 0.015) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.173, P = 0.033), and was not correlated with T., Conclusion: KYD and SYD patterns are most common in PCOS patients. Increased visfatin is a common pathophysiologic manifestation in PCOS patients. The SYD group had the highest levels of visfatin, and visfatin was positively correlated with FINS and HOMA-IR.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of ulcerative colitis with spleen and kidney yang deficiency by kuijiening plaster and the impacts on IFN-gamma and IL-4 contents, as well as make the comparison with oral medication of sulfasalzine (SASP)., Methods: Sixty patients of ulcerative colitis with spleen and kidney yang deficiency were randomized into a Kuijiening plaster group, a SASP group and a combined therapy group, 20 cases in each one. In the Kuijiening plaster group, Kuijiening plaster and oral administration of placebo SASP were applied. The plaster was used at Shangjuxu (ST 37), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Mingmen (GV 4) and Guanyuan (CV 4). In the SASP group, was applied Kuijiening plaster placebo at the points and SASP oral administration was adopted. In the combined therapy group, Kuijiening plaster and SASP oral administration were given. The duration of treatment was 60 days. The follow-up visit was 2 months after treatment. The comprehensive efficacy, the efficacy on TCM syndrome and the changes in serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 before and after treatment were compared among the three groups., Results: The efficacy on TCM syndrome in the Kuijiening plaster was similar to the SASP group [85.0% (17/20) vs 75.0% (15/20), P > 0.05]. The efficacy on TCM syndrome in the Kuijiening plaster group was superior to the western medicine group [80.0% (16/20) vs 60.0% (12/20), P < 0.05]. The total effective rate of the comprehensive efficacy in the combined therapy group was 95.0% (19/20) and that of TCM syndrome efficacy was 90.0% (18/20), which were all superior to the other two groups (all P < 0.05). The differences in serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 were statistically significant before and after treatment in all of the three groups (all P < 0.05). The treatments in the three groups reduced serum IFN-gamma content and increased serum IL-4 content. The results in the Kuijiening plaster group were superior to the SASP group (P < 0.05) and the results in the combined therapy group were superior to the other two groups (all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Kuijiening plaster is effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis of spleen and kidney yang deficiency, which is not inferior to that of SASP. The efficacy of kuijiening plaster on relieving TCM syndrome and improving body immunity is much superior to SASP. The effect is much better with SASP combined in the treatment.

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics parameters of raw and different processed epimediums with pharmacology effect method., Methods: The kidney-yang deficiency model mice induced with hydrocortisone was used and oxidative stress level was taken as index to estimate main pharmacokinetics parameters of raw and different processed epimediums., Results: After raw and different processed epimediums po. in mice, the main pharmacokinetics parameters were: raw epimedium AUC(0-t) = 184.77 (g/kg) x h, AUC(0-infinity) = 342.30 (g/kg) x h, MRT(0-t) = 5.95 h, MRT (0-infinity) = 28.58 h,Tmax, = 0.75 h, Cmax = 57.67 g/kg; Fried epimedium AUC(0-t) = 208.08 (g/kg) x h, AUC(0-infinity) = 523.95 (g/kg) x h, MRT(0-t) = 5.86 h, MRT(0-infinity) = 22.55h, Tmax = 1 h, Cmax = 62.53 g/kg; Fat-fried epimedium AUC (0-t) = 232.17 (g/kg) x h, AUC(0-infinity) = 629.96 (g/kg) x h, MRT(0-t) = 5.28 h, MRT(0-infinity) = 19.62 h, Tmax = 1.5 h, Cmax = 81.84 g/kg., Conclusion: The differences of Cmax and AUC between processed products and raw products are significant, and the sequence is as follows: fat-fried products > fried products > raw products.

Radix aconiti lateralis praeparata (Baifupian) has received great attention because of its excellent therapeutic effects as well as the associated adverse drug reactions. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle, Baifupian should only be used in patients with TCM "kidney-yang" deficiency pattern, a clinical state that can be mimicked by hydrocortisone induction in rats. This study aimed to decipher the differential toxic responses of Baifupian in healthy and hydrocortisone-pretreated rats based on serum metabolic profiles. Drug-treated rats received Baifupian intragastrically at the dose of 1.28 g/kg/day for 15 days. Serum metabolic profiles were obtained by using the LC-Q-TOF-MS technique. Our results show that Baifupian could induce severe toxicity in the heart, liver, and kidneys of healthy rats. These drug-induced toxic reactions were largely alleviated in hydrocortisone-pretreated animals. Changes of metabolic profiles in drug-treated healthy and hydrocortisone-pretreated rats were demonstrated, involving oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid and lipid metabolism as characterized by altered phosphate, betaine, and phosphatidyl choline. These metabolic alterations could be responsible at least in part for the differential toxic responses of Baifupian under various health conditions. This study provides a new paradigm for better understanding of the risks and limitations when using potentially toxic herbs in clinical applications.

A proteomic analysis method, two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS), was used to explore the link between plasma proteome and the different syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In compared with the plasma proteomes from health donors, the alterations in protein expression from cases of the five TCM syndromes, including damp heat stasis in the middle-Jiao syndrome, liver Qi stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome, spleen and kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, liver and kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, and blood stasis into collateral syndrome with CHB were identified (P<0.05). In the cases of the five TCM syndromes with CHB, immunoglobulin J-chains (IGJ) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were up-regulated, while haptoglobin (HPT), retinol binding protein (RBP) and vitronectin were down-regulated. To further confirm these results, four proteins, including CRP, IGJ, HPT and RBP, from more plasma samples were quantified by ELISA. The results showed that the changes of protein levels were consistent with those from the 2-DE experiment. Importantly, the upregulation tendency of IGJ level in plasma is related with the different TCM syndromes with CHB (P<0.05). Our results show that IGJ may serve as a novel potential biomarker for diagnosis of the different TCM syndromes in patients with CHB., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To study the clinical effectiveness of Wenshen Huatan Recipe (WHR) in treating early-middle stage chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) of Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome (PSYDS)., Methods: Ninety early-middle stage CRI patients of PSYDS were recruited and randomly assigned to the treated group (60 cases) and the control group (30 cases) in the ratio of 2:1. All patients received conventional and symptomatic treatment, but those in the treated group received WHR additionally. The observation was lasted for six months. The total efficacy, the Chinese medicine syndrome integral, and indices of the renal functions [including serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance (CCr), serum cystatin C (Cys-C)], blood lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], as well as adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment., Results: After six months of treatment, the total effective rate in treated group was 70.0% (42/60), which was obviously higher than that in the control group [43.3% (13/30), P < 0.05]. The Chinese medicine symptoms in the treated group were obviously improved, showing statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Better effects in lowering SCr, BUN, Cys-C, and LDL-C and increasing CCr were obtained in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: WHR could postpone the progression of CRI, improve the lipid metabolism, indicating certain therapeutic efficacy could be obtained in treating early-middle stage CRI from sputum theory.

Objective: To study the basic pathogenesis of "asthenia of healthy energy and blood stasis" in liver cirrhosis studied by Chinese syndromes and serum proteomics., Methods: The information of four methods of examinations and serum samples were collected from 44 cases of male cirrhotic patients and 17 cases of healthy male volunteers. The different syndrome groups were summarized according to syndrome differentiation and frequency analysis using the patient's information of four methods of examinations. The serum proteins were isolated by magnetic beads and detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The proteins expressed differently between cirrhotic patients of different syndrome types and healthy volunteers were analyzed by statistical analysis software (product of Bruker Corporation ClinProTools 2.1 software). The diagnosis model was established by QC algorithm., Results: The liver cirrhosis syndrome with the appearance frequency of more than 30% was sequenced from high to low as fatigue, listlessness, spider telangiectasia, liver palms, anorexia, bleeding from the nose, the gum or the subcutaneous tissue, the abdominal distention, shortness of breath while moving, dim facial complexion, pricking pain of the flank, weak waist and knees, dull pain in the flank, burning sensation of five centers, or low fever, hectic fever, and night sweat. The cases belonging to Child-Pugh A in the seventeen patients of the Pi-qi asthenia syndrome group accounted for 64.7%. The cases belonging to Child-Pugh C in the twelve patients of the Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome group accounted for 66.7%. The cases belonging to Child-Pugh A were similar to the cases belonging to Child-Pugh C in the fifteen patients of the blood stasis syndrome group, being more than 40%. Such syndromes as spider telangiectasia, liver palms, shortness of breath while moving, burning sensation of five centers, or low fever, hectic fever, and night sweat, varicose vein of the abdominal wall, and edema of lower extremities appeared more frequently in Child-Pugh C than in Child-Pugh A (all P < 0.05). The characteristic protein expression peak with mass-to-charge ratio of 4642.81, 4963.91, 5247.8, 5805.95, 6305.27, and 12447.7 in the Pi-qi asthenia syndrome diagnosis model were chosen. The former five peaks could be found in Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh C. The protein expression peak with mass-to-charge ratio of 9 290. 3 was the characteristic protein expression peak in the Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome diagnosis model. The protein expression peak with mass-to-charge ratio of 9290.06 and 7 768. 29 were down-regulated in the Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome group compared with the other two syndromes groups. The protein expression peaks 9290.3 and 7768.29 were included in the diagnosis model of hepatitis B cirrhosis. They did not appear in Child-Pugh A, while they were gradually down-regulated in Child-Pugh B and Child-Pugh C. Of the other seventeen protein expression peaks in patients of the Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome, eight expressed in Child-Pugh A. The protein expression peaks 4964.55 and 5806.83 that expressed both in Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh C constituted the characteristic protein peaks of the hepatitis B cirrhosis blood stasis diagnosis model. The diagnosis model of the Pi-qi asthenia syndrome was established with the sensitivity of 100% and the specificity of 82.35%. The diagnosis model of the Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome was established with the sensitivity of 100% and the specificity of 94.12%. The diagnosis model of the blood stasis syndrome was established with the sensitivity of 100% and the specificity of 100%., Conclusions: Asthenia of healthy energy and blood stasis was the basic pathogenesis during the whole process of liver cirrhosis. Asthenia of healthy energy covers Pi-qi asthenia and Gan-Shen yin deficiency. Gan-Shen yin deficiency was obvious in the compensation stage of liver cirrhosis, but it has manifested in this stage. So early treatment was necessary.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yiniao Recipe, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on contents of serum antidiuretic hormone, and plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate in rats with kidney-yang deficiency., Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, untreated group, desmopressin (Minirin) group, low-dose Yiniao Recipe group and high-dose Yiniao Recipe group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the blank control group were injected with 0.2 mL normal saline, and rats in the other groups were given intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone 25 mg/kg, 1 time daily for 21 consecutive days; from the 8th day of injection, rats were given double distilled water, Minirin, and high- and low-dose Yiniao Recipe respectively for 30 days. Before and after treatment, 24-hour urine volume was observed, and serum antidiuretic hormone (AVP) as well as plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cAMP/cGMP ratio and morphological changes in renal tissues were also observed., Results: Compared with blank control group, 24-hour urine volume, serum AVP content and cAMP/cGMP ratio in the untreated group were decreased; compared with the untreated group, Minirin and Yiniao Recipe at low and high doses reduced 24-hour urine volume and increased serum AVP content and cAMP/cGMP ratio significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were no obvious pathological changes in renal tissue in all groups., Conclusion: Yiniao Recipe may reduce 24-hour urine volume by increasing serum AVP content and regulating the ratio of cAMP to cGMP in kidney-yang deficiency rats.

Objective: To investigate the mRNA expressions of the TNF adapter proteins, including TNF receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD), Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP-1) and TNF receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF-2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of lupus nephritis (LN) patients of various TCM asthenia syndromes. Methods Fifty-one inpatients with LN were differentiated according to TCM syndrome differentiation, 13 cases of yin-deficiency with inner heat syndrome (A); 26 cases of both qi-yin deficiency syndrome (B), 12 cases of Pi-Shen yang-deficiency syndrome (C). Peripheral venous blood samples from the 51 LN patients and 17 healthy subjects were collected to separate PBMCs. The mRNA expressions of TNF adapter molecules (TRADD, FADD, RIP-1 and TRAF-2), as well as Caspase-3 and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and the differences among them were compared., Results: (1) As compared with the healthy subjects, expression of TRADD mRNA in patients of syndrome A, B and C was lowered to 0.54, 0.32, and 0.38-fold, respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), showing insignificant difference among the three syndromes; (2) FADD mRNA lowered to 0.79, 0.62, and 0.72-fold respectively, only with significance shown in syndrome B (P < 0.05); (3) RIP-1 mRNA lowered to 0.79, 0.50, and 0.60-fold respectively with significance shown in syndrome B and C (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and insignificant difference was shown among the three syndromes; (4) TRAF-2 lowered to 0.70, 0.52, and 0.50-fold respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.07), significance shown in syndrome B and C (P < 0.01), but with insignificant difference among the three; (5) Caspase-3 elevated in all patients of the three syndromes (all P < 0.01); (6) IL-1beta in syndrome A was apparently lower ed to the normal range and also lower than that in the other two syndromes (both P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Expressions of TRADD, FADD, RIP-1 and TRAF-2 mRNA decreased in all the patients of various TCM asthenia syndromes, the decrement in patients of syndrome B and C was lesser than that in syndrome A. These abnormal low expressions of signal proteins might be the substantial bases for asthenia syndromes of LN patients, and the apoptotic signal mediated by them may involve in the formation of asthenia syndrome in LN.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the plasma biomarker proteins and the states of Zang-Fu organs in patients with phlegm or blood stagnation syndromes due to hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis., Methods: The states of Zang-Fu organs in 146 patients with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis were diagnosed by syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine. The plasma proteins from these patients were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Differential protein profiling was established by Image Master 6.0 software, and the differential proteins were analyzed by quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-MS). The association between the plasma biomarker proteins and the states of Zang-Fu organs was analyzed by graphical models., Results: The biomarker proteins such as fibrinogen gamma chain, albumin and apolipoprotein AI (precursor) in discrimination of the patients with phlegm syndrome from phlegm accumulating with stagnation syndrome were correlated with the deficiency of kidney-qi, heart-qi and spleen-qi. Among the four biomarker proteins in discrimination of the patients with phlegm syndrome from blood stagnation syndrome, albumin, adrenomedullin binding protein (precursor) and haptoglobin (precursor) were correlated with the deficiency of kidney-qi and heart-qi, but complement component C4 was independent of the deficient Zang-Fu organs. The biomarker albumin was associated with the deficiency of kidney-qi, heart-qi and spleen-qi, and adrenomedullin binding protein (precursor) was correlated with the deficiency of spleen-qi in discrimination of the patients with blood stagnation syndrome from phlegm accumulating with stagnation syndrome. As the potential biomarker proteins in discrimination of the patients with non-phlegm and non-stagnation syndrome from phlegm accumulating with stagnation syndrome, the fibrinogen beta chain was related with the deficiency of kidney-qi, and apolipoprotein AI (precursor) was correlated with both the deficiency of kidney-qi and heart-qi., Conclusion: There exists inherent correlation between the states of Zang-Fu organs and the plasma probable biomarker proteins in the patients with different phlegm or blood stagnation syndromes due to hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Objective: To investigate the changes of endocrine, cyclic nucleotide and immune systems in subjects of yang deficiency constitution, and to explore the relationship among characteristics and causes of yang deficiency constitution, the physiological and biochemical parameters., Methods: Based on the diagnostic criteria for the clinical epidemiological investigation, sixty subjects of yang deficiency constitution and fifty of normal constitution were selected. Eight milliliters venous blood were taken from overnight fasted subjects at 8:00-9:00. The sera were obtained by centrifugation of the blood at the speed of 3000 r/min for 5 minutes, and they were stored at -70 degrees C until use. The serum levels of corticosterone, cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropic-stimulating hormone (TSH), interleukin-1beta and interleukin-2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the cAMP/cGMP ratio was also computed; and the differences of the above indexes were compared between the two types of subjects., Results: The serum levels of corticosterone, interleukin-1beta, TSH and cAMP/cGMP ratio of yang deficiency constitution significantly increased as compared with those of normal constitution, and the serum levels of cortisol, ACTH, cGMP and FT4 of yang deficiency constitution significantly decreased in comparison with those of normal constitution., Conclusion: Subjects of yang deficiency constitution may be not only related to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, but also related to the functional disorders of cyclic nucleotide and immune systems.

Objective: To investigate the time- and dose-related reproductive toxicity of adenine in male Wistar rats., Methods: Adenine was dissolved with Arabian sol at the proportion of 1:10 and different adenine solutions were prepared at the concentration of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/ml. Seventy-five male Wistar rats were equally assigned to 5 dose groups and received intragastric administration of the adenine solution at 1 ml/(100 g x d). Five from each group were sacrificed every 10, 20 and 30 days, their sperm quality and body and genital weight measured, pathological examinations conducted, sex hormone changes detected by radioimmunoassay, and analyses made on the time- and dose-related reproductive toxicity of adenine., Results: With the increase in the time and dose of adenine administration, signs of kidney-yang deficiency gradually appeared in all the dose groups on the third day; and statistically significant changes were observed in sperm concentration and motility, and serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in the 100 mg/(100 g x d) group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) by the 10th day. The same changes were observed in 50 mg/(100 g x d) group by the 20th day. Different degrees of pathological changes were noted in a time and dose-dependent manner in all the dose groups, suggestive of a progressive reduction of the reproductive function with the increase of time and dose of adenine administration., Conclusion: For the construction of the male rat model of adenine-induced infertility with kidney-yang deficiency, the best dose is 50-100 mg/(100 g x d) and the best administration time is 10-20 consecutive days intragastrically.

Objective: To observe the effect of Tongguan Capsule (TGC), a Chinese herbal preparation for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation, in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome., Methods: One hundred patients after successful PCI operation were assigned to two groups, 50 in each group. Western routine therapy with anti-thrombosis and anti-coagulant agents were applied in all patients before, during and after operation, while to the patients in the treated group, TGC was given additionally. The therapeutic course for both groups was one month. The efficacy was evaluated by observing the effect on angina pectoris, main TCM syndromes and scores of qi-deficiency syndrome and blood stasis syndrome at 3 time points (the day before, 3 days and 30 days after operation)., Results: The total effective rate in relieving angina pectoris was 96.0% (48/50) in the treated group and 92.0% (46/50) in the control group, showing insignificant difference between them (P > 0.05). The score of qi-deficiency in both groups raised 3 days after PCI as compared with that before PCI, but showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05); 30 days after PCI, it increased in the control group, as compared with that before PCI (P < 0.05). The score of blood stasis syndrome significantly lowered at the 3rd and the 30th day after PCI in both groups as compared with before PCI, showing statistical significance (P < 0.05); while in comparing the value at the 3rd day with that at the 30th day, the difference showed significance in the treated group but not in the control group (P < 0.05); and comparison between the two groups at the 30th day showed it was much lower in the treated group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: TGC could significantly improve the clinical symptoms of qi-deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in patients after PCI.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) profiles of serum of myasthenia gravis patients, and to identify the differential proteomic expressions between normal persons and myasthenia gravis patients with spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome., Methods: Samples of serum protein were extracted by repeated freeze-thaw method and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Differential proteomic expressions between the myasthenia gravis patients and the normal control persons were identified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, silver staining, image-master 2-DE software analysis, peptide mass fingerprinting based on matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), BioWorks and NCBI software database searching., Results: The two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiles of serum proteins were successfully established by 2-DE. Twenty-one of the significant differential proteins were selected and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Eight of them were finally identified., Conclusions: The 2-DE profiles of serum proteins were established and the differential proteomic expressions were identified by proteome technique in our study. This can be an experimental basis for further research of the pathogenesis and treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Objective: To investigate the pathological factors of syndrome pathomechanism through studying the correlation between syndromes of posthepatitic cirrhosis and biological parameters., Methods: Clinical information of three hundred and fifty-five patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis was collected and the database was established. Parameters with statistical significance were analyzed with multi-factor regression analysis to investigate the main influencing factors of the syndromes of posthepatitic cirrhosis., Results: Formulae of six syndromes, including syndrome of yin deficiency of liver and kidney, syndrome of damp heat, syndrome of stagnated heat smoldering, syndrome of yang deficiency of spleen and kidney, syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and spleen deficiency and syndrome of blood stasis due to qi deficiency, were established with stepwise regression analysis., Conclusions: One of the pathophysiological bases of syndrome of blood stasis due to qi deficiency in cirrhosis is synthetic dysfunction of hepatocytes. The pathophysiological basis of syndrome of damp heat is inflammatory injury, which is also syndrome of stagnated heat smoldering in cirrhosis patients. The relationship between syndrome of yin deficiency of liver and kidney and stasis and damp heat may be the pathophysiological basis of the posthepatitic cirrhosis..

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological function of Sanshengwan decoction with modern medical and rheological techniques, and also to discuss the differences between injury blood stasis syndrome and yang deficiency blood stasis syndrome., Method: Animal model for injury blood stasis syndrome was found by bruise; Animal model for yang deficiency blood stasis syndrome was done by exhausting the animals in a - 15 degrees C freezer for 4 hours., Result: Blood fibrinogen content, platelet aggregation and blood coagulation time were significantly increased, plasma viscosity and blood coagulation slope was significantly decreased in injury blood stasis syndrome group. Blood fibrinogen content, platelet aggregation and blood coagulation time were dropped markedly. Blood coagulation slope was raised noticeably in yang deficiency blood stasis syndrome group. Sanshengwan decoction behaved very good effects on removing blood stasis on both of the two kinds of animal models., Conclusion: Though hemorheological index and experimental data in the two kinds of animal models were behaved statistically significance, but the experimental representative indexes were obviously difference. Sanshengwan the tipical herbal medicine for eliminating blood stasis syndrome showed significantly effects on both of the two kinds of animal models, but the effects on injury blood stasis syndrome group was better than the other animal model's.

Objective: To observe the effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) and influence on T-lymphocyte subset, serum level of interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), interleukin-2(IL-2) in patients with chronic aplastic anemia (CAA) based on treating with stanozol and cyclosporin A., Method: 60 patients with CAA were randomly divided into two groups, 30 patients in the SFI group were treated with SFI (100 mL which contains Ginsenoside 0.8 mg x mL(-1) and aconitine 1.8 microg x mL(-1) by adding it in 500 mL of 5% glucose every day) plus stanozol and cyclosporin A and 30 patients in the control group treated with slanozol and cyclosporin A alone for 2 months. The clinical efficacy was observed. The change of T-lymphocyte subset analyzed by flow cytometry and the levels of serum IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2 measured with ELISA method were also observed before and after treatment., Result: After treatment, the total effective rate of the SFI group was higher than that in the control group, but it did not showing significant difference. The CD4/CD8 levels were significantly increased (1.76+/-0.49, P< 0.01) and CD8 levels were significantly lowered (22.57+/-6.30, P < 0.01) in the SFI group after treatment. Serum levels of lFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2 were lower in both groups, and the level of TNF-alpha and IL-2 in the SFI group (0.710+/-0.213) ng x L(-1) and (0.639+/-0.247) ng x L(-1) was significantly lowered than that in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: SFI might believe the hemopoietic inhibition so as to promote the recovery of hemopoietic function through improving the T-lymphocyte subset and reducing the release of hemopoietic negative regulatory factors such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2.

Objective: To explore the relationship between TCM Syndromes types, Xin-qi deficiency (XQD) and Xin-yang deficiency (XYD), and contents of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta and IL-10 in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF)., Methods: Sixty-seven CHF in-patients with Xin-qi deficiency or Xin-yang deficiency syndrome were enrolled, their NYHA (New York Heart Association) cardiac function was assessed, ejection fraction (EF) and E peak/A peak (E/A) ratio were determined by Doppler ultrasonic echocardiograph, and serum TNF-alpha, II-6, IL-1beta and IL-10 were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA assay., Results: The cardiac function grading in patients of XQD was mostly of I and II grade, while that in patients of XYD was mostly of III and IV grade (by Ridit analysis, P<0.01). The E/A and EF values were higher in patients of XQD than those in patients of XYD (P<0.01). Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta were higher and IL-10 was lower in patients of XYD than those in patients of XQD (P<0.05 or P<0.01) respectively., Conclusion: TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta and IL-10 probably play an important role in the development process of XQD to XYD, and could be taken as the microcosmic indexes for differentiation of the two syndromes.

Objective: To explore the relationship of plasma endotoxin level with TCM deficiency/excess Syndrome and the grading/staging of pathologic change of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)., Methods: Plasma level of endotoxin (ET) was determined using chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay in 75 patients with chronic hepatitis B (30 of excess dominance, 45 of deficiency dominance) and also in 15 healthy subjects for control. Moreover, pathological examination on liver biopsy of 20 patients was conducted., Results: (1) ET level increased in all CHB patients, and the increment was higher in patients of excess dominance than that in patients of deficiency dominance, showing significant difference (P < 0.01). (2) Correlation between ET level and liver pathological grading/staging was shown in CHB patients., Conclusion: Plasma level of ET could be taken as one of the criteria of TCM microcosmic diagnosis in differentiating deficiency/excess syndrome. (2) Endotoxemia plays an important role in pathologic process of liver injury.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and prospect of Fuzheng Jianpi Recipe (FZJPR) in treating children's Spleen deficiency anorexia (CSDA) by means of observing its effect on trace element content and immune function., Methods: One hundred and thirty cases of CSDA were treated with FZJPR, one dose per day in decoction, orally taken, 30 days for one therapeutic course. Levels of T-lymphocyte subsets, IL-2R, immunoglobulin and trace elements were determined before and after treatment, and compared with those in the control group consisted of 60 healthy children., Results: In the treated group, abnormal figures were shown in T-lymphocyte subsets, especially in lowering of CD3 and CD4 count before treatment, and IgG content was reduced also. After treatment, CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio as well as IgG and IgA were improved significantly (P < 0.01), IL-2R percentage approached normal. Moreover, the levels of Zn and Fe changed significantly (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: FZJPR could improve the trace elements content and immune function in CSDA children, so it is effective in treating CSDA.

Objective: To explore the essence of Spleen-Kidney Deficiency in middle-aged patients., Methods: Investigation was carried out in 773 cases of 50-69 years old to assay 34 parameters in them, including blood lipid, oxidation and anti-oxidation related substance, sex hormone, liver and renal function, immune function, blood routine, blood pressure and lung vital capacity, etc., Results: Spleen Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with lipid metabolism disorder; Kidney-Qi Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with hypoimmune function; Kidney-Yin Deficiency Syndrome is closely related with lipid metabolism disorder and hypertension, and Kidney Yang Deficiency is closely related with weakness of anti-oxidation capacity, hypoimmunity, the internal environment disorder of sex hormone and aging, manifested as multiple functions abating., Conclusion: Spleen Deficiency, Kidney-Qi Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency are different layers of a gradually developed and aggravated pathological process, but Kidney-Yin Deficiency could not be listed into this layer.

Objective: To observe the relationship of platelet activation to the Qi-stagnation induced blood-stasis (QSBS) or Qi-deficiency induced blood-stasis (QDBS) syndrome., Methods: Expressions of platelet activating molecules, including alpha-granule membrane glycoprotein (CD62p), lysosomal integral membrane protein (CD63) and thrombospondin (TSP), in patients with QSBS and QDBS were determined quantitatively with flow-cytometry and specific monoclonal antibody against activated platelet. And platelet aggregation was tested simultaneously., Results: CD62p, CD63 and TSP expressions in Blood-Stasis patients, both QSBS and QDBS, were higher than those in the normal control significantly (all P < 0.01); all the three expressions were higher in QSBS group than those in QDBS group (all P < 0.01), Positive correlation was shown between CD62p and CD63 (r = 0.740, P < 0.01), CD62p and TSP (r = 0.744, P < 0.01), TSP and CD63 (r = 0.635, P < 0.01), and between CD62p and ADP induced platelet aggregation (r = 0.715, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Platelet activation was involved in the pathogenesis and development of Blood-Stasis Syndrome, especially closely related with the QSBS Syndrome.

Objective: To explore the relationship between cardiac Qi deficiency Syndrome and effect of circulatory renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and endogenous fibrinolytic system in rats with heart failure (HF)., Methods: Plasma RAS levels and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity were measured in 2 groups of rats: the sham-operated group (Group A) and the HF with Heart Qi deficiency Syndrome model group (Group B) established by making arteriovenous fistula. Using radioimmunoassay and chromatography, plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and PAI-I activity were determined before, immediately after and 30 days after the surgical operation respectively., Results: After the operation was completed in Group B the left ventricular dysfunction revealed, left ventricular systolic pressure decreased and end diastolic pressure increased (P < 0.05), PRA and Ang II level and PAI-1 activity increased significantly, as compared with those in Group A and before modeling (P < 0.05). With cardiac function improved, the plasma PRA, Ang II level and PAI-1 activity lowered in Group B comparing with those immediately after modeling (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The activation of RAS is associated with the endogenous fibrinolyticim balance, and play an important role in endogenous fibrinolytic system dysfunction in HF with Heart Qi deficiency Syndrome and Qi deficiency-blood stasis, which was helpful to explain that cause of hypercoagulant state in HF patients and increase the risk of suffering from embolism-thrombotic diseases, and might be the pathogenetic basis of Heart Qi deficiency induced Qi deficiency-blood stasis.

Objective: To observe the effect of Yimai Jiangya extract (YMJYE) on plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) level in patients of senile hypertension at stage II with Qi-Deficiency and blood stasis Syndrome (QDBSS)., Methods: Sixty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups, 36 patients in the treated group treated with YMJYE and 32 patients in the control group treated with captopine. Radioimmunoassay was used to examine the level of plasma NPY before and after treatment in the two groups., Results: Before treatment, plasma NPY level was significantly higher in both groups than that in the old healthy persons (P < 0.01), it lowered significantly after treatment and the decrement was more obvious in the treated group in comparing with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Blood pressure was significantly lowered in both groups after treatment (P < 0.01) but with no significant difference between them., Conclusion: Plasma NPY level was increased in patients of senile hypertension with QDBSS. YMJYE had good effect in lowering plasma NPY level and reducing blood pressure. It is presumed that the NPY lowering effect of YMJYE might be one of its mechanisms in lowering blood pressure.

Objective: To explore the effects of Xianzhen Tablet (XZT) on the hemorheology of type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) on the basis of previous studies in XZT, that have indicated its ability to deplete fasting blood glucose, to reduce the injury of free radical to the body, to improve the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the erythrocyte membrane of NIDDM., Methods: Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation were studied with Ektacytometer in a total of 60 type 2 diabetes who were randomly divided into two groups. One was ZXT treated group, another was placebo group., Results: (1) The erythrocyte deformability of type 2 diabetes was lower than that in normal subjects (P < 0.001), but the erythrocyte aggregation increased abnormally than that of health people (P < 0.001). The correlation test indicated there were negative correlation with plasma fibronogen and positive correlation with blood cholesterol (P < 0.05). (2) The erythrocyte deformability in the ZXT treated group with 30 patients improved after 8 weeks treatment (P < 0.01), with the decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma fibrinogen (P < 0.05). Compared with placebo group, there was significant statistical difference (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: XZT could improve the erythrocyte deformability in the type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To observe the effect of Cnidium monnieri in Kidney Yang Deficiency rats., Methods: Rats were injected intraperitoneally with hydrocortisone acetate to replicate the animal model of Kidney Yang Deficiency. Osthol, total-coumarins (TCR) from the fruit of Cnidium monnieri and positive control drug (PCD) were administered orally to model rats. The plasma levels of corticosterone (B), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), renin (PRA), angiotensin-II (AT-II) and aldosterone (ALD) were determined by radioimmunoassay., Results: Compared with those in normal rats, the levels of B and ACTH in the plasma of model rats lowered significantly (P < 0.01), the levels of B and ACTH of treatment groups were higher than those of model group, while the levels of PRA, AT-II and ALD had no significant difference (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: The osthol, TCR have the effects in protecting and strengthening the function of pituitary-adrenocortex axis.

Osthol and total coumarins of Fructus Cnidii were given to the model of Kidney-Yang Deficiency rats induced by hydrocortison acetate injection, the changes of serum concentration of thyroxine T3, reverse T3 (rT3), T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were observed. Results showed that in comparison with normal rats, all of the criteria mentioned above were lowered significantly (P < 0.01) in model rats. After treatment, the criteria observed were all increased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). It was suggested that the osthol and total coumarins of Fructus Cnidii could elevate the pituitary-thyroid axis function of Kidney-Yang Deficiency rats.

Effects of Lishen injection on serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and the E2/T ratio in 30 cases of postmenopausal patients with coronary heart disease and of Kidney Deficiency type were observed. Results showed that: (1) Serum E2 and the E2/T ratio were lower (P < 0.01) in the group of Kidney-Yin Deficiency type and higher (P < 0.01) in the group of Kidney-Yang Deficiency type as compared with normal control. (2) After treatment with Lishen injection the levels of serum E2 and the E2/T ratio were elevated in the former (P < 0.01) and lowered in the later (P < 0.01). Both were approaching to normal level (P > 0.05). (3) The levels of T in both groups were unaffected (P > 0.05) before and after treatment. These results suggested the imbalance of Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang is related to the disturbance of sex hormones and Lishen injection could not only regulate the Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang, improve the symptoms of Kidney Deficiency, but also could convert the abnormal change of sex hormone, it has a good diphasic regulatory effect on E2, and is beneficial on balance of sex hormones of both sex in the inner environment of human body.

The hearing and serum trace element of 73 cases of chronic nephropathy were measured. Results showed that the incidence of hearing damage in high frequency was 68.5% with a mean hypoacusis of 35.1 +/- 6.1 dB, while in 55 patients of Kidney Deficiency type, the incidence of hearing damage in high frequency was 83.6%, it was significantly higher than that in patients without Kidney Deficiency. The serum levels of trace elements (iron and zinc) in patients with Kidney Deficiency were lower than that of normal level and in patients without Kidney Deficiency, and the decrease of serum iron was directly proportional to the degree of hearing damage. There were close relationship between the Kidney Deficiency with the hearing damage as well as the serum levels of iron and zinc.

Sanhuang mixture (Xinmai capsule) is composed of Astragalus membranaceus, Coptis chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis. It could inhibit platelet aggregation (PAG) induced by ADP in rats or by ADP and ADR in vivo. Patients with high PAG took Xinmai capsule for 4 weeks, the effective rate was 88.7%, which was same as the efficacy of aspirin 50 mg/day. In Syndrome Differentiation of TCM, the effective rate was the highest (92.3%) in the Syndrome of Qi Deficiency-Blood Stasis, and the lowest (72.7%) in the Syndrome of Stasis Phlegm and combined together.

The effects of tonifying the kidney and strengthening the "Yang" produced by the extracts of Chinese herbs Epimedium wushanense and E. pubescens were studied in this paper. The results showed that both two herbs could decrease the concentration of plasma middle molecular substances and increase the concentration of plasma sulfhydryl group of "Yang-deficiency" model mice, thus suggesting that the above-said tonifying and strengthening effects of Herba Epimedii may result from its effects on middle molecular substances and sulfhydryl group, so as to strengthen the body resistance and eliminate the invading pathogenic factors.

The authors advocate a program for diagnosing Liver-Qi Deficiency Syndrome (LQDS) based on the TCM theory and clinical practice. Through investigation, LQDS was found to be widely existed as latent period or as external manifestation, which occupied 18.85% in Qi Deficiency Syndrome. The subjects were divided into four groups including normal group, Spleen-Qi Deficiency Syndrome (SQDS) group, LQDS with Liver diseases (LD) and LQDS with non-Liver diseases (NLD) group. In order to explore the essence, the simultaneous determinations were done on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isoenzyme, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), trace element Zn and Cu, and other serological indexes such as GPT, TP, Alb, A/G, etc. The results were, the content of LDH and trace element Zn in both LQDS-NLD and SQDS were significantly lower than that of normal group. D beta H reflecting sympathetic nerve function in LQDS-NLD was significantly higher than that of both normal and SQDS group; comparing LQDS-LD and LQDS-NLD group, the content of GPT, LDH, LDH5 and trace element Cu in former was significantly higher than that of the latter, but the content of TP, Alb, A/G, D beta H and Zn in former was remarkably lower than that of the latter. In order to avoid confusion, in studying this syndrome, one should distinguish LD and NLD.

In order to study the effect of Baji Zibugao (BJZBG, a medicinal plaster mainly consisting of Radix Morindae Officinalis) on the endocrine functions of hypothyroid rabbits, we determined the serum levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), cAMP, cGMP and corticosterone in three groups of rabbits: total thyroidectomized and untreated (group I), total thyroidectomized and treated with BJZBG (group II) and controls (group III). The results showed: (1) The serum level of T4 in group I and II after operation was significantly lower than that before operation (P < 0.005), and the serum level of T3 in group I was also lower than that before operation (P < 0.02), but the change of T3 in group II after operation was not significant (P > 0.05); (2) The serum cAMP level in group I after operation decreased and the cGMP level increased (P < 0.025), but the changes of cAMP and cGMP level in group II after operation were not significant (P > 0.05), (3) The change of serum corticosterone level in group I or II after operation was not remarkable (P > 0.05).

Eighteen kinds of serum free amino acid (SFAA) were measured in 32 patients with Spleen-Deficiency (SD) Syndrome. Several obvious changes were noticed as compared with 20 healthy adults: (1) The levels of total FAA, essential amino acids and free branched-chain amino acids of SD group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01); (2) Total FAA, essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids were all positively correlated to D-xylose absorptivity, serum protein and immune function. The above results suggested that the decrease of various SFAA level might be related to malabsorption in patients with SD. It is possible that the decrease of serum protein and immune function was due to the lowering of SFAA.

Relationship between the Syndrome Differentiation and total fibrinolytic activity (TFA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum albumin (Alb) was observed in 118 pediatric patients with nephrosis syndrome. The results suggested that there was significant difference between Damp-Heat type and Spleen Deficiency type in terms of blood TFA, SOD and serum Alb. Very significant positive correlation was found between serum Alb and TFA, P < 0.01. The level of TFA in pediatric patients with edema was significantly lower than that in normal children, the more the degree of edema, the more the level of TFA activity. It was shown that there would be possibility to find intrinsic connection between Syndrome Differentiation and laboratory findings.

Oral administration of water extraction of three kinds of herba cistanches can increase the weight of young mice, prolong the duration of swimming and promote anoxia tolerance in mice. These water decoctions can also increase the body weight, the activities of SOD in serum and the lifespan of "Yang insufficient" model mice induced by administration of hydrocortisone acetate.

Unlabelled: In this experiment, the essence of Spleen Deficiency Syndrome (SDS) was explored with the rat model of SDS using tetramethylpyrazine (TMP). 120 Wistar rats were divided into two groups, 60 each for control and test group, they were treated with normal saline and reserpine respectively. The hemorheological parameters were also studied in 6 each of both groups. The pharmacokinetic properties were investigated in the remaining control group and test group., Results: (1) Two-compartment open model of the control group was turned into that of one-compartment in test group; (2) The SDS model significantly affected the absorption and distribution of TMP in rats. AUC was much higher and serum concentration of TMP increased significantly than that of control. Hemorheological parameters (viscosity of whole blood, fibrinogen, etc.) increased significantly (P < 0.05-0.01), it demonstrated that the SDS model was in a state of Blood Stasis. It might be one of the pharmacokinetic mechanisms of TMP in the SDS model of rats.

310 patients (153 male, 157 female) of Blood Stasis were divided into various groups by Syndrome Differentiation of TCM and 35 healthy subjects were taken as control. The relationship of TCM Syndrome and function of blood platelet were studied with blood platelet counting, its volume, adherence and aggregation, plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha(6k-PGF1 alpha) as indices of observation. The results were: (1) Blood platelet aggregation of Blood Stasis patients was higher than that in control (P > 0.001). (2) There were some differences of platelet aggregation among different TCM Syndromes. Platelet aggregation of Blood Stasis patients with Qi Deficiency was higher than that with other Syndromes significantly, and the aggregating rate in those patients was higher than that in control (P < 0.05). (3) The platelet aggregation and TXB2 of patient with Heart Qi Deficiency were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), and they were also higher than of other groups of blood stasis patient with Spleen, Lung or Kidney Qi Deficiency.

The study is to explore the possible relationship between the level of trace element zinc in serum and periodontitis with Kidney deficiency. The level of serum zinc in 40 cases of periodontitis and in 19 normal controls was examined by atomic absorption spectrum analysis. The results indicated that there was only a descending trend of serum zinc in periodontitis group as compared with normal group. But further analysis revealed that according to the severity of periodontitis and the theory of Syndrome differentiation in TCM, it showed that the drop of serum zinc had not only a negative correlation with the severity of periodontitis, but also was co-related to whether there was Kidney deficiency or not. Serum zinc of periodontitis with Kidney Deficiency group was significantly lower than that of normal control group as well as the group of periodontitis without Kidney deficiency (P < 0.05). The data suggested that the decline of serum zinc level is closely related to the occurring and development of periodontitis with Kidney Deficiency.

Effects of total coumarins, essential oil and water extracts of Cnidium monnieri on plasma prostaglandin (PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) and cyclic nucleotide levels in rats of Kidney-Yang insufficiency were studied. 55 rats were divided randomly into 5 groups, Group I was administered orally with saline (normal group), group II was injected with intraperitonally hydrocortison acetate to induce Kidney-Yang insufficiency (control group), group III, group IV and group V (experimental groups) were injected with hydrocortison acetate, the same as group II, and administered orally with the total coumarins, essential oil and water extracts of Fructus Cnidii respectively. The levels of plasma PGE2, PG2 alpha and plasma cAMP, cGMP were measured. In group II, in comparing with those of group I, the levels of plasma PGE2, and PGF2 alpha decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and the value of cAMP/cGMP also lowered obviously (P < 0.01) due to the significant reduction of cAMP and insignificant change of cGMP. In group III and group V, the above-mentioned indices changed significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.05) compared with those of group II, and after treatment it normalized basically in comparing with those of group I. In group IV, those indices didn't change regularly and apparently as group III and group V did, compared with group II, and could not normalize satisfactorily. It is suggested that the coumarins in the fruit of Cnidium monnieri are probably the effective ingredients to invigorate Kidney and strengthen Yang, while the efficacy of essential oil remained unconfirmed.