Anti-fatigue effect of Lubian on kidney Yin deficiency and kidney Yang deficiency mice and mechanism based on PI3K-Akt pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effect and mechanism of Lubian(Cervi Penis et Testis) on kidney Yin deficiency and kidney Yang deficiency mice. After one week of adaptive feeding, 88 healthy male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a kidney Yin deficiency model group, a kidney Yin deficiency-Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(PQR) group, kidney Yin deficiency-Lubian treatment groups, a kidney Yang deficiency model group, a kidney Yang deficiency-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(GR) group, and kidney Yang deficiency-Lubian treatment groups, with eight mice in each group. The kidney Yin deficiency model and kidney Yang deficiency model were prepared by daily regular oral administration of dexamethasone acetate and hydrocortisone, respectively, and meanwhile, corresponding drugs were provided. The mice in the blank group received blank reagent. The treatment lasted 14 days. The exhaustive swimming time was measured 30 min after drug administration on the 14th day. On the 15th day, blood was collected from eyeballs and the serum was separated to determine the content of lactic acid(LD), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP). The liver was dissected to determine the content of liver glycogen and the protein expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt). Compared with the kidney Yang deficiency model group, the kidney Yang deficiency-Lubian treatment groups showed increased body weight(P<0.05), relieved symptoms of Yang deficiency, decreased cGMP content(P<0.01), increased cAMP/cGMP(P<0.01), prolonged exhausted swimming time(P<0.01), reduced LD(P<0.01), elevated BUN content(P<0.01), increased liver glycogen content(P<0.01), and increased protein expression of PI3K and Akt in the liver(P<0.05). Compared with the kidney Yin deficiency model group, the kidney Yin deficiency-Lubian treatment groups showed increased body weight(P<0.01), relieved symptoms of Yin deficiency, increased content of cGMP(P<0.01), decreased cAMP/cGMP(P<0.01), prolonged exhausted swimming time(P<0.01), decreased LD(P<0.01), decreased BUN content(P<0.01), increased liver glycogen content(P<0.01), and increased protein expression of PI3K(P<0.05) and Akt in the liver(P<0.05). To sum up, Lubian can regulate Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency and increase glycogen synthesis by affecting the PI3K-Akt pathway, thereby exerting an anti-fatigue role.

Observation on clinical effect of fire needling for mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia with kidney yang deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of fire needling on prostate symptoms, quality of life, average daily number of nightly urination, urine flow rate and prostat volume in patients with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of kidney yang deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with mild to moderate BPH of kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 4 cases dropped off). The observation group was treated with fire needling at Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28) and Qugu (CV 2) twice a week (2-3 d interval between each treatment), continuous treatment for 4 weeks. The control group received lifestyle advice and education, once a week for 4 weeks. In the two groups, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the quality of life (QoL) score and the average daily number of nightly urination were observed before treatment, after treatment and during the follow-up of the 4th week; the urinary maximum flow rate (Qmax), the average flow rate (Qave), and the prostate volume were assessed before and after treatment in the two groups. The safety was observed in the observation group.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and during follow-up, the IPSS scores, QoL scores, and the average daily number of nightly urination in the observation group were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, there was no significant difference in Qmax, Qave and prostate volume between the two groups and within the each group (P>0.05). There were no fire needling-related adverse reactions, and no obvious abnormality was found in urine routine and coagulation function tests before and after treatment in the observation group.@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling can improve lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life, reduce frequency of nightly urination in patients with mild to moderate BPH of kidney yang deficiency, and has good safety.

Governor vessel moxibustion combined with western medication for mild to moderate depression with kidney-yang deficiency: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic efficacy of governor vessel moxibustion combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule, simple fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule and placebo moxibustion combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule for mild to moderate depression with kidney-yang deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 126 patients with mild to moderate depression with kidney-yang deficiency were randomized into a governor vessel moxibustion group (42 cases, 2 cases dropped off), a western medication group (42 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a placebo moxibustion group (42 cases, 1 case dropped off). The western medication group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule orally, 20 mg a time, once a day. On the basis of the treatment in the western medication group, governor vessel moxibustion was applied from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) in the governor vessel moxibustion group, once a week; placebo moxibustion was applied in the placebo moxibustion group, once a week. Treatment of 8 weeks was required in the 3 groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17), Asberg's rating scale for side effects (SERS) and TCM clinical symptom were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of HAMD-17, SERS and TCM clinical symptom were decreased compared before treatment in the 3 groups (P<0.05), the decrease ranges of above scores in the governor vessel moxibustion group were larger than those in the western medication group and the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the governor vessel moxibustion group, which was higher than 75.6% (31/41) in the western medication group and 80.5% (33/41) in the placebo moxibustion group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Governor vessel moxibustion combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule can improve the degree of depression and relieve the clinical symptoms in mild to moderate depression patients with kidney-yang deficiency, the efficacy is superior to simple fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule, and can reduce the fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule-induced adverse effect to a certain extent.

Herbal-moxa plaster for diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome of spleen and kidney yang deficiency: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between herbal-moxa plaster and moxa-box moxibustion for diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of spleen and kidney yang deficiency.@*METHODS@#Eighty patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney yang deficiency were randomly divided into a herbal-moxa plaster group and a moxa-box moxibustion group, 40 cases in each group. The patients in the two groups were treated with conventional acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 24+), Zhongwan (CV 12) and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and Taixi (KI 3), etc. In addition, the patients in the herbal-moxa plaster group were treated with herbal-moxa plaster (Wenyang Fuzheng ointment, composed of prepared monkshood, prepared evodia rutaecarpa, dried ginger, cinnamon, etc.) at Shenque (CV 8), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12) and bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Shenshu (BL 23) and Shangjuxu (ST 37); the patients in the moxa-box moxibustion group were treated with moxa-box moxibustion at the same acupoints as the herbal-moxa plaster group. The acupuncture-moxibustion treatment was provided once every other day for 4 weeks (14 treatments). Before and after treatment, the scores of clinical symptom of TCM, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those before treatment, each item scores and total scores of clinical symptom of TCM, and IBS-SSS scores in the two groups were reduced after treatment (P<0.05). The abdominal bloating score, stool frequency score and total score of clinical symptom of TCM as well as IBS-SSS score in the herbal-moxa plaster group were lower than those in the moxa-box moxibustion group (P<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the IBS-QOL scores in the two groups were increased after treatment (P<0.05), and the IBS-QOL score in the herbal-moxa plaster group was higher than that in the moxa-box moxibustion group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the herbal-moxa plaster group, which was higher than 85.0% (34/40) in the moxa-box moxibustion group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of conventional acupuncture treatment, herbal-moxa plaster could effectively improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life in IBS-D patients of spleen and kidney yang deficiency, and its efficacy is superior to that of moxa-box moxibustion.

Study of Differential Serum Metabolites in Patients with Adenomatous Polyps of Colon and Yang-Deficiency Constitution Based on Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the differences between the serum metabolites in patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon and yang-deficiency constitution and those without colon polyps and with balanced constitution, and look for biomarkers that can be used to distinguish between the two groups.@*METHODS@#General patient information was gathered, and Chinese medicine constitution were collected in 940 patients who underwent electronic colonoscopy. A total of 119 patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon and yang-deficiency constitution were included in the experimental group, and 150 patients without colon polyps and with balanced constitution were included in the control group. Metabolomics analysis was performed on the fasting venous blood obtained from each patient in both groups. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed on the detection results, potential biomarkers were screened, metabolic pathway changes were determined, and the metabolic processes involved were discussed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 59 differential biomarkers between the experimental group and the control group were identified. The differential metabolites were found mainly in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway, and the bile acid 3-oxo-4,6-choladienoic acid was the biomarker that distinguished the experimental group from the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#With the help of metabolomics analysis, the differential metabolites in patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon and yang-deficiency constitution and those in patients without colon polyps and with balanced constitution could be identified. The biomarker 3-oxo-4,6-choladienoic acid may have potential diagnostic value in patients with adenomatous polyp of the colon and yang-deficiency constitution. (Trial Registration No. NCT02986308).

Warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina for chronic nonspecific low back pain of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina and simple "three steps and seven methods" of tuina in treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage.@*METHODS@#A total of 138 patients were randomized into an observation group (69 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a control group (69 cases, 7 cases dropped off). In the control group, "three steps and seven methods" of tuina was applied. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, warming acupuncture was applied at Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Weizhong (BL 40) and ashi points. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment, the short form of McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score, finger-to-floor distance (FFD), Schober test distance, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) score and yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage score were observed, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were detected in both groups. The recurrence rate was evaluated in follow-up of 6 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of PRI, PPI, VAS, ODI, FABQ and FFD, yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage scores were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01); the Schober test distances were increased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and that in the observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TXB2 were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). In follow-up, the recurrence rate was 12.8% (6/47) in the observation group, which was lower than 34.3% (12/35) in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture combined with "three steps and seven methods" of tuina can effectively alleviate pain in patients with chronic NLBP of yang deficiency and cold-dampness blockage, improve activity and dysfunction of waist, the clinical efficacy is superior to simple "three steps and seven methods" of tuina, its mechanism may be relate to the inhibition of inflammatory reaction.

Huanglian Ejiao Decoction formula syndrome and its application for refractory insomnia / 中国中药杂志

Huanglian Ejiao Decoction,firstly recorded in Treatise on Febrile Diseases,could be used to treat heat-conversion syndrome of Shaoyin. It has been identified that,the indications of Huanglian Ejiao Decoction include:(1)in modern medicine,it can be used to treat insomnia,arrhythmia,oral ulcer,Xiali,blood syndrome and other diseases;(2)in terms of symptoms and signs,it is mainly used for restlessness,ritability,insomnia,extremely difficult to fall asleep,palpitation,atrial premature beat,ventricular premature beat and other arrhythmias,stomach distension and stuffiness,stomach pain,vomiting,abdominal pain,cramps,lower edge,constipation,blush,red lips,easy bleeding,red tongue,thin or no coating,dry tongue surface,or light red tongue,or dark red,thin white tongue coating,and rapid pulse. It has been also identified that,(1)although the original statement of Huanglian Ejiao Decoction is very simple,it can not only be used according to irritability and insomnia;(2)tongue image is not the key to syndrome differentiation of this prescription;(3)the essence of Shaoyin syndrome is not completely heart kidney Yang deficiency,which is closest to shock in modern medicine,including septic shock,hypovolemic shock and cardiogenic shock;(4)the essential difference between Shaoyin cold and heat conversion syndrome of Shaoyin lies in the different types of shock,in which cardiogenic shock is the main cold type,while septic shock is the main heat shock;(5)heat-conversion syndrome of Shaoyin is more common in the late stage of septic shock,and part of it can be seen in the stage of heart failure combined with sympathetic activation;(6)Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Rehmanniae Radix are often used to replace egg yolk;(7)Huanglian Ejiao Decoction takes effect quickly and the course of treatment is short.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication for low back pain of osteoporosis with kidney- / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication and simple western medication for low back pain of osteoporosis with kidney-@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with osteoporosis were randomized into an observation group (32 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (32 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the control group, alendronate sodium tablet and calcium carbonate and vitamin D@*RESULTS@#The VAS scores, ODI scores and TCM clinical symptom scores after treatment were reduced in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with western medication could relieve low back pain, improve BMD in patients of osteoporosis with kidney-

Therapeutic effect of long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome of spleen and kidney / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect between long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication and simple medication on diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) of spleen and kidney @*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with IBS-D of spleen and kidney @*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the symptom scores of abdominal pain, defecation frequency, mucous stool and appetite reduction were decreased (@*CONCLUSION@#Long-snake moxibustion combined with western medication can effectively treat the IBS-D of spleen and kidney

Effect of Wubi Shanyao Pills on sexual dysfunction in rats with adenine-induced kidney-Yang deficiency / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of Wubi Shanyao Pills on sexual dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency and to investigate its possible mechanism. Adenine(100 mg·kg~(-1)) was administered to male SD rats for 8 weeks to establish kidney-Yang deficiency model, and at the same time, Wubi Shanyao Pills(2, 1, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)) were administered to rats for 8 weeks. The syndrome manifestation of kidney-Yang deficiency was observed in rats and the scores of symptoms were evaluated. Sexual behavior indexes(incubation period and times of capture, straddle and ejaculation) were measured by mating experiment. The levels of serum testosterone(T), estradiol(E_2), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The wet weights of testis and seminal vesicle were measured. The content of fructose in seminal plasma was detected by UV spectrophotometry. The pathological changes of testis and epididymis were observed by HE staining. The expression levels of transforming growth factor(TGF-β1) and cytochrome P450 aromatase(CYP19) in testis were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that Wubi Shanyao Pills could significantly reduce the score of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, improve the symptoms of kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome, shorten capture, straddle and ejaculation latency, increase capture and straddle times, increase serum T, LH, FSH, E_2 and GnRH levels, increase the wet weight of testis and seminal vesicle and fructose content in seminal plasma, improve the pathological structure of testis and epididymis, and inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 and increase CYP19 in testis of the model rats. Therefore, Wubi Shanyao Pills can significantly improve sexual dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency, and its mechanism may be related to regulating the low function of hypothalamus pituitary gonad(HPG) axis and improving the disorder of sex hormone secretion. In addition, it may be also related to inhibiting the expression of testicular TGF-β1, increasing the expression of CYP19 protein, and then regulating the amount of T converted to E_2.

Clinical observation of herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication on allergic rhinitis of kidney- deficiency type and correlation with infrared thermal imagining / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the therapeutic effect of herb-separated moxibustion combined with budesonide nasal spray (rhinocort) on moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) of kidney- deficiency type, and to explore the correlation between nasal temperature and condition of allergic rhinitis.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with moderate to severe persistent AR were randomized into an observation group (35 cases) and a control group (35 cases, 3 cases dropped off). Both groups were treated with rhinocort, one spray on each side of the nostril (approximately 64 μg each spray), once in the morning and once in the evening, for 4 weeks. On the basis of the above treatment, the observation group was treated with herb-separated moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Feishu (BL 13), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14), 3 moxibustions per acupoint, a single treatment lasting about 30 min. This treatment was given once every other day, 3 times every week, and totally continuous 4 weeks. The changes of AR symptom visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were observed before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up after treatment. The heat variation (temperature, range) on projection areas of the nose, lungs, large intestine and kidneys of the two groups' patients before and after treatment were detected by the infrared thermal imaging diagnostic system, and the correlation between the VAS scores and nasal temperature before and after treatment was analyzed. The clinical effects of both groups were evaluated according to the VAS score.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group after treatment was 85.7% (30/35), which was higher than 71.9% in the control group (23/32, <0.05). After treatment and at follow-up, the VAS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (<0.05), and the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group at follow-up (<0.05). After treatment, the nasal temperature, pulmonary range, large intestinal range and renal range of the observation group were all lower than those before treatment (<0.05), the nasal temperature and nasal range of the control group were lower than before treatment (<0.05), and the reduction of nasal temperature, nasal range and renal range in the observation group was greater than that of the control group (<0.05). Before and after treatment, there was a correlation between VAS score and nasal temperature (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The herb-separated moxibustion combining western medication has a better effect and long-term effect than western medication alone for moderate to severe persistent AR, which can improve heat variation on projected areas of the nose, lung, large intestine and kidney of patients. In addition, nasal temperature can reflect the severity of the symptoms of patients with moderate to severe persistent AR, or it can be used as a secondary indicator to evaluate condition of AR.

Effect of Wubi Shanyao pills on sexual function in mice with kidney-yang-deficiency induced by hydrocortisone / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine Wubi Shanyao pills on sexual function of kidney-yang-deficiency mice induced by hydrocortisone.@*METHODS@#Male Kunming mice were injected with hydrocortisone for 10 days to prepare the kidney-yang-deficiency model, and administrated with Wubi Shanyao pills (0.91, 1.82, 2.73 g/kg) for 9 weeks. The general behaviors of mice (autonomous activity, grasping power) were observed; sexual behaviors (capture, straddle, ejaculation frequency and incubation period) of mice were detected by mating experiment. The serum levels of cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E@*RESULTS@#Wubi Shanyao pills increased the number of independent activities, grasping power, capture frequency of model mice and shortened the capture latency (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#Wubi Shanyao pills can improve the sexual function of mice with kidney-yang-deficiency induced by hydrocortisone, which may be related to regulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), promoting the proliferation of testicular cells, and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Mufangji Decoction formula tracing and its effect on emergency and severe cases / 中国中药杂志

Mufangji Decoction is a famous herbal formula from Synopsis of Golden Chamber. However,it is easy to be misunderstood due to so its unique compatability. The syndromes treated by Mufangji Decoction included the following aspects:(1) in terms of modern medicine,it could be used to treat acute and chronic heart failure,heart failure aggravated by lung infection,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease acute episode,pulmonary heart disease,bilateral pleural effusion,acute attack of gout,rheumatic fever,rheumatoid arthritis,and rheumatoid arthritis;(2) in terms of symptoms,it could be used to treat asthma,chest tightness,wheeze impacting prostration and dyspnea impacting sitting posture; gastric distention; dark face,cyanotic,and mitral valvular face; edema of head and extremities; dry mouth,thirsty,unwilling to wear thick clothes,intolerance of heat,and irritable; fatigue,shortness of breath,poor appetite,constipation,less urine,yellow color,poor response to diuretics,and diuretic resistance; fast heart rate,which is hard to be controlled by Western medicine and has no response to Zhenwu Decoction; dark red tongue,dry tongue with yellow fur,rapid pulse,or deep tight pulse. In emergency and severe cases,Yang deficiency and fluid retention are normal syndromes of heart failure,while Yang deficiency,fluid retention,and heat are metamorphic syndromes of heart failure,which possessed complex mechanisms of pathophysiology; the mechanisms of Shaoyin heat-conversion syndrome is similar to Yang deficiency,fluid retention,and heat syndrome; the reason of application of gypsum in Mufangji Decoction shall be further studied; the " empty" and " real" in modified Mufangji Decoction are physical signs,rather than pathogenesis.

Professor 's treatment experience of acupuncture for anovulatory infertility / 中国针灸

The clinical experience of professor for anovulatory infertility is introduced from three perspectives of , syndromes and menstrual period in this article. Professor believes that ovulation disorders mainly involves the liver, spleen and kidney, and four syndromes, including spleen-kidney -deficiency syndrome, liver-depression and kidney-deficiency syndrome, phlegm-dampness obstruction syndrome, -stagnation and blood-stasis syndrome are common in clinic. The combination of syndrome differentiation and menstruation differentiation should be adopted in treatment. The syndrome differentiation should be mainly applied. The acupoints for excess syndrome include Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Neiting (ST 44); while the acupoints for deficiency syndrome include Zhongwan (CV 12), Taixi (KI 3), Ganshu (BL 18) and Qimen (LR 14). In auricular acupuncture, kou (CO), wei (CO), pi (CO), neifenmi (CO), sanjiao (CO), dachang (CO) and shenmen (TF) could be selected for excess syndrome, while wei (CO), pi (CO), neifenmi (CO), zigong (TF), pizhixia (AT), shen (CO) and luanchao could be selected for deficiency syndrome. Moxibustion can be added to treat the patients with deficiency syndrome or cold syndrome. The menstruation differentiation could be used as auxiliary method. In the later period of menstruation, strengthening-spleen and promoting-blood method is applied and Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) are selected; in the intermenstrual period, tonifying-kidney and nourishing-, warming- and nourishing- method is applied and Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Hegu (LI 4) are selected; in the earlier period of menstruation, soothing-liver and tonifying-kidney, promoting- and relieving-depression method is applied and Taichong (LR 3), Qimen (LR 14), Luanchao (Extra), Zigong (EX-CA 1) and Xuehai (SP 10) are selected; during menstruation, Taixi (KI 3), Xuehai (SP 10) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can be added to nourish kidney, nourish blood, promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation to promote oogenesis. In addition, B-ultrasonography can be used to monitor ovulation and guide intercourse to improve pregnancy rate.

Regulatory effects of Poria on substance and energy metabolism in cold-deficiency syndrome compared with heat-deficiency syndrome in rats / 中国天然药物

Recent studies have revealed that the property of drug is mainly associated with the body's substance and energy metabolism. The present study aimed to evaluate the drug property of Poria, called Fuling (FL) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in terms of its effects on the substance and energy metabolism in rat models of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndromes, compared with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia, called Fuzi (FZ) in TCM, with hot property, and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, called Zhimu (ZM) in TCM, with cold property, as reference drugs, respectively. The appearance score, toe and rectal temperatures of the animals treated were assessed at different time points. Several indices in vivo correlated with substance and energy metabolism (glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome c oxydase, and Na-K-ATPase), endocrine system (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid), nervous system (acetylcholin esterase), and cyclic nucleotide system were determined. The changes in appearance score and indices in vivo suggested the successful establishment of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndrome models. FZ reversed the decreased levels of indices (substance and energy metabolism and endocrine system) and alleviated the syndrome of cold-deficiency model, and ZM showed obviously therapeutic effect on heat-deficiency syndrome (appearance score, substance and energy metabolism, and endocrine system). FL could alleviate cold-deficiency syndrome and raise the decreased levels of glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase and triiodothyronine in cold-deficiency model, but had no significant effect on heat-deficiency syndrome. Drug property of FL was inferred as trending to "flat and warm", which still need further study. It was advisable to adopt both cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency models to study the drugs with "flat" property.

Expression of G-protein coupled estrogen receptor in the testis of the male mouse with kidney yin or kidney yang deficiency and its impact on the reproductive function of the mouse / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the expression of the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the testis of the male mouse with kidney yin or kidney yang deficiency and its influence on the reproductive function of the mouse.@*METHODS@#We randomized 30 six-week-old male Kunming mice into three groups of equal number: kidney yang deficiency, kidney yin deficiency, and normal control, and established the models of kidney yang deficiency and kidney yin deficiency by peritoneal injection of hydrocortisone at 50 mg/kg for 5 days and 25 mg/kg for 10 days, respectively. We observed the behavioral changes of the mice using the elevated plus-maze, exhaustive swimming and field experiment, examined the semen quality with the automatic sperm quality analyzer, calculated the average number of the offspring, measured the serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) levels and T/E2 ratio by Roche electrochemiluminescence assay, and determined the localization and expression of GPER in the testis by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the mice with kidney yin deficiency, those with kidney yang deficiency showed remarkably fewer entries into the open arm and central area (P 0.05); the latter group also exhibited significant decreases in the epididymal sperm count (［7.27 ± 1.30］ vs ［3.05 ± 1.06］ ×108/g, P 0.05), and markedly reduced serum T (［24.96 ± 6.18］ vs ［16.72 ± 5.92］ ng/dl,P <0.05), E2 (［19.81 ± 4.01］ vs ［15.24 ± 1.11］ pg/ml,P <0.05) and T/E2 ratio (1.41 vs 1.25, P <0.05). The expression of GPER was found in the cytoplasm of the Leydig cells, negative in the nuclei and cell membrane, significantly higher in the kidney yang than in the kidney yin deficiency group (P <0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The numbers of sperm and offspring decreased while the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm increased in both the kidney yang and kidney yin deficiency mice, even more significantly in the former, which might be associated with the up-regulated expression of GPER in the testis of the mouse with kidney yang deficiency and consequently the reduced serum T level and T/E2 ratio.

Regulatory effects of Poria on substance and energy metabolism in cold-deficiency syndrome compared with heat-deficiency syndrome in rats / 中国天然药物

Recent studies have revealed that the property of drug is mainly associated with the body's substance and energy metabolism. The present study aimed to evaluate the drug property of Poria, called Fuling (FL) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in terms of its effects on the substance and energy metabolism in rat models of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndromes, compared with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparaia, called Fuzi (FZ) in TCM, with hot property, and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, called Zhimu (ZM) in TCM, with cold property, as reference drugs, respectively. The appearance score, toe and rectal temperatures of the animals treated were assessed at different time points. Several indices in vivo correlated with substance and energy metabolism (glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase, cytochrome c oxydase, and Na-K-ATPase), endocrine system (triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid), nervous system (acetylcholin esterase), and cyclic nucleotide system were determined. The changes in appearance score and indices in vivo suggested the successful establishment of cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency syndrome models. FZ reversed the decreased levels of indices (substance and energy metabolism and endocrine system) and alleviated the syndrome of cold-deficiency model, and ZM showed obviously therapeutic effect on heat-deficiency syndrome (appearance score, substance and energy metabolism, and endocrine system). FL could alleviate cold-deficiency syndrome and raise the decreased levels of glucokinas, phosphoglycerate kinase, cytochrome c reductase and triiodothyronine in cold-deficiency model, but had no significant effect on heat-deficiency syndrome. Drug property of FL was inferred as trending to "flat and warm", which still need further study. It was advisable to adopt both cold-deficiency and heat-deficiency models to study the drugs with "flat" property.

Warming acupuncture combined with conventional acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy differences between warming acupuncture and conventional acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 64 patients were randomly divided into a warming acupuncture group and a conventional acupuncture group, 32 cases in each one. Based on basic treatment of blood glucose regulation, warming acupuncture was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Zusanli (ST 36), Chongyang (ST 42), Quchi (LI 11) and Hegu (LI 4) in the warming acupuncture group, while acupuncture was applied at the identical acupoints in the conventional acupuncture group. Both the treatments were given once a day with an interval of one day every six days; totally the treatment was given for 4 weeks. The TCM symptom score, Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) before and after treatment were compared in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in the two groups were significantly reduced (both <0.01); the improvement of TCM symptom in the warming acupuncture group was superior to that in the conventional acupuncture group (<0.05). After treatment, the TCSS scores in the two groups were significantly reduced (both <0.01); the TCSS score in the warming acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the conventional acupuncture group (<0.05). After treatment, the NCV of motor nerve of tibial nerve and nervus peroneus communis, as well as sensory nerve of tibial nerve and sural nerve was improved in the warming acupuncture group (all <0.05), while only the NCV of motor nerve and sensory nerve of tibial nerve was improved in the conventional acupuncture group (both <0.05); there were no significant difference between the two groups (all >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming acupuncture and conventional acupuncture could both increase TCM symptom score, improve NCV in patients of DPN with syndrome of deficiency and cold coagulation, obstruction of collaterals and blood stasis; warming acupuncture has advantage in symptom improvement.</p>

Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine combined with sildenafil in the treatment of ED in Chinese men： A real-world study / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To make a real-world study on the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) that failed to respond to TCM medication.@*METHODS@#This study included 1 038 ED patients with the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores ≤21 and improvement <30% after 4 weeks of TCM medication, differentially diagnosed with kidney-yang or kidney-yin deficiency syndrome. We administered TCM combined with sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd) at 100 mg 1 hour before sexual intercourse. After 2 and 4 weeks of medication, we recorded the scores in IIEF-5, erection hardness, Sexual Encounter Profile question 2 (SEP-2: whether vaginal penetration is successful), SEP-3 (whether sexual intercourse is successful), and TCM Syndromes Scale as well as the indexes of routine blood, urine, liver function, and renal function of the patients, and compared them with those obtained before treatment.@*RESULTS@#No serious adverse reactions were observed in any of the patients. Compared with the baseline, the patients achieved significantly increased IIEF-5 scores after 2 and 4 weeks of medication (15.01 ± 2.25 vs 16.96 ± 2.55 and 19.41 ± 2.82, P <0.05), penileelectionhardness remarkably improved at 4 weeks (3.36% vs 44.58%, P<0.05), and the positive answers to SEP-2 and SEP-3 both markedly increased at 2 (38.11% vs 90.49%, P<0.05; 22.01% vs 63.77% , P<0.05) and 4 weeks (38.11% vs 96.95% , P<0.05; 22.01% vs 89.73%, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#TCM combined with sildenafil is safe and effective in the treatment of ED in Chinese men, which can significantly improve the IIEF-5 score and erection hardness of the patients.

Correlation between TCM syndrome types and clinical symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia with chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the correlation between the syndrome types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and clinical symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with chronic prostatitis (BPH-CP).@*METHODS@#We selected 150 cases of BPH-CP in this study and divided them into 7 TCM syndrome types. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, we studied the correlation of each TCM syndrome type with the age, disease course, prostate volume, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS).@*RESULTS@#Kidney-yin deficiency was correlated positively with the prostate volume but negatively with Qmax and IPSS; kidney-yang deficiency positively with the age and prostate volume but negatively with IPSS; the damp heat syndrome positively with the PSA level but negatively with the disease course, prostate volume and Qmax; the spleen-qi deficiency syndrome positively with the prostate volume but negatively with the disease course; liver-qi stagnation positively with the disease course but negatively with the age, prostate volume and PVR; the syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis positively with the disease course and IPSS but negatively with PVR; the syndrome of lung-heat and qi blockage positively with the age, Qmax and IPSS but negatively with the disease course.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The TCM syndrome types of BPH-CP are closely correlated to their clinical symptoms. The analysis of the clinical objective indexes of BPH-CP can provide some reliable evidence for accurate identification of the TCM syndrome type of the disease.