Simultaneous determination of seven different components in Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. by QAMS / 药学学报

A quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker method (QAMS) was established for simultaneous determination of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin in Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. The analysis was performed on a ChromCore Polae C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) , with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.3% phosphoric acid aqueous solution for gradient elution. The volume flow rate, column temperature and sample injection volume were set at 1.0 mL·min-1, 25 ℃, and 40 µL, respectively. The relative correction factors of gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin were calculated and the durability was also investigated. The contents of these seven compounds in fourteen batches of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. from different producing areas or batches were determined by external standard method (ESM) and quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single-marker method (QAMS), respectively. SPSS and Origin Pro software were employed for principal components assay, similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. The specificity, precision, repeatability, stability and linear range (R2 > 0.999 0) of the seven components were all good. The average recovery was 96.89%-103.16% and RSD was 0.55%-2.76%. Then gallic acid was chosen as internal reference for calculation the correction factors for the other six components, the average relative correction factors of protocatechuic acid, catechin, epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and phloridzin were 1.141 5, 0.200 5, 0.208 0, 2.361 9, 1.867 7, 0.204 6, respectively. Student's test results showed that there was no significant difference between the data analyzed by ESM and the data obtained from QAMS method. Through data visualization analysis, the contents of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin and epicatechin in different samples were significantly different, indicating that these four components might be the main quality markers of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. for gaving more contributes to the principal components. The cluster analysis showed that samples from Xinjiang and samples from Inner Mongolia were clustered in significantly different categories, meaning that the quality of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. had great relation with producing areas. The method of QAMS established in this study is a simple, economical and practical method with scientific and applicable charactistics for evaluating the quality of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. efficiently and scientifically.

Effects of a multivitamin/multimineral supplement on young males with physical overtraining: a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded cross-over trial / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of vitamin-mineral supplement on young males with physical overtraining.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and forty male Chinese field artillery personnel who undertook large scale and endurance military training and were on ordinary Chinese diet were randomized to receive a multivitamin/multimineral supplement or a placebo for 1 week. After a 1-week wash-out period, a cross-over with 1 week course of a placebo or multivitamin/multimineral supplement was conducted. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for adrenal, gonadal and thyroid hormones. In addition, cellular immune parameters (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD4/CD8, CD3-CD56+, CD3-CD19+) were examined and psychological tests were performed before and after the training program and nutrition intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After a large scale and endurance military training, the participants showed significantly increased thyroid function, decreased adrenal cortex, testosterone and immunological function, and significantly increased somatization, anger and tension. Compared to placebo, multivitamin/ multimineral intervention showed significant effects on functional recovery of the pituitary - adrenal axis, pituitary-gonadal axis, pituitary- thyroid axis and immune system as well as psychological parameters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-intensity military operations have significant impacts on the psychology, physical ability and neuroendocrine-immune system in young males. Appropriate supplementation of multivitamin/multimineral can facilitate the recovery of the psychology, physical ability and neuroendocrine-immune system in young males who take ordinary Chinese diet.</p>

Experimental study on neuroendocrinological and immunological characteristics of the military-trained artillerymen / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Over one million soldiers were treated for battle- or training-fatigue during World War II. Of all ground combat troops, 37% were discharged for psychiatric reasons due to fatigue. The neuroendocrinological and immunological systems played important roles in the work-related fatigue of military personnel. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of fatigue associated with military operations, and we observed changes in the regulatory functions of the neuroendocrinological and immunological systems that may provide theoretical support for improving the combat effectiveness of armies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 240 soldiers from the Field Artillery regiment were selected as subjects. Researchers and subjects received training before participating in the study. Data of the subjects' medical histories, physical examinations, scores on a fatigue assessment scale, and assessments of pituitary-adrenal hormones (adrenal cortical hormone (ACTH), cortical hormone (F), and 24-hour urine-free cortisol (UFC)), pituitary-gonadal hormones (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL)), pituitary-thyroid hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3)), and cellular immune parameters (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), B, and NK cells) were investigated before and after large-scale and high-intensity field exercises. Data were statistically analyzed with Student's t test using SPSS software (version 13.0), and P values < 0.05 were deemed to be significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the high-intensity military training, the scores on the fatigue scale reflected significant increases of feeling of unpleasantness among soldiers. Additionally, the symptom checklist showed notable increases in somatization scores and significant decreases in psychoticism scores. After intensive military work, levels of plasma ACTH, F, and UFC of soldiers were decreased (P < 0.01). The level of testosterone decreased significantly after the maneuver ((23.51 ± 6.49) versus (18.89 ± 5.89) nmol/L; P < 0.001), whereas the thyroid function (TT3, FT4, and FT3) was markedly increased after the maneuver (P < 0.01). The number of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) cells, and B lymphocytes were decreased (P < 0.05), and NK cells were increased (P < 0.001) after the maneuver.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Following high-intensity military operations, the psychological tolerance of soldiers was depressed. And the hypoadrenocorticism (the functional decreases of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and abnormal pituitary-thyroid axis) contributed to the increased levels of fatigue. Hypoimmunity may increase the susceptibility to diseases after high-intensity military operations.</p>