RÉSUMÉ
A main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is fatigue which continues for more than 6 months and does not improve with rest, leading to a marked decrease in quality of life. Other problems include fever, sleep disorder, and headache. Etiologically, a preceding viral infection, immunological disorder, and changes in the central nervous system, especially in hippocampus have been reported. However, the precise pathogenesis of CFS has not been elucidated, and neither diagnostic markers nor effective treatments have yet to be discovered. Here, we report a case of CFS, successfully treated with Kampo medicines.<br>The patient was a 16-year-old high school student, who had received medical therapy for one year under the diagnosis of CFS. His chief complaint was a continuing fever and strong malaise after influenza infection. At his visit to our outpatient clinic, we confirmed that his symptoms met the criteria for CFS. A combination treatment with Kampo medicine (sanoshashinto) and duloxetine improved his malaise and fatigue in 4 weeks, but fever and anorexia remained. The addition of hochuekkito to the combination dramatically ameliorated his symptoms. This case suggests that Kampo medicines would contribute to the effective treatment of CFS, which is refractory to Western medicines.
RÉSUMÉ
The only extract preparations listed in either the “Shokan-ron” or the “Kinki-yoryaku” are the “Daio-oren-shashin-to.” It is thought that the term “extract preparation” is used because of the speed of efficacy required of these formulas. The author tried three different varieties of these percolate extracts, “Daio, ” “Oren, ” and<br>“Ogon, ” in a group of hypertensive patients (5 men, 27 women). Blood pressure was measured both 30 minutes before and after administration. As a result, an antihypertensive effect of 10mmHg systolic blood pressure or more was seen across 68.8% of the group. There was even an antihypertensive effect in those not normally considered “Yo-jisshou” (resistant and robust constitution). And with this administration, none of the patients developed diarrhea. Extract preparations seemed to have more of an enhancing effect on sedative action, rather than on purgative action. And they are considered effective as antihypertensive agents in emergency cases of elevated blood pressure.
RÉSUMÉ
Helicobacter pylori (HP) is associated with gastroduodenal disease. Although it has been reported that HP is highly sensitive to beta-lactams and macrolides, the efficacy of these monotherapies for eradicating HP is rather poor. Recent pharmacological studies have shown the effectiveness of combined therapy using PPI, antibiotics, and bismuth agents or metronidazole, but it has been known to lead to side effects and poor patient compliance. In Japan, mucosal protective agents are principally used for the treament of gastritis and gastric ulcers, and as previously reported, some mucosal protective agents, such as sofalcon and plaunotol, have anti-HP properties. Although they are not sufficiently effective to be used as monotherapy in the eradication of HP, in combination with antibiotics and PPI, eradication rates were elevated and side effects were uncommon.<br>Chinese medicinal formulas have been used for stomach disease in traditional Oriental medicine. The authors studied the effects of combined therapy with Omeprazole (OPZ), AMPC and Chinese medicine (Hangeshashin-to and Sanoshashin-to) instead of mucosal protective agents in the eradication of HP. The study was conducted on a total of 137 HP positive patients with endoscopic evidence of ulcers or gastritis. Dual therapy with OPZ and AMPC had a weak eradicating effect on HP (75%), but combined therapy using OPZ, AMPC and a Chinese medical formula was successful in eradicating HP in 20 out of 24 patients (85%).<br>The antibacterial effects of pharmaceutical preparations and crude drug extracts of Chinese medicine against HP were examined in an <i>in vitro</i> study. No antibacterial action against HP was demonstrated by these agents at concentrations of less than 2000μg/m<i>l</i> concentration. Chinese medicinal preparations should be used in combined therapy with antibiotics and PPI for optimum efficacy in eradicating HP.<br>This new eradication regimen including OPZ, AMPC and Hangeshashin-to is well tolerated; side effects are minimal and uncommon. This triple therapy may be useful in the treatment of HP infection, and is referred to as a “new Japanese regimen.”