Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Shengmaisan Granules in Inhibiting Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome Based on CMR / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Shengmaisan granules on myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging and serological indicators. MethodSixty-six chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to January 2023 were selected. The patients were assigned into a control group （33 cases） and an observation group （33 cases） by the minimization random method. Both groups received standardized Western medicine treatment for heart failure. In addition， the control group was treated with placebo granules， and the observation group with Shengmaisan granules for a course of 6 months. The baseline data， clinical efficacy， TCM symptom scores， serological indicators ［high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein （sST2）， pro-collagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-11， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）］， echocardiography ［Left atrial diameter （LAD）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVEDs）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDd）］ and CMR indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， myocardial extracellular volume fraction （ECV）， and longitudinal relaxation time （T1）］ were compared between the two groups. ResultFinally， 31 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group were included. There was no significant difference in baseline data or indicators between the two groups before treatment. Compared with those before treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms （shortness of breath， fatigue， palpitations， spontaneous or night sweats， thirst/dry throat， feverish feeling in palms and soles， and edema in lower limbs）， total score of TCM symptoms， ECV， T1， inflammation/fibrosis indicators （hs-CRP， sST2， PⅢNP， IL-6， IL-11， and TGF-β1） in observation group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles）， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators in the control group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles and edema in lower limbs）， ECV， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （80.65%， 25/31） in the control group （Z=2.976， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment. ConclusionFor patients with chronic heart failure with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome， Shengmaisan Granules can alleviate the TCM symptoms， reduce inflammation， and inhibit myocardial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/IL-11 signaling axis.

Characteristics and Functional Differences of Intestinal Flora in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Dampness Heat Trapping Spleen Syndrome and Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome： An Analysis Based on High-throughput Sequencing Technology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the structural characteristics and functional differences of intestinal flora in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） of dampness heat trapping spleen（DHTS） syndrome and Qi-Yin deficiency（QYD） syndrome. MethodFrom June 2018 to January 2020，62 T2DM patients with DHTS syndrome and 60 with QYD syndrome were selected from Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. Serum and fecal samples were collected to compare body mass index（BMI），glucose and lipid metabolism，fasting insulin （FINS） and fasting C-peptide （FCP） levels，and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance（HOMA-IR） of the two syndrome types. Fecal samples were extracted for DNA database construction，and 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze and compare the intestinal flora and metabolic pathways. Result① The BMI，fasting plasma glucose（FPG），2-hour postprandial blood glucose （2 h PBG），total cholesterol（TC），triglyceride（TG），low density lipoprotein（LDL），FINS，FCP，and HOMA-IR were higher in patients with DHTS syndrome than in patients with QYD syndrome，and the high density lipoprotein（HDL） of the former was lower than that of the latter，（P<0.05，P<0.01）. ② In terms of species composition and differences，Bacteroidetes， Clostridia and Gammaproteobacteria were dominant at the class level，and the relative abundance of Clostridia，Mollicutes and Verrucomicrobiae in QYD syndrome group was higher than that in DHTS syndrome group. At the order level，Bacteroidales，Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales were mainly found. The relative abundance of Clostridiales，Erysipelotrichales and Verrucomicrobiales in QYD syndrome group was obviously higher than that in DHTS syndrome group，while Aeromonadales in the former was lower than that in the latter （P<0.05）. At the family level，Bacteroidaceae，Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae were predominant. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae，Porphyromonadaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae in QYD syndrome group was higher than that in DHTS syndrome group（P<0.05）. At the genus level，Bacteroides，Prevotella and Parabacteroides were mainly found. The relative abundance of Parabacteroides，Butyrivibrio and Ruminiclostridium in QYD syndrome group was higher than that in DHTS syndrome group，while that of Klebsiella and Megasphaera in DHTS syndrome group was higher than that in QYD syndrome group（P<0.05）. ③ Through Venn analysis of operational taxonomic units（OTU），it was found that there were 49 OTUs in patients with DHTS syndrome patients and 47 OTUs in QYD syndrome patients. ④ The results of OTU β diversity and α analysis showed that Shannon and Simpson indexes had statistical differences，while Ace and Chao indexes had no statistical differences. The intestinal microbial diversity of patients with QYD syndrome was higher than that of patients with DHTS syndrome（P<0.05）. The analysis of similarities （ANOSIM） showed that the difference of β diversity between the two groups was significant（P<0.05）. ⑤ Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size（LEfSe） results demonstrated that Klebsiella，Megasphaera and Aeromonadales could be selected as the key biomarkers for DHTS syndrome； 14 bacteria such as Ruminiclostridium，Burkholderiaceae，Lautropia，Butyrivibrio，Erysipelotrichales can be selected as the key biomarkers for QYD syndrome. ⑥Functional annotation and analysis showed that the DHTS syndrome involved 9 metabolic pathways，including arginine and proline metabolism，lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis，nicotinic acid and nicotinamide metabolism，while the QYD syndrome involved 10 metabolic pathways，including acarbose and valinomycin biosynthesis，glucagon signaling pathway and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. ConclusionThere are obvious differences in intestinal flora and functions in T2DM patients of DHTS syndrome and QYD syndrome，which can be used as reference for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome differentiation and the target of TCM treatment.

Effect of Modified Huangqi Biejiatang Combined with Auricular Acupressure on Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy of Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome and Serum MyD88/IκB Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure on diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN） due to Qi and Yin deficiency and serum myeloid differentiation factor 88/inhibitor of nuclear factor-<italic>κ</italic>B （MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B） signaling pathway. Method:One hundred and forty cases were randomly divided into an observation group （<italic>n</italic>=70） and a control group （<italic>n</italic>=70）. In addition to routine treatments like dietary intervention and the regulation of fasting blood glucose （FBG） and blood pressure， the modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure was further provided in the observation group， while mecobalamine was administered in the control group. After four-week intervention， the toronto clinical scoring system （TCSS） score， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， the conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves （median nerve， common peroneal nerve， tibial nerve， and ulnar nerve）， glucose metabolism indexes ［fasting plasma glucose （FPG）， 2 h postprandial blood glucose （2 h PG）， and hemoglobin A1c （HbA1c）］， intestinal genera （<italic>Clostridium</italic>， <italic>Prauserella</italic>， <italic>Bacteroides</italic>， and <italic>Faecalibacterium</italic>）， as well as the serum MyD88， I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>， and phosphorylated I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α </italic>（p-I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>） levels in the MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway before and after treatment were observed in the two groups， for comparing their clinical efficacy and safety. Result:The total effective rate of the observation group was 85.3% （58/68）， which was higher than 48.5% （32/66） of the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=6.143， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. The comparison with the control group revealed that the scores of TCSS and TCM syndrome， the levels of FPG， 2 h PG， HbA1c， MyD88， and p-I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic>， as well as the abundances of <italic>Clostridium</italic> and <italic>Prauserella</italic> in the observation group were decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while the conduction velocities of motor and sensory nerves （median nerve， common peroneal nerve， tibial nerve， and ulnar nerve） were significantly accelerated （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Besides， the abundances of <italic>Bacteroides</italic> and <italic>Faecalibacterium</italic> and I<italic>κ</italic>B<italic>α</italic> level were significantly elevated （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 1.5% （1/68）， lower than 12.1% （8/66） in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.328， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:The modified Huangqi Biejiatang combined with auricular acupressure alleviates DPN due to Qi and Yin deficiency， which may be attributed to the regulation of serum MyD88/I<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway.

Clinical Observation of Modified Zhizhutang in Treatment of Senile Primary Constipation Due to Qi-Yin Deficiency / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Zhizhutang in treating senile primary constipation due to Qi-Yin deficiency and its influences on gastrointestinal neurotransmitters and gastrointestinal motility. Method:One hundred and twenty-one eligible patients were randomly divided into a control group （<italic>n</italic>=60） and an observation group （<italic>n</italic>=61）. On the basis of lifestyle adjustments， patients in the control group further received oral Qihuang Tongmi soft capsule，three capsules per time，three times per day， whereas those in the observation group were further treated with modified Zhizhutang，one bag per day， for eight successive weeks. The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements （CSBM， normal defecation was considered if CSBM ≥ three times per week） before and after treatment was recorded. The main symptoms of constipation，the patient assessment of constipation quality of life （PAC-QOL）， and the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome before and after treatment were scored， followed by the anorectal pressure measurement and colonic transit test before and after treatment. The levels of somatostatin （SS），motilin （MTL），substance P （SP） and vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） before and after treatment were detected. Result:The weekly average number of CSBM in the observation group was greater than that of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， but the TCM syndrome score was lower than that of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The normal defecation rate in the observation group was 57.38% （35/61），which was higher than 35% （21/60） of the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=6.092，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The scores of the main symptoms of constipation in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The PAC-QOL subscale scores and the total score of the observation group significantly declined as compared with those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The anal resting pressure and anal maximum systolic pressure of the observation group were higher than those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01），while the first sensation volume， urge sensation volume and maximum tolerable volume were lower （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The excretion rates of markers in the observation group at 24 h，48 h and 72 h were significantly elevated in comparison with those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the control group， the observation group also exhibited increased serum MTL and SP （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and decreased SS and VIP （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The recurrence rate in the observation group was 34.29% （12/35），obviously lower than 61.90% （13/21） in the control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=5.051，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The total effective rates in the observation group and the control group were 95.08% （58/61） and 81.67% （49/60） ， implying a significant difference （<italic>χ</italic>²=5.321，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:For the elderly with primary constipation due to Qi-Yin deficiency， oral administration of modified Zhizhutang helps to regulate gastrointestinal neurotransmitters，improve gastrointestinal motility and gastrointestinal emptying rate， alleviate the symptoms of constipation， restore spontaneous bowel movements， improve their quality of life， and lower the recurrence rate. Its clinical effects were better than those of Qihuang Tongmi soft capsule.

Empirical Study on Qi-yin Deficiency Syndrome of Type 2 Diabetes Based on Structural Equation Model / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To verify the relationship between qi-yin deficiency syndrome and the etiology and diagnostic information on type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods Data of 185 cases of qi-yin deficiency syndrome of type 2 diabetes and 351 cases of other syndromes at TCM Hospital of Hongqiao District in Tianjin and Metabolic Disease Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were randomly collected. Etiology and diagnostic information of qi-yin deficiency syndrome were screened by the likelihood radio of forward step method by using Logistic regression analysis. On this basis, the relationship between qi-yin deficiency syndrome and the etiology and diagnostic information was verified by using maximum likelihood estimation method of the structural equation model.Results The goodness of fit index of the model (GFI) was 0.909; root mean square residual (RMR) of that was 0.071; comparative fit index (CFI) of that was 0.942, which suggested that the fitting effect of the model was good. The reasonable interpretation of the relationship between qi-yin deficiency syndrome and the etiology and diagnostic information was given. Conclusion From the aspect of single syndrome factors, the relationship between qi-yin deficiency syndrome and the etiology and diagnostic information on type 2 diabetes mellitus is verified.

Analysis on the Central Effect of Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome Scoring in Clinical Trials of Diabetes / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To analyze the central effect of Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome (QYDS) scoring in clinical trials of diabetes.Methods Dispensation degree analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were adopted to compare the differences of central effects among the Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome scoring,fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level and 2-hour postprandial blood sugar (2 hPG)level before and after treatment in the suited databases from two phase Ⅲclinical trials of type two diabetes performed in 2004～2005.Results The variation coefficients of QYDS scoring treated with drug A and drug B varied from one tenth to half times of those of FPG and 2 hPG levels before and after treatment.And the influence of centers on QYDS is weaker than those on blood sugar levels (FPG &2 hPG) either referring to the numbers of significant centers or referring to the absolute values of standard regression coefficients in multiple linear regression equation.Conclusion There exists a central effect in QYDS scoring before and after treatment,and the central effect of QYDS scoring is weaker than that of blood sugar levels (FPG &2 hPG) in clinical trials of diabetes.

Analysis on Center Effect in Correlation between the Scores of Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome and Blood Sugar Level in Patients with Diabetes / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To analyze the center effect in correlation between the scores of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome(SQYD)and blood sugar level in diabetes. Methods Correlation, consistency reliability and distinguish ability analysis were used to evaluate the correlation of the scores of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome and blood sugar level according to the data from a clinical trial in phase Ⅲon the diabetes. Results There was a significant correlation between fasting blood sugar (FPG)level and 2-hour blood sugar (2 hPG)level at baseline, treatment end point and difference before and after treatment, and the variation of this correlation was slight (CV=0.1～0.258).But there was a insignificant correlation among SQYD and FPG or 2hPG, and the variation of this correlation was obvious (CV=0.560～2.559).The correlation coefficient among SQYD and FPG fluctuated in the range of -0.096～0.611,and that among SQYD and 2hPG in the range of -0.150～0.537. Roughly the variation of correlation among SQYD and FPG or 2hPG was 5～10 times greater than that of between FPG and 2hPG. Conclusion There exists an obvious center effect in correlation between the scores of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome and blood sugar level in diabetes.