Prevention of autoantibody formation and prolonged survival in New Zealand Black/New Zealand White F1 mice with an ancient Chinese herb, Ganoderma tsugae.

For centuries, Chinese medicine has regarded Ganoderma, a fungus (Myceteae, Amastigomycota, Busidomycetes, Aphyllophorales, Polyporaceae, Ganoderma) also known as 'Ling Zhi' in Mandarin, as a premium remedy for many diseases. Until now, no convincing data regarding its therapeutic effects in vivo on autoimmune diseases have been demonstrated. In this study, a controlled protocol was conducted in which New Zealand Black/White F1 mice were fed standard chow with prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg/day) or Ganoderma tsugae extract, commencing at 2 months of age. It was found that the F1 mice responded well to Ling Zhi extract. Ling Zhi improved the survival rate of lupus mice, decreased the amount of proteinuria, decreased serum levels of anti-dsDNA autoantibody, and showed evidence of decreased perivascular and parenchyma mononuclear cell infiltration in vital organs.

Assessment of intragastric pH value changes after early nasogastric feeding.

Studies have suggested that early feeding after injury decreases morbidity and mortality. Few reports, however, have focused on the change in pH inside the stomach after early tube feeding. The aim of the present study was the assessment of 1) the change in intragastric pH after surgery, and 2) the effect of early nasogastric tube feeding on intragastric pH value. From April 1997 to February 1998, 80 patients who underwent colon resection for colorectal cancer by a single surgeon entered the study and were randomized into four groups. Twenty patients (group I) were kept on NPO for 1 wk, and 20 patients per group (groups II, III, and IV) were fed through a nasogastric tube from the second to the seventh postoperative day with low-residual (Osmolite HN), high-fat (Pulmocare), and glutamine-containing (AlitraQ) enteral formulas. Feeding started at 500 kcal/500 cc/d. If the patient tolerated the formula well, feeding increased to 1500 kcal/1500 cc(-1)/d(-1) the following day. Intragastric pH was measured preoperatively and then twice daily until the sixth postoperative day. The pH value of intragastric juice increased significantly once feeding started (3. 67 +/- 1.33 on the third postoperative day; 4.28 +/- 1.26 on the six postoperative day). The pH value seemed only mildly affected by the patient's tolerance for tube feeding (poorly tolerated group, pH 3. 52 +/- 1.75 versus 3.75 +/- 1.21 in the well-tolerated group on the third postoperative day; poorly tolerated group, pH 3.67 +/- 1.02 versus 4.45 +/- 1.27 in the well-tolerated group on the sixth postoperative day). The pH value of intragastric juice was higher in group II than in groups III and IV (4.51 +/- 1.57, 3.90 +/- 1.20, 4. 42 +/- 0.89 respectively, on the sixth postoperative day). This series suggests that early nasogastric feeding can significantly elevate the intragastric pH value in patients after resection of colorectal cancer. Nasogastric feeding may decrease the incidence of stress ulceration by elevating the pH value of intragastric juice.