Xiaoqinglong decoction mitigates nasal inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in allergic rhinitis mice.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a respiratory immune system disorder characterized by dysregulation of immune responses. Within the context of AR, gut microbiota and its metabolites have been identified as contributors to immune modulation. These microorganisms intricately connect the respiratory and gut immune systems, forming what is commonly referred to as the gut-lung axis. Xiaoqinglong Decoction (XQLD), a traditional Chinese herbal remedy, is widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of AR. In this study, it is hypothesized that the restoration of symbiotic microbiota balance within the gut-lung axis plays a pivotal role in supporting the superior long-term efficacy of XQLD in AR therapy. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of XQLD on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota in a murine model of AR. Methods: An ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model to simulate AR was utilized, the improvement of AR symptoms after medication was investigated, and high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota composition. Results: XQLD exhibited substantial therapeutic effects in AR mice, notably characterized by a significant reduction in allergic inflammatory responses, considerable alleviation of nasal symptoms, and the restoration of normal nasal function. Additionally, following XQLD treatment, the disrupted gut microbiota in AR mice displayed a tendency toward restoration, showing significant differences compared to the Western medicine (loratadine) group. Discussion: This results revealed that XQLD may enhance AR allergic inflammatory responses through the regulation of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice, thus influencing the dynamics of the gut-lung axis. The proposal of this mechanism provides a foundation for future research in this area.

[A review of recent researches on correlation between ATP and acupuncture efficacies].

It has been documented that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleoside triphosphate used in cells, including chemical energy transportation, extra- and intracellular signaling, cell structure maintaining, DNA and RNA synthesis, etc. In the present paper, the authors reviewed studies on the involvement of ATP in different efficacies of acupuncture intervention from the following four aspects. 1) ATP release in the stimulated acupoint area is one of the key factors for producing acupuncture analgesia; 2) Acupuncture induced suppression of ATP activity in the central nervous system results in pain relief; 3) ATP application on the human body surface may strengthen the sensation propagation along the meridian; 4) Favorable regulation of acupuncture intervention on the abnormal functional activities of some viscera often accompanies with an increase of ATP content and ATPase activity in the related internal organs. It has been proposed that ATP, Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related each other in the life activities of the organism. Hence, a reasonable regulation on ATP levels in the related organs of the body may be a new approach for raising clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture therapy.

[Influence of acupuncture or thermal acupuncture stimulation at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on thoracic duct lymph volume and the relevant chemical substances in normal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of thoracic duct lymph volume and the contents of histamine (HA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), etc. in the lymph after acupuncture or thermal acupuncture interventions, in order to investigate the effect of lymphatic system in transmitting acupuncture and moxibustion signals. METHODS: A total of 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, acupuncture group, and thermal acupuncture (acupuncture with the needle warmed by burning moxa) group (n = 15/group). The rat thoracic duct lymphatic fistula model was replicated. Acupuncture or thermal acupuncture was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), and the changes of thoracic duct lymph volume and the concentrations of HA, 5-HT in the lymph were observed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the thoracic duct lymph volume in acupuncture group and thermal acupuncture group were obviously increased (P < 0.05), while the concentrations of lymph HA and 5-HT in both acupuncture and thermal acupuncture groups had no significant changes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both acupuncture and thermal acupuncture interventions can increase the thoracic duct lymph volume, but have no effects on lymph HA and 5-HT contents in normal rats.

[Discussion on collateral puncture therapy in Japan].

The history of collateral puncture therapy in Japan was traced, the current status and characteristics of collateral puncture therapy in Japan were introduced in this paper. Originated in China, the collateral puncture therapy in Japan combined Japanese knowledge of acupuncture with the theory and practice of bloodletting of Portugal Medicine and Netherlands Medicine. The discussion on the theory and technique of the collateral puncture therapy by Kudo Kunsei became the standard of the collateral puncture therapy in Japan in modern times. Based on this discussion, Tetuo Asami proposed a new theory of the collateral puncture therapy which improved the collateral puncture therapy in Japan. Currently, as a part of Japanese health care system, the collateral puncture therapy with Japanese characteristics is gradually accepted by the medical profession in Japan.

[Effects of nitrogen form and its supply position on maize seedling growth under partial root-zone water stress].

A split root system consisting of two compartments was installed to study the effects of nitrogen form and its supply position on the growth of maize seedlings under partial root-zone water stress. Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) was added to the nutrient solution in one compartment to simulate partial root-zone water stress, while nitrogen was set as three forms (nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and their 1 : 1 mixture) and supplied to just one compartment (water-stressed or non-water-stressed compartment). Photosynthetic and other physiological indices were examined. Comparing with the nitrogen supplied to water-stressed compartment, the nitrogen supplied to non-water-stressed compartment improved the photosynthetic rate (P(n)), maximum net photosynthetic rate (P(max)), light saturation point (LSP), CO2 saturation point (CSP), chlorophyll content, root activity, nitrogen uptake, and biomass accumulation, but reduced the photorespiration rate (R(p)), CO2 compensation point (CCP), abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in xylem sap, and nitrogen- and water use efficiency of the plants. Supplying nitrate nitrogen or its mixture with ammonium nitrogen improved the P(n), P(max), LSP, CSP, nitrogen uptake, and biomass accumulation, but reduced the CCP, R(p), ABA concentration in xylem sap, and nitrogen- and water use efficiency of the plants, compared with supplying ammonium nitrogen. All the results showed that supplying same nitrogen forms to non-water-stressed compartment was more beneficial to the plant growth but disadvantageous to the plant nitrogen- and water use, compared with supplying the nitrogen forms to water-stressed compartment, and supplying nitrate nitrogen or its mixture with ammonium nitrogen promoted the plant growth but reduced the plant nitrogen- and water use, compared with supplying ammonium nitrogen.

Research and synthesis of organosilicon nonthrombogenic materials containing sulfobetaine group.

A novel organosilicon sulfobetaine was synthesized through the reaction of organosilicon containing tertiary amino with 1,3-propanesulfone. Then this organosilicon sulfobetaine was coated onto polyurethane and organosilicon surface to improve their blood compatibility. The existence of sulfobetaine structure on the surface of materials was revealed by ATR-FTIR and XPS. The thermo-capability of synthesized silicone rubber, containing sulfobetaine was revealed by TGA. The blood compatibilities of organosilicon sulfobetaine and other materials such as silicone and PU as reference coated with them were evaluated by platelet-rich plasma adhesion experiment. The novel segmented silicone rubber containing sulfobetaine structure showed perfect blood compatibility.

[Zijin powder in inhibiting H22 mice solid and ascites liver cancer: experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the rate of Zijin powder in inhibiting H22 mice solid and ascites liver cancer and the relation between quatity and effect. METHOD: The Kunming mics, transplanted by H22 liver cells, were divided into a model group, a cyclophosphamide group and three groups of Zijin powder in high dose, medium dose, and low dose. Then observation was made on the rate of Cancer. RESULT: The inhibiting rates of Zijin powder of three groups (high dose group, medium dose group and low dose group) for H22 mice solid liver cancer were 30.8%, 38.31% and 48.59% respectivily. The inhibiting rates of three groups of Zijin powder (low dose group, medium dose and high dose group) for H22 mice ascites liver cancer were 6.77%, 15.59% and 14.90 % respectivily. CONCLUSION: Zijin powder has better effect on H22 mice solid liver cancer, and its effect is greatly increasing with the increased dosage.