Whether Syndrome Differentiation Affects Treatment Result: Study Protocol of MaZiRenWan () for Functional Constipation in A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

BACKGROUND@#Syndrome is one of the most important concepts in Chinese medicine (CM) theory. However, it was not well accounted in most of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).@*OBJECTIVES@#To determine whether CM syndrome differentiation affects the treatment results, functional constipation (FC) was selected as a target disease, and MaZiRenWan (, MZRW), a classic CM formula commonly used for constipation with excessive heat syndrome, was selected for study.@*METHODS@#It is an 18-week prospective double-blinded, doubledummy RCT, including 2-week run-in, 8-week treatment and 8-week post treatment follow-up. A total of 120 FC patients diagnosed as excessive heat syndrome will be recruited from the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Baokang Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Patients will be randomly allocated into fixed MZRW (f_MZRW) granule group, modified MZRW (m_MZRW) granule group or bisacodyl group. For m_MZRW group, no more than two herbal granules can be added according to the syndrome differentiation for individual participants. The primary end point is the mean of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week during the treatment period. Secondary end points include mean of CSBMs per week during follow-up, stool form, global symptom improvement, constipation and constipation-related symptoms assessment, CM syndrome change, and reported adverse events.@*DISCUSSION@#This trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of these three interventions for FC patients with the CM syndrome of excessive heat, and to determine the change of CM syndrome and the progress of disease during the treatment course. The results are important to explore whether syndrome differentiation is important for the therapeutic effect of a formula on a disease. [Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Reg No. ChiCTR-TRC-13003742); protocol version: MZRW/NSFC-81173363 (2015.05.04)].

Common SNP rs6564851 in the BCO1 Gene Affects the Circulating Levels of ß-Carotene and the Daily Intake of Carotenoids in Healthy Japanese Women.

The circulating levels of ß-carotene are modulated not only by sex, but also by autosomal gene variations and fruit intake. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactions between ß-carotene metabolism-related gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; genetic factors) and nutrient intake (environmental factors) relating to their effects on circulating ß-carotene. The serum concentrations of ß-carotene and the habitual food intake of 92 healthy Japanese adults were examined. All subjects were genotyped for three common SNPs: rs6564851 in the ß-carotene 15,15'-oxygenase 1 (BCO1) gene, rs2278986 in the scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SCARB1) gene and rs362090 in the intestine-specific homeobox (ISX) gene. Univariate analysis revealed that the circulating ß-carotene levels were significantly higher in rs6564851 GG homozygotes (p = 0.003). Additionally, the daily intake of ß-cryptoxanthin was positively associated with the circulating ß-carotene levels in female GG homozygotes of rs6564851 (p = 0.023), and the daily intake of α- and ß-carotenes, and ß-cryptoxanthin was significantly lower in female rs6564851 T allele carries than in female GG homozygotes (p = 0.009, 0.008, 0.009, respectively). The present study apparently indicates that higher circulating ß-carotene levels in female rs6564851 GG homozygotes depend on carotenoid intake.

Consensus-based recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine (CARC) / 中国结合医学杂志

Case reports are valuable clinical evidence in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the general reporting quality is suboptimal. A working group comprising 20 members was set up to develop systematic recommendations on case report in Chinese medicine (CARC). The working group (CARC group) developed a primary checklist based on reviewing the general reporting quality of case reports in TCM and thorough internal discussion. Two-round consensus process had been carried out among clinical experts, evidence-based medicine methodologists, medical journal editors and clinical practitioners with designated questionnaire embedded with the primary checklist. In total, 118 participants from 17 provinces of China and Korea completed the questionnaires. Their feedback was analyzed and discussed by the CARC group. The checklist was amended accordingly, and the final version, comprising 16-item, is presented here. Under the framework of CARC recommendations, the reporting quality of case reports in TCM can be improved.

Urgent need to improve the quality of case report in traditional Chinese medicine: Assessment on reporting quality of 3,417 cases / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To survey the reporting quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) case reports published in recent years and understand the common problems. The assessment results would lay the foundation for the development of recommendations for case report in Chinese medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This survey determined the reporting quality of cases with Chinese herbal decoction, Chinese proprietary medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and other traditional therapies published in 20 core medical journals of China by searching the China Academic Journals Full-text Database from 2006 to 2010. Fifty survey items in 16 domains were used to determine the reporting quality. One point was assigned to each item (Yes=1 point; No=0 point), and total score was 50 points. The domain of treatment was assessed independently, ranging from 2 to 9 items for different TCM interventions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total of 1,858 case reports, covering 3,417 cases were included to analyze from 13 out of 20 core medical journals of China. There were 74.8% of them did not identify the nature of study in title, while 73.9% did not comprise an abstract. Incomplete reporting was found in discussions/ comment, and only 38.9% had made recommendations or take-away messages. Figures and tables were infrequently used. Three cases cited the full names of patients, but without declaring that any consent was obtained. Over 90% reported the symptoms and signs of TCM, and characteristics on tongue and pulse, but less than 50% did mention other medical history and diagnostic rationale. More than 90% treatments of the included cases were herbal decoction, with clear reporting on the ingredients and dosages. However, the reporting rate of the dosages of each ingredient was just 48.4%. Almost none reported the quality control of crude herbs, manufacturers and lot numbers of herbal proprietary medicine. Besides, advices and precautions on diet, emotions and living were rare to be illustrated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Systematic reporting recommendations are urged to develop for improving the contents and format of case reports in TCM.</p>

A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of a Chinese herbal formula (Er-Xian decoction) for menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Er-Xian decoction (EXD), in the treatment of menopausal symptoms among Hong Kong perimenopausal women. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted for 12 weeks among 108 Hong Kong perimenopausal women who reported Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) total scores of 28 or higher. Posttreatment follow-up was performed 3 months after the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the frequency and severity of hot flushes. The secondary outcome measures included the MRS, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire, and serum hormone levels. RESULTS: Among 108 participants, 101 participants finished the study. EXD significantly reduced the mean (SD) frequency of hot flushes from 5.8 (5.0) to 2.2 (3.0) in the treatment group and from 5.0 (3.8) to 2.4 (2.5) in the placebo group (P = 0.04). The mean (SD) hot flush score was also reduced from 19.6 (6.6) to 4.9 (7.8) in the treatment group and from 16.6 (5.4) to 7.0 (6.4) in the placebo group (P = 0.02). The superiority of EXD to placebo was also observed with greater improvement in the total scores for the MRS (P = 0.03) and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (P < 0.01). There were no differences in serum hormone levels between the EXD group and the placebo group. There were no serious adverse events, and the safety indices of whole blood counts, renal function, and liver function were within the normal range before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese herbal formula EXD is superior to placebo in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flushes and in improving menopausal symptoms in Hong Kong perimenopausal women. It is well tolerated, with no serious adverse events noted during the study period.