OBJECTIVETo investigate the differential genes between the qi-stagnation constitution (QSC) and non-QSC, for the sake of disclose the hereditary essence of QSC.

METHODSThe constitution of 3 patients was judged as QSC by criteria for QSC and that of 2 patients was determined as non-QSC by experts according to the gentle constitution related treatise. The differential genes between them were studied using the mRNA differential display revers transcription polymerase chain reaction (DD-RT-PCR).

RESULTSSome differential genes were found (part of them not found in non-QSC, and part was highly expressed in QSC). Among the differential genes, homology was shown between plexin A2-human chromosomal 1q32 (in 98%), notch pre-proteinogen-chromosomal 1q11 (98%), nuclear prelamin A-chromosomal 17q25 (100%), T-cell receptor delta chain-chromosomal 1q24 (99%), neuronal PAS domain protein 3-chromosomal 14q13 (98%), S-phase kinase-associated protein 2-chromosomal 5p12 (99%).

CONCLUSIONSSome differential genes may be existed between QSC and non-QSC.