This study examined the effects of combined administration of tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on heroin withdrawal syndromes and mental symptoms in detoxified heroin addicts. In the cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial, 83 detoxified heroin addicts were recruited from a detoxification treatment center in Wuhan, China. Patients in the intervention group (n=41) were given the combined treatment with tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and 5-HTP and those in the control group (n=42) were administered the placebo. The sleep status and the withdrawal symptoms were observed daily throughout the study, and the mood states were monitored pre- and post-intervention. The results showed that the insomnia and withdrawal scores were significantly improved over time in participants in the intervention group as compared with those in the control group. A greater reduction in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia and total mood disturbance, and a greater increase in their vigor-activity symptoms were found at day 6 in the intervention group than in the control group (all P<0.05). It was concluded that the neurotransmitter-precursor-supplement intervention is effective in alleviating the withdrawal and mood symptoms and it may become a supplementary method for patients' recovery from heroin addiction.

This study examined the effects of combined administration of tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on heroin withdrawal syndromes and mental symptoms in detoxified heroin addicts. In the cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial, 83 detoxified heroin addicts were recruited from a detoxification treatment center in Wuhan, China. Patients in the intervention group (n=41) were given the combined treatment with tyrosine, lecithin, L-glutamine and 5-HTP and those in the control group (n=42) were administered the placebo. The sleep status and the withdrawal symptoms were observed daily throughout the study, and the mood states were monitored pre- and post-intervention. The results showed that the insomnia and withdrawal scores were significantly improved over time in participants in the intervention group as compared with those in the control group. A greater reduction in tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue-inertia and total mood disturbance, and a greater increase in their vigor-activity symptoms were found at day 6 in the intervention group than in the control group (all P<0.05). It was concluded that the neurotransmitter-precursor-supplement intervention is effective in alleviating the withdrawal and mood symptoms and it may become a supplementary method for patients' recovery from heroin addiction.
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Dietary Supplements ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; administration & dosage ; Placebo Effect ; Single-Blind Method ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the incidence of central obesity and characteristics and changing trend of macronutrient energy supply in adult residents of Chongqing, and to analyze the relationship between carbohydrate energy supply and central obesity. Methods Using the longitudinal tracking data of China Health and Nutrition Survey project, combined with China food composition table , the energy and nutrient intake and macronutrient energy supply ratio were calculated. The association between carbohydrate energy supply and central obesity was analyzed by multi-level statistical model. Results In 2011, 2015 and 2018, the carbohydrate supply ratio of adult residents in Chongqing was 43.02%, 46.52%, and 46.07%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=18.699, P<0.001). The overweight rates in 2011, 2015, and 2018 were 29.2%, 36.7%, and 37.8%, while the obesity rates were 12.2%, 13.5%, and 19.5%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ²=41.416, P<0.001). The central obesity rates were 51.5%, 57.2%, and 62.8%, respectively (χ²=21.008, P<0.001). The carbohydrate supply ratio was positively correlated with waist circumference. Compared to the population with a carbohydrate to energy ratio of <55%, the risk of central obesity in the population with a carbohydrate to energy ratio of ≥ 65% was 1.63 times higher. Conclusion The ratio of carbohydrate to energy supply of adult residents in Chongqing has slightly increased. Rates of overweight, obesity and central obesity are on the rise. A high carbohydrate to energy supply ratio may be a risk factor for central obesity.

Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) acupoint on the expression of Bcl-xL and Bax in rats with lumbar disc degeneration. Methods Thirty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group (n= 10), model group (n=10), and electroacupuncture group (n=10). The lumbar disc degeneration model was established by puncturing the annulus fibrosis in the model group and electroacupuncture group. One month after modeling, the electroacupuncture group was electroacupunctured at Weizhong acupoint for four weeks. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of Bax in the lumbar disc tissue. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Bcl-xL and Bax protein. Results HE staining showed that the degrees of lumbar disc degeneration from light to severe was ranged as: the sham-operated group, the electroacupuncture group and the model group. The expression of Bcl-xL was lower (P<0.05), and the expression of Bax was higher (P<0.01) in the model group than in the sham-operated group, which was opposite (P<0.01) in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group. Conclusion Electroacuponcture at Weizhong may upregulate the expression of Bcl-xL and downregulate the expression of Bax in rats with lumbar disc degeneration.