ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy ofYigongpowder withYupingfengpowder for syndrome of spleen deficiency in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.MethodsA total of 60 patients who had spleen deficiency after azithromycin injection 5 days were randomly divided into treatment group and control group according to the random number table, with 30 in each group. The patients in both received azithromycin suspension for 2 weeks, while the patients in the treatment group received azithromycin suspension and traditional Chinese medicineYigongpowder withYupingfengpowder for 2 weeks. The symptoms score was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.ResultsThe scores of appetite loss (0.65 ± 1.00vs. 2.32 ± 1.28,t=5.631), abdominal distention (0.73 ± 0.23vs.1.33 ± 0.97,t=3.297) and fatigue (0.72 ± 0.32vs. 1.42 ± 1.18,t=3.136) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The total effective rate for syndrome of spleen deficiency in the treatment group was significantly higher than thatin the control group(90.0%vs.66.7%;χ2=4.812,P<0.05).ConclusionYigongpowder withYupingfeng powder can significantly improve the symptoms of syndrome of spleen deficiency in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Objective　To further investigate the balance (relative presence) of Th1 and Th2 subsets at the sites of rheumatoid inflammation,and to understand how about the expression of IL-18 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and what the relationship exists between expression of IL-18 and rate of Th1/Th2 in RA,and between IL-18 level and activity of the disease.Method　Expression of IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-18 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 16 patients with RA and 15 healthy subjects was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Results　① PBMC from patients with RA was found to contain greater levels of IL-18 mRNA than that from healthy subjects (P＜0.01).② IL-18 mRNA levels were correlated with IFN-γ mRNA (relative coefficients:r＝0.836,P＜0.05).③ IL-18 mRNA levels were associated with the disease activity as assessed by levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r＝0.753,P＜0.05).Conclusion　IL-18 is among a matrix of inflammatory cytokines produced abundantly in patients with RA and is associated with induction of IFN-γ and activity of the disease.

In the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, the quest for safe and effective therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism has gained paramount importance. Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT) and Baihu Tang (BHT) have emerged as prominent candidates for treating metabolic disorders. SXT combined with BHT plus Cangzhu (SBC) has been used clinically for Weihuochisheng obese patients. This retrospective analysis focused on assessing the anti-obesity effects of SBC in Weihuochisheng obese patients. We observed significant reductions in body weight and hepatic lipid content among obese patients following SBC treatment. To gain further insights, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of SBC in HFD-fed mice. The results demonstrated that SBC treatment mitigated body weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice. Pharmacological network analysis suggested that SBC may affect lipid metabolism, mitochondria, inflammation, and apoptosis-a hypothesis supported by the hepatic transcriptomic analysis in HFD-fed mice treated with SBC. Notably, SBC treatment was associated with enhanced hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis and the inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, SBC treatment alleviates NAFLD in both obese patients and mouse models by improving lipid metabolism, potentially through enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. These effects, in turn, ameliorate inflammation in hepatocytes.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Organelle Biogenesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Liver ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Body Weight ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*