1.Research progress on Akkermansia muciniphila in human intestine
Longfei JIA ; Li WU ; Yuqiu HAN ; Hanying LYU ; Lijiang ZHANG ; Baohong WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2019;12(5):385-392
Recent studies heve demonstrated that Akkermansia muciniphila (A.muciniphila) plays an important role in human health and disease , including regulating the development of the immune system and the metabolic phenotype of the host.This article reviews the research progress on A.muciniphila in recent years, focusing on the basic characteristics , the influencing factors of colonization , and the underlying mechanism of maintaining intestinal homeostasis of A.muciniphila.Additionally, the article summarizes the potential association between A.muciniphila and the chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity , atherosclerosis,diabetes mellitus and infectious diseases.The perspect of A.muciniphila as a new generation of probiotics in clinical medicine and the challenge for its industrialization are also discussed in the article .
2.Correlation Between Quality of Life and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis
Yibin ZHANG ; Qi LU ; Baitong WANG ; Yixun QI ; Hanying XU ; Peng XU ; Meijin SONG ; Peixi ZHAO ; Zhiguo LYU ; Jian WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):275-281
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the correlation between the quality of life (QOL) and different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), identifying potential influencing factors to provide new insights for clinical interventions and improving the QOL of patients with MG. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted on 93 adults with MG who visited the Department of Neurology at the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine from March 2023 to January 2024. Statistical analysis was performed on the clinical data collected using SPSS 24.0 software. ResultsAmong the 93 patients with MG, the average score for myasthenia gravis quality of life-15 (MGQOL-15) was 17.65±6.27, and that for the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) was (106.13±11.83) scores. The QOL was rated as good for 16 patients and moderate for 77 patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the scores of MGQOL-15, SF-36, and their individual scales by gender or education level. Age showed statistically significant differences in MGQOL-15 and the role physical (RP) scale (P<0.05), and occupational type showed significant differences in the vitality (VT) scale (P<0.01). The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification had statistical significance on the total SF-36 score (P<0.01), VT scale (P<0.01), role emotional (RE) scale (P<0.05), social functioning (SF) scale (P<0.05), and physical functioning (PF) scale (P<0.01). Among patients with different TCM syndromes, there were significant differences in MGQOL-15 scores (F=4.919, P<0.01). Moreover, significant differences were observed in SF-36 scores (P<0.01), VT scale (P<0.01), RE scale (P<0.05), mental health (MH) scale (P<0.01), and SF scale (P<0.05). ConclusionFactors affecting the QOL of patients with MG include age, occupational type, and clinical classification of MG. Specifically, a greater impact on the QOL of older patients is observed, while physical laborers have a poorer QOL compared to non-physical laborers. Patients classified as MGFA type Ⅱ and higher have a poorer QOL. Additionally, there is a potential correlation between the QOL and TCM syndromes, with patients presenting with spleen and kidney Qi deficiency having a lower QOL than those with spleen and stomach Qi deficiency or Qi and Yin deficiency, which is particularly evident in the VT, RE, MH, and SF scales.
3.Mechanism of Hirudo in Treatment of Stroke: A Review
Hanying XU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Jing LU ; Yabin CUI ; Lei WU ; Zhuming CHEN ; Ziqi JIN ; Zhiguo LYU ; Peng XU ; Yibin ZHANG ; Tianye LAN ; Jian WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(18):209-217
Stroke is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases, including hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. From a modern medical perspective, stroke is caused by cerebrovascular damage or embolism leading to impaired blood circulation. From the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, the pathogenesis of this disease is mainly due to the disorder of Qi and blood, which ascend to the brain, causing either blood extravasation or blockage of brain collaterals. Stasis is a pathological factor that runs throughout the entire course of stroke, and the method of promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis has been a core treatment for stroke for a long time. Hirudo, as a traditional insect drug, has shown good effects in promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Hirudo contains anticoagulant components, which provide significant advantages in dissolving thrombi in ischemic stroke and facilitating hematoma absorption in hemorrhagic stroke. Hirudo and its related preparations have been proven to exert an anti-stroke effect through anticoagulation, anti-thrombosis, and protection of vascular endothelium. As a result, they have been widely used in the treatment of stroke. This article explored the theoretical basis and research status of using Hirudo for treating stroke based on its main active components and hemostatic properties and summarized the current research status of commonly used Hirudo-based formulations and preparations, aiming to provide references for the involvement of Hirudo in stroke treatment.