1.Research progress on the action mechanism of monomer components and compound formulations of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of vitiligo
Gaoge FANG ; Tong WANG ; Qianyue NI ; Yuanhong WANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1271-1276
Vitiligo is a chronic and refractory pigmentary loss skin disease with a complex pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) offers advantages in treating vitiligo, such as multi-component and multi-target effects, delivering definite clinical efficacy. This article summarizes the action mechanisms of TCM monomer components and compound formulations in the treatment of vitiligo. It is found that pinostrobin, tribuloside and Erzhi pills can activate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) signaling pathway; cannabidiol and tanshinone Ⅱ A can activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK)signaling pathway; Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 and astragaloside Ⅳ can activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR) signaling pathway; escin and psoralen derivative BSP-1 can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; apigenin and Baiban granules can activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1(Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway; hyperoside and kaempferol can activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway; Ruyi heibai powder can activate the programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1(PD-1/PD-L1) signaling pathway; Compound honghua buji granules and demethylzeylasteral can inhibit the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. These mechanisms promote melanin production and deposition, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the destruction of melanocytes by autoimmunity, and reduce melanocyte apoptosis, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on vitiligo.
2.Correlation between beverage dependence and sleep quality among college students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1125-1129
Objective:
To explore the relationship between beverage dependence and sleep quality among college students, providing empirical evidence for improving their sleep quality.
Methods:
From December 2024 to January 2025, a convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 3 974 college students from four universities in Anhui Province. The Beverage Addiction Scale for College Students (BASCS) was used to assess beverage dependence, and the Self rating Scale of Sleep(SRSS) was used to evaluate sleep quality. A multivariate Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship between beverage dependence and sleep quality, and a restricted cubic spline model was used to examine the dose response relationship between the two.
Results:
The positive rate of beverage dependence symptoms among college students was 7.6%, with positive rates of 9.6%, 13.8%, and 7.4% for the withdrawal symptoms, health effects, and dependence symptoms dimensions, respectively. The detection rate of sleep disorders was 23.6%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for covariates such as grade, gender, and body mass index, compared with the no beverage dependence group, students with positive beverage dependence symptoms had a higher risk of sleep disorders( OR =3.71, 95% CI =2.87-4.80, P <0.01). The OR (95% CI ) for sleep disorders among students with positive symptoms in the withdrawal symptoms, health effects, and dependence symptoms dimensions were 2.80(2.22-3.53), 2.38(1.95-2.91), and 2.45(1.89-3.18)(all P <0.01). Further analysis using a restricted cubic spline model revealed that the overall beverage dependence score and its three dimensional scores were approximately linearly related to the risk of sleep disorders among college students (all nonlinear P >0.05).
Conclusions
Beverage dependence is associated with sleep quality among college students. Schools should take multiple approaches, such as health education on beverage awareness, to improve students sleep quality.
3.Effect of Qianyang Yuyin Granules on Elderly Hypertensive Patients Based on "Energy-inflammation-aging" Network
Yuan FANG ; Li LI ; Na XIONG ; Meng LI ; Yongcheng NI ; Yawei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):165-173
ObjectiveTo multidimensionally analyze the clinical effects of Qianyang Yuyin granules on elderly hypertensive patients through an "energy-inflammation-aging" network. MethodsRelevant datasets were retrieved from the GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells from patients with essential hypertension in dataset GSE24752. The GSEA referenced "GO gene sets" and "KEGG gene sets" to identify significantly enriched gene sets. A clinical trial was conducted using a randomized controlled study design. A total of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The control group received standard antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or combined calcium channel blockers (CCBs). In contrast,the treatment group received Qianyang Yuyin Granules in addition to the standard treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure levels and clinical efficacy were observed,and changes in energy metabolism indicators,DNA damage markers,and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in blood were measured using ELISA before and after treatment. ResultsGSEA results indicated significant energy metabolism dysregulation in hypertensive patients. Clinical findings showed that both groups achieved blood pressure control without significant intergroup differences. In terms of clinical efficacy,the treatment group had a significantly higher effective rate compared to the control group (95% vs 65%,P0.05). After treatment,the treatment group showed a significant increase in NAD+ levels (P0.01),with higher levels compared to the control group (P0.05). The treatment group also exhibited a greater reduction in DNA damage marker 8-OHdG (P0.01) and cell adhesion factors ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (P0.01) compared to the control group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the treatment group (P0.01),with greater reductions compared to the control group (P0.05,P0.01). Anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-α,IL-4,and IL-10 were significantly elevated in the treatment group (P0.01),with higher levels compared to the control group (P0.01). No significant adverse reactions were reported in either group. ConclusionThe "energy- inflammation- aging" network plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of hypertension patients. Qianyang Yuyin granules may delay the aging process by increasing patients' energy metabolism levels,reducing DNA oxidative damage,and maintaining the balance of inflammatory factors.
4.Global Research of Medical Technology Management: A Bibliometric Analysis.
Liu-Fang WANG ; Yu-Ni HUANG ; Richard Sze-Wei WANG ; Xiao-Ping QIN ; Zhi-Yuan HU ; Bing-Long WANG ; Zhi-Min HU
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2025;40(2):120-131
OBJECTIVES:
To explore potential keywords, research clusters, collaborative pattern, and research trends in the field of medical technology management (MTM) through bibliometric analysis, providing insights for researchers, policy makers, and hospital administrators.
METHODS:
A retrieval formula was applied to the title, abstract, and keywords in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, along with system-recommended terms, to identify articles on MTM. A total of 181 articles published between 1974 and 2022 were retained for quantitative analysis. The global trend of research output; total citations, average citations, and H-index; and bibliographic coupling, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence were analyzed using VOSviewer.
RESULTS:
The number of articles on MTM has been steadily increasing year by year. The focus of research has shifted from addressing basic medical needs to prioritizing emergency response and medical information security. The United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom emerged as the main contributors, with the United States leading in both volume of publications (60 articles) and academic impact (H-index = 21). Authors from the United Kingdom and the United States led the way in cross-border cooperation. The top five institutions, ranked by total link strength among cross-institutional authors, were primarily located in Canada and Spain.
CONCLUSIONS
The field of MTM has experienced stable growth over the past three decades (1993-2022). The shift of research focus has prompted a heightened emphasis on protecting patient privacy and ensuring the security of medical data. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary and professional collaboration, as well as international cooperation and open sharing of knowledge.
Bibliometrics
;
Humans
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Biomedical Technology
5.Correlation between Serum FGF-23, HPSE Levels and Early Renal Impairment in Patients with Multiple Myeloma.
Li-Fang MA ; Yan YUN ; Yan-Qi LIU ; Xue-Qin BAI ; Wen-Juan NI ; Zhi-Qin LI ; Yan LU ; Zhe LI ; Jing LI ; Guo-Rong JIA
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):822-827
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the relationship between serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), heparanase (HPSE) and early renal impairment (RI) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 125 MM patients who were initially diagnosed in the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology from June 2020 to June 2023. The patients were divided into RI group (>176.80 μmol/L) and non-RI group (≤176.80 μmol/L) based on their serum creatinine levels when diagnosed. The baseline data and laboratory indexes of the two groups were compared. The relationship between serum FGF-23, HPSE and early RI in MM patients was analyzed.
RESULTS:
Among 125 newly diagnosed MM patients, 33 cases developed early RI, accounting for 26.40%. The proportion of light chain type, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, FGF-23, and HPSE levels in RI group were higher than those in non-RI group (all P <0.05). There was no statistical significant difference in other data between the two groups (P >0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BUN, FGF-23 and HPSE were associated with early RI in MM patients (all P <0.05). The serum FGF-23 level was divided into Q1-Q4 groups by quartile, and the serum HPSE level was divided into q1-q4 groups. The correlation analysis showed that with the increase of serum FGF-23 and HPSE levels, the incidence of early RI increased (r =0.668, 0.592). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for confounding factors, elevated levels of serum FGF-23 and HPSE were still influencing factors for early RI in MM patients (OR>1, P <0.05). According to Pearson's linear correlation test, there was a positive correlation between serum FGF-23 level and HPSE level (r =0.373).
CONCLUSION
There is a certain correlation between serum levels of FGF-23, HPSE and early RI in MM patients, and the incidence of early RI is higher in patients with abnormally high levels of both.
Humans
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Multiple Myeloma/complications*
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Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
;
Retrospective Studies
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Fibroblast Growth Factors/blood*
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Glucuronidase/blood*
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Renal Insufficiency/blood*
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Aged
6.A computational medicine framework integrating multi-omics, systems biology, and artificial neural networks for Alzheimer's disease therapeutic discovery.
Yisheng YANG ; Yizhu DIAO ; Lulu JIANG ; Fanlu LI ; Liye CHEN ; Ming NI ; Zheng WANG ; Hai FANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4411-4426
The translation of genetic findings from genome-wide association studies into actionable therapeutics persists as a critical challenge in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. Here, we present PI4AD, a computational medicine framework that integrates multi-omics data, systems biology, and artificial neural networks for therapeutic discovery. This framework leverages multi-omic and network evidence to deliver three core functionalities: clinical target prioritisation; self-organising prioritisation map construction, distinguishing AD-specific targets from those linked to neuropsychiatric disorders; and pathway crosstalk-informed therapeutic discovery. PI4AD successfully recovers clinically validated targets like APP and ESR1, confirming its prioritisation efficacy. Its artificial neural network component identifies disease-specific molecular signatures, while pathway crosstalk analysis reveals critical nodal genes (e.g., HRAS and MAPK1), drug repurposing candidates, and clinically relevant network modules. By validating targets, elucidating disease-specific therapeutic potentials, and exploring crosstalk mechanisms, PI4AD bridges genetic insights with pathway-level biology, establishing a systems genetics foundation for rational therapeutic development. Importantly, its emphasis on Ras-centred pathways-implicated in synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation-provides a strategy to disrupt AD progression, complementing conventional amyloid/tau-focused paradigms, with the future potential to redefine treatment strategies in conjunction with mRNA therapeutics and thereby advance translational medicine in neurodegeneration.
7.Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells.
Yi WANG ; Xiao-Yu SUN ; Fang-Qi MA ; Ming-Ming REN ; Ruo-Han ZHAO ; Meng-Meng QIN ; Xiao-Hong ZHU ; Yan XU ; Ni-da CAO ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Tian-Geng DONG ; Yong-Fu PAN ; Ai-Guang ZHAO
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(3):320-332
OBJECTIVE:
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC.
METHODS:
For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC.
RESULTS:
Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway.
CONCLUSION
Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans
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Flavonoids/therapeutic use*
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Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
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Animals
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism*
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
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Ubiquitination/drug effects*
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Mice
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Drug Synergism
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Nude
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Flavones
8.Hydrogen Sulfide Alleviates Lipid Peroxidation-Mediated Carbonyl Stress in Uranium-Intoxicated Kidney Cells via Nrf2/ARE Signaling.
Jia Lin LIU ; Min WANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Ji Fang ZHENG ; Xi Xiu JIANG ; Qiao Ni HU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):484-500
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of H 2S against lipid peroxidation-mediated carbonyl stress in the uranium-treated NRK-52E cells.
METHODS:
Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Reagent kits were used to detect carbonyl stress markers malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein carbonylation. Aldehyde-protein adduct formation and alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, aldo-keto reductase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression were determined using western blotting or real-time PCR. Sulforaphane (SFP) was used to activate Nrf2. RNA interference was used to inhibit CBS expression.
RESULTS:
GYY4137 (an H 2S donor) pretreatment significantly reversed the uranium-induced increase in carbonyl stress markers and aldehyde-protein adducts. GYY4137 effectively restored the uranium-decreased Nrf2 expression, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2, accompanied by a reversal of the uranium-decreased expression of CBS and aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. The application of CBS siRNA efficiently abrogated the SFP-enhanced effects on the expression of CBS, Nrf2 activation, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2 and concomitantly reversed the SFP-enhanced effects of the uranium-induced mRNA expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. Simultaneously, CBS siRNA reversed the SFP-mediated alleviation of the uranium-induced increase in reactive aldehyde levels, apoptosis rates, and uranium-induced cell viability.
CONCLUSION
H 2S induces Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation, which modulates the expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes and the CBS/H 2S axis. Simultaneously, the Nrf2-controlled CBS/H 2S axis may at least partially promote Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation. These events form a cycle-regulating mode through which H 2S attenuates the carbonyl stress-mediated NRK-52E cytotoxicity triggered by uranium.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics*
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Animals
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Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology*
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Rats
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*
;
Cell Line
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Uranium/toxicity*
;
Antioxidant Response Elements
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Kidney/metabolism*
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Cell Survival/drug effects*
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
9.Comparison of quantitative detection of BCR::ABL1 p210 transcript levels: a multicenter study
Chuting ZHAO ; Canrong NI ; Yani LIN ; Xiaoli MA ; Qisheng WU ; Fang WANG ; Xiaoxue HAN ; Feng LIU ; Yang XU ; Hongxing LIU ; Jie CHEN ; Kun RU ; Minghua ZHU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(7):672-677
Objective:To assess the capability of seven reference medical laboratories to detect BCR::ABL1 p210 transcription levels and to compare the results among those laboratories.Methods:The interlaboratory comparison was carried out in two stages. The samples were prepared by the reference laboratory. The quantitative values of BCR::ABL1 p210 of the comparison samples covered 0.001%-0.01%, 0.01%-0.1%, 0.1%-1%, 1%-10% and>10% in each stage. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and dPCR (digital PCR) were used to examine the samples. The conversion factor (CF) was calculated and validated for each laboratory.Results:In the RT-PCR comparison, one laboratory was failed to detect BCR::ABL1 p210 in fourteen samples at the first stage. The results of the other six laboratories were qualified with the bias <±1.2 folds (-0.133-0.338) and 95% limits of agreement within ±5 folds (upper limit 0.147-0.785, lower limit -0.770--0.109), and the corresponding CF values were calculated and validated. In the dPCR comparison, one laboratory did not report results at the second stage. The results of the other six laboratories were qualified with the bias <±1.2 folds (-0.026-0.267) and 95% limits of agreement within±5 folds (upper limit 0.084-0.991, lower limit -0.669--0.135), and the corresponding CF values were calculated and validated. The samples with BCR::ABL1 p210 quantitative values of 0.01%-0.1%, 0.1%-1%, 1%-10% and >10% could be detected by both RT-PCR and qPCR. When the quantitative value of BCR::ABL1 p210 was 0.001%-0.01%, the detection rate of dPCR was higher than that of RT-PCR (85.56% vs. 68.00%).Conclusions:A good consistency is present among various laboratories. The quantitative value of BCR::ABL1 p210 is comparable among laboratories as shown by the CF value conversion. For quantitative detection of BCR::ABL1 p210 deep molecular reaction, dPCR has a higher positive detection rate and more advantages than RT-PCR. To ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the BCR::ABL1 p210 test, it is imperative for every laboratory to enhance their daily quality control practices.
10.Clinical Efficacy of Withdrawal Therapy Based on Regulating Nutritive Qi and Defensive Qiin Treating Sedative-Hypnotic Dependent Insomnia of Disharmony Between Nutritive Qiand Defensive Qi Type
Xiu-Fang LIU ; Wen-Ming BAN ; Yue SUN ; Dai-Mei NI ; Hui-Min YIN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):48-53
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of withdrawal therapy based on regulating nutritive qi and defensive qi(shortened to Tiaohe Yingwei method)in treating sedative-hypnotic dependent insomnia of disharmony between nutritive qi and defensive qi type.Methods Ninety patients with sedative-hypnotic dependent insomnia of disharmony between nutritive qi and defensive qi type were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group,with 45 patients in each group.The control group was given oral use of Estazolam by 25%of weekly dose-reduction,while the treatment group was treated with Chinese medicinal decoction of Tiaohe Yingwei Zhumian Prescription based on Tiaohe Yingwei method together with Estazolam.The treatment course for the two groups lasted for 4 weeks.The changes of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores,total TCM syndrome scores,and Drug-withdrawal Syndrome Scale(DWSS)scores in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the efficacy for improving sleep efficiency value(IUSEV)and clinical safety in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)During the trial,2 cases fell off in the treatment group,and 43 cases included in the statistics;3 cases fell off in the control group,and 42 cases included in the statistics.(2)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate for improving IUSEV of the treatment group was 88.37%(38/43),and that of the control group was 61.90%(26/42).The intergroup comparison by non-parametric rank-sum test showed that the efficacy for improving IUSEV in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,obvious reduction was shown in the overall PSQI scores and the scores of the items of sleep quality,time for falling asleep,sleep time,sleep efficiency,sleep disorder and daytime dysfunction in the two groups when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that except for the items of sleep disorder and daytime dysfunction,the treatment group had stronger effect on decreasing the scores of the remaining items and the overall PSQI scores than the control group(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the total scores of TCM syndromes of both groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of the total scores of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the total DWSS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the effect on lowering the scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(6)During the course of treatment,no significant adverse reactions occurred in the two groups,or no abnormal changes were found in the safety indexes such as routine test of blood,urine and stool,liver and kidney function,and electrocardiogram of the patients.Conclusion Withdrawal therapy based on Tiaohe Yingwei method exerts certain effect for the treatment of sedative-hypnotic dependent insomnia of disharmony between nutritive qi and defensive qi type.The therapy is effective on improving the quality of sleep and reducing the incidence of drug-withdrawal syndrome,and has a high safety.


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