This article aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Liujunzi Pills on the intestinal microbiota of rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome. The raw Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract(1 g·mL~(-1)) was used to prepare spleen Qi deficiency rat models. A total of 44 SD male rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, Liujunzi Pills groups at high(3.24 g·kg~(-1)), medium(1.62 g·kg~(-1)), low(0.81 g·kg~(-1)) doses, and Shenling Baizhu San(2.50 g·kg~(-1)) group. The drug effect was evaluated by observing the following aspects: spleen index, fecal water content, body weight, and intestinal propulsion index. Gut microbiota analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were conducted on feces. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and UV spectrophotometry were used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) levels in small intestine tissues. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe changes in intestinal pathology and microstructure. The results show that, compared with the control group, fecal moisture content is significantly increased while spleen index, body weight, and intestinal propulsion index are significantly reduced in rats of the model group, indicating the successful establishment of the model. The above symptoms can be improved by both Shenling Baizhu San and Liujunzi Pills. Compared with the control group, in the model group, the gut microbiota abundance is changed with an unbalanced development: the abundance of beneficial bacteria within the Bacteroidetes phylum is reduced, accompanied by a significantly decreased Shannon index, and reduced signal levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-related enzymes relevant to mitochondria. However, Liujunzi Pills and Shenling Baizhu San can significantly improve the Bacteroidetes phylum abundance in gut microbiota, microbial diversity, and NADPH activity in the model group. Additionally, compared with the control group, the ATP level is decreased and the IL-1β level is increased in small intestinal tissues of the model group, with shorter small intestinal epithelial villi and decreased mitochondrial number. The above symptoms can be improved by Liujunzi Pills and Shenling Baizhu San. In conclusion, Liujunzi Pills can treat spleen Qi deficiency syndrome by enhancing mitochondrial function to regulate gut microbiota balance and diversity.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Qi ; Spleen/metabolism* ; Splenic Diseases/metabolism* ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Bacteria/drug effects* ; Feces/microbiology* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism*

We report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a cough and abdominal discomfort. CT scan of the chest showed two lesions across both lungs, and an abdominal CT scan revealed multiple hypodense lesions in the spleen with cystic lesions on the splenic hilum. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy found creamy yellowish discharge through a fistula between the stomach and splenic hilum. Under fluoroscopic guidance, forceps was inserted into the fistula tract, and forcep biopsy was done. The pathology was consistent with tuberculosis, and a nine-month anti-tuberculosis medication regimen was started. Imaging performed three months after finishing medication indicated improvement of splenic lesions, and the gastro-splenic tract was sealed off. This case is a very rare clinical example of secondary splenic tuberculosis with a gastro-splenic fistula formation in an immunocompetent patient.
Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use ; Fluoroscopy ; Gastric Fistula/pathology ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Splenic Diseases/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Splenic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Ultrasonography

The ralationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and intestinal microecology is increasingly being given more and more attention. Combined with the devolopment of intestinal microecology disciplines, effects of TCM on regulation of intestinal microecology have been gradually explained. Both clinical studies and animal experiments have confirmed that TCM can maintain the balance of intestinal microecology and regulate the intestinal flora. The author arrangemented the documents related to Chinese herbal compound adjusting intestinal flora in the recent ten years, summarized that the Chinese herbal compound which can strength spleen and replenish Qi, relax bowels and regulate Qi, dissipate dampness and check diarrhea, clear away heat and toxic materials, promote digestion and relieve stasis had certain regulation effects on intestinal microecology, providing basis for revealing the TCM essence of intestinal microecology.
Animals ; Digestion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; physiology ; Spleen ; drug effects ; physiology

IS901 RFLP analysis of 36 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) isolates from 15 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from four pheasant farms was performed. Using this method, six different IS901 RFLP types (E, F, G, M, Q, and V) were identified. The distribution of IS901 RFLP profiles was tightly linked to individual flocks. Matching IS901 RFLP profiles observed in the present study indicate MAA transmission between pheasants and goshawks in the same locality. In two flocks, different pheasants within a flock as well as in various organs of five individual pheasants were found to have two distinct IS901 RFLP profiles.
Animals ; Bone Marrow/microbiology ; *Galliformes ; Intestines/microbiology ; Liver/microbiology ; Mycobacterium avium/*genetics ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; *Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Poultry Diseases/*microbiology ; Spleen/microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Avian/*microbiology

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; complications ; microbiology ; Liver ; microbiology ; Male ; Mycoses ; complications ; Spleen ; microbiology ; Young Adult

Matteuccia struthiopteris is a nature plant, which contains a lot of potential active components. In the present study, we investigated the effect of polysaccharides extracted from Matteuccia struthiopteris on lupus-like syndrome induced by Campylobacter jejuni CJ-S131 in BALB/c mice. Mice were randomly divided into normal, model control, SLE model (vehicle treated), Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides treated (30 and 15 mg x kg(-1)) groups and prednisone 5 mg x kg(-1) treated groups. The effect of Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides (Ms) on weight and organ index of BALB/c mice was detected. Autoantibodies and total IgG production were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Proteinuria was measured and kidneys were examined by light microscopy. Compared with SLE model group, treatment with Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides 30 and 15 mg x kg(-1) reduced weight loss and Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides 15 mg x kg(-1) reduced spleen swelling (P < 0.05). The increased production of autoantibodies and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) were also significantly inhibited. Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides protected kidney against glomerular injury in BALB/c mice with reduced immunoglobulin deposition and lowered proteinuria (P < 0.01). Matteuccia struthiopteris polysaccharides had a protective effect on lupus-like syndrome induced by CJ-S131 in BALB/c mice.
Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Campylobacter Infections ; Campylobacter jejuni ; Ferns ; chemistry ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; microbiology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Proteinuria ; urine ; Random Allocation ; Spleen ; pathology ; Syndrome ; Weight Loss ; drug effects

Human brucellosis has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, which includes endocarditis, a focal complication that is uncommon yet responsible for the majority of associated deaths. The most successful treatment outcomes of Brucella endocarditis have been reported with usage of both antimicrobial agents and surgery. However, there are few reports on the treatment of Brucella endocarditis using antibiotics only. We report the first case in Korea of Brucella endocarditis with aortic valve vegetations and an accompanying splenic abscess, which were treated successfully with antibiotic therapy alone.
Abscess/*microbiology ; Animals ; Aortic Valve/microbiology ; *Brucella abortus ; Brucellosis/*diagnosis ; Cattle ; Dairying ; Endocarditis/*microbiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/*microbiology ; Spleen/microbiology ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemic status of Rickettsia in Xinyang areas of Henan province.

METHODSSamples including liver, spleen, kidney from mouse and chigger mites from Xinyang areas and serum samples were detected by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

RESULTSIn 62 viscus samples from mice organs, the positive rates were 16.13%, 8.06% and 6.45% for Orientia tsutsugamushi, R. typhii and Spotted fever group rickettsiae respectively. In blood clots samples from mice, the positive rates were 8.06%, 6.45% and 1.61 % for O. tsutsugamushi, R. typhii and Spotted fever group rickettsiae respectively. Three out of 26 mouse serum samples were positive for the predicted fluorexcent intensity O. tsutsugamushi.

CONCLUSIONUsing nested-PCR and IFA methods, O. tsutsugamushi, R. typhii and Spotted fever group rickettsiae were detected in the captured mice living in Xinyang areas of Henan province. Results showed that there were intensive natural reserviors of Rickettsia in Henan province, suggesting that the risk of outbreak of Rickettsia in these areas was high.

Animals ; China ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Kidney ; microbiology ; Liver ; microbiology ; Mice ; Orientia tsutsugamushi ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rickettsia ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Scrub Typhus ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Spleen ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of intestinal microflora alteration on specific and nonspecific immune function and hematopoietic function of mice.

METHODSSixty BALB/C mice were divided at random into two groups, experimental group and control group, with 30 mice in each. The mice in the experimental group were given kanamycin 50 mg while those in the control group were given distilled water intragastrically everyday for consecutive 10 days. After the 10 day treatment all the mice were sacrificed, and the cecal contents were collected for quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial flora. Certain indexes of immune function, including phagocytosis rate of macrophages, number of T lymphocytes positively stained by esterase and serum interleukin 2 (IL-2) content, and the weight of the spleen, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor etc. as indexes of hematopoietic function were determined.

RESULTSIn the group, the quantity of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The number of PFC (plaque forming cells), the phagocytosis rate of macrophage, the number of T lymphocytes with positive NANE staining, the level of IL-2 significantly decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The weight of the spleen in the experimental group decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Levels of IL-3, GM-CSF, the total number of WBC and the proportion of neutrophil remarkably decreased as compared to that in the control group (P < 0.01). Analysis of the correlations between normal microflora, immunologic and hematopoietic indexes showed that marked positive correlations between the quantity of Bifidobacteria and each immune index including the levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF. There was a positive correlation between IL-2 and IL-3, IL-2 and GM-CSF as well.

CONCLUSIONThe application of antibiotics may cause changes in the structure and quantity of intestinal microflora. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the immune function of organism. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the hemopoietic function. The dysbacteriosis, the decrease in immune and hematopoietic function may affect one another. The balance in microecosystem should be emphasized and antibiotics should be applied rationally to reduce the side effects such as dysbacteriosis.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Esterases ; biosynthesis ; Feces ; microbiology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; analysis ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Kanamycin ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Animal ; Organ Size ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism

Abscess ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; surgery ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; isolation & purification ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Spleen ; pathology ; surgery ; Splenic Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome