Objective To explore the mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Decoction(GXB)in improving atherosclerosis(AS)in mice by regulating the gut microbiota(GM)and its metabolites.Methods Thirty-two male ApoE-/-mice were divided randomly into a Blank group,Model group,atorvastatin(Ato)group,and GXB group(n=8 mice per group).AS was established in all mice,except the Blank group,and the respective treatments were administered by gavage.Aortic plaques were detected by Oil red O staining and pathological changes in aortic tissue were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining.The GM was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology,and mouse GM metabolites,including trimethylamine oxide(TMAO),short-chain fatty acids(SCFA),and serum levels of triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and nitric oxide(NO)were determined.Results Compared with the Blank group,mice in the Model and Ato groups showed an increase in AS plaque area(P＜0.05).Serum levels of TG,TC,and LDL-C were increased(P＜0.001)while levels of HDL-C and NO were decreased(P＜0.01,P＜0.001)in the Model group compared with the Blank group.The plaque area was decreased(P＜0.05),serum levels of TG,TC,and LDL-C were decreased(P＜0.001),and NO levels were increased(P＜0.01)in the Ato and GXB groups,while HDL-C levels were increased in the GXB group(P＜0.05)compared with the Model group.Plaque area was decreased(P＜0.05)and the NO level was increased(P＜0.01)in the GXB group compared with the Ato group.A total of 6345 characteristic sequences were obtained from 16S rRNA analysis.α-Diversity analysis indicated that GXB reduced the richness of the GM in AS mice(P＜0.001)and improved its uniformity(P＜0.05).β-Diversity analysis suggested that the microbial community structure in the GXB group was similar to that in the Blank group.The abundance of microbial communities differed among the groups at the phylum and genus levels.At the phylum level,the abundance of Proteobacteria was increased(P＜0.01)in AS mice,while GXB intervention reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria(P＜0.01)and increased the abundance of Verrucomimicrobiota(P＜0.05).At the genus level,GXB effectively increased the abundance of Akkermansia(P＜0.05).SCFAs were significantly increased(P＜0.01)and TMAO levels were significantly decreased(P＜0.01)in the GXB group compared with the Model group.Conclusions GXB can regulate the intestinal flora and intestinal flora metabolites SCFA and TMAO to improve AS.Akkermansia may be a key bacterial genus of the gut microbiota through which GXB may improve AS.

Objective To investigate the clinical curative effect of Modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction in the treatment of stable angina pectoris(SAP)with internal resistance of phlegm and turbidity and its effect on gut microbiota.Methods The clinical data of 72 cases of SAP patients with phlegm turbidity and internal resistance type in our hospital were selected for prospective study,sorted according to the order of admission,and divided into control group and observer by random number table method,with 36 cases in each group.The control group was given standardized western medicine treatment,and the observation group was given the addition of Modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction on the basis of the control group.The clinical efficacy and gut microbiota composition of the two groups of patients were compared.Results After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in the ECG efficacy between the two groups(P>0.05).Based on 16S rDNA technology,at the phylum and genus levels,there was no difference in the abundance of Bacteroidota,Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium(P>0.05).After treatment,the abundance of Bacteroidota in the observation group increased more significantly than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction can effectively improve the clinical efficacy of SAP patients with phlegm-turbid internal resistance by regulating gut microbiota,which provides new inspiration for the further development of Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction.

Child ; China ; Humans ; Iodine ; urine ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary

OBJECTIVETo assess the epidemiology features of hypertension in Heilongjiang Province, China.

METHODSFrom 1959 to 1999, 289,157 people in total, ages > or = 15-year old (male 154,091, female 135,066) were investigated four times by a stratified chunk method in rural and urban areas in Heilongjiang Province. After a staff training program, this survey on blood pressure and risk factors was carried out under a worldwide uniform protocol with standardized method and interrelated quality control regulation. Among these samples, 1615 people (male 824, female 791) received blood-lipid analysis.

RESULTSThe hypertensive incidence of Heilongjiang was much higher than the average level in China (P < 0.01) and it has gotten higher from 1959 to 1999, especially in the last ten years. It increased more in males than in females (P < 0.01). It was also higher with age. The mean age of hypertensive onset became ten years younger recently. It is different in different areas and professions. Age, BMI (body mass index), drinking alcohol, gender, history of maternal hypertension, high salt diet and professional status were the main risk factors for hypertension in Heilongjiang Province in China.

CONCLUSIONThe prophylaxis and treatment of hypertension should be enhanced in this area.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Linear Models ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; Sex Factors ; Urban Health

Objective.So far,it has not been established a satisfactory method for early diagnosis and studying on epidemiology for leprosy,we want to develop a molecular biological method for solving this point.Materials and methods.Based on the M.leprae gene coding groEL,65kD and 16S rRNA,three polymerase chain reactions were developed by using plikaytis',Woods' and Pattyn's procedures.It was optimized that the experimental parameters for each PCR,and a comparative study on practivity among three PCRs was also conducted for practical purpose.Results and conclusion.For detecting infection with M.leprae,all of PCRs established by us were highly sensitive and specific,but for practicl purpose,the woods'PCR optimized by us ought to be chosen firstly.