Improving Clinician-Patient Communication Alleviates Stigma in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia Receiving Antidepressant Treatment

Background/Aims@#Antidepressants are effective in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, stigma associated with FD and antidepressants may affect treatment adherence. This study aims to explore possible communication strategies to alleviate stigma and improve adherence in patients with FD. @*Methods@#In this randomized, single-center, and single-blind trial, 160 patients with FD initiating antidepressant treatment were recruited. Different communication strategies were performed when prescribing antidepressants. Participants in Group 1 were told that brain is the “headquarters” of gut, and that antidepressants could act as neuromodulators to relieve symptoms of FD through regulating the functions of gut and brain. Participants in Group 2 were told that antidepressants were empirically effective for FD. Stigma scores, medication-related stigma, treatment compliance, and efficacy were analyzed. @*Results@#After 8-week antidepressant treatment, the proportion of patients with FD with decreased stigma scores in Group 1 was significantly higher than in Group 2 (internalized stigma: 64.10% vs 12.00%; perceived stigma: 55.13% vs 13.33%; P < 0.01). Medication-related stigma was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05 for 3 of 4 questions). Concurrently, patients in Group 1 had better treatment compliance (0.71 ± 0.25 vs 0.60 ± 0.25, P < 0.01) and efficacy. In Group 1, participants with decreased post-treatment stigma scores showed better treatment compliance and efficacy than those with non-decreased scores. Decrease in stigma scores positively correlated with treatment compliance. @*Conclusion@#Improving knowledge of patients with FD of the disease and antidepressants via proper communication may be an effective way to alleviate stigma and promote adherence.

Research Progress of Receptors of Plant Polysaccharides / 中国药学杂志

Receptors of plant polysaccharides and their signaling pathways have become a hotspot of polysaccharide activity research. As immunomodulators, polysaccharides have attracted much attention due to their immunomodulatory effects mediated by cell surface receptors. Polysaccharide receptors mainly include C-type lectin receptor family, mannose receptor family (MR), Toll-like receptor family (TLR), complement receptor 3 (CR3), scavenger receptor and so on, and these receptors play an important role in the recognition between polysaccharides and cells, which is closely related to polysaccharides activities, such as enhancing cellular immune function, regulating the secretion of cytokines, having immunomodulatory and antineoplastic effects. In this paper, polysaccharide receptors types, biological functions and signal transduction pathways are reviewed, it will be helpful to elucidate the pharmacological activity mechanism of plant polysaccharides and provide theoretical reference for the comprehensive development of polysaccharide drugs.

Induction Study of Laminarin Sulfate LAMS-2 on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line LOVO Apoptosis through a Mitochondrial Pathway / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of LAMS-2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line LOVO. METHODS: LOVO cells were treated with different concentrations of LAMS-2,3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and morphology observation were performed with Hoechst 33258 dye to determine the effects of LAMS-2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of LOVO cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrion permeability transition pore (MPTP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (△ψm). Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to analyze intracellular calcium ion concentration, Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of Cyt-C, caspase-9 and caspase-3. Spectrophotometer was applied to quantify the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. RESULTS: LAMS-2 inhibited LOVO cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, the apoptosis morphology was obvious. LAMS-2 treatment increased the intracellular level of ROS and Ca2+; activated intracellular MPTP and decreased △ψm; it also induced the release of Cyt-C and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, increased the activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. CONCLUSION: LAMS-2 can effectively inhibit the proliferation of LOVO cells and induce apoptosis through a mitochondria-mediated pathway. Keywords:

Effect of Qinglongyi Polysaccharides on Complex Mobility of Erythrocytes in S180 Mice / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To study the effect of Qinglongyi polysaccharides (QP) in the exocarp of Juglans mandshurica on the complex mobility of erythrocytes in S180 mice. Methods: Erythrocytes were collected and prepared into suspensions, and the complex mobility of cells was measured using high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). Optimized experimental conditions were as follows: 50 cm × 75 μm capillary, buffer for electrophoresis; phosphate solution containing hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (0.1 mol/L, pH 7.4), injection pressure 3.448 kPa, injection time 10 s, separation voltage 20 kV, and column temperature 25 °C. Results: The migration time of erythrocytes in S180 mice was longer than that in normal mice, which was 18.09 min for the model group and 12.11 min for the control group, and the complex mobility of erythrocytes in S180 mice was lower than that in normal mice, which was 0.92 × 10-4 cm2/(Vs) for the model group and 1.38 × 10-4 cm2/(Vs) for the control group. It was also found that S180 mice treated by QP could shorten the migration time and increase the complex mobility of erythrocytes. Conclusion: QP could improve the complex mobility of erythrocytes in S180 mice, and HPCE could be used as a powerful tool for determining the physiological state and functions of erythrocytes. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

Review on chemistry and anti-tumor effect of lentinan / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the progress on the study of lentinan chemistry and anti-tumor effect and provide references for research and clinical applications. METHODS: Reviewed and analyzed many literatures of lentinan, summarized them compres-sively and introduced the progress on the extraction and purification of lentinan, structural analysis and anti-tumor effect in recent years. RESULTS: As the extraction and purification methods for lentinan were different, the polysaccharide compositions and structures were different, and the main forms were homopolysaccharide(glucan) and heteropolysaccharide. And its anti-tumor effects were related to immune enhancement, inhibition of tumor growth effect, synergistic anti-tumor chemotherapy and so on. CONCLUSION: Chemical properties of lentinan is closely related with the anti-tumor effect, and further in-depth research on the structure-activity relationships of lentinan is needed to provide better scientific basis for the comprehensive development and application of lentinan.

Study on the effects of cool and hot ethanol extracts from qinglongyi on the biochemical function of tumor membrane in H22 mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of cool and hot ethanol extracts from Qinglongyi on tumor membrane protein content, lipid fluidity, and membrane close capability in H22 mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The membrane protein content, by, lipid fluidity and membrane close capability were measured by means of SDS-PAGE, skinitzky assay and Zamudio method respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The cool and hot ethanol extracts from Qinglongyi decreased the content of tumor membrane protein, the lipid fluidity and membrane close capability.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cool and hot ethanol extracts from Qinglongyi can change the biochemical substance and biochemical function to cause disaggregation and death of the tumor cell, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor of Qinglongyi.</p>

Study on the effects of two kinds of cactus polysaccharide on erythrocyte immune function of S180 mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of two kinds of cactus polysaccharide on erythrocyte immune function in S180 mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Classical pharmaceutical method and test kit.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The cactus polysaccharide increased the content of RBC-CaR, RFER, decreased the content of RFIR, raised the content of sialic acid. And the effect of median dose group of medical cactus polysaccharide and high dose group of edible cactus polysaccharide is very remarkable (P < 0.01) compared with model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cactus polysaccharide improved the erythrocyte function of tumor-mice, which may be one of anti-tumor mechanisms.</p>

Study on the effects of two kinds of cactus polysaccharide on erythrocyte membrane protein and fluidity of the lipid in S180 mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of two kinds of cactus polysaccharide on Band 3 protein, cross-linking protein and lipid fluidity of erythrocyte membrane in S180 mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The membrane protein content was analysed by SDS-PAGE. Lipid fluidity was measured by Skinitzky method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The two kinds of cactus polysaccharide increased the content of Band 3 protein and decreased the content of cross-linking protein, raised the lipid fluidity. While the effect of median dose group of medical cactus polysaccharide is very remarkable (P < 0.01), the effect of high dose group of edible cactus polysaccharide is very remarkable (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By improving the erythrocyte membrane function of tumor-mice, they enhanced the immune function, which may be one of anti-tumor mechanisms.</p>