ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP) is the most severe complication of carbon monoxide poisoning, which seriously endangers patients' quality of life. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) on improving dementia symptoms in patients with DEACMP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on DEACMP patients, who visited Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from June 2014 to June 2020. Among them, patients who received conventional drug treatment combined with HBO2 treatment were included in an HBO2 group, while those who only received conventional drug treatment were included in a control group. HBO2 was administered once daily. Patients in the HBO2 group received 6 courses of treatment, with each course consisting of 10 sessions. The Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS) was used to diagnose dementia, and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) was used to grade the severity of dementia for DEACMP. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Section (ADAS-Cog), the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change-Plus Caregiver Input (CIBIC-Plus) were performed to assess cognitive function, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), behavioral and psychological symptoms, and overall function. The study further analyzed the results of objective examinations related to patients' dementia symptoms, including magnetic resonance imaging detection of white matter lesions and abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG). The changes of the above indicators before and after treatment, as well as the differences between the 2 groups after treatment were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the HDS score and CDR grading between the 2 groups before treatment (both P>0.05). After treatment, the score of ADAS-Cog, FAQ, NPI, and CIBIC Plus grading of the 2 groups were significantly improved, and the improvement of the above indicators in the HBO2 group was greater than that in the control group (all P<0.05). The effective rate of the HBO2 group in treating DEACMP was significantly higher than that of the control group (89.47% vs 65.87%, P<0.05). The objective examination results (white matter lesions and abnormal EEG) showed that the recovery of patients in the HBO2 group was better than that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperbaric oxygen can significantly relieve the symptoms of dementia in patients with DEACMP.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning , Dementia , Hyperbaric Oxygenation , Humans , Activities of Daily Living , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/complications , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/therapy , Quality of Life , Retrospective Studies , Oxygen , Brain Diseases/etiology , Brain Diseases/therapy , Dementia/etiology , Dementia/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chaihu-Shugan-San (CHSGS) is a well-known Chinese traditional prescription used for depression. OBJECTIVE: To observe the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes in patients with major depression and to investigate rCBF and clinical response to CHSGS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 unmedicated patients with major depression and 12 healthy comparison subjects underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. A total of 33 unmedicated patients with major depression all met the diagnostic criteria of stagnation of liver qi of traditional Chinese medicine and were divided into two groups: CHSGS group (n = 20) and fluoxetine group (n = 13). SPECT imaging was restudied in posttreatment. RESULTS: SPECT detected abnormalities in all (100.0%) patients both in CHSGS group and fluoxetine group. All healthy subjects were normal results. The depressed patients showed rCBF decreased in the multiple regions. The semiquantitative values of bilateral frontal and left temporal lobes both in CHSGS group and fluoxetine group were lower than that in healthy group (P < 0.05). Reexamined SPECT after 8 weeks treatment with CHSGS showed the consistency between the increase in perfusion defects and the improvement of clinical cerebral symptoms. The semiquantitative values increased in posttreatment, when compared with pretreatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SPECT represents a sensitive tool to detect the major depressive disorder, which show the rCBF decreased. rCBF perfusion defects can be reversed and clinical symptoms can be improved by CHSGS treatment. CHSGS treatment is effective, well-tolerated, and safe for depression. By semiquantitative analysis, SPECT can objectively detect rCBF changes that is useful for guiding treatment.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a well-known, Chinese traditional medicine used to treat depression. Little is known about the antidepressant mechanism of CSS. The main aims of the this study were to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of CSS and its components and further explore the CSS׳s effect upon signal transduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) expressions in the hippocampus of rats with depression induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: Normal; Model; CSS; Component I; Component II; and Fluoxetine. Antidepressant-like effects of CSS and two of its constituents, Components I and II in aqueous extract, were assessed using rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) by measuring weight change, observing the open-field test and measuring sucrose water consumption. Antidepressant mechanism were examined by measuring the effect of CSS, and two of its constituents, on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) expression, phosphorylation-ERK5 (p-ERK5), and ERK5 mRNA in the hippocampus by using western blotting and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Three preparations were prepared: (1) an aqueous extract of CSS (5.9 g/kg·d); (2) Component I (3.3 g/kg·d); and (3) Component II (2.6 g/kg·d). During the 28-day CUMS, the three preparations were intragastrically administered all three preparations. Simultaneously a parallel positive fluoxetine control group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride (1.8mg/kg·d). Normal and Model groups were intragastrically administered with a isovolumic distilled water (4.5 ml/kg·d). RESULTS: Depressed rats had decreased weight gain; decreased locomotor activity as measured by the open field test; and reduced sucrose consumption. The rats׳ hippocampus ERK5 activation was significantly suppressed. CSS reduced the incidence of depressive-like behaviors and increased ERK5 activation in depressed rats at the same rate as fluoxetine. Component I, and II, each had only a partial effect on the depression indicators measured. CONCLUSIONS: CSS aqueous extract has antidepressant-like effects on CUMS-induced depression model rats. The antidepressant effect of CSS is greater than that of either the two separate components measured. CSS׳s antidepressant mechanism may be mediated by reversing the stress-induced disruption of ERK5 activity.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology , Depression/drug therapy , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7/genetics , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Blotting, Western , Depression/physiopathology , Disease Models, Animal , Fluoxetine/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Male , Motor Activity/drug effects , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Real-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
On the basis of medical literature review and clinical research experience, the authors analyzed the reasons for low recognition rate of depression and poor progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation of depression in this paper and put forward that depressive episode symptoms and the corresponding common terminology classification of Chinese and Western medicine should be the breakthrough points. Through symptom stratification and combination, as well as distinguishing between primary and secondary symptoms, the comprehensive integrative medicine clinical assessment of depression was explored so as to further obtain expert consensus and provide a methodology reference for the TCM differentiation of depression and the research of etiology and pathogenesis.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Diagnosis, Differential , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the antidepressant effect and mechanism of Chaihu Shugan San (CHSGS) composition, a compound traditional Chinese herb medicine and its components. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, model control group, a CHSGS group, a component I group, a component II group and a fluoxetine control group. The depression model was replicated by chronic unpredictable mild stress and single house for 28 d. Behavioral scores of the rats were detected by Open-field test and sucrose solution consumption test, and ERK1/2 mRNA expression in the hippocampus tissue was assayed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. RESULTS: ERK1/2 mRNA expression was down-regulated in the depression model group compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ERK1/2 mRNA expression in the CHSGS group and fluoxetine group was both up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and only ERK1 mRNA expression in the component I group was up-regulated (P<0.05). No significant difference existed between the component II group and the model group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Isolated-living condition and chronic mild unpredictable stress can down-regulate the expression of ERK1/2 mRNA in the hippocampus tissue. CHSGS may exert an antidepressant effect through increasing the expression of ERK1/2 mRNA in the hippocampus, component I may play an important role in its antidepression effect, while compatibility of the use of component II can enhance the antidepressant efficacy.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology , Hippocampus/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Stress, Psychological , Animals , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Depression/drug therapy , Depression/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/genetics , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/genetics , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan San (CHSGS), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on behavior and plasma levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of rats with chronic mild unpredicted stress depression. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, untreated group, fluoxetine group and CHSGS group. Except the normal control group, rats were singly housed and exposed to an unpredicted sequence of mild stressor for continuous 4 weeks to induce depression. Since the fifteenth day, rats were intragastrically administered with equal volume agents respectively for 2 weeks [normal saline for the normal control group and the untreated group, fluoxetine (1.8 mg/kg) for the fluoxetine group and CHSGS (5.9 g/kg) for the CHSGS group]. Behavioral scores of rats were detected by open-field test and sucrose preference test, and the plasma levels of CRH and ACTH in different groups were detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, body weights of the rats in the untreated group were significantly decreased. Scores of crossing, rears and grooming in open-field test were reduced significantly. Pure water consumption in sucrose preference test was increased significantly. The levels of plasma CRH and ACTH were significantly increased. The depressive behaviors of the rats were improved significantly and the levels of plasma CRH and ACTH were obviously reduced in the CHSGS group. CONCLUSION: Chronic mild unpredicted mild stress can affect the neuroendocrine and behavior and cause depression in rats. CHSGS can regulate HPA hyperactivity of rats caused by chronic stress and has antidepressive effects.
Subject(s)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood , Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/blood , Depression/drug therapy , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Depression/blood , Depression/etiology , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the differential expression of protein of thalamus in rats with diffuse axonal injury. METHODS: Twenty-five rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10) and a trauma group (n=15). Total proteins of brain trauma tissue and normal brain tissue were extracted separately, and then proteins were separated by two dimensional gel electrophoresis and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. The differentially expressed protein spots were identified with biospectrometry. Images were analyzed by PDQuest 7.0. RESULTS: The distribution of protein spots in the trauma group was similar to that of the normal group, the matching rate was 95%, and the repeatability was good. Proteins were mainly displayed at pI 3-8, with relative molecular mass 14.4-75.0 kD. Compared with the normal group, 16 spots of proteins increased and 18 spots of proteins decreased in the trauma group. CONCLUSION: There is some difference in protein expression between the normal group and the trauma group. Brain trauma may lead to changes of proteins in the thalamus.
Subject(s)
Diffuse Axonal Injury/metabolism , Proteome/analysis , Proteomics/methods , Thalamus/metabolism , Animals , Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional , Male , Random Allocation , Rats , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine. METHODS: Multi-central, randomized and controlled trial was used and 253 cases of migraine were divided into an acupuncture group and a western medicine group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Channels with Taichong (LR 3), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Fengchi (GB 20), Ququan (LR 8) selected as main points, and the western medicine group with oral administration of Flunarizine tablets for 4 therapeutic courses. The total therapeutic effects 3 and 6 months after the treatment, the scores of various symptoms of migraine before and after treatment, and the stability of therapeutic effect in one-year following-up survey were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, mean times and duration of the headache attack were significantly improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01) with the acupuncture group better than the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rates for stopping pain after treatment, 3 months and 6 months after treatment in the acupuncture group were 93.0%, 93.0% and 87.7%, respectively, which were better than 85.6%, 86.5% and 69.2% in the western medication group (all P < 0.01). One year later, the stability of the therapeutic effect in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05); the adverse reaction and the compliance in the acupuncture group were significantly superior to those in the western medicine group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at points of The Liver and Gallbladder Meridians for treatment of migraine is safe, effective, and with stable long-term therapeutic effect.