Challenges of pectic polysaccharides as a prebiotic from the perspective of fermentation characteristics and anti-colitis activity.

Several studies are described that contribute to the systematic exploration of new aspects of digestion, fermentation, and biological activities of pectic polysaccharides (PPS) leading to a better understanding of prebiotics. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is thought to be associated with the dysbacteriosis induced by different environmental agents in genetically susceptible persons. PPS are considered as an indispensable gut-microbiota-accessible carbohydrate that play a dominant role in maintaining gut microbiota balance and show a better effect in ameliorating IBD than some traditional prebiotics. The aim of this review is to summarize the fermentation characteristics of PPS, highlight its role in improving IBD, and propose a view that PPS may be a new and effective prebiotic.

Clinical study of comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of Limb dysfunction after the comprehensive treatment of ischemic stroke by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).Methods:A total of 160 patients with limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. Who in line with the inclusion criteria, were randomly divided into 2 groups by random number table, 80 cases each. These patients were treated in Multicenter Union Hospital from June 2017 to Janunry 2019. The patients in the control group were given basic Western medicine treatment and rehabilitation training, while the patients in the observation group were given a comprehensive treatment combined with traditional Chinese medicine based on the control group (Chinese herbs, herbal fumigation and ear point press). Both groups were treated for 4 weeks and follow-up for 2 months. The Fugl-Meyerscale were used to evaluate the degree of limb dysfunction and balance dysfunction, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale were used for assessing the damage extent of nerve function, the Barthel index for evaluating the mobility of daily life. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to the method of Brunnstrom assessment.Results:After treatment, the Limb strong spasm (1.57 ± 0.36 vs. 1.98 ± 0.53, t=5.724), Hemianesthesia (1.37 ± 0.31 vs. 1.80 ± 0.36, t=8.096), Inhibited bending and stretching (1.31 ± 0.25 vs. 1.84 ± 0.46, t=9.055) in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The Fugl-Meyer activity and balance rating in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( t values were 2.739, 4.705, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate of observation group was 93.3% (78/80), the control group was 73.3% (71/80), and there exist statistical significance ( χ2=4.783, P=0.028) in the two group’s comparative difference. Conclusion:The comprehensive TCM treatment can improve the hemiplegia syndrome of ischemic stroke patients and their limb activity and balance function, promote their neural functional recovery, enhance the activity of their daily life and clinical efficacy.

Time-dose effects of Taohong Siwu Decoction on number and functional activity of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that Taohong Siwu Decoction can alleviate the damage of vascular endothelial cells and maintain their normal secretory function, and endothelial progenitor cells can promote the repair of endothelial injury. Therefore, it is assumed that Taohong Siwu Decoction may protect endothelial function by improving the functional activity and increasing the number of endothelial progenitor cells. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Taohong Siwu Decoction can augment the number and functional activity of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells. METHODS: Endothelial progenitor cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects, and divided into control, low-, moderateand high-concentration Taohong Siwu Decoction groups. Cells were then cultured to observe the dose-effect relationship within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the high-concentration Taohong Siwu Decoction group was cultured for respective time points (6, 12, 24 and 48 hours) for observing the time-effect relationship. The number of endothelial progenitor cells was counted under inverted phase contrast microscope. Proliferation, adhesion and migration of endothelial progenitor cells were detected by MTT chromatometry, adhesion activity assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The proliferation, adhesion and migration abilities of endothelial progenitor cells in the Taohong Siwu Decoction groups were significantly higher than those in the control group and showed a certain dose-effect relationship. (2) The proliferation, adhesion and migration abilities of endothelial progenitor cells in the Taohong Siwu Decoction groups were enhanced in a time-dependent manner, especially at 24 hours after intervention (P < 0.01). To conclude, the Taohong Siwu Decoction can increase the number of endothelial progenitor cells and promote cell functions. High-concentration Taohong Siwu Decoction exhibits the best interventional effect at 24 hours after intervention.

Reevaluation of the Systematic Review of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Transarterial Che-moembolization in the Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the methodological bias of systematic review and the reliability of counclusions of tradi-tional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of primary liver cancer,and pro-vide evidence-based reference. METHODS:Retrieved from Cochrane Library,PubMed,Guideline,CBM,CJFD and Wanfang Da-tabase,high quality systematic review about TCM combined with transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of primary liver cancer was collected for reevaluation. RESULTS:Totally 12 systematic review were involved. Results showed TCM combined with transarterial chemoembolization can improve tumor’s objective response,prolong the survival time of patients,improve life quali-ty,reduce postoperative adverse reactions with no serious adverse reactions reported related to TCM in the treatment of primary liv-er cancer. CONCLUSIONS:The clinical efficacy of TCM combined with transarterial chemoembolization is superior to transarterial chemoembolization alone in the treatment of primary liver cancer,with better safety.