A galenical produced from Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan (THC-002) provides resistance to the cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity in conscious rats.

AIMS: We determined if THC-002, a galenical produced from Ba-Wei-Die-Huang-Wan, could increase skin temperature and inhibit detrusor overactivity induced by sudden whole body cooling. Further, we determined if THC-002 could decrease expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels associated with the cold responses. METHODS: Hind leg skin temperature of female 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats was measured by thermal imaging. Experimental rats (n = 12) were given oral 100 mg/kg THC-002 daily for one week, and controls (n = 12) were similarly treated with THC-002-free solution. Afterwards, thermal imaging and cystometric investigations of the freely moving conscious rats were performed at room temperature (RT, 27 ± 2°C) for 20 min. The rats were then transferred to a low temperature (LT, 4 ± 2°C) environment during which thermal imaging and cystometric measurements were taken at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min. Afterward, the skin tissues were harvested to estimate expression levels of TRPM8 channels by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The RT skin temperature of THC-002-treated rats was significantly higher than controls. During the first 20 min under LT, the control rats exhibited cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity such as decreased voiding interval and bladder capacity. THC-002 partially inhibited the detrusor overactivity patterns. During the second 20 min, skin temperature was relatively stable, and the detrusor overactivity of both groups slowly disappeared. THC-002 significantly reduced expression of TRPM8 channel protein and mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: THC-002 inhibited cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity resulting from decreasing skin temperature. Therefore, THC-002 might provide resistance to cold stress-exacerbated lower urinary tract symptoms.

A galenical of traditional Chinese herbal mixture (THC-002) reduces expression of tachykinin peptides within urethras of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

AIMS: We investigated expression of tachykinin peptides neurokinin A, neurokinin B, and substance P within urethras of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and determined if a traditional Chinese herbal mixture, THC-002, decreased them. METHODS: Ten- and 40-week-old male SHRs were randomly separated into three groups (n = 12 each). Rats of one group were given orally 20 ml 0.9% NaCl solution per kg body weight daily for 1 week. One hour later, each received a similar volume of water. Rats in the second group were also given saline. One hour later, each received 20 mg THC-002 per kg body weight. The third group was untreated. The urethras were removed and separated into prostatic and non-prostatic regions and analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (n = 6) and immunohistochemistry (n = 6). RESULTS: In 40-week-old untreated SHRs, neurokinin B mRNA and protein, and substance P mRNA in prostatic urethras were significantly higher compared to the 10-week-old ones. Neurokinin A mRNA and protein, and substance P protein of the 40-week-old saline-loaded prostatic urethras were significantly higher compared to the 40-week-old untreated ones. In 40-week-old untreated SHRs, the non-prostatic urethral neurokinin B protein was significantly higher compared to the 10-week-old ones. In 40-week-old, saline-loaded SHRs, neurokinin A protein of the non-prostatic urethras was significantly higher compared to 40-week-old the untreated ones. In 40-week-old SHRs, THC-002 significantly decreased the expression of the urethral tachykinins, except for non-prostatic urethral neurokinin A mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Aging and saline-loading increased the expression of urethral tachykinin mRNAs and peptides. THC-002 partially decreased them.

Spiritual needs in cancer patients and spiritual care based on logotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The suitability of Frankl's logotherapy for the spiritual care (psychotherapy) of cancer patients in Japan is suggested. Using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp, Japanese version), the Purpose in Life test (PIL test, Japanese version), and WHO-Subjective Inventory (WHO-SUBI, Japanese version), we attempted to elucidate the complicated structure of spirituality in cancer patients in order to identify possible approaches to their spiritual care and means of evaluating such care. MATERIALS: Two hundred and ninety-eight cancer patients participated in the study. All three tests were taken at the same time, and the results were evaluated by principal component analysis. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that all the subscales employed in the present study could be represented by a two-dimensional structure (two principal components), and that the FACIT-Sp and PIL tests have similar contents. DISCUSSION: FACIT-Sp (Japanese version) is very similar in conception to the PIL test, which was prepared in accordance with logotherapy. The results suggest that this test can serve as an adequate evaluation scale for measuring the effectiveness of spiritual care based on Frankl's logotherapy.

[Reliability and validity of the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual (FACIT-Sp) Japanese version in cancer patients--a preliminary study].

The reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual well-being (FACIT-Sp), Japanese version, which was developed in the United States for a simple survey of QOL related to spirituality, was evaluated. The survey simultaneously covered FACIT-Sp and HADS, an anxiety and depression scale, using 64 cancer patients as the subjects of the study. In the evaluation of its intrinsic conformity, the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of the sub-scale ranged from 0.80 to 0.91 and the evaluation of validity by factor analysis indicated satisfactory factorial appropriateness. The correlation coefficients for the sub-scales were all below 0.7, indicating that each scale is independent. The correlation with HADS depression and anxiety scales was -0.54 and -0.56, respectively, showing that the emotional and spiritual scales are independent of each other. The findings suggest that The Japanese version of FACIT-Sp is associated with satisfactory reliability and validity and is an effective tool in the study of spirituality among cancer patients.

Reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp) for Japanese patients with cancer.

The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual (FACIT-Sp) scale were assessed. This scale was developed in the United States to assess quality of life (QOL) in relation to spirituality. Two surveys were conducted on each of 306 cancer patients. In addition to the FACIT-Sp, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, an evaluation of internal consistency, for the FACIT-Sp subscales ranged from 0.81 to 0.91. There were no significant differences between the patients evaluated using the FACIT-Sp subscale and the HADS subscale with regard to degree of religious feelings. The correlation coefficients between the FACIT-Sp and the HADS depression and anxiety scales indicated a moderate correlation. These findings suggest that the Japanese version of the FACIT-Sp scale is satisfactory in terms of reliability and validity and is a useful tool in the study of spirituality among Japanese cancer patients.