Using radial pulse wave as hemodynamic measurements to quantify effects of acupuncture therapy for patients with traumatic brain injury and ischemia stroke.

Background and aim: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and stroke are major sources of death and disability worldwide. Acupuncture has been used as a supplemental therapy for patients with TBI and stroke. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture therapy for patients with TBI and stroke by radial pulse spectrum. Experimental procedure: 22 patients (6 TBI and 16 stroke) were enrolled and underwent radial pressure wave measurement before and after acupuncture treatment at Dubi (ST-35), Zusanli (ST-36) and Jiexi (ST-41). The harmonic analysis of the radial pressure wave was calculated and transformed into Fourier series coefficients Cn, Pn and the variation coefficient CnCV. Results: After acupuncture, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and Glasgow Coma Scale changed very slightly. The harmonic index C4, C7, C9, C10, C3CV and C5CV had significant increases. (P < 0.05) After 3-week course acupuncture treatment, systolic blood pressure, C7, C8, C9, C10 and P10 had significant increases. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Harmonic analysis of radial pulse waves may detect earlier circulatory system changes of acupuncture treatment before they were evident with other hemodynamic readings or scale.

Effect of black tea consumption on radial blood pulse spectrum and cognitive health.

Black tea consumption has been proven to improve endothelial function and to lower the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. Several effects of black tea on cardiovascular system had been surveyed. However, the black tea effect on pressure pulse spectrum remains unknown. The study was aimed to investigate the influence of black tea on radial blood pressure and Pulse Spectrum. Fourteen healthy subjects received water and single doses of black tea (0.05g/Kg) in separate weeks. The radial blood pressure and pulse wave were measured and the pressure pulses were evaluated using harmonic analysis. This report confirmed that black tea consumption (dose=0.05g/Kg) significantly increased third, fifth, (P<0.1), sixth, seventh, and eighth harmonics (p<0.05) of radial pressure wave comparing to water control. We proposed that black tea may increase cerebral blood flow (CBF), which was deduced from the results and from the conclusions of previous studies. The results also showed that the harmonic components of pressure pulse could be the vascular kinetic index that assessed the hemodynamic status in each time frame before and after consumption of black tea.

Zhankuic acid A as a novel JAK2 inhibitor for the treatment of concanavalin A-induced hepatitis.

Fruiting bodies of Taiwanofungus camphoratus have been widely used as an antidote for food poisoning and considered to be a precious folk medicine for anti-inflammation and hepatoprotection. Zhankuic acid A (ZAA) is its major pharmacologically active compound. Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), whose activation is involved in cytokine signaling, plays critical roles in the development and biology of the hematopoietic system. JAK2 has been implicated as a therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases. The HotLig modeling approach was used to generate the binding model for ZAA with JAK2, showing that ZAA could bind to the ATP-binding pocket of JAK2 exclusively via the H-bond. The interaction between ZAA and JAK2 was verified by antibody competition assay. Binding of ZAA to JAK2 reduced antibody recognition of native JAK2. The expressions of phosphorylated JAK2 and STATs were analyzed by immuno-blotting. ZAA reduced the phosphorylation and downstream signaling of JAK2, and inhibited the interferon (IFN)-γ/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1/interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 pathway. The protective effect of ZAA on liver injury was evaluated in mice by Con-A-induced acute hepatitis. Pre-treatment with ZAA also significantly ameliorated acute liver injury in mice. Therefore, ZAA can inhibit JAK2 phosphorylation and protect against liver injury during acute hepatitis in mice. In this study, we present data that ZAA exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the JAK2 signaling pathway. As such, ZAA may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and periodontal recovery in Taiwanese with periodontitis: a significant relationship.

BACKGROUND: Plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are different before and after periodontal treatment. Asians and Westerners have significantly different baseline levels of plasma PUFAs. However, no Asian study has reported the effects of nonsurgical treatment on the correlation between periodontal condition and plasma levels of PUFAs. We analyzed whether recovery from periodontitis was correlated with the elevation of plasma fatty acids 3 months after the nonsurgical intervention and with no recommended supplements. DESIGN: Thirty-five Taiwanese patients with periodontitis were recruited. Probing pocket depths (PPDs) and clinical attachment levels (CALs) were measured at baseline and 3 months after the nonsurgical treatment. Plasma levels of fatty acids were determined using gas chromatography. Differences and correlations between plasma fatty acid composition and periodontitis severity at baseline and 3 months after treatment were determined. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients completed the study. At the baseline, PPDs were negatively correlated with plasma n-3 PUFAs (r=-0.52, p<0.01), but at 3 months post intervention, periodontitis severity had declined and the weight percentages of n-3 PUFAs, DPA, and DHA were significantly (p=0.019, 0.005, and 0.037, respectively) higher. The recovery percentages of CALs were positively and significantly correlated with plasma ΔPUFAs and the percentage of Δn-3 PUFAs in ΔPUFAs (r=0.42 and 0.45, respectively; p<0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a higher weight percentage of n-3 PUFAs in total PUFAs was related to the recovery of CALs 3 months after the nonsurgical periodontal treatment. However, no such relationship was found for PPDs.

Zhankuic acid A isolated from Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a novel selective TLR4/MD-2 antagonist with anti-inflammatory properties.

TLR4, a membrane receptor that functions in complex with its accessory protein myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2), is a therapeutic target for bacterial infections. Taiwanofungus camphoratus is highly valued as a medicinal mushroom for cancer, hypertension, and inflammation in traditional medicine. Zhankuic acid A (ZAA) is the major pharmacologically active compound of T. camphoratus. The mechanism of action of T. camphoratus or ZAA has not been fully elucidated. We analyzed the structure of human TLR4/MD-2 complex with ZAA by X-score and HotLig modeling approaches. Two Abs against MD-2 were used to verify the MD-2/ZAA interaction. The inflammation and survival of the mice pretreated with ZAA and injected with LPS were monitored. The modeling structure shows that ZAA binds the MD-2 hydrophobic pocket exclusively via specific molecular recognition; the contact interface is dominated by hydrophobic interactions. Binding of ZAA to MD-2 reduced Ab recognition to native MD-2, similar to the effect of LPS binding. Furthermore, ZAA significantly ameliorated LPS-induced endotoxemia and Salmonella-induced diarrhea in mice. Our results suggest that ZAA, which can compete with LPS for binding to MD-2 as a TLR4/MD-2 antagonist, may be a potential therapeutic agent for gram-negative bacterial infections.

Past, Present, and Future of the Pulse Examination ( mài zhen).

The pulse examination ( mài zhen) is a unique diagnostic approach of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The description of pulse examination in the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine is full of amazement and mythology. After researching in hemodynamics and investigating in clinical application for three decades, this article describes the development and the merits and demerits of pulse examination. The experiences of the ancients are tried to be illustrated with modern knowledge and language. As the theory of resonant blood circulation is discovered, Traditional Chinese Medicine could be on the shoulder of Newton and then lead the development of modern medicine. Hope the tool of pulse examination constructed according to eigen-vector with specific time domain and position can bring the running water for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Quantitative research could overcome the plight of analog logic qualitative research, and therefore bring new health revolution.