Syndrome Differentiation of Chinese Medicine in Mars 500 Long-Term Closed Environment

Comparison between Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Blood Biochemical Markers Associated with Left and Right Mammary Hyperplasia in Rural Areas of Southwest China

Background

Hyperplasia of mammary glands (HMG) is the breast disease with the highest clinical incidence. Many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors suggest that the treatment of HMG should be based on the left and right breast pain difference. However, these views are based on case reports, and an objective basis has not been established for treatment according to left-side and right-side differences.

Methods

We enrolled 150 patients who met the clinical diagnostic criteria of HMG. The incidence bias was determined according to the score difference between bilateral breast pain and mass in patients with HMG. A left group, right group, and bilateral group were included, and TCM constitution was investigated in each group. Blood biochemical indicators were measured for 120 fasting patients. We conducted a network pharmacology study of the key herb qingpi and chenpi, which are used by TCM doctors to treat different lateral HMG.

Results

In patients with biased onset of HMG, the results showed that the frequency and constitution score of stagnant blood in the L group were higher than those of the R group, and the frequency and constitution score of phlegm-dampness in the R group were higher than those of the L group. Both the L and R groups had high proportion of stagnant Qi. The results indicated that the concentration of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) was higher in the L group than that in the R group, and the concentration of lipoprotein a (Lp-α) was higher in the R group than that in the L group. The results showed that sinensetin and neohesperidin contained in qingpi might interfere with platelet activation, thrombogenesis, prolactin signaling pathway, and atherosclerosis process, in removing “blood stasis” and eventually treating the left-leaning group of HMG patients. Sitosterol and citromitin contained in chenpi could regulate lipid metabolism by interfering with regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, salivary secretion, estrogen signaling pathway, and thyroid hormone signaling pathway. Chenpi could eliminate “phlegm turbidity” and treat HMG patients in the right-leaning group.

Conclusions

We preliminarily confirmed that the clinical pathogenesis of HMG is not a left-right equilibrium and TCM constitution, coagulation function, and lipid metabolism may be used as the objective basis for the difference between the left and right in HMG pathogenesis. For left-sided HMG patients, the doctor can consider qingpi, herb of activating blood and removing stasis, to treat HMG. However, for right-sided HMG, we think doctors should apply herb of activating Qi and eliminating phlegm, such as chenpi.

Constitutions of Deficiency and Stasis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Related Factors among Middle-Aged Women in Taiwan

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) appears to be the common therapy in middle-aged women. The constitution serves as a guide for TCM treatment. However, little is known about the constitution and related factors in middle-aged women. The objectives of this study were to describe the yang-deficiency, yin-deficiency, and stasis constitutions in middle-aged women. Demographic and health factors related to yang deficiency, yin deficiency, and stasis were also examined.

Methods

A total of 1,000 women aged 40–65 years were selected from 2009 through 2018 using random sampling from the Taiwan Biobank Research Database in Taiwan. Yang-deficiency, yin-deficiency, and stasis were assessed using the body constitution questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with constitution in deficiency or stasis.

Results

The proportions of middle-aged women who had the constitution in yang-deficiency, yin-deficiency, and stasis were 29.7%, 21.7%, and 17.7%, respectively. The result of binary logistic regression showed that current menstruation, abnormal spirometry, and education level were predictive factors of yang deficiency. Women with younger age, abnormal spirometry, or a vegetarian diet had a significantly associated yin deficiency. Younger age, abnormal spirometry, and coffee habit were predictors of stasis.

Conclusions

Middle-aged women in Taiwan with abnormal spirometry had a higher risk for deficiency or stasis constitutions, especially for those younger than 56 years. Healthcare providers should learn patients' constitutions and provide appropriate advice, referring them to safe providers of their desired method.