Close association between abnormal expressed enzymes of energy metabolism and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Global research states and trends of micro RNA in irritable bowel syndrome: a bibliometric analysis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder, but its diagnosis and treatment remain obscure. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), as potential biomarkers, have attracted increasing attention in digestive diseases. Here, we present a comprehensive research status, development trends, and valuable insights in this subject area. The literature search was performed using Web of Science Core Collection. VOSviewer 1.6.20, Citespace 6.2.R4, and Microsoft Excel 2021 were used for bibliometric analysis. A total of 124 articles were included in the analysis. Overall, publication patterns fluctuated. Globally, People's Republic of China, the USA, and Germany were the top three contributors of publications. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, University of California, Mayo Clinic, and University of California, Los Angeles contributed the highest number of publications. The pathways and specific mechanisms by which ncRNAs regulate transcription and translation and thus regulate the pathophysiological processes of IBS are the main research hotspots in this field. We found that microRNA (miRNAs) are intricately involved in the regulation of key pathologies such as viscera sensitivity, intestinal permeability, intestinal mucosal barrier, immunoinflammatory response, and brain-gut axis in the IBS, and these topics have garnered significant attention in research community. Notably, microecological disorders are also associated with IBS pathogenesis, and ncRNA may play an important role in the interactions between host and intestinal flora. This is the first bibliometric study to comprehensively summarize the research hotspots and trends related to IBS and ncRNAs (especially miRNAs). Our findings will help understand the role of ncRNAs in IBS and provide guidance to future studies.

Oral herbal medicine for women with intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy complication whose range has been calculated to be between 0.01 and 15.6% all around the world. We wanted to systematically evaluate the effect and safety of oral herbal medicine on treatment for ICP.

Methods

Details of the methods could be found in the registered protocol on PROSPERO (CRD42018096013). Trials assessing the effectiveness of herbal medicine for ICP were searched from seven electronic databases from inception to 28th February 2020. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform all statistical analysis. Meta-analysis, additional analysis, Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were conducted if data permitted.

Results

Totally 43 randomized controlled trials with 3556 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed potential good adjunctive effect of herbal medicine on decreasing the pruritus scores (MD -0.58, 95% CI − 0.79 to − 0.36), the serum TBA scores (MD − 3.99 μmol/L, 95% CI − 4.24 to − 3.74) on the basis with Ursodesoxycholic acid. Compared to the medicine alone, significantly lower incidence of fetal distress (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.51), asphyxia neonatorum (RR 0.35, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.49), cesarean section (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85), postpartum hemorrhage (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.72) were observed in the combination group. But the comparison between herbal medicine and medicine showed inconsistent results among trials. Insufficient information could be used to evaluate the safety of herbal medicine for ICP.

Conclusion

This review found the current evidence may support the effectiveness of combination of herbal medicine and conventional medicine for decreasing the maternal pruritus scores, the serum TBA, and the number of fetal distress, or asphyxia neonatorum events related to this condition (which was supported by TSA results). Since there were obvious statistical and clinical heterogeneity among trials, and the methodological quality of the included studies was poor, the level of the evidence could only be defined as “very low” according to the GRADE criteria. Further high quality studies are still needed to testify the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine for ICP.