1.
Effects of adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine therapy on long-term survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Liu, X, Li, M, Wang, X, Dang, Z, Yu, L, Wang, X, Jiang, Y, Yang, Z
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2019;:152930
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asian countries seek adjuvant therapy with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study aims to explore the benefits of TCM therapy in the long-term survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS In total, 3483 patients with HCC admitted to the Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University were enrolled in this study. We used 1:1 frequency matching by sex, age, diagnosis time, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging, and type of treatments to compare the TCM users (n = 526) and non-TCM users (n = 526). A Cox multivariate regression model was employed to evaluate the effects of TCM therapy on the HR value and Kaplan-Meier survival curve for mortality risk in HCC patients. A log-rank test was performed to analyze the effect of TCM therapy on the survival time of HCC patients. RESULTS The Cox multivariate analysis indicated that TCM therapy was an independent protective factor for 5-year survival in patients with HCC (adjusted HR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.40-0.52, p < 0.0001). The Kaplan-Meier curve also showed that after PS matching, TCM users had a higher overall survival rate and a higher progression-free survival rate than non-TCM users. TCM users, regardless of the classification of etiology, tumor stage, liver function level, or type of treatment, all benefited significantly from TCM therapy. In addition, it was found that the most commonly used Chinese patent medications are Fufang Banmao Capsule, Huaier Granule, and Jinlong Capsule. CONCLUSION Using traditional Chinese medications as adjuvant therapy can probably prolong median survival time and improve the overall survival among patients with HCC. Further scientific studies and clinical trials are needed to examine the efficiency and safety.
2.
B vitamin supplementation improves cognitive function in the middle aged and elderly with hyperhomocysteinemia.
Cheng, D, Kong, H, Pang, W, Yang, H, Lu, H, Huang, C, Jiang, Y
Nutritional neuroscience. 2016;(10):461-466
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An intervention study was performed to determine if supplement containing folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 could improve cognitive function and lower homocysteine in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. METHODS One hundred and four participants with hyperhomocysteinemia were recruited in Tianjin, China, aged 55-94 years old. Fifty-seven individuals with hyperhomocysteinemia were included in the intervention group (vitamin B group, which received 800 µg/day of folate, with 10 mg of vitamin B6 and 25 µg of vitamin B12) and 47 patients in the placebo group. The endpoint was the improvement in cognitive function as evaluated by Basic Cognitive Aptitude Tests (BCATs). All parameters were measured before and after the treatment period of 14 weeks. RESULTS The BCAT total score and four sub-tests scores (digit copy, Chinese character rotation, digital working memory, and recognition of meaningless figure) of BCAT at 14 weeks significantly increased only for the vitamin B group. Serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels significantly decreased in the intervention group, while serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 significantly increased in the intervention group. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that supplement containing folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperhomocysteinemia could improve their cognitive function partly and reduce serum tHcy levels.
3.
Association between risk factors for atherosclerosis and mechanical forces in carotid artery.
Jiang, Y, Kohara, K, Hiwada, K
Stroke. 2000;(10):2319-24
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Mechanical stresses on the arterial wall participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as local factors. The relationships between local mechanical forces and risk factors for atherosclerosis were investigated. METHODS Mechanical forces on the arterial wall were evaluated in the carotid artery in 117 patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, as well as in 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Circumferential wall tension and shear stress were evaluated with Laplace's law and a poiseuillean parabolic model of velocity distribution. Circumferential wall strain was also evaluated as carotid mechanical force. RESULTS Mechanical forces in subjects with risk factors were characterized by low wall shear stress, high circumferential wall tension, and reduced strain. Systolic blood pressure was significantly negatively associated with shear stress and circumferential wall strain. HDL cholesterol showed a significant positive correlation with shear stress and a negative correlation with wall tension. Fasting blood glucose was significantly associated with shear stress, while smoking showed a negative correlation with shear stress and a positive correlation with wall tension. Accumulation of risk factors was associated with further deterioration of mechanical forces. Furthermore, stepwise regression analysis showed that the number of risk factors was significantly associated with mechanical forces independently of carotid intima-media thickness. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that risk factors for atherosclerosis were associated with alteration of mechanical forces. Consequent alteration in mechanical forces could be an underlying local mechanism for the progression of atherosclerosis.