Bmc Complem Altern M
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of Tangshen Formula on urinary and plasma liver-type fatty acid binding protein levels in patients with type 2 diabetic kidney disease: post-hoc findings from a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of Tangshen Formula in patients with type 2 diabetic kidney disease.
Tangshen Formula (TSF) is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in various tissues, including the kidney, where it is known as urinary L-FABP. Other studies demonstrated that urinary L-FABP may be a useful biomarker for monitoring DKD. This post-hoc analysis and cross-sectional study evaluated the changes in urinary L-FABP in DKD patients treated with TSF and conventional medicine. ⋯ TSF combined with conventional therapy appeared to be effective in reducing urinary protein and urinary L-FABP. Urinary L-FABP levels appear to be associated with the severity of DKD.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2016
Review Multicenter StudyAcupuncture for insomnia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Insomnia is the common complaint among patients with stroke. Acupuncture has increasingly been used for insomnia relief after stroke. The aim of the present study was to summarize and evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving insomnia after stroke. ⋯ Our results suggest that acupuncture could be effective for treating insomnia after stroke. However, further studies are needed to confirm the role of acupuncture in the treatment of this disorder.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2016
Review Meta AnalysisEffectiveness and safety of moxibustion for primary insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Primary insomnia is a widespread and refractory disease. Moxibustion therapy for insomnia shows some advantages compared with conventional therapies. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion therapy for insomnia. ⋯ It is difficult to get the conclusion regarding the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for primary insomnia due to insufficient evidence, such as the high risk of bias in the included studies, small sample sizes, and few reports on adverse effects. Moxibustion should be considered as a novel therapeutic option for insomnia, and more rigorous clinical trials of moxibustion therapy for insomnia are needed to assess its effects.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2016
Anti-allodynic effect of intrathecal processed Aconitum jaluense is associated with the inhibition of microglial activation and P2X7 receptor expression in spinal cord.
For their analgesic and anti-arthritic effects, Aconitum species have been used in folk medicine in some East Asian countries. Although their analgesic effect is attributed to its action on voltage-dependent sodium channels, they also suppress purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats with neuropathic pain. In vitro study also demonstrated that the Aconitum suppresses ATP-induced P2X7 receptor (P2X7R)-mediated inflammatory responses in microglial cell lines. Herein, we examined the effect of intrathecal administration of thermally processed Aconitum jaluense (PA) on pain behavior, P2X7R expression and microglial activation in a rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model. ⋯ Intrathecal PA exerts anti-allodynic effects in neuropathic pain, possibly by suppressing P2X7R production and expression as well as reducing microglial activation in the spinal cord.
-
Bmc Complem Altern M · Jul 2016
Review Meta AnalysisClinical effects of a standardized Chinese herbal remedy, Qili Qiangxin, as an adjuvant treatment in heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Qili Qiangxin capsule is a standardized Chinese herbal treatment that is commonly used in China for heart failure (HF) alongside conventional medical care. In 2014, Chinese guidelines for the treatment of chronic HF highlighted Qili Qiangxin capsules as a potentially effective medicine. However, there is at present no high quality review to evaluate the effects and safety of Qili Qiangxin for patients with HF. ⋯ When compared with conventional treatment alone, Qili Qiangxin combined with conventional treatment demonstrated a significant effect in reducing cardiovascular events and re-hospitalization rate, though not in mortality. It appeared to significantly improve quality of life in patients with HF and data from RCTs suggested that Qili Qiangxin is likely safe. This data was drawn from low quality trials and the results of this review must therefore be interpreted with caution. Further research is warranted, ideally involving large, prospective, rigorous trials, in order to confirm these findings.