Phlegm-dampness constitution as one of nine constitutions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been a high risk factor for glucolipid metabolic disorders (GLMD). Based on our previous findings, Hua Tan Qu Shi recipe (HTQSR) could effectively improve metabolic indicators of GLMD by targeting on phlegm-dampness constitution. However, the proteomic mechanisms of GLMD with the treatment of HTQSR targeting on phlegm-dampness constitution remain unknown.Clinical participants from phlegm-dampness constitution with the prediabetic state (T), phlegm-dampness constitution with marginally elevated blood lipids (Z), and phlegm-dampness constitution before sickness (W) were included in this study, who orally took HTQSR for 12 weeks and, respectively, marked AT, AZ, and AW. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) were performed to identify the differential proteins; then, Venn analysis was used to investigate coexpressed and coregulated proteins. In addition, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) software was utilized to explore the related pathways and diseases and biofunctions.LXR/RXR activation, acute phase response signaling, and production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in macrophages were obviously activated between the T and AT groups, as well as the Z and AZ groups. In contrast, these three pathways were inhibited between the W and AW groups. Importantly, one coexpressed and coregulated differential protein, B2MG, was validated by PRM among all groups.This work firstly reported the underlying proteomic mechanisms of GLMD with the treatment of HTQSR targeting on phlegm-dampness constitution, indicating that intervention of phlegm-dampness constitution might be a novel strategy for the preventive treatment of GLMD.
To reveal the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution among elderly individuals in China. Elderly individuals from seven regions in China were selected as samples in this study using a multistage cluster random sampling method. The basic information questionnaire and Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (Elderly Edition) were used. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were used. The single balanced constitution (BC) accounted for 23.9%. The results of the major TCM constitution types showed that BC (43.2%) accounted for the largest proportion and unbalanced constitutions ranged from 0.9% to 15.7%. East China region (odds ratio [OR] = 2.097; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.912 to 2.301), married status (OR = 1.341; 95% CI, 1.235 to 1.457), and managers (OR = 1.254; 95% CI, 1.044 to 1.505) were significantly associated with BC. Age > 70 years was associated with qi-deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution (BSC). Female sex was significantly associated with yang-deficiency constitution (OR = 1.646; 95% CI, 1.52 to 1.782). Southwest region was significantly associated with phlegm-dampness constitution (OR = 1.809; 95% CI, 1.569 to 2.086). North China region was significantly associated with inherited special constitution (OR = 2.521; 95% CI, 1.569 to 4.05). South China region (OR = 2.741; 95% CI, 1.997 to 1.3.763), Central China region (OR = 8.889; 95% CI, 6.676 to 11.835), senior middle school education (OR = 2.442; 95% CI, 1.932 to 3.088), and managers (OR = 1.804; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.69) were significantly associated with BSC. This study defined the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of TCM constitution in the elderly population. Adjusting and improving unbalanced constitutions, which are correlated with diseases, can help promote healthy aging through the scientific management of these demographic factors.
To investigate the proteomic characteristics of overweight/obesity and related abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism caused by phlegm-dampness retention to identify related biomarkers. Seventy-one subjects were enrolled in the study. We assessed blood glucose, blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), and phlegm-dampness pattern, which was confirmed by a traditional Chinese medicine clinician. Of the participants, we included healthy participants with normal weight (NW, n = 23), overweight/obese participants with normal metabolism (ONM, n = 19), overweight/obese participants with pre-diabetes (OPD, n = 12), and overweight/obese participants with marginally-elevated blood lipids (OML, n = 17). Among them, the ONM, OPD, and OML groups were diagnosed with phlegm-dampness pattern. The data-independent acquisition (DIA) method was first used to analyze the plasma protein expression of each group, and the relevant differential proteins of each group were screened. The co-expressed proteins were evaluated by Venn analysis. The pathway analyses of the differential proteins were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was used to verify the differential and common proteins in each group. After comparing ONM, OPD, and OML groups with NW group, we identified the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Next, we determined the DEPs among OPD, OML, and ONM groups. Using Venn analysis of the DEPs in each group, 24 co-expressed proteins were screened. Two co-expressed proteins were verified by PRM. IPA analysis showed that pathways including LXR/RXR activation, acute phase response signaling, and FXR/RXR activation were common to all three groups of phlegm-damp overweight/obesity participants. However, the activation or inhibition of these pathways was different among the three groups. Participants with overweight/obesity have similar proteomic characteristics, though each type shows specific proteomic characteristics. Two co-expressed proteins, VTN and ORM1, are potential biomarkers for glucose and lipid metabolism diseases with overweight/obesity caused by phlegm-dampness retention.
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