I will illustrate our research, which elucidate the efficacy of Kampo medicines for “Ki”.
In order to compare hangekobokuto with kososan, we assessed them by binocular infrared video pupillography. The results revealed that sympathetic nerve activity was inhibited by taking hangekobokuto in the patients belonging to sympathetic dominant group, while it was stimulated by taking kososan in the patients belonging to parasympathetic dominant group.
Administration of hangekobokuto has decreased the value of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. This result suggests that hangekobokuto ameliorates the elasticity of vascular wall, which is closely related to autonomic nervous system.
The gastric emptying rate, which was evaluated by ultrasonographic method in FD patients, showed its significant increase after administration of hangekobokuto.
Global gene expression analysis using a DNA chip has shown the pharmacological actions of kososan.
In the animal study using depression-like model mice, we have found that kososan decreased the suppression of neurogenesis.

View full abstract

We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of influenza virus type A infection and the efficacy of Kampo medicine as a prophylactic for handicapped residents at our social welfare institution, during the 2004/5 flu season. Upon studying a nationwide surveillance report for said season, we supposed that it had been difficult to prevent mass infection at our welfare institution with the usual preventive methods, because type B had prevailed for most of the season, and because of the differing type A (AH 3) antigenicity which prevailed late-season, for which there were no type A vaccines.
43 of 90 (47.8%) residents given flu vaccinations twice, and 25 of 110 (22.7%) of staff members given flu vaccinations once contracted type A influenza between March and May of 2005. Interestingly, residents who had been administered Hozai for either short-term health problems or chronic disease, demonstrated a low influenza prevalence, there being a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between our “Hozai” and “non-Hozai” groups. Furthermore Juzentaihoto, known to enhance immune function, seemed beneficial because of its low associated morbidity rate, and only 2 of 8 residents administered it contracted flu. No difference was observed, however, between generalized “Kampo treatment” and “non-Kampo treatment” groups.
We consider that certain Kampo medicines may be useful for the prevention of influenza infection, in institutionalized handicapped residents with short-term health problems. Immunological enhancements, and the influence of Hozai are discussed here.

View full abstract

For two infertile couples with normal tubal function and spermatogenesis, who were diagnosed with infertility attributed to lack of competent ovum with poor grade embryo in spite of having received timing therapy and step-up therapy (artificial fertilization from husband ; AIH and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer ; IVF-ET), Kampo-only therapies diagnosed according to their “Zheng” syndrome-type consisting of one cycle of tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto, and two cycles of kamishoyosan and anchusan was performed. As a result, both women became pregnant and gave live births. The causes of infertility in these two cases were analyzed, and problems with step-up therapy, commonly used in Western medicine and efficacy of Kampo-therapy diagnosed according to their Zheng were evaluated from the standpoint of Western medicine.
Kampo-therapy diagnosed by Zheng was found to improve the follicular and luteal functions as well as related functions. The two cases presented were diagnosed as infertile due to ovarian dysfunction on the basis of therapeutic diagnosis. The indications of IVF-ET are tubal and male infertilities, not to be ovarian dysfunctional infertility.
For infertility due to ovarian dysfunction, Kampo-therapy diagnosed by Zheng with Kuoketsu and Risui effects are drugs of first choice, rather than clomiphene, which has an anti-estrogen activity.

View full abstract

We report a case of an obstinate belch successfully treated with goshuyuto. The patient was a 74-year-old female. She had been hospitalized seven times in the past due to the belch, abdominal distention and anorexia, and had been prescribed various Kampo formulas. But her symptoms fluctuated up and down. The obstinate belch essentially disappeared after administering goshuyuto, and her appetite improved. Many of Kampo formulas that treat belchs are related to Shoyobyo (shao yang bing), but we consider that goshuyuto may be effective for a belch, which is yin-related and accompanied with stiffness and rigidity below the heart, and fullness in the chest and hypochondrium.

View full abstract

Background : Since 2002, Keio University Hospital's Kampo Clinic has promoted itself actively through the media, public presentations, faculty outreach and an internet home page. However, the relative value of these promotions is unknown. Additionally, the range and prevalence of presenting concerns, and the ages and the gender ratio of the patients served at Keio is unknown.
Objective and Methods : To better understand and better serve the patients, the medical charts of every new patient who presented to Keio University Hospital's Kampo Clinic from November 2004 to November 2005 (n=791) were retrospectively analyzed for 1) referral source, 2) age, 3) gender, and, 4) disease category.
Results : The internet webpage was by far the best source of new patient referrals. The out-of-hospital referral rate to the clinic was remarkably low. Women exceeded men by a 3 : 1 ratio. Most women were in their thirties but male patients were fairly evenly distributed across the age spectrum. Patients under 16 and over 70 were gender-balanced. The vast majority of patients presented with general medicine/pediatric, dermatological or gynecological problems.
Conclusion : A patient-oriented internet home page provides a good source of new patient referrals. Given the low rate of referrals from outside hospitals and physicians, additional outreach directed at internal medicine, dermatology or obstetrics/gynecology physicians appears warranted.

View full abstract