Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2012, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (7): 757-765.doi: 10.3736/jcim20120706

• Original Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Metabolite changes in the greasy tongue coating of patients with chronic gastritis

Fu-feng Li(), Jie Zhao,Peng Qian, Yi-qin Wang, Jing-jing Fu, Zhu-mei Sun, Hai-xia Yan, Li Yang#br#   

  1. Research Laboratory of Four Diagnostic Methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Information Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
  • Received:2011-11-25 Accepted:2012-01-10 Online:2012-07-20 Published:2018-07-15
  • Contact: Fu-feng Li E-mail:li_fufeng@yahoo.com.cn

Objective: To explore the changes in metabolites in the greasy tongue coating in patients with chronic gastritis.
Methods: Forty chronic gastritis patients presenting with greasy tongue coating, 30 chronic gastritis patients presenting with non-greasy tongue coating, and 20 healthy control persons presenting with light red tongues and thin white coating were enrolled, and the tongue coating was detected by combining artificial diagnosis and the Z-BOX Tongue Digital Analyzer’s diagnosis. Samples of all the tongue coatings were collected before treatment. The metabolic fingerprinting of the tongue coating samples was obtained using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), and the metabolic components in the tongue coating samples were detected. After this, principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to identify potential metabolic markers. Finally, the components were identified using the Chemspider and HMDB searching.
Results: UPLC-MS results were analyzed by OPLS-DA and showed that the metabolites among the three groups were distributed in different regions. The different potential metabolic markers between the patients with or without greasy coating were 3-ketolactose, 2-deoxy-D-ribose, UDP-D-galactose metarhodopsin, ascorbate, picolinate and histidine. The different potential metabolic markers between the greasy coating group and the normal group were 3-ketolactose, UDP-D-galactose, leukotriene A4 and vitamin D2.
Conclusion: The metabolites of the greasy coating group, the non-greasy coating group and the normal group show significant differences in energy metabolism, mainly of glucose metabolism. This demonstrated that glucose metabolism may be one of the mechanisms leading to the formation of greasy coating.

Key words: greasy tongue fur, chronic gastritis, metabolomics, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, controlled clinical trial

Figure 1

Typical UPLC-MS metabolic fingerprinting charts of the chronic gastritis groups and normal group UPLC-MS: ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry."

Table 1

Gender and age distribution of 70 patients with chronic gastritis and 20 normal subjects"

Group n Gender Age
(x±s, years)
Male Female
Normal tongue coating 20 9 11 44.60±14.78
Greasy tongue coating 40 23 17 45.95±14.36
Non-greasy tongue coating 30 13 17 41.93±12.36

Table 2

Tongue color distribution of 70 patients with chronic gastritis (n, %)"

Group n Distrubution of tongue color
Pale red tongue Pale tongue Light purple tongue Red tongue Dark red tongue
Greasy tongue coating 40 10 (25.0%) 8 (20.0%) 7 (17.5%) 8 (20.0%) 7 (17.5%)
Non-greasy tongue coating 30 7 (23.3%) 7 (23.3%) 6 (20.0%) 6 (20.0%) 4 (13.3%)

Figure 2

Metabolic map of tongue coating of patients with chronic gastritis or normal subjects analyzed by PCA and PLS-DA A: Results of PCA; B: Results of PLS-DA. 1: Chronic gastritis group; 2: Normal tongue coating group. PCA: principal component analysis; PLS-DA: partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Figure 3

Metabolic map of tongue coating of three groups analyzed by PCA and PLS-DA A: Results of PCA; B: Results of PLS-DA. 1: Greasy tongue coating group; 2: Non-greasy tongue coating group; 3: Normal tongue coating group. PCA: principal component analysis; PLS-DA: partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Figure 4

OPLS-DA score plot of metabolic profiles of greasy tongue coating group and non-greasy tongue coating group with chronic gastritis 1: Greasy tongue coating group; 2: Non-greasy tongue coating group. OPLS-DA: orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Figure 5

OPLS-DA loading chart of metabolic profiles of greasy tongue coating group and non-greasy tongue coating group with chronic gastritis OPLS-DA: orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Table 3

Potential markers and the relative content in greasy tongue coating group compared to non-greasy tongue coating group"

Retention time (tR/min) Mass to charge ratio (m/z) Value of VIP Compound Compared to non-greasy
tongue coating group
3.62 340 2.41 3-Ketolactose
4.08 379.2 2.28 Metarhodopsin
0.81 176.0 2.19 Ascorbate
9.71 123 2.25 Picolinate
0.79 134 2.31 2-Deoxy-D-ribose
3.61 155.0 2.01 Histidine
3.89 566.1 2.37 UDP-D-galactose

Figure 6

OPLS-DA score plot of metabolic profiles of greasy tongue coating group and normal group 1: Greasy tongue coating group; 3: Normal tongue coating group. OPLS-DA: orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Figure 7

OPLS-DA loading chart of metabolic profiles of greasy tongue coating group and normal group OPLS-DA: orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis."

Table 4

Potential markers and the relative content of greasy tongue coating group compared to normal group"

Retention time (tR/min) Mass to charge ratio (m/z) Value of VIP Compound Compared to normal group
4.07 340.1 3.25 3-Ketolactose
3.59 566.0 2.38 UDP-D-galactose
8.18 318 2.22 Leukotriene A4
4.06 396.8 3.13 Vitamin D2
[1] Shi B, Xu HZ, Xie JQ . Discussion on the meaning of tongue diagnosis of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment progress of chronic gastritis[J]. Guo Yi Lun Tan, 2008,23(6):22-24
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-1078.2008.06.014
施斌, 徐海珍, 谢建群 . 浅谈中医舌诊在慢性胃炎治疗中的意义[J]. 国医论坛, 2008,23(6):22-24
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-1078.2008.06.014
[2] Wu ZZ, Li M, Zhang SW, Cai Y, Zhang YF, Chen Y . Study on the molecular mechanism of lingual epithelial cell apoptosis and its related genes in different tongue furs[J]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi, 2005,25(11):986-988
吴正治, 李明, 张盛薇, 蔡英, 张永峰, 陈茵 . 不同舌苔舌上皮细胞的凋亡及相关基因分子机理研究[J]. 中国中西医结合杂志, 2005,25(11):986-988
[3] Zhan Z, Zhang JF, Fan Y, Tong SJ, Xu DQ . The relationship between E-cadherin mRNA expression and tongue coating[J]. Shaanxi Zhong Yi, 2007,28(8):1088-1091
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-7369.2007.08.100
詹臻, 张军峰, 范媛, 佟书娟, 许冬青 . E-钙粘蛋白mRNA的表达与舌苔形成的关系研究[J]. 陕西中医, 2007,28(8):1088-1091
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-7369.2007.08.100
[4] Cao JM, Wu ZZ, Wu WK . Identification of salivary biomarkers in breast cancer patients with thick white or thick yellow tongue fur using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitative proteomics[J]. J Chin Integr Med, 2011,9(3):275-280
doi: 10.3736/jcim20110307
曹美群, 吴正治, 吴伟康 . 应用同位素标记相对和绝对定量技术筛选白厚苔和黄厚苔乳腺癌患者唾液差异表达蛋白[J]. 中西医结合学报, 2011,9(3):275-280
doi: 10.3736/jcim20110307
[5] Zhao J, Li FF, Qian P . A review on biological information of tongue coating technology[J]. Zhong Yi Za Zhi, 2011,52(7):612-615
赵洁, 李福凤, 钱鹏 . 舌苔生物信息研究方法与技术概况[J]. 中医杂志, 2011,52(7):612-615
[6] Li CD, Gao BZ, Lan QF, Huang XL, Lin XJ, Ding J . Comparative observation on TCM syndrome, tongue picture and tongue printing slide in famale sterility[J]. Zhongguo Yi Yao Xue Bao, 2004,19(12):739-741
李灿东, 高碧珍, 兰启防, 黄熙理, 林雪娟, 丁杰 . 不孕症患者证与舌象及舌印片的对照观察[J]. 中国医药学报, 2004,19(12):739-741
[7] Li FF, Zhuang YH, Wang YQ, Li GG, Yan HX, Wang HF . Correlative factors of child lingua geographica formation and the immunological mechanism[J]. Zhong Yi Za Zhi, 2006,47(7):531-534
doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1001-1668.2006.07.029
李福凤, 庄燕鸿, 王忆勤, 李果刚, 燕海霞, 王惠芳 . 小儿花剥苔形成的相关因素及其免疫学机制[J]. 中医杂志, 2006,47(7):531-534
doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1001-1668.2006.07.029
[8] Liu FB, Lang JY, Zhao L, Fang JQ, Liang GH, Lin LZ . Development of health status scale of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM-HSS)[J]. Zhong Shan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ke Xue Ban, 2008,29(3):332-336
doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1672-3554.2008.03.019
刘凤斌, 郎建英, 赵利, 方积乾, 梁国辉, 林丽珠 . 中医健康状况量表的研制[J]. 中山大学学报(医学科学版), 2008,29(3):332-336
doi: 10.3321/j.issn:1672-3554.2008.03.019
[9] The Digestive Disease Branch of Chinese Medical Association. Consensus from national proseminar of chronic gastritis[J]. Zhonghua Xiao Hua Za Zhi, 2000,20(3):199-201
中华医学会消化病学分会. 全国慢性胃炎研讨会共识意见[J]. 中华消化杂志, 2000,20(3):199-201
[10] Zhu WF. Diagnostics of traditional Chinese medicine[M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2002: 35-50
朱文峰 . 中医诊断学[M]. 北京: 中国中医药出版社, 2002: 35-50
[11] Wang YQ, Tang WC, Li FF, Yan HX, Wang GD, He JC, Ye J, Li GG, Zhuang YH, Wu QJ, Bao HZ, Fu JJ, Zhang XD, Ni ZX, Yuan FY . Development and clinical application of tongue and pulse digital analysis instrument of ZBOX-Ⅰ type[J]. Shanghai Zhong Yi Yao Da Xue Xue Bao, 2008,22(6):26-28
王忆勤, 汤伟昌, 李福凤, 燕海霞, 王广东, 何建成, 叶进, 李果刚, 庄燕鸿, 吴巧教, 鲍惠铸, 付晶晶, 张晓丹, 倪正仙, 员凤英 . ZBOX-Ⅰ型舌脉象数字化分析仪的研制与临床应用[J]. 上海中医药大学学报, 2008,22(6):26-28
[12] Xu GW. Metabolomics — Methods and applications[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2008: 66
许国旺 . 代谢组学——方法与应用[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2008: 66
[13] Wang YQ, Lang QB, Meng H, Zhang ZL, Li GG, Guo YJ, Yan X, He XH, He XM, Li BF, Zhuang YH, Guo L . Study on correlativity of dampness syndrome of chronic gastritis with clinical symptoms, signs, tongue and pulse condition[J]. Zhong Yi Za Zhi, 2003,44(6):449-452
王忆勤, 郎庆波, 孟虹, 张再良, 李果刚, 郭永洁, 颜新, 何新慧, 贺宪民, 李斌芳, 庄燕鸿, 郭丽 . 慢性胃炎湿证临床症状、体征及舌脉象客观指标的相关性研究[J]. 中医杂志, 2003,44(6):449-452
[1] Shuai Chen, Jin Hu, Deng-cheng Lu, Hong-yi Liu, Shan-shan Wei. Metabolomic characteristics of spontaneously hypertensive rats under chronic stress and the treatment effect of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(1): 73-82.
[2] Si-qi Tang, Yun-liang Wang, Zi-ye Xie, Yang Zhang, Yi Guo, Kang-li Gao, Tang-you Mao, Chun-e Xie, Jun-xiang Li, Xiao-yan Gao. Serum metabolic profiling of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 274-281.
[3] Na Mu-hai, Yao Cheng-zeng, Yu Xiao-tian, Jiang Mei-xian. Effects of added therapy with Chinese herbal medicine Kanli Granule on skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(3): 324-329.
[4] Yan-bo Zhu, You-lin Li, Wei Wang, Fang-chao Jiang. Development of a patient-reported outcome scale for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its clinical applicability. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(8): 857-865.
[5] Liang-ping Hu, Xiao-lei Bao, Qi Wang . The control principle in scientific research. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(8): 834-.
[6] Shuo Zhang , Hong-cai Shang. Correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and omics: A literature review. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(12): 1286-1291.
[7] Jun-lin Hu, Gui-lin Ouyang, Da-peng Han, Qing Xia, Yong He, Zheng Huang, Fei Zhu, Song-tao Sun. Effects of Tuina and Chinese patent drug Shuxuetong injection on deep venous thrombosis and functional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(10): 1088-1093.
[8] Ni-da Cao, Ai-guang Zhao, Jin-kun Yang. Survival time of advanced gastric cancer patients treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(2): 116-120.
[9] Yi-qin Wang, Fu-feng Li, Wen-jing Wang, Li-yu Zhao, Li Guo, Hui-fang Wang. Serum proteomics study of chronic gastritis with dampness syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2007, 5(5): 514-516.
[10] Li-xing Lao, . Evaluating the effects of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis: A stepwise approach to research, University of Maryland experience. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2005, 3(6): 421-425.
[11] Jin-yu Xia, Yao-yong Zhou, You-yun Zhao. Relationship between hepatitis B virus in gastric mucosa and syndrome of disharmony between liver and stomach in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2005, 3(1): 19-22.
[12] Lixing Lao. Recommendations for enhancing the quality of traditional Chinese medicine clinical research reporting. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2004, 2(6): 402-406.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Wei-xiong Liang. Problems-solving strategies in clinical treatment guideline for traditional Chinese medicine and integrative medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 1-4
[2] Zhao-guo Li. Discussion on English translation of commonly used sentences in traditional Chinese medicine: part one. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 107-110
[3] Jun Hu, Jian-ping Liu. Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 31
[4] Xue-mei Liu, Qi-fu Huang, Yun-ling Zhang, Jin-li Lou, Hong-sheng Liu, Hong Zheng. Effects of Tribulus terrestris L. saponion on apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 45-50
[5] . Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: Writing and editing for biomedical publication (Chinese version, part two). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1001-1005
[6] Daniel Weber, Janelle M Wheat, Geoffrey M Currie. Inflammation and cancer: Tumor initiation, progression and metastasis,and Chinese botanical medicines. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1006-1013
[7] Hong Liu , Guo-liang Zhang, Li Shen , Zhen Zeng, Bao-luo Zhou, Cheng-hai Liu, Guang Nie . Application and evaluation of a pseudotyped virus assay for screening herbs for anti-H5Nl avian influenza virus. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1036-1040
[8] Zhao-guo Li . A discussion of English translation of 1995 and 1997 Chinese National Standards of Traditional Chinese Medical Terminologies for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1090-1096
[9] Rui Jin, Bing Zhang. A complexity analysis of Chinese herbal property theory: the multiple formations of herbal property (Part 1). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1198-1205
[10] Hui-min Liu, Xian-bo Wang, Yu-juan Chang, Li-li Gu. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of integrative medicine therapy for treatment of chronic severe hepatitis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1211-1228