The correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome and the concentration of adiponectin and peroxynitrite in dyslipidemia patients

IntroductionTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of dyslipidemia and it is important to identify an objective index for the TCM syndrome. This study focused on exploring the correlation between TCM syndrome and the serum concentration of adiponectin (APN) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) in dyslipidemia patients.MethodsCross-sectional study design was used. Patients with dyslipidemia were assigned with corresponding TCM scores and their APN and ONOO− serum content measured. We also explored the characteristics of APN and ONOO− in different TCM syndromes and their relationship between patient's TCM scores.ResultsThe results indicated the serum levels of APN and ONOO− were higher for those people with an Excess Syndrome than for those with a Deficiency Syndrome (P < 0.01). In Deficiency Syndrome, the clinical TCM scores showed negative correlation with and APN (r = −0.46, P < 0.01), and positive with ONOO− (r = 0.58, P < 0.01). In Excess Syndrome, the TCM scores showed negative correlation with APN (r = −0.72, P < 0.01), and positive with ONOO− (r = 0.50, P < 0.01).ConclusionsAs the serum levels of APN and ONOO− appeared to be correlated with the TCM scores, these parameters could be potentially be used as objective and standardized biomarkers for TCM syndrome differentiation.