Discussion On Seasonal Regularity Of Hypothalamus - Pituitary - Thyroid Axis Based On The Theory Of "Four Seasons

ObjectiveExplore the relationships between four seasons-Yin and Yang-five elements-five organs in depth, and the application of "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" in physiological and pathological changes of viscera. And discuss the relationship between "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" and "Correspondence between man and nature" theory; By measure Related indicators of Pineal, Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid axis in four seasons, to analyze the reasons of the difference in these indicators, to provide foundation of "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" theory in its modern experimental study.Methods1 Theory studyUsing literature research, main from <The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine>, to analyze the relationships between four seasons-Yin Yang and five Zang organs, and use the theory of "prosperity and decline of five elements" to analyze physiological and pathological changes of organs, and address the connection between "Correspondence between man and nature" and "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" theory. At the same time combine with five internal organs related disorders and the modern experimental research of five Zang organs corresponding to four seasons, to discuss the idea of Holism concept of "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" theory, and explore its role and status of TCM Viscera nature.2 Experimental Study2.1 General designOur research takes climate in four seasons (year 2013 and year 2014) as cut-in point, choosing Golden hamster as experimental animal which is sensitive to the photoperiod. To provide reliable evidence for "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs, Yin and Yang" theory, we determine the content changes of its chemical indicators under physiological state, including Melatonin, Rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin synthesis (AANAT, HIOMT) in Pineal, Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis metrics:Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid hormone (T3,T4),AANAT, HIOMT.2.2 Experimental animalsHeathy male Golden hamster, quality (130±10g).All purchased from the Beijing Weitonglihua Animal Research Center. All rats were adopted in the condition of controllable temperature and humility (18±2 degree in winter,25±2 degree in summer,50%-70% of humility) with natural light for two weeks before sacrificed. The rats were removed to darkroom at dusk and sacrificed at 22:00 at the spring equinox, the summer solstice, the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, respectively.2.3 Index detectionsMelatonin, Rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin synthesis (AANAT, HIOMT) in Pineal, Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis metrics:Thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH), Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid hormone (T3, T4), AANAT, HIOMT, all above indicators were checked by ELISA.2.4 Statistical Analysis MethodsAll data were expressed in the form of (x±s). The SPSS 20.0 statistical software was applied. One-way ANOVA or non-parametric tests were used to testify among groups, and LSD-t test or non-parametric test with two were applied between two groups. Pearson product moment or Spearman correlation analysis were used for Related analysis. P<0.05 stands for statistical significance.3 Results1 The seasonal changes of Melatonin, AANAT, HIOMT in PinealThere are significant differences (P<0.05) in the content of Melatonin, AANAT, HIOMT in Pineal of Golden hamster. And these differences have Seasonal rhythms, which displays a high level in the spring equinox and the winter solstice, and a low level in the autumnal equinox. Another result indicates there is a positive correlation between the activity of AANAT, HIOMT and Melatonin in Pineal.2 The seasonal changes of hormones relating to HPT axisThere are significant differences in the content changes of TRH and TSH, it shows that the spring equinox has the peak value and the summer solstice has the lowest value; T3 and T4 have no seasonal differences. The activity of HIOMT and AANAT in Thyroid have differences (P<0.05), displays a trend of low level in the autumnal equinox and a high level in the winter solstice. And there is a positive correlation between the activity of AANAT, HIOMT in both Pineal and Thyroid.4 Conclusions1 Theoretical part discussed the relationship between four seasons, Yin and Yang, five Zang organs. And explained the "Correspondence between man and nature" theory from the view of Qi. This part provides a theoretical basis for the idea of Holism concept of "The Four Seasons, five internal physical organs and Yin and Yang" theory. At the same time discussed the connotations of TCM Viscera from the perspective of theory.2 There are Seasonal rhythms in the content of TRH and TSH; the contents of T3 and T4 have a consistent trend. This phenomenon implies that the function of HPT axis has Seasonal rhythms, its function will make adaptive regulation according to outside the natural environment change.3 There is a Seasonal rhythm in the content of Melatonin in Pineal, also with the content of AANAT, HIOMT in Pineal, and the change of Melatonin is relate to the activity of AANAT and HIOMT. This performance suggests that the function of Pineal has a Seasonal rhythm, it will make adaptive regulation according to outside the natural environment change, and it can regulate the function of other organs.