4.3 Bone Marrow Histopathology

4.3 Bone Marrow Histopathology

Bone marrow hematopoietic tissue mainly consists of reticular connective tissue and hematopoietic cells. Reticular cells and reticular fibers form the framework of hematopoietic tissue, with pores filled with blood cells at various stages of development, as well as a small number of hematopoietic stem cells, macrophages, adipocytes, and mesenchymal cells. An increase in the amount of hematopoietic tissue reflects the quantitative proliferation of bone marrow hematopoietic cells. In this experiment, we observed that the model group exhibited extremely poor bone marrow hyperplasia, with a significant reduction in hematopoietic cells, filling by adipocytes, interstitial edema, and dilated blood sinuses. Even in areas where hyperplasia was relatively active, megakaryocytes were markedly reduced. The medication groups showed reduced bone marrow hyperplasia, but scattered hematopoietic foci were visible, with abundant bone marrow hematopoietic cells and evidence of megakaryocyte proliferation. Non-hematopoietic cells did not proliferate. The hematopoietic tissue volume in the model group was significantly smaller than that in the normal group (p<0.05), while the adipose tissue volume was significantly larger than that in the normal group (p<0.05). All treatment groups showed significantly higher hematopoietic tissue volume compared with the model group (p<0.05), and significantly lower adipose tissue volume compared with the model group (p<0.05). The high-dose and low-dose groups had no significant differences in hematopoietic and adipose tissue volumes compared with the Zhenqi group (p>0.05), while the middle-dose group had higher hematopoietic tissue volume than the high-dose, low-dose, and Zhenqi groups (p<0.05). The adipose tissue volume in the middle-dose group was lower than that in the high-dose, low-dose, and Zhenqi groups (p<0.05).

Based on the above experimental results, it can be concluded that Peishengxue Granule, with its ingredients that tonify the spleen and kidney, replenish qi, and invigorate blood circulation, indeed promotes bone marrow hematopoietic cell proliferation and increases the content of hematopoietic tissue, thereby improving peripheral blood parameters. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have also demonstrated [30–31] that formulas that tonify the spleen and kidney and invigorate blood circulation can increase the production rates of CFU-GM, CFU-S, BFU-E, CFU-D, and CFU-E in the bone marrow of immune-mediated aplastic anemia mice, improving bone marrow function and thus regulating and promoting the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, ultimately increasing the volume of hematopoietic tissue. In addition, Peishengxue Granule can improve the bone marrow microenvironment, which is conducive to the growth of bone marrow stromal cells and their extracellular matrix, enhancing the ability of stromal cells to adhere to hematopoietic cells, thereby regulating and promoting the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells and increasing the volume of hematopoietic tissue, leading to a rise in peripheral blood cell counts.

5 Conclusion

Peishengxue Granule is one of the empirically formulated prescriptions developed by Professor Pei Zhengxue based on many years of clinical experience. It is used to combat tumors, enhance the body's immunity, and stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis, and is a pure herbal granule preparation with effects such as tonifying the kidney and generating marrow, replenishing qi and nourishing blood. Due to its success in curing multiple cases of leukemia patients, this formula was named the "Lanzhou Formula" at the National Hematology Conference in 1973. Over more than 30 years of clinical practice, it has proven highly effective in treating hematological disorders caused by weakened immune systems and by radiotherapy and chemotherapy for malignant tumors. To date, it has been used to treat tens of thousands of patients both within and outside the province, earning recognition from clinicians and patients alike and gaining considerable fame locally and nationally. However, since systematic research data on this formulation are still lacking, under the guidance of Professor Pei Zhengxue, this study was initiated to conduct a systematic investigation and comprehensive development of this clinically effective traditional Chinese medicine preparation. The results show that in the medication groups, multiple indicators—including peripheral blood cell counts, bone marrow nucleated cell counts, and bone marrow histopathology—were all superior to those in the model group, with the middle-dose Peishengxue Granule group showing better efficacy than other treatment groups. This suggests that Peishengxue Granule exerts its therapeutic effects on multiple levels: in addition to regulating the immune system, it can also improve the bone marrow microenvironment, promote the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow hematopoietic cells, and increase the number of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Improving the bone marrow microenvironment will inevitably increase oxygen supply, which is beneficial for the growth of bone marrow stromal cells and their extracellular matrix, enhancing the ability of stromal cells to adhere to hematopoietic cells, thereby regulating and promoting the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells and increasing the volume of hematopoietic tissue. The formulation of this medicine is well-balanced, with ingredients that tonify the spleen, replenish the kidney, and invigorate blood circulation working synergistically. Warm-tonifying herbs play an important role in treatment, and blood-invigorating herbs should not be overlooked either. These experimental results are consistent with traditional Chinese medicine theory and highlight the promising applications of TCM in treating blood diseases.

Research on Pei Zhengxue’s series of prescriptions

References

[1] Cheng Shan, Zhou Aixiang. Contemporary Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hematology. Beijing: China Medical Science and Technology Press

[2] Pei Zhengxue. Practical Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Internal Medicine. Gansu Science and Technology Press, 1995

[3] Wang Jinyuan, Zhou Shuyi, Duan Xueqing et al. Effects of Shengxue Pill on Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Journal of Xi’an Medical University, 1986, 7(3):292

[4] Li Hong, Lu Yiqin, Peng Xinghua et al. Methotrexate-induced Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Dysfunction in Mice. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 1988, 9(2):80–82

[5] Chen Xinghua. The Role of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in Hematopoietic Regulation. Foreign Medical Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Testing, 2000, 21(1):20

[6] Liu Yongxiang, Han Xuezhong. Aplastic Anemia. Beijing: People’s Military Medical Press, 1987.43

[7] Pan Jingxuan, Li Cunong, Chen Jun. Experimental Study on the Relationship Between Lymphocytes and Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 1991, 12(5):229

[8] Wang Xin, Zhang Mingying, Song Suqin et al. Research on Cellular Immune Function and Hematopoietic Cytokines in Patients with Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 1998, 19(4):181

[9] Yu Yaqin, Sun Weizheng, Wang Zhongwu. Effects of Kidney Tonification Combined with Detoxification on TNF-α and γ-INF Levels in Aplastic Anemia Patients. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2000, 27(4):165–166

[10] Hou Dun. Effects of Modified Yougui Wan on Immunological Indicators in Patients with Chronic Severe Aplastic Anemia. China Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology, 1998, 5(6):379

[11] Zhang Zhinan, Shen Ti. Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment of Blood Diseases. Tianjin: Tianjin Science and Technology Press, 1991.225

[12] Yang Jianhua, Yang Fengying. Clinical Advances in the Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia. Medical Theory and Practice, 2000, 13(2):84–85

[13] Hank HL. Experimental Drug-Induced Aplastic Anemia. Clinics in Hematology, 1980, 9:621

[14] Pei Zhengxue. Collection of Pei Zhengxue’s Medical Experience. Gansu Science and Technology Press, 2003

[15] Zhao Tangfu, Wang Suqin, Chu Jianxin et al. Experimental Study on the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia with Yishen Shengxue Tablets. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 1999, 19(3):170–173

[16] Zhou Aixiang, Wang Tian’en, Yang Jingmin. Experimental Study on the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia with Warm Kidney Yang and Nourishing Kidney Yin Formulas. Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1998, 17(4):176–177

[17] Ma Rou. Clinical Study on the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia with Yishen Shengxue Tablets. Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 1984, 4(9):533

[18] Peng Denghui. Effects of Kidney-Tonifying Herbs on Microcirculatory Disorders in Mouse Bone Marrow Following Cyclophosphamide Injection. Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 1983, 3(5):292

[19] Zhou Yongming, Huang Zhenqiao, Huang Tao et al. Clinical Study on the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia with Shengxue Compound. Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2000, 20(3):173

[20] Xiao Chun, Huang Guilin, Zhu Jinhua, et al. Mouse Model of Aplastic Anemia Using Cyclophosphamide and Methylbenzene. Program and Abstracts, 1997.97

[21] Pei Zhengxue. Commentary on Blood Syndrome. Science and Technology Press, 1990

[22] Duan Minjiang, Ma Tongxun, Yang QinYu et al. Preliminary Study on the Mechanism of Multi-Antibiotic Treatment for Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Antibiotics, 1988, 13(5):357

[23] Sun Jiyuan, Wang Siwang, Xie YanHua et al. Experimental Study on Animal Models of Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Experimental Animals, 2000, 10(4):210–212

[24] Yao Jun, Li Shunong. Experimental Study on Lymphocytes and Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Hematology, 1991, 12(5):229

[25] Tang Peixian, Yang Tianying. Hematopoietic Cell Culture Techniques. Xi’an: Shaanxi Science and Technology Press, 1985:58–59

[26] Li Disheng. Basics of Clinical Laboratory Testing. Beijing: People’s Health Press, 1991:38

[27] Experimental Study on Animal Models of Aplastic Anemia. Chinese Journal of Experimental Animals, 2000, 10(4):210–212

[28] Miao Mingsan. Experimental Animals and Animal Experiment Techniques. Beijing: China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, 1997:142

[29] Pu Quan, Li Shijun, Yang Meiru. Bone Marrow Biopsy Pathology. Harbin: Heilongjiang Science and Technology Press, 1993:59–62

[30] Chu Yulin. Progress in Research on Aplastic Anemia. Modern Practical Medicine, 2002, 14(5):217–219

[31] Chen Yuqing, Gao Yiqing. Effects of Qi and Blood Yin-Yang Great Supplement Soup on Cellular Immunity and Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Function in Deficient Mice. Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal, 1995, 36(3):30–33

[32] Smith MT. The Mechanism of Benzene-Induced Leukemia: A Hypothesis and Speculation on the Cause of Leukemia[J]. Environmental Health Perspectives Supplement, 1996, 104:1219–1225

[33] Mosman T. Rapid Colorimetric Assay for Cellular Growth and Survival Application to Proliferation and Cytotoxicity Assay[J]. Journal of Immunology Method, 1983, 65(1):85

---

Experimental Study on the Effects of Peishengxue Granule on the Immune System of Aplastic Anemia Mice

Wang Xiaoli