[Changes in some elements, enzymes and energy charge in skeletal muscle of rats with spleen qi deficiency].

In order to investigate the relationship between spleen and muscle, the changes of trace elements, enzyme activity, adenine nucleotides and energy charge (EC) in the skeletal muscle of rats with Syndrome of Spleen Qi Deficiency (SQD) were studied, the curative effects of Sijunzi Tang (SJZT) for SQD were observed too. Results showed that in comparing with normal rats, the levels of ATP and EC lowered significantly (ATP P < 0.01, EC P < 0.001), the enzyme activity of the anaerobic glycolysis increased significantly (P < 0.05), the zinc and iron concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) while the copper, potassium and sodium concentrations were lower than normal significantly (P < 0.05). These changes could be corrected after treatment with SJZT for strengthening spleen and tonifying qi. Above-mentioned results suggested that the mechanism of spleen qi deficiency is closely related to the abnormal energy metabolism, and the TCM theory of spleen dominating muscles might have its scientific basis.