TREATING CONSTIPATION-DOMINANT IBS IN RETIRED ATHLETES: BRAIN-GUT INTERACTION, PEPTIDE EFFECTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating the "Clearing Heat, Detoxifying, and Soothing the Liver Formula" with conventional treatment in retired athletes suffering from constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), characterized by liver depression and spleen deficiency. It focuses on the impact on brain-gut peptides (VIP, CGRP) and mental health parameters, including anxiety and depression (SAS, SDS). Methods: A cohort of ninety retired athletes diagnosed with constipation-dominant IBS were randomly allocated into two groups: a control group (45 participants) treated with duloxetine hydrochloride alone, and a treatment group (45 participants) receiving both duloxetine hydrochloride and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) "Clearing Heat, Detoxifying, and Soothing the Liver Formula." Assessments of TCM syndrome scores, anxiety and depression levels (SAS, SDS), and brain-gut peptide levels (VIP, CGRP) were conducted pre and post-intervention. Results: Post-treatment analyses revealed significant improvements in the treatment group across all measured parameters - TCM syndrome scores, SAS and SDS scores, and VIP and CGRP levels - compared to the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the combined therapy more effectively addresses the complex symptomatology of IBS in this population. Conclusion: The adjunctive application of the "Clearing Heat, Detoxifying, and Soothing the Liver Formula" with duloxetine hydrochloride offers a superior therapeutic approach for managing constipation-predominant IBS in retired athletes, marked by liver depression and spleen deficiency. This strategy not only alleviates gastrointestinal symptoms but also positively influences anxiety and depression, demonstrating a comprehensive benefit. The significant reduction in brain-gut peptide levels further supports its efficacy in modulating the brain-gut axis, making it a promising treatment avenue for enhancing the quality of life in this specific patient demographic.