Prof. MUDr. Julius Špičák, CSc. - Czech Republic
Abstract of the presentation
An Alternative Approach to the Treatment of Common Gastroenterological Diseases
Branch: Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, has gained growing attention around the world in the past decades. Both manual and electroacupuncture are commonly used in clinical practice, especially by patients with gastrointestinal disorders seeking symptoms control due to disease recurrence and/or lack of effective treatments. Currently, patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ileus, acute pancreatitis, and gastroparesis may benefit from acupuncture treatment, as clinically evident. The most frequently used acupoints are chosen from the large intestine, stomach, bladder, and spleen meridian.
The underlying mechanisms of acupuncture involve neuromodulation, adjustment of gastrointestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity, anti-inflammatory effects, repair of the gut microbiota, and strengthening of the intestinal barrier. As methodologies have advanced, a cumulative number of well-designed clinical trials has been established, which may help elevate clinicians' and gastroenterologists' awareness and perception of acupuncture for the management of gastrointestinal diseases.
Medical herbs
Despite the wide empirical use and demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs worldwide, high-quality clinical trials of TCM herbs in oncology remain limited. To address this, we developed recommendations for rigorous clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy in oncology patients. For this purpose, the TCM & Cancer Research Committee of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association convened a working group of oncologists, TCM experts, clinical researchers, biostatisticians, and industry/government representatives to establish principles and approaches for TCM cancer drug clinical trials. They identified two categories of herbal drugs based on therapeutic intent: survival improvement and symptom management.
The most commonly used TCM products are Huaier Granule, Huachansu, and Icaritin. Beyond oncology, these herbs also show high potential in the treatment of other common diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, fatty liver disease, Crohn disease, and functional dyspepsia. Further well-designed studies in diverse ethnic communities are needed to bridge the gap between Western and Chinese approaches.
Curriculum vitae
Julius Špičák, MD, CSc, Prof. CV Born: 10. 6. 1952 Praha Married, 2 daughters Education: Madical Faculty, Charles Univ. aduální vzdělávání, odborná příprava a certifikace Postgraduate education, 3 grades, Internal Medicine I, II, Gastroenterology 1987-1994 Asss. Prof. Charles University, 2007: Professor 1995-2024 IKEM, Head of the Clinic of Hepatogastroenterology President of Czech Society of Gastroenterology 1998-2002, 2010-2014 Member of board of European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1998-2002 Honorary membership: Čzech Soxiety of Gastroenterology, Czech Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Sloval Society of Gastroenterology, Slovak Society of Hepatology, Hungarien Society of Gastrooenterology Bibliography: 300 papers, citations 4000, H index 24 President of 8 international meetings including European Congres of Gastroenterology 2004, World Congres of Coeliac Disease 2015
Please note that some of the texts also include machine-generated translations.
