Genomic expression for rat model of damp obstruction in Chinese medicine: application of microarray technology

Damp obstruction refers to the stagnation of vital energy (qi) caused by dampness resulting in dysfunction of body and limbs movement, as well as impairment of spleen and stomach digestive function. Damp obstruction is the dampness-induced imbalance of five elements; thus it serves as an ideal model for genomic study using cDNA microarray. We have performed microarray analyses to major organs of damp-obstructed rats. Cluster analysis for the expression profiles of major organs indicated that spleen, stomach, and kidney respond to dampness differently from heart, liver, lung, and brain. Gene expression profile specific to each element or group of elements was also identified. Our results are consistent with the philosophy of Chinese medicine that the five elements, metal (lung), wood (liver), water (kidney), fire (heart), and earth (spleen and stomach) coordinate by subjugation or restriction to maintain a healthy, physiological state. This is the first time that a powerful genomic tool was applied to probe the ancient theory of Chinese medicine.