The di-zhen (DZ) is an ancient type of acupuncture needle with a history dating back more than 2000 years. Unlike modern acupuncture needles, the DZ is not inserted subcutaneously, and is safely and commonly used at t...The di-zhen (DZ) is an ancient type of acupuncture needle with a history dating back more than 2000 years. Unlike modern acupuncture needles, the DZ is not inserted subcutaneously, and is safely and commonly used at the bedside. The mechanisms underlying its effects are not known. In this study, we measured sublingual and cutaneous body temperature, pulse rate, oxygen pressure (PO2), oxygen saturation (sO2) and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) before and after DZ application in 25 healthy male volunteers. Serum levels of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) and white blood cells (WBCs;ratio and number) were traced for one week. Soon after DZ application, pulse rate, body temperature, PO2 and sO2 all decreased. The serum levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline increased, indicating sympathetic dominance, and the number of granulocytes was elevated. One week after DZ application, the number of lymphocyte increased. We therefore suggest that DZ affects body temperature, pulse rate, catecholamine secretion and immune function by inducing transient sympathetic dominance via actions on the autonomic nervous system. These effects are similar to the effects observed with modern needles, which are inserted subcutaneously. Therefore, we consider DZ treatment to be advantageous and safe in modern clinical practice, especially in post-surgical and terminal care, as it avoids the issues with infection and tissue damage sometimes seen with modern acupuncture needles.展开更多
We examined whether genetic polymorphisms of efflux transporters in hepatocytes are associated with susceptibility to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genetic polymorphisms of drug transporters expressed in hep...We examined whether genetic polymorphisms of efflux transporters in hepatocytes are associated with susceptibility to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genetic polymorphisms of drug transporters expressed in hepatocytes were analyzed using DNA samples from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-seropositive cirrhotic patients with HCC (n = 58), and allele and haplotype frequencies were compared with those in healthy subjects (n = 61). To search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HCC susceptibility genes, 34 SNPs in 6 efflux transporters [MDR1 (ABCB1), ABCC1, ABCC2, ABCC3, ABCG2 and ABCB11] were determined. No significant association was observed for any single SNP;however, some haplotypes in ABCC1 and ABCB11 were associated with HCC. Furthermore, three combinations of SNPs (3435C > T in ABCB1 and 825T > C in ABCC1), (3435C > T in ABCB1 and -15281_-15278CTCT > delete in ABCB11), and (825T > C in ABCC1 and -15281_-15278CTCT > delete in ABCB11) were significantly associated with HCC. The present study suggests that genetic variations of ABC transporters such as ABCB1, ABCB11, and ABCC1 are associated with susceptibility to develop HCC, implying that aberrant hepatic clearance of toxic substances may increase the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies of how these polymor-phisms are associated with phenotypic differences are warranted.展开更多
文摘The di-zhen (DZ) is an ancient type of acupuncture needle with a history dating back more than 2000 years. Unlike modern acupuncture needles, the DZ is not inserted subcutaneously, and is safely and commonly used at the bedside. The mechanisms underlying its effects are not known. In this study, we measured sublingual and cutaneous body temperature, pulse rate, oxygen pressure (PO2), oxygen saturation (sO2) and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) before and after DZ application in 25 healthy male volunteers. Serum levels of catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) and white blood cells (WBCs;ratio and number) were traced for one week. Soon after DZ application, pulse rate, body temperature, PO2 and sO2 all decreased. The serum levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline increased, indicating sympathetic dominance, and the number of granulocytes was elevated. One week after DZ application, the number of lymphocyte increased. We therefore suggest that DZ affects body temperature, pulse rate, catecholamine secretion and immune function by inducing transient sympathetic dominance via actions on the autonomic nervous system. These effects are similar to the effects observed with modern needles, which are inserted subcutaneously. Therefore, we consider DZ treatment to be advantageous and safe in modern clinical practice, especially in post-surgical and terminal care, as it avoids the issues with infection and tissue damage sometimes seen with modern acupuncture needles.
文摘We examined whether genetic polymorphisms of efflux transporters in hepatocytes are associated with susceptibility to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genetic polymorphisms of drug transporters expressed in hepatocytes were analyzed using DNA samples from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-seropositive cirrhotic patients with HCC (n = 58), and allele and haplotype frequencies were compared with those in healthy subjects (n = 61). To search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HCC susceptibility genes, 34 SNPs in 6 efflux transporters [MDR1 (ABCB1), ABCC1, ABCC2, ABCC3, ABCG2 and ABCB11] were determined. No significant association was observed for any single SNP;however, some haplotypes in ABCC1 and ABCB11 were associated with HCC. Furthermore, three combinations of SNPs (3435C > T in ABCB1 and 825T > C in ABCC1), (3435C > T in ABCB1 and -15281_-15278CTCT > delete in ABCB11), and (825T > C in ABCC1 and -15281_-15278CTCT > delete in ABCB11) were significantly associated with HCC. The present study suggests that genetic variations of ABC transporters such as ABCB1, ABCB11, and ABCC1 are associated with susceptibility to develop HCC, implying that aberrant hepatic clearance of toxic substances may increase the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies of how these polymor-phisms are associated with phenotypic differences are warranted.
