Acupuncture preconditioning protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury mediated apoptosis through miR-214/NCX1 activation: a hypothesis

Early reperfusion of ischemic cardiac tissue is usually the best option to improve clinical outcome of angina pectoris, especially of acute myocardial infarction. However, myocardial reperfusion may cause an abnormal increase of intracellular Ca^2+-mediated cardiomyocyte death and consequent loss of cardiac function, which is referred to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Recently, the microRNA-214 (miR-214)/Na^+/Ca^2+ exchanger (NCX) 1 co-expression is a key factor in cellular protection against myocardial apoptosis for myocardial I/R injury. Once activated, miR-214/NCX1 axis can inhibit several Ca^2+ downstream signaling effectors that mediate cell death simultaneously. Studies have shown that acupuncture preconditioning has a protective effect on myocardial I/R injury, but its mechanism deserves further research. It has been proved that acupuncture preconditioning for ischemic myocardium successfully inhibit multiple Ca2+ handling related microRNAs that mediate cell death pathways, and miR-214 is one of its targets. In terms of clinical practice, coronary heart disease (CHD) patients benefit a lot from this intervention. However, there is barely no study correlating acupuncture preconditioning to the miR-214/NCX1 co-expression in patients with CHD. This review aims to discuss whether there is some evidence to justify a recommendation of acupuncture preconditioning in CHD patients as a non-pharmacological therapeutic method to activate the miR-214/NCX1 co-expression network model.

成都老官山汉墓经穴髹漆人像十二经脉循行考证

In 2012,a lacquer figure was unearthed from the Han dynasty tomb(188 BC-87 BC) at Chengdu Laoguanshan.The lines intaglioed on the Laoguan mountain lacquer figure were similar to the meridians.Objective:To investigate the relationship between the lines on this Laoguanshan lacquer figure and the regular meridians so as to explore the development of meridian system in ancient China.Methods:Based on collecting the photos of the Laoguan mountain lacquer figure and the representative acupuncture classics,the double evidence method(combining the unearthed relics/literature and extant literature) was performed to investigate the relationship between the lines on this Laoguanshan lacquer figure and the regular meridians.Furthermore,the development of regular meridians theory was analyzed from the number,distribution,direction and branches.Results:The routes of the 28 longitudinal white lines on the Laoguan mountain lacquer figure are similar to the regular meridians in the ancient literature including Huángdì Nèijīng 《黄帝内经》 Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic).The number,distribution and branches of the meridians intaglioed on the Laoguanshan lacquer figure suggested the evolution of the regular-meridian system from the eleven-meridian system to the twelve-meridian system.Conclusions:The meridian system of Laoguanshan lacquer figure was a link connecting the preceding and the following.The Laoguanshan lacquer figure played an important role in the development of the early meridian theory.

A"4D"systemic view on meridian essence:Substantial,functional,chronological and cultural attributes

The term Jingluo,translated as meridian or channel,is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and has played a fundamental role in guiding the clinical practice of acupuncture for thousands of years.However,the essence of the meridian remains elusive and is a source of both confusion and debate for researchers.In this study,a“4 D”systemic view on the essence of the meridian,namely substantial,functional,chronological,and cultural dimensions,was proposed based on a review of the ancient medical classics,recent research developments,and results from clinical practice.Previous studies have primarily focused on the substantial dimension of the meridian system,with scant interpretation about its functional domain.Neither systemic data nor evaluations have been adequately documented.Additionally,a limited but increasing number of studies have focused on the chronological and cultural dimensions.More investigations that embody the holistic concept of TCM and integrate the systemic modes and advanced techniques with dominant diseases of TCM need to be performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the essence of meridians.The goal of this study is to yield useful information in understanding the essence of meridians and provide a reference and perspective for further research.