Acupuncture at Back-Shu point improves insomnia by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a disease where individuals cannot maintain a steady and stable sleep state or fail to fall asleep.Western medicine mainly uses sedatives and hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia,and long-term use is prone to drug resistance and other adverse reactions.Acupuncture has a good curative effect and unique advantages in the treatment of insomnia.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at Back-Shu point for the treatment of insomnia.METHODS We first prepared a rat model of insomnia,and then carried out acupuncture for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,the sleep time and general behavior of the rats were determined.The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning ability and spatial memory ability of the rats.The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and the hippocampus were detected by ELISA.qRTPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression changes in the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate the protein expression levels of RAF-1,MEK-2,ERK1/2 and NF-κB.RESULTS Acupuncture can prolong sleep duration,and improve mental state,activity,diet volume,learning ability and spatial memory.In addition,acupuncture increased the release of 1L-1β,1L-6 and TNF-αin serum and the hippocampus and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acupuncture at Back-Shu point can inhibit the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and treat insomnia by increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus.

Acupuncture at Waiguan(SJ5) and sham points influences activation of functional brain areas of ischemic stroke patients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Most studies addressing the specificity of meridians and acupuncture points have focused mainly on the different neural effects of acupuncture at different points in healthy individuals. This study examined the effects of acupuncture on brain function in a pathological context. Sixteen patients with ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to true point group （true acupuncture at right Waiguan （SJ5）） and sham point group （sham acupuncture）. Results of functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed activation in right parietal lobe （Brodmann areas 7 and 19）, the right temporal lobe （Brodmann area 39）, the right limbic lobe （Brodmann area 23） and bilateral oc-cipital lobes （Brodmann area 18）. Furthermore, inhibition of bilateral frontal lobes （Brodmann area 4, 6, and 45）, right parietal lobe （Brodmann areas 1 and 5） and left temporal lobe （Brodmann area 21 ） were observed in the true point group. Activation in the precuneus of right parietal lobe （Brodmann area 7） and inhibition of the left superior frontal gyrus （Brodmann area 10） was observed in the sham group. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture at Waiguan in stroke patients inhibited Brodmann area 5 on the healthy side. Results indicated that the altered specificity of sensation-associated cortex （Brodmann area 5） is possibly associated with a central mechanism of acupuncture at Waiguan for stroke patients.

Acupuncture at the “Huatuojiaji” point affects nerve root regional interleukin-1 level in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression

BACKGROUND：It has been shown that interleukin-1 （IL-1） may cause inflammatory reactions, which stimulate the nerve root of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and leads to pain. Whether the clinical curative effects of acupuncture in the treatment of lumbar and leg pain are linked to an inhibition of local IL-1 secretion is unknown. OBJECTIVE： To assess the influence of acupuncture on IL-1, this study was designed to verify the effects of acupuncture at the ＂Huatuojiaji （Extra）＂ point on the nerve root in a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression, compared with administration of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, molecular biology experiment, performed at the Experimental Center, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University between September 2005 and April 2006. MATERIALS： Forty healthy adult Sprague Dawley rats of either gender were included in this study. The rats were randomly and evenly divided into the following four groups： normal control, model, acupuncture and meloxicam groups. Lumbar nerve root compression was induced in rats in the model, acupuncture, and meloxicam groups by inserting a specially made silicon rubber slice at the juncture of the L5 nerve root and the dural sac. The acupuncture needle （pattern number N3030, 30#, 1.5 inch） was purchased from Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, China. IL-1 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., USA. METHODS： The acupuncture group was acupunctured at the ＂Huatuojiaji＂ point, which is lateral to the compressed L5-6 nerve root, with an acupuncture depth of 0.5 cm. There were two treatment courses, each of involved seven 20-minute acupuncture sessions, one session a day. The meloxicam group was administered intragastrically 3.75 mg/kg meloxicam （5 mg meloxicam /10 mL physiological saline）. Rats in the normal control group and model group received an intragastric administration of 10 mL/kg physiological saline. All administrations were performed once a day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At day 14 post-surgery, the IL-1 level in the compressed nerve root was determined by a streptavidin-peroxidase （S-P） immunohistochemical method, and IL-1β mRNA expression in the compressed nerve root was simultaneously detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS： The expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA in the L5 nerve root were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. However, the expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA were significantly lower in the acupuncture and meloxicam groups than in the model group （P 〈 0.05–0.01）. Expression levels of IL-1 and IL-1β mRNA were significantly higher in the acupuncture group than in the meloxicam group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture at the ＂Huatuojiaji＂ point decreases the IL-1 level by inhibiting IL-1β mRNA expression to a greater extent than meloxicam administration.

Electroacupuncture at He-Mu points reduces P2X_4 receptor expression in visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST37） and Tianshu （ST25） was reported to improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats, Colorectal distension was utilized to generate a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome, Results showed that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores noticeably increased after model establishment. Simultaneously, P2X4 receptor immunore- activity significantly increased in the colon and spinal cord. Electroacupuncture and pinaverium bromide therapy both markedly decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex scores in rats with visceral hypersensitivity, and significantly decreased P2X4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord. These data suggest that electroacupuncture treatment can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by diminishing P2X4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord,

Efficacy of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine in treating depression:A randomized study

BACKGROUND Depression affects more than 350 million people worldwide.In China,4.2%(54 million people)of the total population suffers from depression.Psychotherapy has been shown to change cognition,improve personality,and enhance the ability to cope with difficulties and setbacks.While pharmacotherapy can reduce symptoms,it is also associated with adverse reactions and relapse after drug withdrawal.Therefore,there has been an increasing emphasis placed on the use of non-pharmacological therapies for depression.The hypothesis of this study was that acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine would be more effective than fluoxetine alone for the treatment of depression.AIM To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine for the treatment of patients with depression.METHODS This randomized controlled trial included patients with mild to moderate depression(n=160).Patients received either acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine(n=80)or fluoxetine alone(control group,n=80).Needles were retained in place for 30 min,5 times a week;three treatment cycles were administered.The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare functional magnet resonance imaging parameters,Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD)scores,and self-rating depression scale(SDS)scores between the acupuncture group and control group.RESULTS There were no significant differences in HAMD or SDS scores between the acupuncture group and control group,before or after 4 wk of treatment.The acupuncture group exhibited significantly lower HAMD and SDS scores than the control group after 8 wk of treatment(P<0.05).The acupuncture group had significantly lower fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations values for the left anterior wedge leaf,left posterior cingulate gyrus,left middle occipital gyrus,and left inferior occipital gyrus after 8 wk.The acupuncture group also had significantly higher values for the right inferior frontal gyrus,right insula,and right hippocampus(P<0.05).After 8 wk of treatment,the effective rates of the acupuncture and control groups were 51.25%and 36.25%,respectively(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The study results suggest that acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine is more effective than fluoxetine alone for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate depression.

Catgut Implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Three Cases Report

Objective: To explore the effect of catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point for patients with urinary incontinence secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three SCI patients received catgut embedding at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point. The data of intermittent catheterization (IC) volume, intermittent catheterization frequency and the amount of using urine pad (urethral condom) were corrected. Results: Compared to the baseline data, IC volume increased and the leakage volume decreased. Conclusions: Catgut Implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point is effective for patients with urinary incontinence secondary to incomplete SCI.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia

Vulvar leukoplakia refers to the chronic disease of degeneration and hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva with unbearable itching in women, seriously affecting the quality of life. The main treatment of western medicine for vulvar leukoplakia is the external use of glucocorticoids or estrogen, resulting to the high recurrence rate and side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of the overall concept and dialectical treatment with a variety of ways. Literature review in recent years found that the treatment of TCM decoction combined with external therapies, such as external fumigation, acupuncture and other treatments, or the combination of TCM decoction and external western medicine hormone ointment, can obtain good effects in vulvar leukoplakia. During the clinical practice, we found that the use of TCM internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting was highly effective with unique advantages in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia, providing the ideas guidance for clinicians.

The Affects of Acupuncture at Sibai and Neiting Acupoints on Gastric Peristalsis

The frequency and amplitude of gastric peristaltic wave were significantly changed in 15 subjects when Sibai (ST 2) and Neiting (ST 44) acupoints of the Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming were punctured. The results demonstrate that these acupoints are effective for treatment of stomach diseases, providing an experimental basis for the theory of channels and collaterals.

THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN AND FIVE SHU POINTS OF TWELVE REGULAR MERIDIANS AT DIFFERENT TIME ON SYSTOLIC TIME INTERVAL OF NORMAL YOUNG ADULTS

The influence of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6)and five shu points of twelve regular meridians at different time on systolic time interval (ST I) of normal young adultswere studied with 6×6 Latin square design in this work.In 12 groups according to 12 regular merldlans,the STIs were measured respectively just before and after electro-acupuncture on Neiguan andfive shu points at 00:00,04:00,08:00,12:00,16:00 and 20:00 of a day.It was found thatexcept the PEPI and PEPI/LVETI ratio among Shenmen(HT 7),Shaochong(HT 9)and Neiguan,Guanchong(TE)and Yemen(TE 2)points,the effects of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan pointand five shu points of twelve regular meridians on the indices of STI of normal young adults wereshowing no slgnificant differences.There also was no difference in different sex.But the indices ofSTI were changed when electroacupuncture on the different points of different meridians at differenttime.

NEIMADIAN-POINT ACUPUNCTURE AND AURICULAR-POINT PRESSING USED FOR ORTHOPAEDIC POSTOPERATIVE ANALGESIA

The authors have treated 64 cases of orthopaedic postoperative pains by Neimadian-point acupuncture and auricular-ponit pressing with satisfactory results. In this paper, therapeuticmethods, therapeutic-effect observations and typical cases are reported, and the analgetie mechanismis preliminarily explored as well.

AN ANALYSIS ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE AT SANYINJIAO POINT FOR TREATMENT OF 120 CASES OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA

In the present paper, the authors make an analysis on the therapeutic effect of acupunc-ture at Sanyinjiao(SP 6) alone for treatment of 120 cases of primary dysmenorrhea. Results show atotal effective rate of 96.7%.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUTE SPRAIN OF SOFT TISSUE TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT PRESSURE PAIN POINTS

In the present paper,70 cases of acute sprain of soft tissue were treated withacupuncture at pressure pain points on the lateral of the second metacarpal bone.Results showedthat the cure rate was 58.6％ and the total effective rate was 94.3％.Also,its mechanisms werestudied preliminarily.The present therapy is simple,convenient,easy to operate and it producesrapidly desired effects with a higher cure rate,so it is suited to be popularized clinically.

ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN POINT FOR TREATMENT OF 106 CASES OF LOW PULSE PRESSURE SYNDROME

In spite of normal mean aterlal pressure,decrease of pulse pressure can induce a seriesof clinical symptoms,which is termed as low pulse pressure syndrorne.Acupuncture at bilateralNeiguan（PC 6）is Capable of raising systolic pressure, lowering diastolic pressure, increasing pulsepressure difference and eliminating corresponding symptoms.The effective rate was more than 92％in this observation.

CONSTIPATION TREATED BY AURICULAR ACUPOINT PRESSING COMBINED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AT ZUSANLI POINT

This paper reports that 65 cases with functional constipation were treated by putting one Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) seed on each acupoint, Intestinum crassum, Intestinum tenue,Sympathicum, Lung, Spleen, Subcortex, of auricula and pressing, associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point on both sides. The patients were instructed to press the stuck seed twice a day for 3 to 5 minutes each time. Auricular acupoints of both sides were used alternately every 2 days. The electric acupuncture was applied at Zusanli points about 30 minutes each time every other day. Ten times (i. e. 20 days) make one course of treatment and the routine treatment consists of 1 to 2 courses. The results showed that all the patients were cured, patients with Shi Mi (the constipation of excess type) were cured after one course of treatrnent while Xu Mi (the constipation of deficiency type) were cured after two courses. The study suggests that this kind of treatment is an ideal therapy for functional constipation. The pathogenesis and mechanism of treatment of auricular acupuncture pressing associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point for constipation are discussed.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF 282 CASES WITH PAIN TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT XI POINTS

Of 282 cases with pain treated by acupuncture at Xi points,207 cases were curedaccounting for 73.4％,among which 107 cases were cured after one treatment,36 cases after twosessions and 64 cases after over 3 sessions.75 cases improved.The total effective rate was100％.

OBSERVATION ON 8 CASES OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE OF TIANRONG POINT

In the present paper, 8 cases of trigeminal neuralgia were treated with acupuncture of Tianrong point(SI 17) and they were all cured. Tianrong point is located at the superior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunck. When needling the point the needle punctures directly on the sympathetic trunck inducing endings of postganglionic fibers to release adrenaline, which exertes regulatory effect on sensory cells in the semilunar ganglion of trigeminal nerves and vessels of the face, so as to attain analgesic effect.

THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY BY LASER ACUPUNCTURE AT THE CERVICAL JIAJI POINTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 102 CASES

Laser acupuncture therapy was employed in the treatment of spondylopathy.Thetherapeutic effect of the three types of the spondylopathy,nerve root type,vertebral artery type andspinal cord type were stuied and compared.The results indicate a significant difference between thethree types of spondylopathy.The best therapeutic effect was obtained in nerve root type with a remarkable effective rate of 98.5％;the effective rates for the vertebral artery type and the spinal cordtype were 92.3％and 25％,respectively.Combining laser irradiatlon with acupuncture,the therapyposseses the functions of acupuncture,heat effect and mild moxibustion action.Therefore,it showedeffect quickly and had the advantages of short treatment course and high therapeutic effect.Clinicalobservation has confirmed that laser acupuncture is more effective than single laser irradiation.Thistherapy offers another simple but effective method for the treatment of spondylopathy.

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Weiwanxiashu and Zusanli Points on Blood Glucose and Plasma Pancreatic Glucagon Contents in Diabetic Rabbits

The Effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B3) and Zusanli (ST 36) points on blood glucose (BG) and plasma pancreatic glucagon (PG) contents were dynamically observed in diabetic rabbits induced by Alloxan. It is found that acupuncture at Weiwanxiashu point can significantly lower the BG content and inhibit release of PG; no significant changes in BG and PG are found when acupuncture is given at Zusanli (ST 36) point alone, however BG and PG contents decrease more obviously when acupuncture employed at both Zusanli and Weiwanxiashu, suggesting that Zusanli has a marked synergetic action with Weiwanxiashu.

100 Cases of Obstinate Insominia of Curative Effect by Acupuncture Da Ling Point

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TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) byelectro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treatedby oral administration of carbamazepine as the controls. The total effective rate was 90%in the acupuncture group, and 86.7% in the control group. The difference in the totaleffective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P】0.05), suggestingthat electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.