Electroacupuncture at the Renzhong (DU 26) and Neiguan (PC 6) acupoints repairs the DNA of nervous tissue supplied by the middle cerebral artery in rats

This study compares the changes of DNA repair in brain tissue dominated by the middle cerebral artery after electroacupuncture at the acupoints of Renzhong （DU 26）, Neiguan （PC 6）, Quchi （LI 11） and Zusanli （ST 36） in rats. In the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease DNA basic group reparative excision experiments, the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease activity of brain tissue increased slightly after electroacupuncture in rats. In the DNA polymerase β （Pol β）experiments, the Pol β ac-tivity of brain tissue increased after electroacupuncture, especially at DU 26 and PC 6. In the DNA ligase experiments, the expression of DNA ligase 1 in brain tissue increased significantly after electroacupuncture. These findings demonstrate increased activity of apurinic/apyrimidinic en-donuclease, Pol β and DNA ligase 1 after electroacupuncture at DU 26 and PC 6. Also, DNA repair in brain tissue supplied by the middle cerebral artery is promoted after electroacupuncture at DU 26 and PC 6, which are more effective than the LI 11 and ST 36 acupoints .

Electroacupuncture reduces injury to the blood-brain barrier following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

This study used electroacupuncture at Renzhong （DU26） and Baihui （DU20） in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Neurological deficit scores, western blotting, and reverse transcription-PCR results demonstrated that electroacupuncture markedly reduced neurological deficits, decreased corpus striatum aquaporin-4 protein and mRNA expression, and relieved damage to the blood-brain barrier in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These results suggest that electroacupuncture most likely protects the blood-brain barrier by regulating aquaporin-4 expression following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Electroacupuncture induces acute changes in cerebral cortical mi RNA profile, improves cerebral blood flow and alleviates neurological deficits in a rat model of stroke

Electroacupuncture has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow in animal models of stroke. However, it is unclear whether electroacupuncture alters mi RNA expression in the cortex. In this study, we examined changes in the cerebral cortical mi RNA profile, cerebral blood flow and neurological function induced by electroacupuncture in a rat model of stroke. Electroacupuncture was performed at Renzhong（GV26） and Neiguan（PC6）, with a frequency of 2 Hz, continuous wave, current intensity of 3.0 m A, and stimulation time of 1 minute. Electroacupuncture increased cerebral blood flow and alleviated neurological impairment in the rats. mi RNA microarray profiling revealed that the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, which links cell proliferation with stroke, was most significantly affected by electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture induced changes in expression of rno-mi R-206-3p, rno-mi R-3473, rno-mi R-6216 and rno-mi R-494-3p, and these changes were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our findings suggest that changes in cell proliferation-associated mi RNA expression induced by electroacupuncture might be associated with the improved cerebral blood supply and functional recovery following stroke.

针刺对脑梗死大鼠缺血脑组织血管新生相关因子表达的影响

目的:动态研究脑梗死后血管新生相关因子的变化规律和针刺干预效应,从促进血管新生角度深入揭示针刺治疗脑梗死的分子机制。方法:以MCAO模型大鼠为研究对象,分为针刺组、模型组和空白组。观察脑梗死后神经功能缺损程度改变,同时采用免疫荧光双标记法观察缺血中心及边缘区的血管新生情况,应用RT-PCR和Western blot法检测脑梗死后缺穴区域血管新生相关因子Ang-1、Ang-2、PDGF-B和bFGF mRNA及蛋白变化规律和电针干预效应。结果:电针组各时相NSS评分均小于同时相模型组。MCAO后9h~7d时电针组血管内皮细胞增殖高于同时相模型组。电针组Ang-1、Ang-2 mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显高于模型组。电针组PDGF-B mRNA在3h~6h、3d~12d时明显高于模型组,蛋白水平在6h、3d~12d时明显高于模型组。针刺组bFGF mRNA在24h~12d、蛋白水平在3d~12d时明显高于模型组。结论:电针水沟穴能明显改善MCAO大鼠神经功能症状;能够促进MCAO模型大鼠梗死区周围血管内皮细胞增殖,并将血管内皮细胞增殖出现时间显著提前,其可能机制为电针水沟穴可上调血管新生相关因子的表达,并使表达时相前移,从而促进血管新生,对改善脑梗死的预后起到了明显的积极作用。

电针“人中”穴的抗过敏性休克作用及与脑内神经降压肽含量的关系

目的 观察电针“人中”穴的抗过敏性休克作用及与脑内神经降压肽含量的关系，探讨电针“人中”穴的抗过敏性休克作用机制。方法 选用76只成年健康豚鼠，制成过敏性休克模型，以平均动脉压（MAP）为指标，观察同强度（电压3V）不同频率（4～16、30～40、80～100Hz）电针“人中”穴对过敏性休克低血压反应的影响，并用放射免疫法测定各脑区内神经降压肽（neurotensin，NT）的含量。结果 ①不同频率分别电针“人中”穴的升压效应均显著高于各自的非穴位电针对照组（P〈0.05，P〈0.01）；不同频率分别电针“人中”穴的三组之间以及非穴位电针三组之间MAP的变化差异无统计学意义。②正常组与过敏性休克组下丘脑、延髓、腺垂体、神经垂体中NT含量的变化差异均无统计学意义，而过敏性休克加不同频率电针“人中”穴各组的下丘脑、延髓、腺垂体、神经垂体中NT的含量均显著高于单纯休克组（P〈0．05，P〈0.01）。过敏性休克加不同频率电针“人中”穴三组间各脑区内NT含量的变化差异均无统计学意义。结论 ①电针“人中”穴对过敏性休克时的低血压反应确有迅速而良好的改善作用。②NT可能参与电针“人中”穴的抗过敏性休克作用。

家兔“人中”穴区传入神经的中枢投射——CB-HRP跨神经节追踪法研究

实验选用成年家兔9只,将2%CB-HRP5微升注入“人中”穴区,其中4只事先切断一侧眶下神经。未切断神经者,双侧半月神经节有标记神经元,双侧三叉神经脊束核、三叉神经感觉主核和延髓网状结构有标记终支;切断一侧眶下神经者,只对侧有标记;无论切断眶下神经与否,双侧面神经核均有标记细胞。对其投射的功能意义也作了讨论。

针刺百会、人中穴对急性脑缺血大鼠模型葡萄糖转运蛋白1、3的影响

【目的】探讨早期针刺治疗对脑缺血模型大鼠局部葡萄糖代谢的调节作用。【方法】将80只3个月龄的SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、2 h针刺组和24 h针刺组4组,每组20只。采用开颅法复制急性脑缺血模型。针刺治疗取百会、人中穴,采用泻法,针刺行针捻转频率120次/min,每隔4 min行针1次,每次行针1 min,总共针刺治疗30 min。2 h针刺组在造模后2 h即开始针刺治疗,在24 h后再次针刺治疗,一共治疗2次;24 h针刺组在模型制备后24 h针刺1次。针刺治疗结束后,大鼠予以神经功能评分,并取材,行2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑(TTC)染色法测定缺血区域梗死面积,采用免疫组织化学法检测缺血脑组织葡萄糖转运蛋白(GLUT)1、3的表达。【结果】模型组大鼠神经功能评分指数较正常组升高,TTC染色结果显示左侧大脑半球肿胀,梗死体积明显大于对侧,免疫组织化学结果显示缺血脑组织区域GLUT1和GLUT3免疫阳性物较正常组增多(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,2 h针刺组和24 h针刺组均能有效改善脑缺血状况,降低神经功能评分指数,减少TTC染色后的梗死面积,增加缺血脑组织区域GLUT1和GLUT3蛋白表达(P<0.05),而2 h针刺组疗效优于24 h针刺组(P<0.05)。【结论】针刺可以有效改善急性脑缺血大鼠脑缺血损伤。针刺改善缺血性脑组织的能量代谢作用可能是通过上调脑内GLUT1和GLUT3的蛋白表达,提高葡萄糖的血脑屏障转运效率,从而促进葡萄糖代谢,为缺血性脑组织提供能量以延缓供能的相对不足,对抗脑缺血损伤。早期以针刺干预调节脑缺血大鼠能量代谢可以起到积极效果。

Comparative Study of the Specificities of Needling Acupoints DU20, DU26 and HT7 in Intervening Vascular Dementia in Different Areas in the Brain on the Basis of Scale Assessment and Cerebral Functional Imaging

Objective： Using methods of clinical scale assessment and cerebral functional imaging to compare the relative specificity of needling acupoints Baihui （DU20）, Shuigou （DU26） and Shenmen （HTT） in intervening vascular dementia （VD） in different areas in the brain. Methods： Fifty patients with VD were randomized into 5 groups. Needling on conventionally used acupoints of hand and foot three Yang-meridians aiming at hemiplegia was applied to the patients in Group A, and needling on DU20 to Group B, on DU26 to Group C, on HT7 to Group D and on all the three to Group E was applied additionally. Assessments of Mini Mental State Examination （MMSE）, Activities of Daily Living （ADL） and Family Attitude Questionnaire （FAQ） were made. And the positron emission computerized tomography （PET） and single photon emission computerized tomography （SPECT） examinations were conducted in 5 selected patients from each group before and after treatment. Results： Needling on conventional acupoints plus DU20 could effect the inner temporal system, thalamencephalon system and prefrontal cortical system to improve memory and executive capacity of VD patients; conventional acupoints plus DU26 could effect more to the prefrontal cortical system to obviously elevate the executive capacity; that plus HT7 would reveal an effect similar to but rather weaker than plus DU20, and effect more to memory; and that plus all the three simultaneously could effect rather roundly multiple aspects of the nervous system related to intellectual activities, to elevate the recognition and enhance the executive capacity. Conclusion： Needling on various acupoints like DU20, DU26 and HT7 have effects on different brain areas.

针刺水沟穴、百会穴联合足运感区对脑卒中恢复期患者肢体功能、颅内血流动力学的影响

目的:观察针刺水沟穴、百会穴联合足运感区对脑卒中恢复期患者肢体功能、颅内血流动力学的影响。方法:选取163例脑卒中恢复期患者,按随机数字表法分为足运感区组81例及联合针刺组82例。足运感区组针刺足运感区治疗,联合针刺组给予针刺水沟穴、百会联合足运感区进行治疗。比较2组临床疗效,比较2组治疗前后神经营养素-3(NT-3)、神经生长因子(NGF)水平、中医证候评分、颅内血流动力学[收缩峰血流速度(Vs)、舒张末血流速度(Vd)、平均血流速度(Vm)]指标值、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分的变化。结果:治疗后,2组NT-3、NGF水平均较治疗前上升,联合针刺组NT-3、NGF水平高于足运感区组(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组中医证候主症评分、总分均较治疗前下降(P<0.05),联合针刺组主症评分、总分均低于足运感区组(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组Vs、Vd、Vm指标值均较治疗前上升(P<0.05),联合针刺组Vs、Vd、Vm指标值高于足运感区组(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组NIHSS上肢评分、NIHSS下肢评分均较治疗前下降,联合针刺组NIHSS上肢评分、NIHSS下肢评分均低于足运感区组(P<0.05)。联合针刺组临床疗效为97.56%,足运感区组为91.12%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:针刺水沟穴、百会联合针刺足运感区治疗脑卒中恢复期,能恢复患者上下肢肢体功能,改善颅内血流动力学,临床疗效较好。

A Comparative Study on the Acupoints of Specialty of Baihui, Shuigou and Shenmen in Treating Vascular Dementia

Objective： To study the relative specialty of the acupoints of Baihui （DU20）, Shuigou （DU26） and Shenmen （HTT） in treating vascular dementia （VD）. Methods： Fifty patients suffering from VD were divided into 5 groups randomly and treated by conventional acupuncture for hemiplegia, or conventional acupuncture plus needling in DU20, DU26, HT7 respectively or simultaneously. Clinical symptoms were observed, and the scales such as Hasegawa＇s dementia scale-recension （HDS-R）, activities of daily living （ADL） and functional activities questionnaire （FAQ） were used for assessment before and after acupuncture treatment. The scores were processed statistically. Results： DU20 and HT7 could improve the abilities of memory, orientation, reaction and reduce adamancy and trance. Bedsides, DU 20 was helpful in improving the abilities of understanding, calculating and social adapting. While DU26 is helpful in treating retardation, failure in daily activities, trance and poor memory. The combination of the 3 acupoints could improve the intelligence and social adapting ability of VD patients. Conclusion： DU20, DU26 and HT7 had its own effect in treating VD, but the effect of three points used in combination was the best.

电针水沟穴对缺血性脑卒中大鼠神经血管单元保护作用

目的:观察电针水沟穴对缺血性脑卒中大鼠神经血管单元的保护作用。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为正常组、假手术组、模型组和电针组,各7只,检测大鼠缺血侧CD34和水通道蛋白4(AQP4)的表达水平;使用透射电镜观察缺血脑细胞器的损伤情况。结果:与正常组和假手术组比较,模型组AQP4表达显著升高(P<0.05),CD34表达水平显著降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,电针组AQP4表达显著降低(P<0.01),CD34表达水平显著升高(P<0.05)。模型组大鼠缺血侧脑细胞器损伤较严重,电针组大鼠缺血侧脑细胞器损伤程度较模型组轻。结论:电针水沟穴能够保护缺血侧脑微血管,改善缺血侧血脑屏障通透性,减轻脑细胞器的损伤,保护缺血脑组织的神经血管单元。

电针“百会”“人中”对脑缺血再灌注损伤模型大鼠脑脊液炎症因子及皮质缺血区脑组织GSDMD表达的影响

目的探讨电针"百会""人中"穴治疗脑缺血再灌注损伤(CIRI)的疗效及可能作用机制。方法36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组和电针组,每组12只。除假手术组外其余大鼠采用大脑中动脉线栓阻断法制备CIRI大鼠模型。造模24 h后对电针组大鼠行电针干预,穴取"百会""人中",频率15 Hz、强度为1 mA的连续波,每天1次,每次20 min,共5天。用Longa法评定各组大鼠神经功能损伤程度;TTC染色法测定大鼠脑梗死体积,HE染色观察脑组织病理形态改变;ELISA法检测脑脊液白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素6 (IL-6)、白细胞介素18 (IL-18)水平;逆转录聚合酶链反应和Western blotting法分别检测皮质缺血区脑组织Gasdermin D (GSDMD) mRNA和Gasdermin D蛋白的氮端(GSDMD-N)蛋白表达。结果与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠神经功能评分明显上升、脑梗死体积明显增加,脑脊液IL-1β、IL-6和IL-18含量明显增加,皮质缺血区脑组织GSDMD mRNA及GSDMD-N蛋白表达水平明显增高(P<0.05或P<0.01);HE染色结果显示,模型组大鼠脑组织神经元排列紊乱,部分神经细胞消失,胞核固缩,结构不完整。与模型组比较,电针组大鼠神经功能评分下降、脑梗死体积减小,脑脊液IL-6和IL-18含量明显减少,GSDMD mRNA及GSDMD-N蛋白表达水平降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);大鼠大脑皮质神经元变性及神经细胞数量丢失程度均较模型组有所减轻。结论电针"百会""人中"穴能使CIRI模型大鼠脑梗死体积减小,改善大鼠神经功能,其机制可能与下调脑脊液炎症因子和皮质缺血区脑组织细胞焦亡底物蛋白GSDMD表达有关。

Specific Effects of Needling Different Acupoints of Patients with Vascular Dementia

Objective： To observe the effects of needling Baihui （GV 20）, Shuigou （GV 26） and Shenmen （HT 7） on cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with vascular dementia （VD） by cerebral functional imaging technique. Methods： Twenty-five patients with VD were divided into 5 groups （Group A, B, C, D and E） randomly. Patients in the Group A were treated by needling routine acupoints for hemiplegia （Acupoints of the three yang meridians of hand and foot）, and besides the routine acupoints, patients in the Group B were treated by needling Baihui（GV 20）, the Group C by Shuigou（GV 26）, the Group D by Shenmen（HT 7）, and the Group E by Baihui（GV 20）, Shuigou（GV 26）, and Shenmen（HT 7）. All the patients were examined by Positron Emission Tomography （PET） to detect the cerebral glucose metabolism in the bilateral frontal lobes（orbital gyri）, parietal lobes, temporal lobes（hippocampus and hippocampal gyrus）, occipital lobes, thalamus, lentiform nucleus, caudate nuclei, cingulate gyrus and cerebellum before treatments and after treatments. Results： After needling the routine acupoints for hemiplegia, glucose metabolism increased in lentiform nucleus and temporal lobe; needling Baihui（GV 20）, increased in frontal lobe, temporal lobe and lentiform nucleus; needling Shuigou（GV 26）, increased in frontal lobe, thalamus and lentiform nucleus; needling Shenmen（HT 7）, increased in parietal lobe and lentiform nucleus; and needling these three acupoints, increased in frontal lobe, temporal lobe, thalamus and lentiform nucleus. Conclusion： Needling Baihui（GV 20）, Shuigou（GV 26） and Shenmen（HT 7） affect glucose metabolism in different functional regions of the brain, and Baihui（GV 20）, Shuigou（GV26） and Shenmen（HT 7） relate to different functional regions of the brain.