Clinical research progress on acupuncture for the treatment of otogenic vertigo

Otogenic vertigo is a common disorder that affects the vestibular system,which often results in considerable discomfort and impaired daily functioning.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including acupuncture and moxibustion,has been historically utilized to manage the symptoms of vertigo.However,the effectiveness and methodology of these treatments have rarely been investigated in the medical literature.This study reviews the existing literature on the point selection,method,and therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to provide a reference for the TCM treatment of otogenic vertigo.A literature search was performed using the PubMed search engine.The terms used included otogenic vertigo,acupuncture treatment,and acupuncture point selection.A total of 34 relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed.These suggest that the clinical treatment of otogenic vertigo should consider the functions of zang-fu organs and meridians and select different acupuncture treatment methods according to syndrome differentiation based on the difference between deficiency and excess.Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy should be based on acupoint selection,considering the syndrome differentiation,supplemented with experience.The treatment of otogenic vertigo with acupuncture and moxibustion refers to the selection of appropriate acupuncture methods under the guidance of TCM theory and following the principles of syndrome,disease,and meridian differentiation.Common acupuncture methods include body acupuncture,auricular acupuncture,scalp acupuncture,acupoint injection,electroacupuncture,and moxibustion.There are many acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selected for the treatment of otogenic vertigo.Individualized treatment according to the patient’s specific condition is effective and safe,which can help to improve the patient’s vertigo symptoms and cerebral blood perfusion.

Acupuncture Points Used in the Prophylaxis against Recurrent Uncomplicated Cystitis, Patterns Identified and Their Possible Relationship to Physiological Measurements

Objective： To explore the correlation between single acupoints used and the recurrence rate of cystitis among cystitis-prone women receiving acupuncture as a prophylactic treatment. Methods： In all, 58 cystitis-prone women were included in the analysis. Customised acupuncture treatments were given twice a week, over 4 weeks. The main effect parameter was the number of cystitis episodes during the 6-month observation time. Residual urine was measured at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months using portable ultrasound equipment. Sympathetic and vagotone nerve activities were measured by using skin conductance and respiratory sinus arrhythmia, respectively. Results： The main acupoints used for patients with Kidney （Shen） qi/yang deficiency were Shenshu （BL23）, Taixi （KI3）, Zhongji （CV3）, Sanyinjiao （SP6） and Pangguangshu （BL2.8）, compared with Taichong （LR3）, CV3, BL28, Yinlingquan （SP9） and SP6 for Liver （Gan） qi stagnation, and SP6, CV3, BL28, Zusanli （ST36） and SP9 for Spleen （Pi） qi/yang deficiency patients. The combination BL23 and KI3 were used in 16 women, 13 of which were Kidney pattern related patients. When used, the number of symptomatic episodes were reduced to a third compared with what occurred in the 42 women where this combination was not used （3/16 vs. 28/42, P〈0.05）. BL23 application correlated to a significant reduction in residual urine measured a few days after treatment. Patients with the pattern of Spleen qi/yang deficiency had an initial increase in residual urine after treatments. Conclusion： Treating Kidney pattern related patients with the combination of BL23 and KI3 resulted in far better outcome than other points/combination of points for other Chinese medicine diagnoses. The acupoint SP6 may be less indicated than previously assumed when treating cvstitis-Drone women DroDhvlacticalIv.

The Influence of Age on Blood Flow and Temperature of Acupuncture Points: A Study based on Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Infrared Thermography

Background:To date,there has been a great lack of investigation on the influence of age on blood flow and temperature of acupoints in specific regions.Objective:This study aimed to determine the association between different age categories and acupoint blood flow/temperature on the forearm.Methods:Acupoint blood flow and temperature were measured in healthy adults of different age categories using laser doppler flowmetry(LDF)and infrared thermography(IRT),respectively.A total of 60 eligible healthy volunteers were divided into the young group,mid age group and old age group.All groups received LDF and IRT examination.Shenmen(HT7),Shaohai(HT3),Taiyuan(LU9)and Chize(LU5)of the Heart and Lung meridians on the forearm were selected as 4 test acupoints.Results:Regarding blood flow of the 4 test acupoints,the PU of Taiyuan(LU9)in the old age group was sig-nificantly different compared with that of the young age group(P<0.05)and the mid age group(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in PU of the other acupoints between 3 groups(all P>0.05).Simi-larly,regarding acupoint temperature of the 4 test sites,the temperature of Shaohai(HT3)in the old age group was significantly different compared with that of the mid age group(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the temperature of the other 3 acupoints between 3 age groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion:Age category tends to have notable influence on the blood flow and temperature in specific acupoints in the forearm.Therefore,particular concerns should be taken into consideration regarding the effect of age differences for future studies in this field.Nevertheless,further studies with a large sample size and more test acupoints are needed to further verify current findings.

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.

Activities of Liquid Crystals in Acupuncture Points

The theory of Meridians is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern science should play its role in analysing and making clear the mystique of the theory. The relation between the activities of liquid crystals in acupuncture points and the regulative actions of Meridians was studied in this paper. The results showed the intimate intrinsic association between them.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture on nerve repair

Paresthesia is the name given to a temporary or permanent sensory loss caused by several surgical procedures that affected the peripheral sensory nerve.In dentistry,common iatrogenic procedures that can lead to sensory loss include third molar removal,

Effect of intradermal needle therapy at combined acupoints on patients’ gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors

BACKGROUND Postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery is critical for rapid rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.Traditional Chinese medicine offers considerable advantages for gastrointestinal disease treatment.However,no study has reported the clinical efficacy of intradermal needle therapy(INT)at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points of the corresponding meridian for gastrointestinal function in patients following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.AIM To investigate the effect of INT at combined acupoints on patients’gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University on patients with diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer,no distant metastases or organ failure,and hospitalized for elective radical tumor resection,who did not receive preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy.Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention(n=32)or the control(n=32)group.Participants in the control group received enhanced recovery care,while those in the intervention group received enhanced recovery care combined with INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points.After surgery,INT was performed immediately upon the patient's return to the ward,and continued for seven consecutive days.The independent samples t-test,chi-square test,and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.RESULTS The participants’ages ranged from 40 to 80 years(average 63±10.1 years).Most participants underwent surgery for either gastric(43.8%)or colon cancer(39.1%)and had adenocarcinoma(87.5%).Significant differences were noted in time to first postoperative flatus passage(66±27 h vs 103±41 h,P<0.001),time to first defecation(106±44 h vs 153±50 h,P<0.001),and time to first oral feeding(73±30 h vs 115±38 h,P<0.001)between the intervention and control groups.Gastrointestinal symptoms,including abdominal distension,nausea,and fatigue 48 h and 72 h after surgery,were significantly alleviated in the intervention group compared with that observed in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points can promote recovery of gastrointestinal function and ease gastrointestinal symptoms in patients following surgical resection of gastrointestinal tumors.

Acupuncture as an Alternative Therapy in the Management of Burning Mouth Syndrome(BMS)

In the routine of dental care,complaints of burning sensation,burning tongue and dry mouth are frequent.Due to the complexity of etiology and diagnosis,treating patients with these sensations is a challenge for clinicians.This study aimed to assess acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with burning mouth syndrome(BMS).Clinical data were collected from visits of patients to the School of Dentistry of Piracicaba,State University of Campinas,with the application of a protocol of acupuncture points:LI-4(Hegu),HT-7(Shenmen),SP-6(Sanyinjiao),ST-36(Zusanli),REN-23(Lianquan),REN-6(Qihai),LI-11(Quchi),ExHn3(Yintang),LV-3(Taichong),ExHn12(Jinjin),and ExHn13(Yuye)to treat the symptoms of BMS,from August 2017 to March 2020.The sample consisted of 6 volunteers–5 female and 1 male patients–aged 40 to 79 years.The intensity of BMS was assessed before and after each session with self-reported verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS)during the treatment.On average,each patient had 8.16 sessions using 9.92 acupuncture points per session.Variation of VNRS during the treatment showed a decline in burning mouth in most patients,and 83.34%of the sample showed partial or total improvement of symptoms.This study showed that acupuncture was effective in relieving burning mouth,reducing it by 43%,representing an alternative therapy in the management of symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.

Clinical research progress of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by ankylosis of the spine and sacroiliac joints.The continuous development of this disease can cause damage to multiple organs.At present,modern medical treatment programs generally focus on symptomatic treatment such as analgesia and anti-inflammatory,which can relieve pain and inflammation to a certain extent,but there are many problems such as adverse drug reactions,and cannot be completely cured.Modern medical treatment of ankylosing spondylitis focuses on relieving symptoms,controlling disease activity,slowing disease progression,and reducing disability rates.As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine,acupuncture therapy,compared with modern medicine,has obvious advantages in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis,such as good curative effect,quick effect,safety and low price,and no toxic and side effects.By reviewing the literature,it is found that there are a large number of clinical studies on the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis by acupuncture and moxibustion in recent years,and it is concluded that acupuncture and moxibustion has unique advantages in reducing local pain,alleviating inflammatory symptoms,improving joint function,preventing spinal deformity,and improving quality of life.Therefore,this study summarizes and reviews the relevant literature on different acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for ankylosing spondylitis,in order to provide ideas and solutions for the effective treatment of this disease.

Facial nucleus up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA following electroacupuncture treatment in a rabbit model of facial nerve injury

BACKGROUND： The effect of acupuncture treatment on peripheral facial nerve injury is generally accepted. However, the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To validate the effect of acupoint electro-stimulation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） mRNA expression in the facial nucleus of rabbits with facial nerve injury, with the hypothesis that acupuncture treatment efficacy is related to BDNE DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Peripheral facial nerve injury, in situ hybridization, and randomized, controlled, animal trial. The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from March to September 2005. MATERIALS： A total of 120 healthy, adult, Japanese rabbits, with an equal number of males and females were selected. Models of peripheral facial nerve injury were established using the facial nerve pressing method. METHODS： The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups （n = 24）： sham operation, an incision to the left facial skin, followed by suture; model, no treatment following facial nerve model establishment; western medicine, 10 mg vitamin B1, 50 ug vitamin B12, and dexamethasone （2 mg/d, reduced to half every 7 days） intramuscular injection starting with the first day following lesion, once per day; traditional acupuncture, acupuncture at Ytfeng, Quanliao, Dicang, Jiache, Sibai, and Yangbai acupoints using a acupuncture needle with needle twirling every 10 minutes, followed by needle retention for 30 minutes, for successive 5 days; electroacupuncture, similar to the traditional acupuncture group, the Yifeng （negative electrode）, Jiache （positive electrode）, Dicang （negative electrode）, and Sibai （positive electrode） points were connected to an universal pulse electro-therapeutic apparatus for 30 minutes per day, with disperse-dense waves for successive 5 days, and resting for 2 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Left hemisphere brain stem tissues were harvested on post-operative days 7, 14, 21, and 28 under a dissecting microscope. Neuronal appearance in the facial nucleus was observed following Nissl staining. BDNF mRNA expression in the facial nucleus was determined using in situ hybridization. RESULTS： A total of 120 rabbits were included in the final analysis. In the model group, the nucleolus was asymmetric with cell body swelling, and the number of Nissl bodies decreased. With increasing time, there were more Nissl bodies in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, in particular the electroacupuncture group. However, the number of Nissl bodies remained less than in the sham operation group. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus was significantly greater in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus of reached a minimum in the electroacupuncture group on post-surgery day 21, and increased by day 28, but remained less than control levels. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture at acupoints increased BDNF expression in the facial nucleus, alleviated neuronal injury in the facial nucleus, and promoted facial nerve regeneration. The effect was superior over traditional acupuncture and western medicine.

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.

Effects of acupuncture on functional gastrointestinal disorders:special effects,coeffects,synergistic effects in terms of single or compatible acupoints

OBJECTIVE:To investigate how the“special effect”/“coeffect”/“synergistic effect”can achieve a positive result using an“acupuncture prescription”for functional gastrointestinal disorders(FGIDs)in clinical practice,based on the characteristics of single/compatible acupoints and acupuncture techniques.METHODS:According to the search strategy,we searched six electronic bibliographic databases and provided a summary for this overview.RESULTS:A large body of evidence has shown that acupuncture has positive effects in the treatment of FGIDs.However,the“prescription”intervention involved different single acupoints,compatible acupoints and acupoints based on expert consensus.CONCLUSIONS:The core acupoints,including Tianshu(ST25),Zusanli(ST36),and Shangjuxu(ST37),emphasize the application of special acupoints,meridian points and nerve segments,and the two-way regulatory effect found in this study is often used as the basis of acupoint selection and acupoint prescription for acupuncture treatment of FGIDs.

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

Objective: To probe into the effect of catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point on dysdefecation in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three SCI patients voluntarily accepted catgut embedding at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point. Before and after treatment, they were filled out the self-rating scale of defecation, including the data of defecation frequency, total defecation time, defecation effort, fecal texture, fecal characteristics and fecal incontinence, etc. Results: Compared with the baseline data, constipation was improved and fecal incontinence was disappeared. Conclusions: Catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point is effectual for patients with neurogenic dysporia secondary to incomplete SCI.

Electroacupuncture Promotes Angiogenesis in Mice with Cerebral Ischemia by Inhibiting miR-7

Objective To observe the angiogenesis effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at Shuigou acupoint(GV 26)in the treatment of cerebral ischemia,and explore the value of miRNA-7(miR-7)in it.Methods First,48 mice were randomly divided into sham operation,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model,and EA treatment groups.Then 9 mice were divided into carrier control group,miR-7 knockout group and miR-7 overexpression group(n=3 each group).Finally,20 mice were divided into model and carrier control group,model and miR-7 knockout group,EA treatment and carrier control group and EA treatment and miR-7 overexpression group,with 3–6 mice in each group.The MCAO model was established in the MCAO and EA groups.Neurological deficit score and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining were used to evaluate the severity of cerebral ischemia.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to describe basic pathological changes.Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify cerebral microvessel density.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of miR-7 and its downstream target genes Krüppel-like factor 4/vascular endothelial growth factor(KLF4/VEGF)and angiopoietin-2(ANG-2)in the ischemic cerebral cortex.Results After EA,neurological deficit scores and infarction volumes decreased,and the density of cerebral microvessels increased.In the MCAO group,miR-7 expression was higher than that in the sham group(P<0.01).After EA at GV 26,miR-7 expression decreased(P<0.01)and the expression of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 increased as compared with the MCAO group(P<0.01).After EA combined with overexpression of miR-7,the expression of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 decreased compared to the control EA group(P<0.01).After miR-7 knockdown,the expression of KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2 increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions EA could promote angiogenesis in MCAO mice likely by inhibiting the expression of miR-7 and relieving inhibition of downstream target genes KLF4/VEGF and ANG-2.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points Alleviates Myocardial Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating HIF-1 α/BNIP3 Signaling-Mediated Mitochondrial Autophagyand Decreasing Oxidative Stress

Objective: To explore the protective effect and possible mechanisms of bloodletting acupuncture at Jing-well points(BAJP) pre-treatment on acute hypobaric hypoxia(AHH)-induced myocardium injury rat. Methods:Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table: a control group(n=15), a model group(n=15), a BAJP group(n=15), a BAJP+3-methyladenine(3-MA) group(n=15), and a BANA(bloodletting at nonacupoint;tail bleeding, n=15) group. Except for the control group, the AHH rat model was established in the other groups, and the corresponding treatment methods were adopted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponins I(CTn I) levels in serum and superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels in myocardial tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe myocardial injury, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated d UTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to observe cell apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy detection was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosomes in the myocardium. The mitochondrial membrane potential of the myocardium was analyzed with the fluorescent dye JC-1. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex(complex Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ) activities and ATPase in the myocardium were detected by mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assay kits. Western blot analysis was used to detect the autophagy index and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/Bcl-2 and adenovirus E1B 19k Da-interacting protein 3(BNIP3) signaling. Results:BAJP reduced myocardial injury and inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis in AHH rats. BAJP pretreatment decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels in AHH rats(all P<0.01). Moreover, BAJP pretreatment increased the mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.01), mitochondrial respiratory chain complex(complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ)activities(P<0.01), and mitochondrial ATPase activity in AHH rats(P<0.05). The results from electron microscopy demonstrated that BAJP pretreatment improved mitochondrial swelling and increased the autophagosome number in the myocardium of AHH rats. In addition, BAJP pretreatment activated the HIF-1α/BNIP3pathway and autophagy. Finally, the results of using 3-MA to inhibit autophagy in BAJP-treated AHH rats showed that suppression of autophagy attenuated the treatment effects of BAJP in AHH rats, further proving that autophagy constitutes a potential target for BAJP treatment of AHH. Conclusion: BAJP is an effective treatment for AHH-induced myocardial injury, and the mechanism might involve increasing HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling-mediated autophagy and decreasing oxidative stress.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points on Hand Induced Autophagy to Alleviate Brain Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating PINK1/Parkin Pathway

Objective: To explore the protective effect of bloodletting acupuncture at twelve Jing-well points on hand(BAJP) on acute hypobaric hypoxia(AHH)-induced brain injury in rats and its possible mechanisms.Methods: Seventy-five Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups by a random number table(n=15),including control, model, BAJP, BAJP+3-methyladenine(3-MA), and bloodletting acupuncture at non-acupoint(BANA, tail tip blooding) groups. After 7-day pre-treatment, AHH models were established using hypobaric oxygen chambers. The levels of S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and malondialdehyde(MDA) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method were used to assess hippocampal histopathology and apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy assay was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosomes in hippocampal tissues. Flow cytometry was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP). The mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities and ATPase in hippocampal tissue were evaluated, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expressions of Beclin1, autophagy protein 5(ATG5), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta(LC3B), phosphatase and tensin homolog induced kinase 1(PINK1), and Parkin in hippocampal tissues. The mRNA expressions of Beclin1, ATG5 and LC3-Ⅱ were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: BAJP treatment reduced hippocampal tissue injury and inhibited hippocampal cell apoptosis in AHH rats. BAJP reduced oxidative stress by decreasing S100B, GFAP and MDA levels and increasing SOD level in the serum of AHH rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Then, BAJP increased MMP, the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities, and the mitochondrial ATPase activity in AHH rats(all P<0.01). BAJP improved mitochondrial swelling and increased the autophagosome number in hippocampal tissue of AHH rats. Moreover,BAJP treatment increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Beclin1 and ATG5 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰratio in AHH rats(all P<0.01) and activated the PINK1/Parkin pathway(P<0.01). Finally, 3-MA attenuated the therapeutic effect of BAJP on AHH rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: BAJP was an effective treatment for AHH-induced brain injury, and the mechanism might be through reducing hippocampal tissue injury via increasing the PINK1/Parkin pathway and enhancement of mitochondrial autophagy.

Effect of Lumbar Spinal Point Injection on Sitting Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Objective: To observe the effect of lumbar spinal point injection on sitting function in children with cerebral palsy. Method: Sixty-two children with post-confirmed cerebral palsy were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, 31 each. The control group was given conventional rehabilitation treatment, and the treatment group was given lumbar chiropspinal acupoint injection on the basis of the treatment method of the control group. After 3 consecutive courses of treatment, the sitting score of the two groups before and after treatment (GMFM88) was used to evaluate the sitting score before and after treatment. Outcome: Before treatment, the two groups were evaluated and the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), which was comparable. The two groups (GMFM88) after treatment had significantly increased the differential values, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the same group before treatment (p Conclusion: Conventional rehabilitation combined with lumbar spinal point injection can effectively improve the sitting motor function of children with cerebral palsy.

A comparative study of electroacupuncture at Zhongliao （BL33） and other acupoints for overactive bladder symptoms

Electroacupuncture （EA） at Zhongliao （BL33） can improve the symptoms of overactive bladder （OAB）, such as urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence. However, its performance compared with other acupoints remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of EA at BL33 with deep needling on rats with OAB by detecting urodynamics in eight groups： no intervention group, D-BL33 group （deep needling at BL33）, S-BL33 group （shallow needling at BL33）, non-acupoint group （needling at the non-acupoint next to BL33）, Weizhong （BL40） group, Sanyinjiao （SP6） group, Tongtian （BL7） group, and Hegu （LI4） group. Results revealed that EA at BL33 with deep needling, BL40, and SP6 prolonged the intercontraction interval （ICI） of rats with OAB （P= 0.001, P = 0.005, P = 0.046, respectively, post-treatment vs. post-modeling）. Furthermore, the change in ICI from post-modeling in the D-BL33 group was significantly greater than those of the no intervention and other EA groups （all P 〈 0.01）. Significantly shortened vesical micturition time （VMT） and elevated maximum detrusor pressure （MDP） were also observed in the D-BL33 group （P = 0.017 and P = 0.024, respectively, post-treatment vs. post-modeling）. However, no statistically significant differences in the changes of VMT and MDP from post- modeling were observed between D-BL33 and the other EA groups. In conclusion, EA at BL33 with deep needling may inhibit acetic-acid-induced OAB more effectively.

Efficiency and safety evaluation of Baimai ointment for alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction

Baimai ointment has Shujin and Huoluo efficiency. It has been confirmed by basic pharmacodynamic experiments that Baimai ointment has some therapeutic effects on stroke. However, the detailed evaluations of Baimai ointment on clinically treating stroke patients for function recovery are still insufficient with little reports. OBJECTIVE： To observe the efficiency and safety of Baimai ointment on alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction DESIGN： A randomized, parallel and controlled experiment. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were selected from Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from July to December 2006 and met the diagnosis criteria modified by Forth National Seminar on Cerebrovascular Disease. The experiment had got confirmed consent from local ethic committee. All 120 patients with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into experimental group （n =80; 32 in the acute phase, 32 in the recovery phase and 16 in the sequela phase） and control group （n =40; 16 in the acute phase, 16 in the recovery phase and 8 in the sequela phase）. METHODS： Within 4 weeks after the patients were enrolled in this study, no other traditional Chinese medicines containing similar components were adopted besides routine supporting therapy. The Baimai ointment being consisted of jianghuang, Roudoukou, Gansong, Yangqishi, Gancao, She, shannai, Zanghuixiang, Zangchangpu, Huajiao and dianhua was used by trial group （20 g/ampoule, Tibet Lingzhiqizheng Tibetan Drug Factory; batch number： 050403）, 2-3 times per day, the ointment was moderately coated traveling parts of Baimai. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The evaluation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS）, Modified Rankin Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale were performed before administration, 2 and 4 weeks after administration. RESULTS： All 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were involved in the final analysis. ① Evaluation of therapeutic effects： After 4 weeks, the comparison of overall muscular tension and muscular tension in acute phase between the two groups （acute phase, chronic phase and recovery phase） demonstrated that the experimental group improved significantly （Z = - 2.25, - 2.06, P 〈 0.05）. After 2 weeks, the change of muscular tension was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. Whereas after 4 weeks, the change of muscular tension in acute phase was significantly different from baseline （P 〈 0.05）; however, the change of muscular tension in recovery phase and sequelae phase was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. After the treatment, the overall NIHSS and disability score of both groups did not change significantly （P 〉 0.05）. ② Adverse reaction and side effect： There were two adverse events in experimental groups. One patient underwent petechia, and the symptom disappeared following stopping medication which did not reappear after remedication. The other patient complained of a pain coming from the place where the medication was used, and the symptom went away without treatment. Two cases of adverse events were not significantly correlated with the usage of medication, so both of which could not be confirmed to be adverse reactions. CONCLUSION： Baimai ointment achieves some therapeutic effects on treating hypermyotonia of cerebral infarction patients, especially significantly preventing the hypermyotonia in acute phase with good safety.

Drawing the Yongquan protocol into the different stages of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation sequence

AIM: To introduce new applications into the ILCORcardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) "chain" sequence.METHODS: Stages of the CPR sequence("chain"): prior to the application of chest massage: assess the victim's state of consciousness and lung-heart failure;seek help(call 911), or in situations in which it is impossible to start the ILCOR protocol:(1) if the victim is trapped in car crash, overturned car, landslide, massive number of victims or catastrophe; or(2) delayed CPR.During chest compression: Yongquan is simultaneously stimulated by a third rescuer. During defibrillator application: activate K-1 Yongquan through needles before defibrillation. Unsuccessful CPR: "gold standard"for legal clinical death.RESULTS: Implies comparing two hypotheses: Ho(null hypothesis) demonstrates no association between the two variables studied; Ha(alternative hypothesis) implies some degree of relation between them. Difference between the two treatments is observed. If it is greater than the standard error multiplied by a coefficient of security, the difference is significant: Ha will be accepted and Ho rejected. First we will compare CPR without defibrillator(method "A") and K-1 Yongquan method(method "B"), using percentages of representative samples(treatment "A": 6.4% response, treatment "B": 85% response). If │PA- PB│ is greater than the product of 1.96 times the standard error, the difference is significant. Because │PA- PB│ = 0.786 is greater than 0.098, the difference between 0.064 and 0.85 is statistically significant. Thus, we reject Ho and accept Ha as correct. Thus, it is improbable that chance was responsible for this association. This analysis shows that K-1 Yongquan method has a "quality guarantee". Second, we compare defibrillators("A") with K-1 Yongquan method("B")(treatment "A": 48%, treatment "B": 84%, │PA- PB│= 0.36; │PA- PB│ = 0.36 is greater than SE × 1.96 = 0.0148 and also statistically significant, demonstrating again the comparative value of the Yongquan method. CONCLUSION: The Yongquan resuscitation manoeuver is a non-invasive, non-tiring, costless, and easy-toapply procedure that provides a second chance when other options fail.