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.

Effect of intradermal needle at five-zang Back-Shu points on treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome

Objective:To observe the effect of intradermal needle therapy on back-shu points of five zang organs in treating chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)and provide evidence for the usage of unilateral back-shu point.Methods:Patients were randomly divided into bilateral back-shu point group,unilateral back-shu point group and non-acupoint group,remove shedding cases,each group remaining 30 patients.In bilateral back-shu point group,both sides of back-shu points of five zang organs were selected.In unilateral back-shu point group,only one side was selected,left or right alternately.The location where non-acupoint group inserted by intradermal needles were outward from the back-shu points,left or right alternately.Fatigue Scale-14(FS-14)was used to evaluate the fatigue level and the scores’improvement of physical fatigue and mental fatigue revealed the therapeutic effect on body constituents and spirits of CFS patient.Results:After the 8-week intradermal needle therapy,the total effective rate was 83.33%in the bilateral back-shu point group,which was 76.67%in the unilateral back-shu point group and 50.00%in the non-acupoint group.The curative effects of the two groups whose back-shu points of five zang organs were inserted by intradermal needles were better than the non-acupoint group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in clinical efficacy between the bilateral back-shu point group and the unilateral back-shu point group(P>0.05).There were statistical differences in FS-14 questionnaires including total,physical and mental scores between before and after the treatment in both the two back-shu point groups(P<0.05).Only the scores of total and physical fatigue in decreased in non-acupoint group(P<0.05),which means it couldn’t help to alleviate mental fatigue statistically(P>0.05).Conclusions:(1)The intradermal needle therapy on back-shu points of five zang organs for CFS has a satisfying clinical efficacy in curing tiredness.It can help to reduce both physical and mental fatigue for the patients.Hence,it can regulate both body constituents and spirits simultaneously.(2)Needling the unilateral acupoints can get similar clinical efficacy to the bilateral points.It reveals that we can cut cost by reducing the consumption of the amount of intradermal needles used on one side.(3)Both the groups of back-shu points get better clinical efficacy than the non-acupoint group dramatically.The reason of why the intradermal needle can treat CFS maybe that back-shu points of five zang organs can regulate the functions of five zang organs characteristically.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS PRIMARILY WITH PRICKING-CUPPING ON BACK-SHU POINTS

To observe the clinical effect of treatment of acute bronchitis primarily with prickingcupping method on Back-shu points. Methods. The patients of acute bronchitis were randomly divided into 2 groups. In the observation group, there were 36 cases, who were treated with the integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, primarily the pricking-cupping method on Back-shu points; while in the control group, there were 29 cases who were given the conventinal treatment of western medicine. All the 2 groups were treated for 7 days as one treating course. Results： The total effective rate of the observation group was 97.2% while that of the control group was 82,8%, so there is a significant difference between them. On the first and third days the clinical manifestations were more satisfactorily improved in the treatment group than in the control group （P 〈 0.01） and on the fifth and seventh days, the comparison showed no significant difference （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The treatment of acute bronchitis by means of the integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine primarily with pricking-cupping method on Back-shu points is of marked therapeutic effect, simple manipulation, and little untoward effects, thus claiming the unique advantage.

Clinical research on insomnia treated by acupuncture at back-shu points

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect on insomnia treated with acupuncture at back-shu points. Methods Sixty-four cases of insomnia were selected and divided randomly into a back-shu points group （group A） and a conventional acupoints group （group B） by a computer generated allocation list, 32 cases in each one. In the trial group, acupuncture was applied at xinshu （心俞 15）, Ganshu （刊俞 18）, Pishu （脾俞 BL 20） and Geshu （膈俞 BL 17）. In the control group, acupuncture was applied conventionally to Neiguan （内关 PC 6）, Shenmen （神门 HT 7）, Sanyinjiao （三阴交 SP 6）, Baihui （百会 GV 20） and Sishencong （四神聪 EX-HN 2）. Ten treatments made a session. The efficacy was analyzed statistically after 3 sessions of treatment. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in the relief of sleep disorders after the treatment （P〈0.O2）. The improvement in sleep efficiency was different significantly （P〈0.05）. The difference in sleep difficulty was significant in Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom score （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The clinical efficacy is achieved by either acupuncture at back-shu points or by acupuncture at conventional acupoints. The improvements of sleep efficiency and sleep disorder scores in PSO.I, and sleep difficulty in TCM as well as the long-term efficacy are superior in group A as compared with those in group B.

Clinical observation over treating depression with scalp acupuncture accompanied by acunpuncture on Back-shu points

Objective To find therapeutic effect of acupuncture treating depression. Methods Eighteen cases of depression divided into two groups： one group treated with electroacupuncture （8 cases）, the other with medication （10 cases）. For the group with electroacupuncture, Shenting （神庭 GV 24）, Baihui （百会 GV 20）, Pishu （脾俞 BL 20）, Weishu（胃俞 BL 21）, Dachangshu （大肠俞 BL 25）, Xiaochangshu （小肠俞BL 27） were selected for treatment; and for the group of medication, venlafaxine was given as usual. 30 days later, an open unidirectional qualitative response sequential method was taken to compare the therapeutic effects of two groups. Result The therapeutic effects from two 8 cases proved that the group of electroacupuncture was better than the group of medication. Conclusion For depression, scalp acupuncture accompanied by acupuncture on the Back-shu points has a better effect for depression, and is superior to medication.

Obesity complicated with insulin resistance treated with the electroacupuncture at the combination of back-shu and front-mu points:A randomized clinical trail

Objective To observe the influences of electroacupuncture at the combination of back-shu and front-mu points on insulin sensitivity indicators and somatological parameter indicators in the patients with obesity complicated with insulin resistance.Methods A total of 60 patients with obesity and insulin resistance were randomized into a control group(30 cases,4 cases of them dropped out)and a trial group(30 cases,2 cases of them dropped out).In the control group,the intervention with diet and exercise were provided.In the trial group,on the base of the treatment as the control group,electroacupuncture was added at the combination of back-shu points and front-mu points,3 times weekly.The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in two groups.The therapeutic effect and the somatological parameter indicators(body mass[BW],body mass index[BMI],waist circumference[WC],waist-to-hip ratio[WHR])as well as the insulin sensitivity indicators(fasting plasma glucose[FPG],fasting insulin[FIN],insulin sensitivity index[ISI]and insulin resistance index[HOMA-IR])before and after treatment were compared between two groups.Results①The effective rate was 92.86%in the trial group and was 57.69%in the control group.The effective rate of the trial group was higher than the control group,indicating the statistical difference(P<0.01).②BW,BMI,WC and WHR after treatment were all reduced obviously as compared with before treatment in two groups(all P<0.01).After treatment,BMI,WC and WHR in the trial group were all lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05)and the differences in BW,BMI,WC and WHR before and after treatment in the trial group were larger than those in the control group(all P<0.01).③After treatment,FIN and HOMA-IR were all lower significantly than those before treatment in two group and ISI was increased significantly as compared with before treatment(all P<0.01).After treatment,FPG was reduced significantly as compared with before treatment in the trial group(P<0.01)and the difference in FPG was not significant statistically in the control group(P>0.05).After treatment,FPG and HOMA-IR in the trial group were lower than the control group and ISI was higher than the control group(all P<0.05).Besides,the differences in FPG,FIN,ISI and HOMA-IR before and after treatment in the trial group were larger significantly than those in the control group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at the combination of back-shu and front-mu points in association with the intervention with diet and exercise is effective on obesity complicated with insulin resistance.The effects of this combined therapy are superior as compared with simple intervention with diet and exercise in body mass,body mass index,waist circumference and waist-to-lip ratio as well as fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,insulin sensitivity index and insulin resistance index in patients.

Treatment of 22 Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Puncturing Back-Shu Points

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of puncturing Back-Shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Methods： Twenty-two subjects were recruited and treated by puncturing corresponding Back-Shu points based on syndrome differentiation. The short-form General Health Survey （MOSSF GHS） and the Chalder Questionnaires for Fatigue were adopted for evaluating the therapeutic effects. Results： Of the 22 patients, 4 cases showed a marked effect, 11 got effect, 7 got failure, and the total effective rate was 68.2%. Conclusion： Puncturing Back-Shu points is effective in relieving the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and enhancing the patients＇ health standard.

Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang for chronic fatigue syndrome:A randomized control trial

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang in treating chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into treatment group and control group. In treatment group,the back-shu points of five zang organs were adopted for acupuncture. Shènshū(肾俞 BL23) was perpendicularly needled 15-30 mm in depth. The rest of the selected points were inserted obliquely 15-30 mm in the direction of the spine with even method of lifting-thrusting and twisting-twirling, 10 s for each acupoint. In control group, the acupoints were approximately 1.5-2 cm away outward from the back-shu points of five zang organs(about on the middle of the two sidelines of the bladder meridian of foottaiyang) and the points from the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were excluded. Acupoints were needled6-9 mm in depth, and deqi was not required, without any manipulation. The treatments were carried out twice a week for twenty minutes each time, a total of eight treatments were given. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for CFS was evaluated through the Fatigue Scale-14(FS-14) and the Symptom Check-List 90(SCL-90) after treatment.Results: The total effective rate was 86.67% in the treatment group and 53.33% in the control group(P<0.01). In treatment group, FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores were significantly reduced than before treatment(all P<0.01). In control group, FS-14 total scores and somatic fatigue scores were significantly reduced(both P<0.01). The improvement of FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores in the treatment group were better than those in the control group(P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, SCL-90 total scores and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, and other factors scores were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with before treatment(P<0.01). In control group, the SCL-90 total scores and the scores of somatization, compulsion, hostility, and other factors after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P< 0.01). The total scores of SCL-90 and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychoticism, and other factors in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P< 0.01, P< 0.05).Conclusions: Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang can significantly improve the somatic fatigue and mental fatigue of the patients, and at the same time improve their psychological status. Significant therapeutic effect was found on CFS. Compared with the control group, the acupuncture treatment can significantly improve the patient’s somatic fatigue, mental fatigue and psychological status.

Clinical Observation on Pricking Bloodletting Therapy at Back-Shu Acupoints Plus Chinese Herbal Mask in Treating Patients with Acne

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy on pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask in treating acne. Methods： Thirty-seven patients with ache were randomly divided into a treatment group （treated by pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask） and a control group （only by Chinese herbal mask）. The therapeutic efficacy was observed after 2-course treatment. Results： The total effective rate in the treatment group was 94.7% versus 61.1% in the control group. According to the statistical management, the total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P〈O.05）. Conclusion： Pricking bloodletting and cupping therapy combined with Chinese herbal mask therapy for acne is more effective than Chinese herbal mask treatment alone.

Clinical Observation on Treatment of Insomnia with Puncturing Back-Shu Acupoints

Objective： To evaluate the clinical efficacy of puncturing Back-Shu acupoints for insomnia. Methods： Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each. Back-Shu acupoints acupuncture was employed in the treatment group, whereas conventional acupoints acupuncture was administered in the control group. And the efficacy was assessed by the efficiency rate of relief of sleep disorders and the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSOJ） score. Results： The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group, versus 80.0% in the control group, showing that the two groups were significantly different （P〈0.01）. After treatment, the global PSO, I scores in the two groups decreased compared with those before treatment （P〈0.01）, and the global PSO, I scores of the two groups after treatment were also statistically different （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Puncturing Back-Shu acupoints can effectively reduce the global PSQI score, improve the patient＇s quality of life, has a good effect on insomnia.

Treatment of 28 Cases of Tourette's Syndrome by Puncturing Back-Shu Points

Twenty-eight cases of Infantile Tourette＇s syndrome were treated by puncturing Back-Shu points. In 28 cases of the patients, the results showed cure in 6 cases, effect in 21 cases and failure in one case, and the total effective rate in 96.4%.

Experimental study of glucose-lowering effects on electroacupuncture at back-shu points in rats

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)at different acupoints for fasting blood glucose(FBG)and oral glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes rats so as to verify the glucose-lowering effects of EA.Methods Total100 SD male rats were used as experimental objects。

Observations on Therapeutic Effect of Back-Shu Acupoint in Treatment of Asthma

Objective： To investigate the therapeutic effect of Back-Shu acupoint in treating asthma. Methods： Sixty-one patients were randomly divided into a Back-Shu acupoint group, a acupuncture-moxibustion group and a acupuncture group. All the three groups were treated twice a week, 10 times made up a treatment course. The therapeutic effect was evaluated after three courses of treatment. Results and conclusion： The control and marked effective rate were significantly higher in the Back-Shu acupoint group and acupuncture-moxibustion groups than in the acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. They were slightly higher in the acupuncture-moxibustion group than in the Back-Shu acupoint group, but there was no statistically significant difference. The results indicated that the Back-Shu acupoints have a good therapeutic effect in treating asthma.

Clinical Study on Acupoint Injection for Primary Osteoporosis

Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of acupoint injection in treating primary osteoporosis. Methods:A hundred and fourteen eligible subjects were randomized at 2:1 into two groups. Seventy-six subjects in the observation group were intervened by acupoint injection, and 38 subjects in the control group were intervened by oral medication. Symptom and signs scores were observed before and after treatment. A two-year follow-up study was conducted to compare the long-term therapeutic efficacy between the two groups. Results:The recovery and markedly effective rate was 68.4% in the observation group versus 47.4% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). During the 2-year follow up study, 5 subjects in the observation group and 8 in the control group had new fracture, occupying 6.6% and 21.1% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:In treating primary osteoporosis, acupoint injection has better short and long term therapeutic efficacies compared to oral medication, and it's convenient with high security evaluation.

Influence of scarring moxibustion on serum melatonin and neuropeptide Y expressions in the insomnia model rats

Objective:To explore the influence of scarring moxibustion on the changes of serum melatonin(MT)and neuropeptide Y(NPY)expressions in the insomnia model rats.Methods:A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a scarring moxibustion group,an embedding needling group and a mild moxibustion group,8 rats in each group.The intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)was adopted to establish the insomnia model rats and the corresponding interventions were given,consecutively for 6 days.Separately,before modeling and the first intervention as well as before sample collection,the body weight was measured and the serum was collected in the insomnia model rats.The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of serum MT and NPY.Results:Compared with the blank group,the body weight of rat in the model group was lower(P<0.01)and the levels of MT and NPY were lower in the model group(both P<0.05).Compared with the model group,in the scarring moxibustion group,the embedding needling group and the mild moxibustion group,the body weight and the levels of MT and NPY of the insomnia model rats were all higher(all P<0.05).Compared with the embedding needling group and the mild moxibustion group,the body weight and the levels of MT and NPY the insomnia model rats were all higher in the scarring moxibustion group(all P<0.05).In comparison between the embedding needling group and the mild moxibustion group,there were no statistical differences in the body weight and the levels of MT and NPY(all P>0.05).Conclusion:The regulation mechanism of sleep-wake circadian rhythm may be related to the levels of serum MT and NPY in the insomnia model rats.Scarring moxibustion increases the levels of MT and NPY more effectively and displays the effect in the intervention as compared with embedding needling and mild moxibustion in the insomnia model rats.

Observation on Clinical Effects of Moxibustion Therapy plus Medications for Chronic Heart Failure

Objective： To observe the clinical effects in treatment of chronic heart failure with mild moxibustion plus medications. Methods： Sixty cases with chronic heart failure who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with mild moxibustion plus routine medications and the control group was treated only with routine medications, for comparing the clinical effects and relevant indexes of heart functions between the two groups after the treatment. Results： The heart rate （HR）, cardiac output （CO） and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） were obviously improved in the two groups after the treatment （P0.01）, better in the treatment group than those in the control group （P0.01）. The total effective rate was better in the treatment group than that in the control group （P0.05）, indicating that both therapeutic programs were effective for chronic heart failure, but the clinical effect was better in the treatment group. Conclusion： The clinical effect is better in the treatment of chronic heart failure by mild moxibustion plus medications than by single application of medications.

Treatment of 40 Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Cupping Method

Chronic fatigue syndrome （CFS） refers to a group of main manifestations characterized by chronic or recurrent severe fatigue, accompanied by headache, sore throat, muscular multiple nervous and without other chronic disorders.

Treatment of 35 Cases with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Acupuncture-moxibustion Therapy

Diabetes mellitus （DM） is a metabolic syndrome, characterized by long-standing hyperglycemia. The incidence of type 2 diabetes is higher than 90%. Treatment of diabetes by acupuncture existed in ancient times, and as early as in Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing （A-B Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion）, it documented the points selection therapy in treating diabetes. In recent years, according to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory, I treated 35 patients of type 2 diabetes by acupuncture therapy, and now it is reported as follows.

Survey of Research on Acupuncture Treatment of Peptic Ulcer

In reviewing and analyzing the study on the clinical selection of the acupoints for peptic ulcer in the recent ten years, it was found out that peptic ulcer was mostly treated by combination of multiple acupoints clinically, by the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach, and the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach with Lower He-sea point, indicating that Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach and Lower He-sea point have the important ftmctions in the treatment of peptic ulcer.

Four cases treated with collateral bloodletting therapy by Professor JIA Chun-sheng

By virtue of rich academic experience, professor JIA Chun-sheng can change the treatment method during clinical practice and implement different therapies according to the diseases, thus he can obtain effective and rapid results. In this study, the theoretical knowledge, application method and clinical experience of professor JIA Chun-sheng in blooddraining therapy on the back were mainly introduced. Professor JIA Chun-sheng focuses on two key viewpoints： ＂Attacking pathogenic qi is to supplement deficiency,＂ and ＂Eliminating stagnant pathogen can clean the intestines and stomach, and removing concretions and conglomerations can harmonize Fing and wei＂, which have been considered as the important theoretical bases of direction of clinical practice. Generally, professor JIA Chun-sheng conducts blood-draining therapy at Dazhui （大椎 GV 14）, Feishu （肺俞 BL 13）, Xinshu （心俞 BL 15）, Geshu （膈俞 BL 17）, Ganshu （肝俞 BL 18）, Pishu （脾俞 BE 20） and Shenshu （肾俞 BL 23） on the back in order to improve the blood circulation in local and corresponding zong-fu organs, thus being beneficial to harmonize qi and blood, or eliminate dampness, heat, wind, stasis and toxins. In the process of blood-draining, professor JIA Chun-sheng combines the blood-draining pen with vacuum cup to replace the traditional blood-draining tools, which makes the blooddraining therapy easy to learn and use.