Effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on serum apelin and GLP-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obesity due to dampness-heat encumbering spleen

Objective:To observe the effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy on serum apelin and glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obesity due to dampness-heat encumbering spleen.Methods:Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method,with 33 cases in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with exenatide and metformin,while patients in the observation group were treated with additional acupoint thread-embedding.After 12-week treatment,the obesity-related indicators,including body mass index(BMI),waist circumference and body fat rate,the glycometabolism indicators,including fasting blood glucose,2 h postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin,and the lipid metabolism indicators,including total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),as well as serum apelin and GLP-1 levels were observed in patients of the two groups.Results:After treatment,the BMI,waist circumference and body fat rate of patients in the two groups were all reduced(all P<0.05),and were lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05);the fasting blood glucose,2 h postprandial blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels of patients in both groups were all decreased(all P<0.05),and were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(all P<0.05);the TC level was decreased(P<0.05),while the TG and LDL-C levels did not change significantly in the control group(both P>0.05);the TC,TG and LDL-C levels were all significantly reduced in the observation group(all P<0.05),lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05);the serum apelin level was decreased(P<0.05)and the serum GLP-1 level was increased(P<0.05)in the observation group,statistically different from those in the control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Combined with the conventional medication,acupoint thread-embedding therapy can significantly improve the obesity-related indicators,glycometabolism and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with obesity due to dampness-heat encumbering spleen.This may be achieved by regulating the serum apelin and GLP-1 levels.

Therapeutic observation on catgut embedding therapy for menopausal obesity

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of catgut embedding therapy for treatment of menopausal obesity. Methods Sixty-four cases of menopausal obesity patients were randomly divided into two groups, 32 cases in each group. In control group, the diet control was employed. And based on it, in observation group, catgut embedding therapy was apphed at Zusanli （足三里 ST 36）, Sanyinjiao （三阴交 SP 6）, matched with other points in line with syndrome differentiation. Therapeutic effect evaluated by changes of weight, Body Mass Index （BMI）, waist circumference and Kupperman index before and after treatment was observed. Results The total effective rate for treating obesity and menopausal syndrome was 90.6% （29/32）, 87.5% （28/32） respectively in observation group, superior to those of 46.9% （15/32）, 40.6% （13/32） in control group （both P〈0.05）; weight, BMI, waist circumference and Kupperman index in both groups improved distinctively after treatment （all P〈0.05）, and changes were more significantly in observation group than those in control group （all P〈0.05）. Conclusion For treating menopausal obesity, catgut embedding therapy not only has a good therapeutic effect on weight loss, but also improves menopausal syndrome.

Efficacy of catgut-embedding therapy at"five neck points"on cervical spondylotic arteriopathy and effects on hemodynamics:A randomized clinical trial

Objective:To observe the effect of catgut-embedding therapy at five neck points in the treatment of cervical spondylotic arteriopathy(CSA)and analyze its effects on the hemodynamics of patients with CSA.Methods:Using the computer randomization method,72 patients with CSA were divided into a catgutembedding therapy group(n=36,none dropped out)and a western medication group(n=36,none dropped out).In the catgut-embedding therapy group,the therapy was applied to five neck points,i.e.bilateral Jǐngjiājǐ(颈夹脊)at C5,bilateral Jǐngjiājǐ(颈夹脊)at C6,and Dàzhuī(大椎GV14)once a week.One3-week treatment session was required.In the western medication group,flunarizine hydrochloride 5 mg capsules were administered orally once daily for 3 weeks.Efficacy was assessed before and after 3 weeks treatment using a functional evaluation scale for cervical spondylotic arteriopathy(FS-CSA).Changes in vertebral-basilar arterial hemodynamics,serum nitric oxide(NO)level,and plasma endothelin(ET)level were detected.Results:Efficacy was assessed when the treatment session was completed.The total efficacy rate was significantly higher in the catgut-embedding therapy group(86.1%)than in the western medication group(61.1%;P<0.01).The after treatment FS-CSA score was reduced compared with baseline score in both groups(P<0.05),and the reduction in the catgut-embedding therapy group was superior to that in the Western medication group(P<0.05).Compared with baseline,the flow velocity and pulsatility index of the bilateral vertebral and basilar arteries increased at each period in both groups(P<0.05)except for the left systolic velocity of the vertebral artery after treatment.The increase in the catgut-embedding therapy group was greater than that in the western medication group(P<0.05).After treatment,the serum NO concentration was increased and the plasma ET concentration was reduced compared to baseline in both groups(P<0.05),while the improvements in the catgut-embedding therapy group were superior to those in the western medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy in the catgut-embedding therapy group was superior to that in the western medication group.Catgut-embedding therapy at five neck points may effectively improve psychological and functional conditions,promote vertebral basilar arterial supply,and relieve clinical symptoms in patients with CSA.

Clinical Study on Thread-embedding Therapy for Insomnia Due to Heart-spleen Deficiency

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of thread-embedding therapy in treating insomnia due to heart-spleen deficiency. Methods： Sixty patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and a thread-embedding group, 30 in each. The acupuncture group was managed by acupuncture therapy, and the thread-embedding group was treated by thread-embedding therapy. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） was adopted for evaluation before and after treatments. Results： The total effective rate was 86.7% in the acupuncture group versus 96.7% in the thread-embedding group. After treatment, the PSQI scores were significantly different from those before treatment in both groups （P〈0.01）; the scores in both two groups were mai＇kedly different from each other after treatment （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Both acupuncture and thread-embedding therapies can effectively improve sleep quality of the patients, while thread-embedding therapy is comparatively less time-consuming, more convenient and with longer stimulation.

Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy as promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective:To investigate the effect of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods:Twenty-three participants were subjected to acupoint catgut-embedding therapy for 3 sessions.The second session was performed one month after the first session and the third session two months after the second session.Three months after the third session of catgut-embedding therapy,the patients were subjected to fibroscan analysis.A total of 20 acupoints were selected in three sessions.Same acupoints were selected for all the patients at the same session but different points were selected at different sessions.Results:Of the 23 participants,5 cases showed significant improvement and 8 cases showed moderate improvement as the steatosis stage was reduced by 1 or 2 degrees.The whole group showed significant improvements in terms of patient score,fat percentage,NAFLD steatosis stage,weight loss and abdominal circumference reduction after acupoint catgut-embedding therapy(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The acupoint catgut-embedding therapy can significantly improve the important factors in patients with NAFLD.

Micro-invasive Thread-embedding Therapy in Treating Postherpetic Neuralgia

Herpes zoster is a kind of acute herpes viral dermatosis induced by infection of varicella zoster virus, and is characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters. It often occurs in the areas innervated by intercostal, cervical, trigeminal, and lumbosacral nerves. As a feature of this disease, neuralgia happens before or together with the rash, radiating along the innervated areas. Elderly patients commonly suffer from a long-time residual neuralgia

Micro-invasive Thread-embedding Therapy in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by arthrosynovitis.The recurrent attacks of synovitis may lead to destruction of articular cartilages and bones,and dysfunction of joints.The symptoms are often symmetrical,affecting the small joints such as the interphalangeal joints,wrists,and the metatarsophalangeal joints.The large joints including elbow,shoulder,ankle,and knee may also be involved in severe cases.

Introduction to Micro-invasive Thread-embedding Therapy

Instead of filiform needles, micro-invasive thread-embedding therapy treats diseases by burying biomaterials into acupoints to produce a long-time stimulation. It not only achieves a long- term acupoint stimulation, but also reduces the visiting frequencies and pain of patients^[1]. The method of micro-invasive thread-embedding therapy is now introduced as follows.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE ACUPOINT INTRADERMAL EMBEDDING OF RINGHEADED THUMBTACK-NEEDLE THERAPY FOR HYPERPLASIA OF MAMMARY GLANDS

In the present paper, the author used acupoint intradermal embedding of ringheaded thumbtack-needle therapy combined with herbal medicine therapy to treat 110 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands, and compared its therapeutic effect with that of herbal therapy alone. The observed indexes of the treatment were pain relief degree, the size of hyperplasic glands and the time of occurrence of marked effect. Following 3 courses of treatment,the results showed the therapeutic effect of the ringheaded thumbtack-needle needle plus herbal medicine therapy was superior to that of herbal medicine therapy alone in the above-mentioned 3 indexes (P ＜ 0.01 ).

Effect of Spinning Process on Properties of Polyglycollide Acid Embedding Materials

Acupoint catgut embedding therapy(ACET),filling the gaps of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture treatment,has been widely used for the treatment of many diseases with significant effects.The aim of this paper is to obtain polyglycollide acid(PGA)fibers with higher performance at a lower cost,and ensure that PGA can meet the clinical requirements as well.PGA fibers with different diameters were spun as embedding materials.The mechanical performance,thermodynamic and biodegradable properties of PGA fibers were studied under different spinning process parameters,including spinning speed,drawing temperature and stretching ratio.The experimental results showed that the optimum spinning parameters were the spinning speed at 150 m/min,the drawing temperature of 45 ℃,and the stretching ratio of 4.0.The initial modulus of PGA fibers was 3.876 N/tex.The crystallization degree was 68% and the degradation performance was in consistent with treatment cycle of patients.

Systematic review on the effectiveness of embedding catgut therapy for simple obesity

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy （ACET） for simple obesity. Methods Computer retrieval was used for randomized controlled trials on the treatment effect of simple obesity with ACET in databases of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）, Wanfang Data system, and the China Biology Medicine disc （CBMDisc）. The Jadad Quality Scale was used in the evaluation of included studies. The outcome indicators were analyzed with the Review Manage 5.1 software. Results A total of 16 randomized controlled trials were included finally. The meta-analysis result showed that compared with the control group, there was statistically significance on the total efficiency of using ACET for simple obesity [OR=2.51, 95% confidence interval （1.74, 3.63）, Z=4.91, P〈0.000 01]. The analysis on the literature quality showed that there was only 2 article marked as 3 points. The other 25 articles marked ≤2 points. The quality of published articles was generally low. There were publication biases and the blinding method was seldom used, the losses of follow-up / drop oup / withdraw were reported with less. There were 27 acupoints used in the treatment, which mainly included Tianshu （天枢ST 25）, Zhongwan （中脘 CV 12）, Fenglong （丰隆 ST 40）, Shufen （水分 CV 9）, Qihai （气海 CV 6）, Sanyinjiao （三阴交 SP 6）, Zusnli （足三里 ST 36）, Ashi point, Daheng （大横 SP 25）. The five kinds of catgut embedding needle were injection needles ＋ acupuncture needle, specialized catgut embedding needle, spinal needle, triangular needle, and skin suture needle. Conclusion There is definite efficiency of using ACET in the treatment of simple obesity. However, the clinical efficiency still lacks of sufficient evidences. Therefore, further clinical research should be conducted in the providing of reliable evidences in the clinical decision-making in the future.

Clinical efficacy observation of primary dysmenorrhea treated with the embedding catgut therapy

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea treated with the embedding catgut therapy so as to discover a better therapeutic method for the treatment of this disease. Methods One hundred and fifty cases were randomized into 3 groups, 50 cases in each one. In the embedding catgut group, the embedding catgut therapy was applied to Sānyīnjiāo （三阴交 SP 6）, Cìliáo （次髎 BL 32） and Guānyuán （关元 CV 4）. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was applied to Guānyuán （关元 CV 4）, Sānyīnjiāo （三阴交 SP 6）, Dìjī （地机 SP 8） and Shíqīzhuī （十七椎 EX-B 8）. In the western medicine group, indometacin was prescribed for oral administration, 25 mg, three times a day and fenbid was supplemented for the aggravated pain, 300 mg, twice a day. One session of treatment was one month in each group and 3 sessions were required totally. Before and after treatment, the symptom scores of dysmenorrhea were observed. Results The symptom scores of dysmenorrhea were all reduced obviously in three groups after treatment （all P0.05）. The result in the embedding catgut group was much more apparent as compared with that in the western medicine group （P0.01） and the acupuncture group （P0.05） separately. Of 49 cases in the embedding catgut group, 32 cases （65.3%） were cured clinically, 10 cases （20.4%） effective remarkably, 6 cases （12.2%） effective and 1 case （2.0%） failed. The total effective rate was 98.0%. Conclusion The embedding catgut therapy achieves the significant efficacy for primary dysmenorrhea. This therapy is simple in practice and deserves to be promoted in clinic.

Advances in Acupuncture and its Associated Therapies for the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease in clinical practice,and its prevalence is increasing rapidly with the aging of the population and changes in lifestyle.Acupuncture,as a distinctive therapy,has its unique advantages in the treatment of obesity type 2 diabetes and has an irreplaceable role in a variety of treatment methods.The author organized the literature on acupuncture and its related therapies to prevent and treat obesity type 2 diabetes in recent years and found that acupuncture and its associated therapies to prevent and treat obesity type 2 diabetes mainly include:simple acupuncture,electroacupuncture,acupoint catgut embedding therapy,auricular-plaster therapy and other treatments,all of which can safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms,acupuncture and its related therapies to treat obesity type 2 diabetes has a broad prospect,worthy of further clinical promotion.

Observation on clinical effects of acupoint thread-embedding method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupoint thread-embedding method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） in pattern of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency. Methods： A total of 180 cases in conformity with the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD in pattern of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 90 cases in each group, and finally 88 cases in the treatment group and 90 cases in the control group were recruited for statistics. The treatment group was managed by acupoint thread-embedding method, and the control group was treated by oral administration of Polyene Phosphatidylcholine capsules. Both groups were treated for 6 months. Before and after the treatment, liver enzymology, blood fat test, abdominal B ultrasonic examination, and assessment of clinical effects were respectively processed. Results： After treatment, alanine transaminase （ALT）, aspartate transaminase （AST）, total cholesterol （TC）, and triglyceride （TG） decreased in the treatment group, and were significantly different from those in the control group after treatment （all P〈0.05）. There was no statistically significant inter-group difference in the degree of fatty liver （by B ultrasound examination） before treatment （P〉0.05）. After treatment, the improvement degree of fatty liver in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. The total effective rates were 89.8% in the treatment group and 76.7% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The acupoint thread-embedding method can reduce the levels of ALT, AST, TC and TG in NAFLD patients, and can improve the pathologic degree of fatty liver and its clinical effects are remarkably better than that of oral medications.

Effects of intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide on gastrointestinal hormone levels in irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea patients

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy difference in treating irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea(IBS-D)of liver-qi stagnation and spleen-deficiency pattern with different treatment protocols,and the effects on serum levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),substance P(SP)and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),for unveiling the mechanism of intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide in treating IBS-D.Methods:A total of 123 IBS-D patients were divided into an observation group,a Western medication group and an integrated Western and Chinese medication group using the random number table method,with 41 cases in each group.The Western medication group was given oral pinaverium bromide,50 mg each time and 3 times a day.The integrated Western and Chinese medication group was given additional Chinese herbal medicine Tong Xie Yao Fang,one dose each day.The observation group was given additional intradermal needle therapy on the basis of the Western medication group.The whole intervention lasted for 6 weeks.Before and after treatment,the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms,irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)symptom severity scale(IBS-SSS)and IBS quality of life(IBS-QOL)questionnaire,as well as the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP were observed.The clinical efficacy was estimated.Results:The total effective rate was 92.7%in the observation group,68.3%in the Western medication group and 78.1%in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group.The total effective rate was higher in the observation group than in the other two groups,and higher in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group,showing statistical significance(all P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,TCM symptoms and IBS-SSS showed significant decreases in the three groups,presenting statistical significance compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms,TCM symptoms and IBS-SSS were notably lower in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and lower in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the eight component scores of IBS-QOL showed significant increases in the three groups compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the eight component scores in IBS-QOL were significantly higher in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and higher in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP decreased markedly in the three groups compared with the baseline(all P<0.05);the serum levels of 5-HT,SP and VIP were significantly lower in the observation group than in the other two groups(all P<0.05),and lower in the integrated Western and Chinese medication group than in the Western medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Treatment with intradermal needle therapy plus pinaverium bromide results in significant improvements in the gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS-D of liver-qi stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern,and effectively regulates the gastrointestinal hormone production.

Therapeutic observation of needle embedding for constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of point needle embedding in treating constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. Methods： By random number table based on the admission sequence, 85 patients with constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture were randomized into an observation group of 43 cases and a control group of 42 cases. The observation group was intervened by point needle embedding with intradermal needles, while the control group was by point application with Chinese medication. The clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups after intervention. Results： After treatment, the initial defecation time and bowel movement condition were compared. Despite the residual feeling in the initial defecation, the initial defecation time and bowel movements of the observation group were significantly superior to those of the control group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）; the total effective rate was 90.7% in the observation group versus 73.8% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Point needle embedding can produce a better therapeutic efficacy than Chinese medicinal application in treating constipation after thoracolumbar vertebral fracture; besides, it＇s easy-to-operate.

Clinical study on intradermal needle therapy in treating urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of intradermal needle therapy for urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery.Methods:A total of 100 patients with urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery were randomized into a control group and an observation group,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated with basic nursing only,and the observation group was treated with additional intradermal needle therapy.Both groups were treated for 2 courses of treatment.The main symptom scores and residual urine volume of the two groups were observed before and after treatment,and the inpatient time,catheter indwelling time and the clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate was 96.0%in the observation group and 88.0% in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the main symptom scores and residual urine volume in both groups decreased significantly(all P<0.0S),and the scores and residual urine volume in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).The inpatient time and catheter indwelling time in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion:Intradermal needle therapy has an obvious effect in improving symptoms of urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery,and the effect is significantly more persistent than that of simple basic nursing.

Clinical study of thumb-tack needle therapy for cervical radiculopathy based onmeridian differentiation

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy and eligibility of thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation in treating cervical radiculopathy.Methods:A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received thumb-tack needle based on conventional point selection,while those in the observation group received thumb-tack needle according to meridian differentiation.The visual analog scale(VAS)and clinical symptom scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed.Results:After treatment,the VAS score in both groups dropped significantly(both P<0.01),and the VAS score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The clinical symptoms score in both groups dropped significantly(all P<0.01),and the clinical symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation can reduce pain score,improve clinical symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy,and produce more significant efficacy compared with conventional thumb-tack needle therapy.

Intradermal Needle Therapy and Its Application in Treating Gastric Diseases

Intradermal needle therapy is a kind of therapy by embedding specially-made short needles in the points for long time retaining.It is also known as needleembedding therapy,develops from the ancient method of needle retaining [1].

Clinical efficacy observation of acupoint thread-embedding in treating obese patients with food addiction

Objective To observe the effects of acupoint thread-embedding therapy and low-carbohydrate diet therapy on obese patients with food addiction.Methods Sixty-five eligible patients were randomized into a thread-embedding group of 33 cases and a diet group of 32 cases to respectively receive 12-week treatment.Before treatment,after treatment and at 6-month follow-up,the two groups were observed and compared in terms of body mass(BM),waist circumference(WC),hip circumference(HC),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),body mass index(BMI),body fat rate(BFR),basal metabolic rate(BMR)and Yale food addiction scale version 2.0(YFAS 2.0).Results At the end of treatment,there were no significant differences in the general efficacy,and the improvements in BM,BMI,WC,HC,WHR and BFR between the thread-embedding group and diet group(all P>0.05).At follow-up,the thread-embedding group showed more significant improvements in all the aforementioned indicators compared with the diet group except HC(all P<0.05).At the end of treatment and follow-up,BMR and YFSA 2.0 had more significant improvements in the thread-embedding group than in the diet group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint thread-embedding therapy can produce significant efficacy in treating obese patients with food addiction;it can improve the food addiction state and work better in maintaining the efficacy compared with low-carbohydrate diet therapy.