Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy ameliorates DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice by regulating Th2 type immune response and reducing infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells

Background:This study aimed to assess how acupoint catgut-embedding therapy influences Th2-type immune response and the infiltration of CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cells in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice.It also conducted an initial examination of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods:Seventy-two mice were randomly divided into four groups:normal control,DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis model(AD),AD with acupoint catgut-embedding treatment(ADA),and AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment.After DNCB challenge to induce AD,the ADA group received acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment at Zusanli(ST 36)and Quchi(LI 11)acupoints every other week from day 8.Mice in the AD with sham-acupoint catgut-embedding treatment group underwent the same procedure as the ADA group but without catgut implantation.Severity was assessed using SCORAD on treatment days 1,10,and 20.On day 18,nine mice per group were euthanized,and the remaining on day 28.Histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining.TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6,and IL-13 levels were analyzed by ELISA,and GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels by western blot.Results:After 20 days of acupoint catgut-embedding therapy treatment,mice showed reduced dermatitis scores compared to DNCB-induced AD-like mice.Significant decreases occurred in serum IL-4,IL-6,IL-13,and TNF-αlevels.Skin analysis revealed marked reductions in CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)cell infiltration,as well as GATA3 and STAT6 protein levels.Conclusion:Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy may effectively alleviate atopic dermatitis by suppressing Th2 immune responses via the STAT6-GATA3 pathway and reducing CD4^(+)and CD8^(+)T cell infiltration in skin lesions.

Preventing Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis After Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients by Acupoint Application Combined with Pneumatic Compression Therapy

Objective:To investigate and analyze the long-term clinical effects of acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis after hip fracture surgery among the elderly.Methods:Sixty elderly patients who had undergone hip fracture surgery from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into two groups via drawing lots.Both the groups received nursing care,but the patients in the observation group were treated with TCM acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy,whereas the control group received pneumatic compression therapy.The evaluation indicators included the patients’quality of life and complications.Results:The incidence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in the observation group was more than twice(0.3%),whereas the incidence of lower extremity complications in the control group was more than 6 times(20%).There was a significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05).Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy is beneficial for the prevention of postoperative lower extremity deep vein thrombosis among elderly patients.In addition,the patients’overall quality-of-life scores in both physiological and psychological aspects improved significantly,which carries significant clinical reference value.

Meta-analysis of the acupoint application therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupoint application in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods:A comprehensive search of domestic and international databases,the search time is limited to nearly ten years,collecting traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable phase of randomized controlled trials.Literature screening,information extraction and literature quality evaluation were carried out independently by two researchers,and Meta analysis was carried out by Revman software.Results:A total of 42 RCTs with a total of 4192 patients were included.The results of Meta analysis showed that:Compared with the routine treatment of western medicine,the addition of acupoint application therapy can significantly increase the effective rate[RR=1.23,95%CI(1.19,1.27),P<0.00001]and FEV1/FVC[MD=4.46,95%CI(3.17,5.76),P<0.00001].Significantly improved BODE index[MD=-0.63,95%CI(-0.87,-0.40),P<0.00001],SGRQ score[MD=-6.77,95%CI(-9.81,-3.72),P<0.00001],CAT score[MD=-3.33,95%CI(-3.87,-2.79),P<0.00001]and TCM syndrome integral[MD=-3.51,95%CI(-3.96,-3.06),P<0.00001].The differences is statistically significant and the safety profile is good.Conclusion:On the basis of routine treatment of COPD western medicine,acupoint application therapy can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with less adverse reactions.However,due to the limitations of the research,high-quality research is still needed to provide further evidence.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC BRONCHIAL ASTHMA WITH ACUPOINT APPLICATION THERAPY

In the present paper, the therapeutic effect of acupoint application of Chinese Materia Medica in the treatment of allergic asthma was observed. The results revealed that topical application of drug paste [mixture of powder of Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Xixin (Herba Asari), Baijiezi (Semen Sinapis Albae), etc.] at the acupuncture points could improve symptoms and signs of allergic asthma patients, with the total effective rate being 69.57% (16/23) for the short term effect, and 52.17%(12/23) for the long term effect. In medication (Aminophylline) group, of the 25 cases of allergic asthma, 16 (64.0%) were effective after 4 weeks of treatment, while 6 (24.0%) were still effective that was shown by 6 months’ follow up. The therapeutic effect of acupoint application group was significantly better than that of medication group in the long term effect. Results also showed that no obvious interrelation between the short term therapeutic effect and the duration or the severity of the disease. Results also display that acupoint application therapy is an effective, safe and handy method with fewer side effects for asthma.

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 ).

Research on mechanism of Jin-Shui-Liu-Jun-Jian and Acupoint Application combined therapy for chronic bronchitis

Objective:To investigate the influencing mechanism of Jin-Shui-Liu-Jun-Jian and Acupoint Application combined therapy on hemorheology, inflammatory factors and pulmonary functions in patients with chronic bronchitis, thus to offer relevant help for clinical therapies on patients with chronic bronchitis. Methods:120 cases of patients with chronic bronchitis treated in our hospital were selected and randomly divided to be the therapeutic group and the control group, 60 cases each. Patients in control group were provided some basic treatments, such as spasmolysis, anti-inflammation, asthma relieving, oxygen inhalation and dissolve phlegm. For therapeutic group on this basis, Jin-Shui-Liu-Jun-Jian and Acupoint Application combined therapy was provided. Hemorheology, inflammatory factors and pulmonary functions in the two groups of patients were detected before and after treatment. Results:Differences of hemorheology indexes, inflammatory factors and pulmonary function relevant indexes between the two groups of patients with chronic bronchitis before treatment showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Compared with prior treatment, hemorheology relevant indexes [whole blood high shear viscosity (WHV), whole blood low shear viscosity (WLV), packed cell volume (PCV), plasma viscosity (PV) and red cell assembling index (RCAI)], inflammatory factors [IL-8 (interleukin-8) and TNF-α(tumor necrosis factor-α)] were significantly decreased and pulmonary function relevant indexes [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) and expiratory flow rate when exhale vital capacity was 0.50], inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-2) were significantly increased in the two groups of patients with chronic bronchitis after relevant treatments;The differences between the groups showed statistical significance (P<0.05). After combined therapy provided, pulmonary function relevant indexes (FVC, FEV1.0, PEF, MVV and V0.50) and inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-2) in therapeutic group were significantly higher than control group after basic therapy. Hemorheology relevant indexes (WHV, WLV, PV, PCV and RCAI) and inflammatory factors (IL-8 and TNF-α) in therapeutic group were significantly lower than control group;Differences between the two groups showed statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusions: Combination of Jin-Shui-Liu-Jun-Jian and Acupoint Application significantly improved the levels of hemorheology, inflammatory factors and pulmonary functions in patients with chronic bronchitis. It has a great important clinical significance on therapies for patients with chronic bronchitis.

Clinical Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Combined Traditional Chinese Medicine with Acupoint Injection and Herbal Paste Application in Treating Ovulatory Dysfunction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy with acupoint injection and herbal patch application on patients with ovulatory dysfunction associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 80 PCOS patients who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine between October 2022 and March 2024 were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into a control group (n = 40) and an observation group (n = 40). The control group received conventional Western medical treatments, while the observation group was administered TCM combined with acupoint injection and herbal patch application. Pre- and post-treatment conditions were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the overall effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P 0.05). Following treatment, both ovulation and pregnancy rates increased in both groups, but the increase was more evident in the observation group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). Conclusion: For patients with oligoovulation or anovulation due to PCOS, the combined use of TCM, acupoint injection, and herbal patch application appears to be effective in improving systemic symptoms and achieving notable clinical outcomes.

Activation of various brain areas during acupuncture at Taixi (KI 3) and Qiuxu (GB 40) acupoints

A number of previous studies of acupuncture acupoint specificity have used sham acupoints, sham acupuncture or meridian acupoints at a great distance from each other as controls in functional MRI （fMRI） experiments. However, few studies have compared different meridian acupoints within the same segment, which are associated with similarly intense needle sensations. We performed fMRI on 12 healthy young volunteers and observed differences in brain activation elicited by acupuncture of the Taixi （KI 3） and Qiuxu （GB 40） acupoints. Acupuncture was applied at the Taixi and Qiuxu acupoints, using a multiple-block fMRI design with three blocks, involving three altemations of resting and task phases. After scanning, needle sensation was assessed. The behavioral results revealed that the subjective needle sensation was similar between the Taixiand Qiuxu acupoints. The fMRI results revealed that acupuncture at the right Taixi acupoint activated the right superior temporal gyrus （BA 22）, left middle frontal gyrus （BA 46） and inferior frontal gyrus （BA 45）, bilateral parietal lobe postcentral gyrus （BA 2）, right parietal lobe （BA 3）, and left parietal lobe （BA 40）. Acupuncture at the right Qiuxu acupoint activated the left superior temporal gyrus （BA 42）, right parietal lobe postcentral gyrus （BA 40, BA 43）, right inferior frontal gyrus （BA 47）, bilateral superior temporal gyrus （BA 22）, and right insula BA13. These results suggest that the right Taixiand Qiuxu acupoints activated different brain areas.

An investigation of the influence of intestinal flora in external traditional Chinese medicine therapy

External therapy,which has been used for millennia to treat disease,has now become the newest member of complementary and alternative therapies.A growing number of clinical studies and animal experiments have shown that external therapy exerts a positive effect on the intestinal flora.In this paper,we review the research related to external therapy on various systemic diseases and focus on changes in the intestinal flora.We found that studies on external therapy are dominated by acupuncture and tuina,primarily aimed at the treatment of digestive and neurological diseases.However,the deeper mechanism of regulation of the intestinal flora by external therapy has not yet been experimentally confirmed.

Clinical Comparison and Analysis of Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Ear Acupoint Application and Simple Artificial Tears in the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical comparison and analysis of decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) combined with ear acupoint application and simple artificial tears in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. METHODS:A total of 62 patients(124 eyes) with dry eye syndrome treated in the Department of Ophthalmology of The 4th People's Hospital of Shenyang from July 2017 to March 2018 were selected and equally divided into 2 groups according to the admission order. The observation group received the combination therapy of TCM decoction and ear acupoint application, while the control group was given the simple artificial tears. The symptom score after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks as well as the indicators including break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SIT) and fluorescein(FL) were recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: The symptom scores had no difference before treatment(P > 0.05), and were better in the observation group than those in the control group after treatment(P < 0.05). At 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the treatment, the amelioration level of BUT, SIT, and FL indicators in the observation group was better than that of the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the artificial tears treatment method, the TCM decoction combined with ear acupoint application can significantly ameliorate the tear film stability, tear secretion, and reduce ocular surface damage for dry eye patients.

Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Combination Therapies for Insomnia

Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, affects general well-being, hastens the onset of other diseases, and impairs work performance. Hypnotic medications are efficacious in the short term but have obvious side effects. Acupuncture, often used to treat insomnia in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is considered to be beneficial in restoring the normal sleep-wake cycle by regulating and restoring the natural flow of qi (energy power). The three main TCM theories for treating insomnia by acupuncture are the tranquilization disturbance, zangfu disturbance (disequilibrium of internal organs), and imbalance of yin and yang theories. Moxibustion, another treatment for insomnia, is usually combined with acupuncture. Acupuncture and moxibustion with tuina (exercise massage), acupuncture with Chinese herbal injection, electroacupuncture, and acupuncture with medication or psychotherapy are other interventions. Some acupuncture-based methods such as needle-rolling acupuncture, auricular acupoint plaster therapy, phlebotomy, and acupoint catgut-embedding therapy are used as well. Although most clinical trials have shown that acupuncture and its combination therapies are significantly effective in insomnia, the beneficial effects may have been overvalued, because of small sample size, nonstrict inclusion and exclusion criteria, flawed methodology, short follow-up, or nonstandardized evaluation. Therefore, clinical studies of high methodological quality are needed to verify the efficacy of acupuncture, moxibustion, and other combination therapies in insomnia.

OBSERVATION ON CURATIVE EFFECTS OF 245 CASES WITH PEPTIC ULCER TREATED BY CATGUT IMPLANTATION AT THE ACUPOINT

It is reported that 245 cases of peptic ulcer were treated with catgut implantationat Pishu（BL 20）-through-Weishu（BL 21）,Shangwan（CV 13）-through-Xiawan（CV 10）and Zusanli（ST 36）points.Catgut was embedded subcutaneously and left for 15 days as a course.As a resuit,121 cases（49.39％）were cured and 124（50.61％）improved.The total effective was 100％.

INSOMNIA TREATED WITH AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY IN 218 CASES

218 cases of insomnia were treated by auricular plaster therapy with seeds of Vaccaria segetalis. The auricular points Heart, Shenmen, Occiput and Brain were selected. The resultsshowed that 136 cases were cured, 76 markedly impr0ved and 6 no effect. The effect of this therapywas significantly better than that of medication (P【0. 01) in comparison with the application of western medicine.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE SELECTION OF ABDOMINAL ACUPOINTS TO RELIEVE LOWER LUMBAR PAIN

This paper discusses the selection of abdominal area kidney and meridian acupoints120 patients suffering from lower lumbar pain using the fingers to press the acupoints. Althoughthe types of ailments, mildness or severity of the patients’ conditions f and duration of illness var-ied, in all cases satisfactory treatment results were achieved. The average effective rate was 97.5%. The average rate of cure (complete recovery rate) was 73.3%. Patients who had sufferedfrom symptoms for a period of less than one year and patients afflicted with mild or moderate con-ditions enjoyed the most outstanding treatment results. The advantages of this treatment method or technique are as follows: 1. This method ortechnique brings the distinctive dynamics of traditional Chinese medicine theory and meridian the-ory into full play. 2. This method of treatment uses neither acupuncture needles nor moxibus-tion. It merely utilizes the fingers to press certain acupoints. It is simple, convenient and easy toimplement.It is

TREATMENT OF 47 PATIENTS OF SENILE HYPERTENSION BY KANGLE MAGNETIC THERAPY

The authos used magnetic therapy to treat 47 patients with senile hypertensionand obtained a good therapeutic result with an effective rate of 80. 9%, 15 cases apparently improvedand 23 cases improved. The magnetic therapy is a mild treatment, but may produce a stable therapeu-tic effect without any side effect.

TOOTH EXTRACTION UNDER DIGITAL ACUPOINT PRESSURE ANESTHESIA IN 60 CASES

Tooth extraction was performed in 60 cases under digital acupoint pressure anes-thesia with a remarkable curative effect. The curative effect was higher for loose teeth. The effectiverate was 100%. The tooth extraction under digital acupoint pressure anesthesia has many advantages.Tooth extraction can be performed only by pressing a certain acupoint with safety, convenience and e-conomy. The method avoids the side effects of narcotic and reduces the patient’s fear of an injectionof narcotic.

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

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

THE EFFECT OF AURICULAR-PLASTER THERAPY ON 1000 CASES OF DYSMENORRHEA

1000 patients suffering from dysmenorrhea have been treated by applying auricular-plaster therapy in our clinic since 1957. They were differentiated into 3 types and then given pressingtherapy on selected auricular points. Among the 1000 cases, 817 cases were cured, marked effective159 cases, with the total effective rate of 99. 6%. This therapy was effective to all 3 types of dysmen-orrhea.

Research on law of acupoints selection for acupuncture treatment of postpartum depression based on data mining method

Objective:To obtain the rules of acupoint use and compatibility methods from RCT literature of acupunctureand moxibustion in the treatment of postpartum depression through data mining,so as to provide effective acupoints for clinical reference.Methods:a total of 557 clinical literatures on acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of postpartum depression were retrieved through China knowledge Network Database,Wanfang Database and Chongqing VIP Database,and 44 articles were obtained through inclusion and exclusion criteria.Statistical analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS20.0 and SPSS Modeler18.1.Results:the most commonly used acupuncture points for postpartum depression are Baihui,Taichong,Sanyinjiao,Zusanli,Neiguan,Governor Meridian,foot Jueyin liver Meridian and foot Sun bladder Meridian,which are closely related to the treatment of postpartum depression.most doctors'clinical acupuncture treatment sites are head,limbs and back.The correlation analysis results obtained by SPSS Modeler software are Taichong-Neiguan-Zusanli,Taichong-Neiguan and Neiguan-Zusanli.Finally,the high-frequency acupoints are clustered and classified into four clusters,namely Taichong,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao and Zusanli.Hegu,Sishencong;Baihui,Shenmen;Pishu and Guanyuan.Conclusion:the rule of acupoint use of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of postpartum depression through data mining can provide some reference for the clinical treatment of postpartum depression in the future.

THERMOLYTIC EFFECT OF MOXIBUSTION AND ITS RELATION TO ACUPOINT RECEPTORS

In the present paper, the effect of moxibustion stimulation (by using a computer automaticallycontrolled condensed light) of Dazhui (GV 14) etc. on auricular temperature changes was observed in the rabbit after intravenous injection of endotoxin. Changes of rabbit’s auricular temperature were sampled and recorded by using a thermistorthermometer (connected with a computer) before and after moxibustion stimulation. Results indicated that moxibustion making the skin temperature reach to 48℃ could inhibit the endotoxininduced lowering reaction of auricular temperature, while moxibustion making the skin temperature of 40℃ had no this effect. It revealed that higherskintemperature moxibustion had a thermolytic effect on bodyfever, which had a close relation mainly with polymodal receptors rather than with temperature receptor. It also demonstrated that endotoxininduced changes of auricular temperature could be used as an index for evaluating the thermolytic effect of moxibustion.