Effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury. Methods:SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, electro-acupuncture group and methylprednisolone group. The model of acute spinal cord injury was reproduced by modified Allen's method. Each group was given corresponding intervention treatment 2 hours after modeling. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electro-acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points in T8 to T12, the methylprednisolone group was given intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and the sham operation group and model group were not treated. After treatment, BBB scores were observed to evaluate the motor function of posterior limb in each group, and the injured spinal cord tissues were taken. The pathological changes of spinal cord neuropathy were observed by Nissl staining. The expression of microRNA-21 was detected by RT-qPCR, and the expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-Caspase-3) was detected by Western-Blot. Result:Compared with sham operation group, BBB, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21 were significantly lower, apoptotic rate of neurons was significantly higher, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved Caspase-3 protein and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were significantly increased in model group (P< 0.05). Electroacupuncture could significantly increase BBB score, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21, reduce apoptotic rate of neurons and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and inhibit the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 protein in tissues, which were significantly different from those of model group (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points can significantly promote the recovery of neurological function in rats after ASCI, and its mechanism may be closely related to the up-regulation of the expression of microRNA-21 in tissues and the inhibition of the activation of Bax/Bcl-2/cleaved Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

THE TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY BY LASER ACUPUNCTURE AT THE CERVICAL JIAJI POINTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 102 CASES

Laser acupuncture therapy was employed in the treatment of spondylopathy.Thetherapeutic effect of the three types of the spondylopathy,nerve root type,vertebral artery type andspinal cord type were stuied and compared.The results indicate a significant difference between thethree types of spondylopathy.The best therapeutic effect was obtained in nerve root type with a remarkable effective rate of 98.5％;the effective rates for the vertebral artery type and the spinal cordtype were 92.3％and 25％,respectively.Combining laser irradiatlon with acupuncture,the therapyposseses the functions of acupuncture,heat effect and mild moxibustion action.Therefore,it showedeffect quickly and had the advantages of short treatment course and high therapeutic effect.Clinicalobservation has confirmed that laser acupuncture is more effective than single laser irradiation.Thistherapy offers another simple but effective method for the treatment of spondylopathy.

压灸百会穴配合针刺夹脊穴治疗颈性眩晕疗效观察

目的观察压灸百会穴配合针刺颈部夹脊穴治疗颈性眩晕的临床疗效。方法将88例患者随机分为两组,治疗组采用压灸百会穴配合针刺颈部夹脊穴治疗,对照组采用传统针刺法治疗,观察两组疗效。结果治疗组愈显率为66.7%,对照组愈显率为42.5%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论压灸百会穴配合针刺颈部夹脊穴治疗颈性眩晕愈显率明显优于传统针刺法。

针刺联合运动疗法对腰椎间盘突出症患者镇痛作用、腰椎功能及炎性细胞因子的影响

目的观察夹脊穴针刺联合运动疗法对腰椎间盘突出症患者腰腿疼痛、腰椎功能障碍及炎性反应的影响。方法将148例腰椎间盘突出症患者按随机数字表法分为西药组(74例,予以西药保守治疗+常规康复治疗)和针刺组(74例,予以针刺夹脊穴+运动康复疗法),对比分析西药组和针刺组的近期(随访3个月、6个月)和远期(随访12个月)临床疗效、腰腿疼痛(VAS评分)、炎性相关因子[白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)]、腰椎功能障碍指数(ODI)的差异。结果西药组和针刺组近期(随访3个月、6个月)治疗优良率比较差异无统计学意义(55.4%vs 58.1%;70.3%vs 73.0%;均P>0.05),但针刺组远期(随访12个月)治疗优良率高于西药组(77.0%vs 91.9%,P<0.05)。西药组和针刺组近期(随访3个月、6个月)和远期(随访12个月)的VAS评分、炎性因子(IL-6、TNF-α、hs-CRP)、ODI值均低于治疗前(P<0.05),且同一随访时刻点比较,针刺组均低于西药组(P<0.05)。结论针刺夹脊穴联合运动疗法可显著提升腰椎间盘突出症治疗的临床远期疗效,可降低机体炎性反应,改善患者腰腿疼痛症状和腰椎功能障碍症状。

Effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2), plus moxibustion and intermediate on postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)plus moxibustion and intermediate frequency on postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).METHODS:A total of 140 outpatients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and volunteered for this treatment were randomly divided into treatment(n=70)and control(n=70)groups.Both groups received a localized lesion area and electroacupuncture treatment combined with moxibustion and intermediate frequency.The treatment group(TG)increased acupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)and electroacupuncture.Pain and anxiety were assessed before and after 5,10,15,and 20 treatments by using visual pain simulation score(VAS)and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),respectively.Clinical efficacy was also evaluated.RESULTS:The baseline between the two groups did not significantly differ(P>0.05).The VAS and HAMA scores of the two groups after treatment significantly decreased compared with those of various treatment stages(P>0.05).The HAMA score(P<0.01)of TG was lower than that of the control group(CG).The VAS score of TG was lower than that of CG in the 5th and 10th treatments(P<0.01).In the 15 th and 10 th scores,CG was also superior to TG(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The combined treatment of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2),moxibustion,and intermediate frequency can relieve the pain and anxiety symptoms of PHN.The efficacy of the combined treatment was superior to traditional acupuncture.

Effects of electroacupuncture at “Jiaji ” (EX-B 2) on myocardial apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To explore the protective mechanism of acupuncture on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group,a model group,a Jiaji group,a Neiguan group and a Yanglingquan group,10-rats

火针围刺联合夹脊电针治疗急性期带状疱疹:随机对照试验

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical efficacy of surrounding fire needling combined with electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiājĭ (夹脊EX-B2) on acute herpes zoster, and explore the potential mechanism of this combined treatment by measuring the changes of serum inflammatory cytokines and pain mediators.MethodsSixty patients with acute herpes zoster were randomly assigned to either acupuncture plus western medicine group or western medicine group. In the western medicine group, the patients took orally mecobalamin and ganciclovir for 14 consecutive days. In the acupuncture plus western medicine group, on the base of the western medicine, the surrounding fire needling (fire needling was operated swiftly toward the center of skin lesions.) combined with EA at EX-B2 was provided. Acupoints of EX-B2 were selected based on the nerve ganglion corresponding to the skin lesions, as well as two adjacent nerve ganglions(one level upwards and one downwards) to the lesions, and were stimulated with EA once daily for 14 days. The change of symptoms from the blister eruption to scabbing and decrustation were observed. The score of visual analogue scale (VAS), serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) and pain mediators (calcitonin gene related peptide, substance P) before and after treatment, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) before and after treatment as well as at 1 month of follow-up, and the overall effective rate and the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia at 1 month of follow-up were assessed and compared between two groups, respectively.ResultsAfter treatment completion, the time of blister relief, scabbing and decrustation in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was significantly shorter when compared with that of the western medicine group (all P < 0.05). After treatment, VAS score, PSQI score and HAMD score were all reduced significantly when compared with that before treatment within group (P < 0.05). These scores in the acupuncture plus western medicine were reduced significantly compared with the western medicine group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). After treatment, the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia was 6.89%, lower than that in western medicine group (50.00%, P < 0.05). After treatment, the values of serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNT-a) and pain mediators (CGRP, SP) were reduced when compared with the those before treatment within group (P < 0.05), and the reduction in the acupuncture plus western medicine group was larger than that in the western medicine group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 96.67% in the acupuncture plus western medicine group, higher than western medicine group (86.67%, P < 0.05).ConclusionsSurrounding fire needling therapy combined with EA at EX-B2 on the base of western medicine obtained better therapeutic effect on acute herpes zoster when compared with western medicine. This combined treatment may effectively relieve pain and depressive emotions, improve sleep quality and reduce the incidence of post-hepatic neuralgia. The underlying mechanism may related to regulation of pain mediators and reduction of inflammatory cytokines.

电针夹脊穴治疗腰椎间盘突出症:随机对照研究（英文）

目的:比较电针夹脊穴与电针常规穴位治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效差异,发现影响疗效的因素。方法:将160例腰椎间盘突出症患者随机分为夹脊穴组和常规穴位组,每组80例。夹脊穴组患者穴取病灶处双侧夹脊穴,之后接电针治疗,留针45 min,每周治疗3次,连续治疗20次。常规穴位组患者主穴为阿是穴,配合患侧秩边、环跳、委中、承山和跗阳。之后接电针,留针时间和疗程均同夹脊穴组。采用日本骨科协会(JOA)腰痛评定标准在治疗前后和随访时进行评价,采用视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分在治疗前,首次治疗后24 h和治疗后进行评价。结果:(1)疗效性观察指标。JOA评分:夹脊穴组治疗后JOA评分为(20.89±3.43)分,随访时为(19.35±4.02)分,与治疗前(12.35±4.42)分比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05),且均高于常规穴位组同时点JOA评分(均P<0.05)。VAS评分:夹脊穴组首次治疗后VAS评分为(4.09±1.81)分,治疗后为(2.11±1.30)分,与治疗前(6.40±1.22)分比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05),与常规穴位组同时点比较,差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。(2)数据挖掘结果。中年人和病程小于6个月者即刻治疗效果最好。根据JOA评分,电针夹脊穴优于电针常规穴位治疗;电针夹脊穴治疗的最佳疗效时间为首次治疗的24 h后,电针常规穴位的最佳疗效时间为第一次治疗后。年龄和病程影响疗效。结论:电针夹脊穴治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效优于电针常规穴位。

Treatment of Herpes Zoster with Electroacupuncture plus Collateral-pricking and Cupping Therapy

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture(EA)plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy for herpes zoster.Methods:Fifty-three cases with herpes zoster were randomly divided into two groups.Thirty-one cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Jiaji(EX-B 2)points plus local collateral-pricking and cupping therapy.Twenty-two cases in the control group were treated with oral administration of Valaciclovir Hydrochloride and Indomethacin.Results:The curative and remarkable effective rate was 93.5%in the treatment group and 72.7%in the control group.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.01),indicating that EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy is better than Western medications in the clinical effects for herpes zoster.Conclusion:The EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping method is an effective therapy for herpes zoster.

A Clinical Observation of Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome in Patients Treated by Traditional Chinese Spinal Orthopedic Manipulation

Objective： To evaluate the clinical effect of traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation（TCSOM） in treating patients with functional abdominal pain syndrome（FAPS） in comparison with Pinaverium Bromide（Dicetel, PBD）, and to assess a possible cause for FAPS. Methods： Eighty patients with FAPS were randomly and equally assigned to the TCSOM group and PBD group according to the random number table. All patients in the TCSOM group were treated with a maximum of 5 times of spinal manipulations. Patients in the PBD group were instructed to take 50 mg 3 times a day, consistently for 2 weeks. The symptoms of pre-and post-treatment were assessed on a visual analog scale（VAS） pain score. A symptom improvement rating（SIR） was implemented to evaluate the effects of the treatments. Results： The symptoms of 27 cases of the TCSOM group were relieved soon after the first TCSOM treatment and 9 cases were significantly improved. The VAS pain scores in the TCSOM group were significantly lower than those in the PBD group after 2 weeks treatment. According to the SIR based on VAS, the TCSOM group included 30 cases with excellent results, 7 cases with good, and 3 cases with poor. Adverse events to the treatment were not reported. Based on VAS, the PBD group reported 8 cases with excellent results, 10 cases with good and 22 cases with poor. There was a significant difference between the two groups（P〈0.01）. Conclusions： The displacement of intervertebral discs and/or vertebra in the thoracic or lumbar region seems to be a contributing factor in the symptoms of FAPS. TCSOM is an effective treatment for FAPS.