Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy for insomnia in blood stasis constitution:a clinical study

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution. Methods： Seventy-two patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 36 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of estazolam. One-week treatment was taken as a course, for 3 successive courses in total. A follow-up study was conducted 3 months later. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） was evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as in the follow-up. The clinical efficacies were also compared. Results： The total effective rate was 88.9% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant （P〈0.O5）. After the intervention, the PSO.I scores dropped significantly in both groups （both P〈0.05）; the between-group difference in PSQI score was statistically significant （P〈O.05）. The follow-up study showed that the between-group difference in the global score of PSO, I was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of estazolam in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution.

Gut microbiota and differential genes-maintained homeostasis is key to maintaining health of individuals with Yang-deficiency constitution

OBJECTIVE:Yang-deficiency constitution(YADC)is a common unbalanced constitution that predisposes individuals to certain diseases.However,not all people with YADC manifest develop diseases.This calls for delineation of the underlying molecular mechanisms.Previous studies suggested that the gut microbiota and gene differential expression should be considered.METHODS:In the present study,we compared profiles of gut microbiota between four healthy YADC individuals and those of five healthy balanced constitution(BC)counterparts,based on 16 S r RNA gene sequence analysis.Furthermore,YADC relevant genes identified by comparing 62 healthy YADC and 58 healthy BC individuals in total to perform intersection analysis,functional clustering and pathway enrichment analyses.RESULTS:The levels of harmful gut microbiota(Prevotellaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0141)and beneficial gut microbiota(Ruminococcaceae,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0025,Faecalibacterium,LDA score>4.0,P=0.0484)were both elevated in healthy YADC individuals.Also,we found that the specific metabolic pathway with 2,6-Dichloro-p-hydroquinone 1,2-Dioxygenase(Pcp A)as the core in gut microbiota and the glutathione transferase activity has been enriched by YADC relevant genes in healthy YADC individuals were both responsible for the detoxification of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon substances.CONCLUSIONS:Both beneficial and harmful factors had been detected in healthy YADC individuals,functionally,they may have triggered homeostasis to maintain the health of individuals with YADC.The homeostasis may be maintained by beneficial and harmful factors from gut flora and genes.Future studies are expected to focus on halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and their detoxification processes.

Clinical Observation on Acupuncture Intervention for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective： To observe the effect of acupuncture for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD）. Methods： A total of 36 cases were recruited in this study. Before treatment, a Chinese medical constitution survey was conducted on these children. Based on the survey findings, the children were divided in different groups for acupuncture intervention. Additionally, the heart rate variability and attention were detected respectively before treatment, in the 12th and 24th week after treatment. Results： ADHD kids commonly manifest as a body constitution of yang predominance and heat exuberance. The kids＇ Body Mass Indexes （BMI） are moderately correlated with attention deficit disorder （ADD）. After the treatment of 24 weeks, the ADHD scores were reduced from （10.94±1.98） to （8.56±2.48）, showing a statistical significance （P〈0.05）; in addition, the low frequency/high frequency （LF/HF） and normalized low frequency （nLF） between the two groups were also statistically different （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Most ADHD kids present with a body constitution of yang predominance and heat exuberance. A well-controlled BMI is helpful for ADHD treatment. Acupuncture can be a supplementary therapy to improve the ADHD symptoms.