Effect of acupuncture at Bǎihuì (百会GV 20) and Zúsānlǐ (足三里ST 36) on the level of serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with depression

Objective To investigate the immunologic mechanism of acupuncture at Bǎihuì（百 会 GV 20） and Zúsānlǐ（足三里 ST 36） for treatment of depression. Methods Eighty-four cases of depression patients were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture observation group（group A）, an electroacupuncture control group（group B） and a medication control group（group C）, 28 cases in each group. Bǎihuì（百会 GV 20） and Zúsānlǐ（足三里 ST 36） were used in the group A; Tàichōng （太冲 LR 3）, Sānyīnjiāo （三阴交 SP 6）, Nèiguān （内关 PC 6） and Shénmén （神门 HT 7） were used in the group B; and the group C was treated with oral administration of Fluoxetine. The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale （HAMD） were tested and the level of serum interleukin 1（IL-1β）, interleukin 6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay （ELISA）before and after treatment. Results Their scores of HAMD were obviously decreased after treatment in three groups（all P0.01）. In the group A, 2 cases were cured, 19 cases were markedly effective, 5 cases were effective and 2 cases were failed. In the group B, 16 cases were markedly effective, 12 cases were effective. While in the group C, 1 case was cured, 17 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases were effective and 3 cases were failed. The grade distribution of clinical effect showed that the effect of group A was better （P0.05）. The levels of serum IL-1β and IL-6 in the three groups were obviously decreased after treatment （P0.05, P0.01）, while there was no significant difference between the level of serum TNF-α before and after treatment. Conclusion The effect of electroacupuncture observation group is superior to those of electroacupuncture control group and medication control group.All of these three methods can clear the inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 away and improve the symptoms of depression.

内关、足三里穴不同定位法实测比较

目的:比较内关、足三里穴的几种指寸法与骨度分寸法定位之间的差异,探讨四肢部腧穴准确而简便的定位方法。方法:随机选择100名健康成年志愿者(18～25岁),男女各半,采用体重秤、人体测高仪、圆杆直角规、电子数显游标卡尺等标准测量仪器,测量受试者的身高、体重、肘横纹至腕横纹的距离、膝中至外踝尖的距离、拇指同身寸、中指同身寸、四指横寸,比较内关穴、足三里穴骨度分寸定位与手指比量定位的差异。结果:内关穴的骨度分寸法定位与一夫法(横指同身寸法)比较无差异(P>0.05),足三里穴的骨度分寸法定位与一夫法比较差异性不显著(P>0.01),而两穴骨度分寸定位与中指同身寸、拇指同身寸定位法比较均差异性显著(P<0.01)。结论:内关、足三里穴的骨度分寸定位与一夫法定位接近,与中指同身寸法及拇指同身寸法定位相差较大。提示四肢部腧穴的指寸法定位以一夫法较为准确,可用其作为临床参考定位方法。

电针治疗慢性功能性便秘疗效观察

目的观察电针治疗慢性功能性便秘的临床疗效。方法将80例功能性便秘患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组40例。治疗组针刺双侧支沟、天枢及足三里穴,同时在天枢及足三里穴给予电针治疗;对照组采用口服聚乙二醇4000散治疗。治疗2星期后,比较两组治疗前后排便次数、粪便性状的变化,并判定临床疗效。结果两组治疗后大便性状恢复正常率比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组第1、2星期平均每日排便次数比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗组总有效率为95.0%,对照组为65.0%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论电针是一种治疗慢性功能性便秘的有效方法。

中医药干预防治慢性盆腔炎

目的观察中医药多途径干预对防治慢性盆腔炎的临床疗效。方法将70例慢性盆腔炎患者随机分成治疗组和对照组,各35例。对照组予香砂六君子汤合桃红四物汤加减(香附、丹参、砂仁、红藤等,1剂/d,分2次口服)。治疗组在对照组基础上加穴位按压(足三里、中极、三阴交等)及药渣泡脚。治疗1月后观察疗效,3月后观察病情复发情况。结果治疗组总有效率为94.29%,明显优于对照组74.29%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论中医药可通过增强体质,调畅气机,调和气血及脏腑功能,通过多途径干预,预防慢性盆腔炎的发生和发展。

基于数据挖掘探讨穴位埋线治疗肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征的选穴规律

目的:系统收集并整理穴位埋线治疗肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征的文献,采用数据挖掘分析穴位埋线治疗肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征的选穴规律。方法:以"穴位埋线""肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征"为主题词检索中国知网、维普、万方和pubmed数据库,检索时间均为建库至2019年9月4日,初步纳入192篇文献,经剔除后纳入48篇文献。结果:选穴频次依次为:天枢、关元、丰隆、三阴交、脾俞。经脉频次依次为:足阳明胃经、任脉、足太阳膀胱经、足少阳胆经、足太阴脾经。特定穴中以交会穴、募穴、俞穴、五输穴、八会穴居多。取穴部位多集中于胸腹部和下肢。结论:穴位埋线治疗肥胖型多囊卵巢综合征常用穴位为天枢、关元、丰隆、三阴交、脾俞,主要集中在胃经、任脉、膀胱经上,穴位位于胸腹部和下肢。

针刺配合中药治疗小儿肠系膜淋巴结炎疗效观察

目的观察针刺配合中药治疗小儿肠系膜淋巴结炎的临床疗效及对患者血清中白介素-6(IL-6)水平的影响。方法将180例小儿肠系膜淋巴结炎患者随机分为A组、B组和C组,每组60例。A组采用针刺足三里、四缝穴点刺配合武当八宝紫金锭治疗,B组采用口服阿莫西林克拉维酸钾颗粒治疗,C组采用单纯口服武当八宝紫金锭治疗。观察3组治疗前后IL-6水平变化情况,并比较3组临床疗效。结果 A组总有效率为98.3%,B组为76.7%,C组为80.0%,A组总有效率与B组和C组比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组治疗后IL-6水平与同组治疗前比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。A组治疗后IL-6水平与B组和C组比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论针刺配合中药是一种治疗小儿肠系膜淋巴结炎的有效方法,能降低IL-6的生成和释放。

Effect of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) for the treatment of diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome： a patient-blinded pilot trial with orthogonal design

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV6) in patients with diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome(D-IBS) by assessing predominant factors, and determining the best factor combinations and their interactions. To identify the optimal quantity of warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) to achieve optimal efficacy.METHODS: An L9(3~4) orthogonal design was applied to 233 confirmed subjects based on the three most influential factors and the three most frequently used levels. Nine programs were designed.Subjects were assigned to four subgroups according to age and gender; each subject underwent one of the nine programs randomly. We selected Tianshu(ST 25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6). The scores of symptoms and the IBS Quality of Life(IBS-QOL) were evaluated after the final treatment.RESULTS: After treatment, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved(P = 0.001).Quality of life also improved significantly(P < 0.05).For all the participants, frequency was the dominating factor regarding symptoms(P = 0.01). Duration was the dominating factor for quality of life(P =0.0001). The best combination for improving symptoms in 30-40-year-old male and female patients was two courses of 10 min each once a day, and for41-50-year-old male and female patients it was three courses of 10 min(males) or 30 min(females)twice a day. The best combination for quality of life was three courses of 20 min once a day. No interaction was found between frequency and course, or frequency and duration.CONCLUSION: Warming moxibustion Tianshu(ST25, bilateral) and Qihai(CV 6) is a promising therapy for D-IBS. To acquire optimal efficacy, the three main factors(duration, frequency and treatment course) of the warming moxibustion should reach a specific quantity and be combined appropriately.

Effect of herbal-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu(ST 25) and Qihai(CV 6) on pain-related behavior and emotion in rats with chronic inflammatory visceral pain

Objective：To observe the effect of herbal-partitioned moxibustion （HPM） on pain-related behavior and emotion in a rat model of chronic inflammatory visceral pain, and to investigate the mechanism. 〈br〉 Methods：Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into three groups：a normal group, a model group and an HPM group. Except for the normal group, rats in the other two groups were clystered with mixed liquor of Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid （TNBS） and 50%ethanol to induce the chronic inflammatory visceral pain model. After the models were established successfully, rats in the HPM group were treated with HPM at bilateral Tianshu （ST 25） and Qihai （CV 6）. Rats in the normal group and the model group were only fixed as those in the HPM group without treatment. Abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） score, mechanical withdrawal threshold （MWT） and thermal withdrawal latency （TWL） were adopted to detect the visceral and somatic pain;meanwhile, open field test （OFT） and elevated plus maze test （EPMT） were employed to evaluate pain emotions such as depression and anxiety. 〈br〉 Results：Compared with the normal group, AWR scores of the model group were significantly increased under different stimulus expansion pressure level （P〈0.01）, MWT and TWL were significantly decreased （P〈0.05）;in OFT, the values of horizontal activities and vertical activities were significantly decreased （P〈0.01）;in EPMT, the proportion of the number of entry into the open arms （OE%） and that of residence time in the open arms （OT%） significantly decreased （P〈0.01）, indicating that the model was successful. Compared with the model group, the AWR score of the HPM group was decreased significantly （P〈0.05）, MWT and TWL were significantly increased （P〈0.05）, the values of horizontal activities and vertical activities in the model group were significantly increased （P〈0.01）;in OFT and EPMT, OE%and OT%were significantly increased （P〈0.01）. 〈br〉 Conclusion：HPM has analgesic effect on chronic inflammatory visceral pain. It can reduce the visceral and somatic pain in rats and markedly improve the emotions such as anxiety and depression induced by chronic visceral pain.

Effect of Point Sticking Therapy on Biochemical Markers and Rating of Perceived Exertion in Athletes with Exercise-induced Fatigue

Objective： To observe the effect of point sticking therapy on biochemical markers and Rating of Perceived Exertion （RPE） in athletes with exercise-induced fatigue. Methods： A total of 35 football players were randomly allocated into a blank group, a control group and an observation group. The athletes in the blank group received no treatment, those in the control group take Xi Yang Shen （Radix Panacis Quinquefolii） orally and those in the observation group were treated by point sticking therapy. The athletes＇ RPE, hemoglobin （Hb）, red blood cell count （RBC）, blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and blood glucose （BG） were recorded every day for analysis. Results： The RPE value in the blank group tends to increase, while that in the treatment and the blank groups tend to increase first but decrease afterwards, and the corresponding RPE value in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group. After treatment, athletes in the blank group showed a decrease in Hb, RBC and BG, but an increase in BUN in the blank group; while athletes in the observation and the control groups showed increases in Hb, RBC and BG, but a decrease in BUN. Conclusion： Point sticking can alleviate clinical symptoms induced by exercise-induced fatigue.

Effects of needling acupoints at different nerve segments on oxytocin neurons in rat’s hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and intragastric pressure

Objective:To compare and explore the effects of needling acupoints at different nerve segments on the oxytocin(OT)neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus(PVN)and the intragastric pressure,and discuss the possible mechanisms.Methods:Thirty-two healthy adult Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were numbered and divided into 4 groups according to the random number table,a Zusanli(ST 36)group,a Neiguan(PC 6)group,a Weishu(BL 21)group and a control group,with 8 rats in each group.Except the control group,rats in the other three groups received acupuncture at the corresponding acupoints.To observe the differences in double-labeled OT neurons and c-fos neurons of the hypothalamic PVN and the intragastric pressure after acupuncture among the three groups of needling acupoints at different nerve segments.Results:Compared with the control group,the numbers of double-labeled cells in the PVN of the Zusanli(ST 36)group and the Neiguan(PC 6)group decreased significantly,while the intragastric pressure increased significantly(all P<0.05),and the inter-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The intragastric pressure in the Weishu(BL 21)group decreased significantly,and the inter-group difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the Weishu(BL 21)group,the numbers of OT/c-fos double-labeled cells in PVN of the Zusanli(ST 36)group and the Neiguan(PC 6)group decreased significantly,and the intragastric pressure increased significantly,the inter-group differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion:Acupoints at different nerve segments have different regulation effects on intragastric pressure.The difference may be related to the different nerve conduction pathways by acupoints at different nerve segments in regulating the intragastric pressure.The PVN may be one common integration center for the regulation of gastric function in the three acupoints[Zusanli(ST 36),Neiguan(PC 6)and Weishu(BL 21)]at different nerve segments.

Treatment of 68 Cases of Epigastric Pain with Acupucnture

Acute and chronic gastritis,gastric and duodenalglobular ulcer,and antral gastritis are commonlyencountered diseases of digestive system,andepigastric pain is their main symptom.The authortreated 68 cases of epigastric pain with acupuncture,now it is reported as follows.

Study on the regulatory effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on colonic CD206,AMPK and TSC2 in rats with Crohn disease

Objective:To explore the mechanism of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in Crohn disease(CD)treatment by observing the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on protein expressions of colonic M2 macrophage marker CD206,AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)2.Methods:Twenty-six specific pathogen free male rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group.The CD model was prepared by enema with the mixture of 5%(W/V)2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)and 50%ethanol at 2:1(volume ratio).After the model was successfully prepared,rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Qihai(CV 6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST 25).Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat colon;immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of colonic CD206 protein;Western blot,immuno fluorescence,and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTqPCR)technologies were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2.Results:Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group showed damaged colonic mucosa,missing of the epithelial layer;thickened submucosa,vascular proliferation,massive infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes,and cracked ulcers that reached the muscle layer.Rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group showed reduced intestinal inflammation and healing intestinal epithelium ulcers.Compared with the normal group,rat colonic CD206 protein expression,and the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2 were decreased in the model group(all P<0.Ol);compared with the model group,rat colonic CD206 protei n expression was in creased(P<Q.Q1),as well as the protein and mRNA expressions of AMPK and TSC2 in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can reduce intestinal inflammation in CD rats,increase colonic CD206 protein expression,and up-regulate the protein and mRNA expressions of colonic AMPK and TSC2.

经皮穴位电刺激对鼻内镜手术患者术后恢复质量的影响:随机对照试验

目的:观察经皮穴位电刺激(TEAS)对择期鼻内镜手术患者术后恢复情况及疼痛的影响。方法:将106例接受择期鼻内镜手术患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组53例。两组患者于静脉麻醉诱导前30 min至手术结束分别给予TEAS或安慰TEAS,穴位均选取双侧内关和足三里。于手术前1 d(T_(0))、手术后1 d(T_(1))、手术后2 d(T_(2))、手术后3 d(T_(3)),观察两组15项恢复质量(Qo R-15)量表评分;于T_(1)、T_(2)、T_(3),观察两组疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分;于T_(0)、T_(1)、T_(2)、T_(3),观察两组阿森斯失眠量表(AIS)评分;记录两组术后恶心呕吐和头晕头痛的发生率,补救镇痛药使用情况和镇痛泵按压次数,以及拔管时间。结果:T_(1)、T_(2)、T_(3)时,观察组患者Qo R-15量表评分高于对照组(P<0.01,P<0.001),AIS评分低于对照组(P<0.001)。T_(1)、T_(2)时,观察组患者疼痛VAS评分低于对照组(P<0.001)。观察组术后恶心呕吐和头晕头痛的发生率分别为24.5%(13/53)、37.7%(20/53),分别低于对照组的56.6%(30/53)、66.0%(35/53,P<0.01)。两组患者术后补救镇痛药使用率及镇痛泵按压次数比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。观察组拔管时间短于对照组(P<0.001)。结论:经皮穴位电刺激能够提高接受择期鼻内镜手术患者术后恢复质量,缓解术后疼痛,改善术后睡眠质量,降低术后恶心呕吐发生率。

电针对动脉粥样硬化兔腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36表达的影响

目的:观察电针对动脉粥样硬化兔腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36基因和蛋白表达的影响,探讨针刺调节动脉粥样硬化的作用机制。方法:将26只雄性新西兰兔随机分为空白组(7只)和造模组(19只)。空白组普通饲料喂养,造模组采用高脂饲料喂养加颈总动脉球囊损伤术复制动脉粥样硬化模型,8周后,随机从空白组和造模组中各取1只兔处死,采用HE染色观察兔颈动脉粥样硬化斑块病理形态学变化确定是否造模成功。造模组再随机分为模型组、电针组和西药组,每组6只。空白组普通饲料喂养,其余组高脂饲料喂养。空白组和模型组不加干预因素,同电针组抓取、固定;电针组针刺双侧"内关""足三里"及"关元"穴,双侧"内关""足三里"穴连接电针仪20 min,采用疏密波(4 Hz/20 Hz,1 m A);西药组给予阿托伐他汀钙片(1 mg/kg/d)混悬液20 m L灌胃给药,两组均每天治疗1次,6 d为一疗程,疗程间休息1 d,共治疗4个疗程。采用蛋白质免疫印迹法检测腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36蛋白表达,采用RNA的反转录(RT)和c DNA的聚合酶链式扩增反应(PCR)相结合的技术检测腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36m RNA表达。结果:空白组血管壁厚度较均一,内皮较完整,未见泡沫细胞的堆积以及粥样斑块;造模组动脉内膜明显增厚,内膜受损,内膜下可见明显的粥样斑块,炎性细胞浸润,可见泡沫细胞。干预后模型组、电针组和西药组腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36蛋白、m RNA表达均明显高于空白组(均P<0.01),电针组和西药组腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36蛋白、m RNA表达均明显低于模型组(均P<0.01),电针组腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36蛋白、m RNA水平表达与西药组比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论:电针可以降低动脉粥样硬化兔腹腔巨噬细胞受体CD36蛋白及m RNA表达水平,这可能是电针治疗动脉粥样硬化的作用机制之一。

Effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion on dopamine levels and dopamine receptor 1 expression in the colon and central nervous system in rats with Crohn’s disease

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion at the Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints in rats with Crohn's disease,and explore the underlying mechanism from dopamine (DA) and dopamine receptor 1 (D1 R) in the colon,spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus.METHODS:The rats were randomly divided into the normal,model (CD),herb-partitioned moxibustion (Mox) and mesalazine (Mesa) groups.Damage in the colons was scored and observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.DA and D1R protein expression in the colonic mucosa were detected by immunohistochemistry.The concentrations of DA and D1R in the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and D1R mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:In the colon,compared with the normal group,DA,D1 R protein expressions and D1 R mRNA expression were significantly higher in the model group,while decreased in the Mox group and the Mesa group.In the spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus,compared with the normal group,the concentrations of DA and D1 R,and the D1R mRNA expressions were significantly higher in the model group,and decreased in the Mox group and the Mesa group.CONCLUSION:Herb-partitioned moxibustion at the Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai (CV 6) acupoints relieved ulceration in CD rats,the underlying mechanism maybe relative with the regulation of DA and D1R in the colon,spinal dorsal horn and hypothalamus by moxibustion.

Observation on the efficacy of moxibustion for chronic gastritis and a clinical study of moxibustion's effects on serum brain-gut peptides

Objective： To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of moxibustion-based treatment of chronic gastritis （CG）, and to provide an objective basis for treating CG using moxibustion. Methods： A total of 61 CG patients were divided into an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a mild-warm moxibustion group. In both treatment groups, bilateral Tianshu （ST 25）, Zhongwan （CV 12） and Qihai （CV 6） were selected for moxibustion. Before and after treatment, all the enrolled patients＇ gastrointestinal disease-related traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and visual analog scale （VAS） scores were measured, and the changes in the serum levels of the brain-gut peptides ghrelin, somatostatin （SS） and motilin （MTL） were observed. Results： There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the clinical efficacy rate （P〈0.05）. After treatment, the gastrointestinal disease-related TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores were reduced to varying extents in both groups, the intra-group differences were statistically significant （all P〈0.01）. In both groups, the serum levels of ghrelin and MTL increased and the serum levels of SS decreased after treatment （all P〈0.01）. And there were no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion： Both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild-warm moxibustion are effective for CG, these two therapies exhibited similar therapeutic efficacy of epigastric discomfort or pain. And both the two therapies act to anti-inflammation, promote the recovery of gastric mucosa and improve the gastric motility, which is possibly their crucial action mechanism in treating CD.

Regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of IL-17,IL-23 and their mR NAs in the colon of rats with Crohn's disease

Objective： To observe the regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on Crohn＇s disease （CD） rat＇s colon inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 （IL-17）, IL-23 and their mRNAs, and to investigate the action mechanism of moxibustion in treating CD. Methods： Forty SPF grade Sprague-Dauley （SD） male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a Western medicine group, with 20 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other three groups were used to make CD model by giving an enema in colon with Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid （TNBS）. When the models were successful made, rats in the model group had no therapeutic intervention; rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were subjected to herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment at bilateral Tianshu （ST 25） plus O.ihai （CV 6）; and rats in the Western medicine group were given oral Mesalazine. After treatment, the histopathological changes and inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were observed in descending colon by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining, immunohistochemistry （IHC） and real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） methods. Results： Colon tissues of TNBS enema rat models showed cracks-like ulcers accompanied by mucous layer inflammation, granulomas, and inflammatory cytokines IL-27, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all higher than those in the normal group （P〈O.01）; after intervention, colon tissue cracks-like ulcers and inflammation degree reduced, inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all significantly decreased （P〈0.01） in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group. Conclusion： Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion may improve colon tissue ulcers and relieve intestinal inflammation by down-regulation of IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions in CD model rats＇ colonic mucosa.

Clinical studies on different acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea

Objective： To seek the optimal acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea and provide clinical basis for optimal acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods： A total of 90 eligible cases were randomly allocated into three groups, 30 cases in each group. Points Guanyuan（CV 4）, bilateral Zusanli（ST 36） and Sanyinjiao（SP 6） were selected for patients in all three groups, with a different treatment duration： 15 min in group A, 30 min in group B and 45 min in group C. Then the clinical efficacy in each group was evaluated by pain symptom scoring. Results： As for the pain symptom scores, there were statistically significant intra-group differences between before and after treatment in three groups（all P〈0.05）; coupled with statistically significant inter-group differences between group B and the other two groups（both P〈0.05）. As for clinical efficacy, there were statistical differences between group B and the other two groups（both P〈0.05）, indicating that 30 min of acupuncture is the optimal duration in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion： With the same needling manipulation, 30 min of acupuncture treatment achieves a better efficacy for primary dysmenorrhea.

Efficacy observation on acupuncture for diabetic gastroparesis

Objective： To observe the effect of acupuncture on gastric motility, plasma motilin and serum gastrin in patients with diabetic gastroparesis （DGP） and evaluate its clinical efficacy. Methods： A total of 100 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an acupuncture group （n=50） and a control group （n=50）. Patients in the acupuncture group were treated by needling Zhongwan （CV 12）, Zusanli （ST 36） and Neiguan （PC 6）, whereas patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of Domperidone. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared; and changes in gastric motility, plasma motilin and serum gastrin in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Results： After treatment, the symptom scores, gastric motility and contents of plasma motilin and serum gastrin were significantly improved in both groups （P〈0.05）. There were between-group statistically significant differences in symptom scores, gastric motility and levels of plasma motilin and serum gastrin after treatment （all P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 96% in the treatment group, versus 78% in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture is effective for DGP and can reduce the levels of plasma motilin and serum gastrin.

Effect of moxibustion on CRF and CRFR1 expressions in hypothalamus of TNBS-induced experimental colitis rats

Objective： To observe the effect of moxibustion on the protein and mRNA expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor （CRF） and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 （CRFR1） in hypothalamus of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid （TNBS）-induced experimental colitis rats, and to explore the central mechanisms of moxibustion in improving visceral pain and the pain-related emotions in experimental colitis rats. Methods： Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group （NG）, a model group （MG）, a herb-partitioned moxibustion group （HPMG） and a sham herb-partitioned moxibustion group （SHPMG）. Except the NG, rats in the remaining three groups all received TNBS enema to establish experimental colitis models. The HPMG received herb-partitioned moxibustion （HPM） at bilateral Tianshu （ST 25） and Qihai （CV 6） for intervention; for the SHPMG, the herbal cakes and moxa cones were only placed on the acupoints but not ignited; rats in the MG and NG were only fixed in the same way as those in the HPMG but did not receive any treatment. At the end of the intervention, the abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） score, the open field test （OFT） score and the elevated plus maze （EPM） score were observed to measure the changes in visceral pain and pain-related emotions of the rats. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to examine the expressions of CRF and CRFR1 proteins in hypothalamus; the fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was used to detect the expressions of CRF and CRFR1 mRNAs in hypothalamus. Results： Compared with the NG, the AWR score increased significantly and the OFT and EPM scores dropped significantly in the MG （all P〈0.05）, and the expressions of hypothalamic CRF and CRFR1 proteins and mRNAs increased significantly （all P〈0.01）. Compared with the MG and SHPMG, the AWR score dropped significantly and the OFT and EPM scores increased significantly in the HPMG （all P〈0.01）, and the expressions of hypothalamic CRF and CRFRI proteins and mRNAs decreased significantly （all P〈0.05）. There were no significant differences between the MG and the SHPMG （all P〉0.05）. Conclusion： HPM can down-regulate the abnormally increased expressions of CRF and CRFR1 proteins and mRNAs in hypothalamus of the TNBS-induced experimental colitis rats, which is plausibly one of its action mechanisms in mitigating visceral pain and the pain-related emotions in the experimental colitis rats.