Comparison of the anti-apoptotic effects of 15-and 35-minute suspended moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the underly- ing mechanisms remain unclear. The duration of heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion （usually from 30 minutes to 1 hour） is longer than traditional suspended moxibustion （usually 15 minutes）. However, the effects of 15- and 35-minute suspended moxibustion in rats with cerebra/ischemia/reperfusion injury are poorly understood. In this study, we performed 15- or 35-minute suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （GV14） in an adult rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Infarct volume was evaluated with the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis at the injury site were assessed by hematoxy- lin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression at the in- jury site was detected using immunofluorescent staining. Bax and Bcl-2 expression at the injury site was assessed using western blot assay. In the 35-minute moxibustion group, infarct volume was decreased, neuronal apoptosis was reduced, caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax expres- sion was lower, and Bcl-2 expression was increased, compared with the 15-minute moxibustion group. Our findings show that 35-minute moxibustion has a greater anti-apoptotic effect than 15-minute moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Suspended moxibustion relieves chronic visceral hyperalgesia and decreases hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone levels

AIM:To evaluate the effect of suspended moxibustion(SM) on rectal sensory thresholds and to analyze the possible mechanisms involved in SM treatment of chronic visceral hypersensitivity(CVH) in rats.METHODS:SM was administered once daily to 37-dold CVH rats for 7 d.The two pairs of acupoints(ST25 and ST37,bilateral) were simultaneously treated with SM.Each treatment lasted for 30 min.Rats undergoing treatment with SM were not anesthetized.Untreated CVH rats and normal rats were used as controls.The abdominal withdrawal reflex was determined 30-90 min after the seven treatments.The hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) mRNA level was measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:We found that SM treatment significantly decreased visceral sensitivity to colorectal distention in this rat model.In treated animals,SM also decreased the relative hypothalamic CRH mRNA expression level to control levels.CONCLUSION:Lower hypothalamic CRH levels may mediate the beneficial effects of SM in this rat irritable bowel syndrome model.

Analgesic action of suspended moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia correlates with enkephalins in the spinal cord

Rats that modeled chronic visceral hyperalgesia received suspended moxibustion at bilateral Tianshu （ST25） and Shangjuxu （ST37） once daily over a period of 7 days. Results show that suspended moxibustion significantly depressed abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and increased enkephalin concentration in the spinal cord. The experimental findings suggest that spinal enkephalins contributed to the analgesic effect of suspended moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia.

Suspended moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) inhibits prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 expression in the spinal cord of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity

Suspended moxibustion can decrease the expression of prokineticin 1 and its receptor in colonic tissue from rats modeling chronic visceral hyperalgesia. This study aimed to verify if rat spinal cord prokineticin 1 and its receptor contribute to the analgesic effect of suspended moxibustion in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome where rats display chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results showed that suspended moxibustion at Tianshu （ST25） point significantly decreased visceral sensitivity to colorectal distention in a chronic visceral hyperalgesia rat model; also protein and mRNA expression of prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 in the spinal cord of rats was significantly decreased. Experimental findings indicate that prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 are involved in the analgesia using suspended moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral

Influence of Suspended Moxibustion on the Biochemical Markers of Patients with Hyperlipidemia

Objective： To observe the influence of suspended moxibustion on biochemical markers of patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods： Suspended moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8） and bilateral Zusanli （ST 36） was used for patients with hyperlipidemia, and the changes of fasting blood glucose （FBG）, triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TC）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） and low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected both before and after treatments. Results： FBG, TC and LDL-C decreased after treatment （P0.01）; TG also decreased （P0.05）; HDL-C showed no significant difference （P0.05）. Conclusion： In treating patients with hyperlipidemia, suspended moxibustion can not only improve lipid metabolism, but also regulate glucose metabolism.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion attenuates the inflammation after focal cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive moxibustion has neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, however its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, rat models of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were treated with suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （DU14） for 35 minutes. Results showed that suspended moxibustion decreased infarct volume, reduced cortical myeloperoxidase activity, and suppressed serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our experimental findings indicated that heat-sensitive moxibustion can attenuate inflammation and promote repair after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Application and exploration of suspended magnetic moxibustion cup for obesity

The suspended magnetic moxibustion cupping therapy, as a specific moxibustion method which collects moxibustion, cupping, infrared and magnetic therapy into one, and integrates with the warming and heating effect of moxibustion, sucking effect of cups, and effect of infrared light energy and magnetic energy, is a particularly unique method for weight loss. This article introduces the basic situation and mechanism of suspended magnetic cupping therapy for weight loss. For pathogenesis of deficiency, phlegm, stagnation and cold in obesity, Shuang Long Xi Zhu （two dragons playing a ball） moxibustion, abdominal Jiu Gong （nine palaces） moxibustion, San Yang Kai Tai （auspicious beginning） moxibustion and Chang Long （long dragon） moxibustion were given respectively. This therapy has inspired the clinical idea of Chinese medicine for obesity.

Effects of moxibustion on serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in rats with experimental rheumatoid arthritis

Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and to explore the effects of moxibustion on inflammatory damaging factors in experimental rheumatoid arthritis(RA)model rats;the relationship between the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on RA and the change in the Toll-like receptor(TLR)signaling pathway was analyzed using Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)antagonists and agonists.Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into a normal group,a model group,a moxibustion group,a moxibustion plus TLR4 agonist group(agonist group)and a moxibustion plus TLR4 antagonist group(antagonist group)according to the random number table,with 10 rats in each group.Except the normal group,rats in the other four groups were subjected to model preparation with the wind,cold and wet environmental factors plus Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA).Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated;rats in the moxibustion,agonist and antagonist groups started to be treated with the moxibustion(cigarette-type moxa)at bilateral Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36)from the 4th day after the successful modeling,for 20 min each time with a total of 10 d.Rats in the agonist and the antagonist groups were injected with TLR4 agonist or antagonist[0.1 mg/(kg*bw)]via the tail vein 30 min before moxibustion.The concentrations of serum IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:Compared with the normal group,in the model group,the rat's right hind paw swelling was significantly obvious(P<0.01);there was a lot of inflammatory infiltration in the synovial tissues,the surface of the synovial membrane was unsmooth,the synovial membrane was hyperplasia and thicker,and the serum IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αconcentrations increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the paw swelling degrees of the rats in the moxibustion,the agonist and the antagonist groups reduced significantly(all P<0.01);the swelling degree in the antagonist group was milder than that in the agonist group,but the between-group difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05);inflammatory infiltration and synovial membrane hyperplasia in the synovial tissues of the moxibustion group and the antagonist group were all relieved differently;the decrease of synovial layer number in the moxibustion group was more obvious,and there were no obvious improvements in inflammatory infiltration and synovial thickness in the agonist group;the concentrations of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin the moxibustion group were decreased,and the differences in the IL-6 and TNF-αconcentrations were statistically significant(all P<0.01);there was no significant between-group difference in the IL-8 concentration(P>0.05);the concentrations of serum IL-8 and TNF-αin the agonist group increased significantly(both P<0.01),while the IL-6 concentration decreased without significant difference(P>0.05);the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in the antagonist group decreased but the between-group differences were statistically insignificant(both P>0.05);and the TNF-αconcentration significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the moxibustion group,IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αconcentrations increased in the agonist group,and the differences in the IL-8 and TNF-αconcentrations were statistically significant(both P<0.01);the concentrations of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αincreased in the antagonist group,and the differences in the IL-6 and TNF-αconcentrations were statistically significant(both P<0.01);there was no significant difference in the IL-8 concentration between the groups(P>0.05).The serum levels of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin the antagonist group were lower than those in the agonist group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion at Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36)can reduce the joint swelling degree and inflammation in synovial tissue of RA model rats,decrease the serum levels of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-αin RA model rats;the decreases of IL-6 and TNF-αare more significant than the decrease of IL8;TLR4 agonist and antagonist can significantly attenuate the effect of moxibustion in inhibiting releases of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α,so that the change in TLR signaling pathway affects the effect of moxibustion in inhibiting the releases of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α.

Effects of Moxibustion Therapy on Preventing and Treating Side Effects from Chemotherapy of Malignant Tumor Patients

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of moxibustion therapy on preventing and treating toxic and side effects of chemotherapy in malignant tumor patients. Methods： A total of 63 cases were randomly divided into three groups. Twenty-three cases in the moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion, and 22 cases in the hydro-acupuncture group were treated by acupoint injection, and 18 cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Batilol tablets. The changes of the white blood cell count and the content of immunoglobulin before and after the treatments were observed. Results： After treatments, the total leukocyte count and the content of immunoglobulin were all elevated in the moxibustion group and the hydro-acupuncture group, with statistical difference when compared with the control group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. In the elevation of the white blood cell count, the hydro-acupuncture group was better than the moxibustion group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Moxibustion and hydro-acupuncture can be used to treat and prevent toxic and side effects of chemotherapy. From this aspect, the different needling techniques possess different effects.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Cervical Spondylopathy with Acupuncture plus Thunder-fire Moxibustion

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion for cervical spondylopathy. Methods： Sixty cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion, while those in the control group were treated by single acupuncture alone. The changes in the symptoms, sign integrals and visual analogue scale （VAS） before and after treatments were observed. Results： The cases in the treatment group were better than those in the control group in the enhancement of clinical effects, the decline of VAS scores and the improvement of clinical symptoms and sign integrals, with statistical significance （P0.01 or P0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus thunder-fire moxibustion can obviously relieve pain and improve the cervical functions of the patients with cervical spondylopathy.

Determination of Temperature-time Curve of Two Mild Moxibustion Methods:Reinforcing and Reducing

Objective： To observe the specificity of reinforcing and reducing methods of mild moxibustion and explore its clinical significance. Methods： Thirty healthy students were selected and given reinforcing of mild moxibustion on the left Neiguan （PC 6） and reducing on the right Neiguan （PC 6） respectively. Temperature of the acupoint skin surface and the temperature-time curve were recorded by a digital thermometer. Results： In application of mild moxibustion on Neiguan （PC 6）, there was a statistical difference in the temperature-increase section between reinforcing and reducing methods （P〈0.01）. The temperature-increasing section of the temperature-time curve in the reducing method was obviously steeper than that in the reinforcing method. In the period of 0.5-3 min during moxibustion, the temperature of Neiguan （PC 6） was remarkably higher in the reducing than in the reinforcing （P〈0.01）. In the application of the reducing, the time for the temperature of Neiguan （PC 6） to increase to 40~C was remarkably advanced （P〈0.05） and the rate of burning pain in the subjects was remarkably higher in the reducing method than in the reinforcing method （P〈0.001）. Conclusion： In comparison with the reinforcing method, the acupoint temperature increased more quickly in the application of reducing method and can produce obvious hot stimulation in a short period of time. In the application of the reinforcing method, the acupoint temperature increased mildly and could enhance the tolerance of the organism to the high temperature.

Effect of Moxibustion on the Contorted Seminiferous Tubules Diameter of the Senile Mice

The age-related changes in reproductive system were very significant. For humans, the testis atrophied gradually along with the aging after the presenium. Some reports supported that the testicular size （long diameter, short diameter） of elderly males were quite different from the young. The testes of old men become small and hard to induce the less androgen secretion, sex hormone disturbance and reproductive dysfunction or defuctionalization, suggesting the aging. The contorted seminiferous tubules （CST） diameter of senile mice was adopted as histological indices to study the impact of moxibustion on gonad testes.

Influence of Acupuncture-moxibustion Treatment on Cognition Disorder

Objective： To observe the influence of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment on patients with mild cognition disorder. Methods： Sixty patients with mild cognition disorder were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 30 cases in each group. Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment was used in the treatment group, while Western medicine was taken by the patients in the control group. The differences of intra-group and inter-group comparisons were assessed by 3 measurement scales including Mini-mental State Examination （MMSE）, Activity of Daily Living （ADL） and Montreal Cognitive Assessment （MoCA）. Results： After treatment, the MMSE, MoCA and ADL scores of both groups were higher than those before treatment （P〈0.05）. The MMSE, MoCA and ADL scores of the treatment group have more noticeable improvement than those of the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment can effectively improve cognitive function of the patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Effect Observation on Heat-sensitive Moxibustion for Abdominal Distension Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on abdominal distension following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: A total of 240 cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group according to their admission sequence, 120 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with conventional care, glycerol enema and heat sensitive moxibustion, whereas cases in the control group were only treated with conventional care and glycerol enema. Then the passage of gas by anus within 24 h and improvement of abdominal distension were observed in both groups. Results: There were statistical differences in the emergence time of bowel sounds and the initial passage of gas by anus between the two groups(both P<0.05). The therapeutic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Heat-sensitive moxibustion has reliable effect for abdominal distension following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture plus Psychological Intervention for Postpartum Depression

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression. Methods： By random number table, 85 patients with postpartum depression were divided into a treatment group and a control group. Forty-three cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture plus psychological intervention, once every day, five sessions per week, and rest at weekend. Forty-two cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, 20 mg, once per day. The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. The change of the score in Hamilton depression scale （HAMD） was observed and the therapeutic effect was summarized. Results： The total effective rate was 90.7% in the treatment group and 90.5% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between two groups was not statistically significant （P〉O.05）. In the intra-group comparisons of HAMD scores two, four and six weeks after treatment in both groups with those before treatment, the differences were statistically significant （all P〈0.05）. In comparison between the two groups at the same time point, the differences in HAMD scores were not statistically significant （all P〉0.05）. Regarding the adverse events, 5 cases had nausea, 3 cases had dizziness, and 6 cases had poor appetite in the control group; no obvious adverse events happened in the treatment group. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression is as same as oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride in therapeutic effects, but it does not have adverse reaction.

Observation on Clinical Effect of Superficial Needling for Intractable Humeral Epicondylitis

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of superficial needling for ntractable humeral epicondylitis. Methods： Sixty cases in conformity with the inclusion criteria of intractable humeral epicondylitis were randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each. The cases in the superficial needling group were treated by superficial needling plus moxibustion, while those in the electro- acupuncture （EA） group were treated by EA plus moxibustion. After treatment, the improvement of the clinical symptoms and signs were compared between the two groups. Results： The curative rate was 80.0% and the total effective rate was 96.7% in the superficial needling group. The curative rate was 60.0% and the total effective rate was 83.3% in the EA group. The differences in the clinical effects between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of superficial needling plus moxibustion for intractable humeral epicondylitis is better than that of EA plus moxibustion.