Catgut implantation at acupoints increases the expression of glutamate aspartate transporter and glial glutamate transporter-1 in the brain of rats with spasticity after stroke

Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.

Catgut Implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point to Treat Dysdefecation in Patients with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Three Cases Report

Objective: To probe into the effect of catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point on dysdefecation in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three SCI patients voluntarily accepted catgut embedding at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture point. Before and after treatment, they were filled out the self-rating scale of defecation, including the data of defecation frequency, total defecation time, defecation effort, fecal texture, fecal characteristics and fecal incontinence, etc. Results: Compared with the baseline data, constipation was improved and fecal incontinence was disappeared. Conclusions: Catgut implantation at Baliao and Xingfu One Acupuncture Point is effectual for patients with neurogenic dysporia secondary to incomplete SCI.

Observation of the clinical effects of catgut implantation at acupoints on postpartum obesity with insulin resistance

To observe the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the treatment of patients with postpartum obesity and insulin resistance.Methods:A total of 120 patients with postpartum obesity and insulin resistance were randomly divided into treatment and control groups(60 patients per group).The treatment group was administered catgut implantation at acupoints while the control group received acupuncture alone for 12 weeks.The patients’body parameters,including body mass index(BMI),waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),fat percentage(FP),fasting blood glucose(FPG),fasting insulin(FINS),insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(T),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),and other biochemical indexes of blood lipids,were compared before and after treatment to investigate the efficacy of catgut implantation and acupuncture on postpartum obesity with insulin resistance.Results:The overall response rates were 93.33%and 85%in the treatment and control groups,respectively.After treatment,BMI,WHR,FP,FINS,HOMA-IR,TC,TG,and LDL-C decreased,HDL-C increased(P<0.05),and FPG did not change significantly(P>0.05)in both groups;however,the changes in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Both catgut implantation and acupuncture therapy showed good effects on improving postpartum obesity with insulin resistance.The therapeutic effect of catgut implantation on postpartum obesity was better than that of acupuncture therapy,and was therefore worthy of clinical application.

Catgut Implantation at Acupoints for Allergic Rhinitis:A Systematic Review

Objective： To assess the effectiveness and the possible adverse effects of catgut implantation at acupoints for allergic rhinitis （AR）. Methods： This systematic review was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0 and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses statement. Extensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Excerpta Medical Databases, the Cochrane Library, the China National Infrastructure, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, and the Weipu Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database. The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Center was also searched for ongoing trials up to September 2012. Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） or quasi-RCTs were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias. Results： Five RCTs with 285 participants were found from 49 relevant studies, but there was just one RCT which met the inclusion criteria for this review. The study showed that treatment of catgut implantation at acupoints could lead to a better alleviation of the signs and symptoms of AR than the crude herb moxibustion. No adverse events were reported in this study. Conclusions： Because of the methodological shortcoming and the risk of bias of the included trial catgut implantation was proved with only limited evidence for the treatment of AR. Robust RCTs with high quality and larger sample size in this field are hoped to be carried out in the future.