Effects of electroacupuncture at auricular concha area on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia rats

Backgroud:The electroacupuncture of auricular concha area(EA-ACR)proved to have a good regulatory effect on insomnia and the release of melatonin,which is most closely related to sleep.However,there is little research to demonstrate the relationship between EA-ACR and melatonin.The objective of present study is to observe the effects of EA-ACR on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA)-induced insomnia rats.Methods:The study divided 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups:12 in blank group,12 in model group,and 12 in EA-ACR group.By using PCPA intraperitoneal injection for 2 days,insomnia model was established.EA-ACR group was treated for 28 days.We observed the effects of EA-ACR on the rats'behavioral changes,open-field test and weight during the experiment.After the experiment,the rat tail and heart blood were collected,and the melatonin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared with the blank group,28–30 hours after PCPA intraperitoneal injection,the circadian rhythm of sleep and the total sleep time of model rats decreased.Compared with the model group,electrical stimulation in the ear concha region could effectively reverse the behavioral changes of rats,and increase the trend of weight growth(P=0.010),the crossing score(P=0.014),vertical motion score(P=0.015)and the level of plasma melatonin secretion(P=0.020)with the trend showing a rhythmic pattern(0–60 minutes upward,60–120 minutes downward,120–150 minutes upward).Conclusion:EA-ACR can improve the quality of life(weight),ameliorate exploring irritable and anxiety behaviors in PCPA-induced insomnia rats.The underlying effects of EA-ACR may be excited on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in PCPA-induced insomnia rats.

经皮耳迷走神经刺激治疗难治性癫痫的临床试验研究

目的：本研究旨在探讨经皮（耳甲腔）电刺激耳迷走神经（ta-VNS）可否作为治疗难治性癫痫的一种有效方法。方法：采用经皮神经电刺激双盲法。首先，对50名难治性癫痫患者进行经皮电刺激耳迷走神经治疗（ta-VNS），初步观察治疗效果。然后，将另外144名癫痫患者随机分为：经皮电刺激耳迷走神经组（ta-VNS，n=98）和经皮电刺激非耳迷走神经组（tn-VNS，n=46）。每日治疗两次，共治疗24周。除了ta-VNS和tn-VNS组患者以外，其余同期入院患者均接受药物治疗。以校准恩格尔分级标准为疗效观察指标。在治疗后的第8周、第16周和第24周，对癫痫发作频率和严重程度进行评估。结果：前期研究中的50例癫痫患者，经过8周治疗后，6例无癫痫发作，12例发作频率分别减少了50％～89％。经过24周治疗后，8例无癫痫发作，2例癫痫发作频率减少≥90％，9例发作频率分别减少了50％～89％。在144例癫痫患者的研究中，经过8周治疗后，ta-VNS组的98例患者中10例无癫痫发作，6例发作频率减少≥90％，25例发作频率减少了50％～89％。经过24周的治疗后，15例无癫痫发作，6例发作频率减少≥90％，26例减少了50％～89％。经过前8周的治疗，tn—VNS对照组的46例患者重只有3例无癫痫发作，2例患者减少90％以上，9例发作频率减少了50％～89％。经过额外16周的ta-VNS治疗后，46例患者中有7例无癫痫发作，14例发作频率减少50％～89％。各组间发作频率减少百分比差异显著（P〈0．05）。结论：ta-VNS与VNS作用相类似，能够抑制癫痫发作，是一个安全、有效、经济且广泛适用的治疗难治性癫痫方法。

电针耳甲区对2型糖尿病大鼠痛觉障碍及抑郁症状的影响

目的观察电针刺激耳甲区对链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的2型糖尿病模型大鼠痛觉障碍及抑郁症状的影响。方法 36只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组10只、模型组13只、耳甲区电刺激组13只;空白对照组予以普通饲料喂养,不予任何处理;模型组、耳电区电刺激组大鼠以高脂饲料喂养,并一次性腹腔注射STZ 50 mg/kg制备2型糖尿病模型。造模30天后对耳甲区电刺激组大鼠连续进行14天电针干预,每次30 min。记录造模前、造模3、15、30天及电针治疗14天各组大鼠的体重、血糖、行为学评分及机械刺激和热刺激收爪延迟时间。结果造模30天与空白对照组比较,模型组、耳甲区电刺激组大鼠体重明显下降,血糖显著升高,行为学评分降低,机械刺激和热刺激收爪延迟时间延长(P<0.05或P<0.01);电针14天与模型组比较,耳甲区电刺激组大鼠体重上升,血糖下降,行为学评分升高,热刺激和机械刺激收爪延迟时间明显缩短(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论电针刺激耳甲区可改善STZ介导的2型糖尿病模型大鼠消瘦、高血糖、抑郁症状及机械、热痛觉障碍。