“海”穴探析

在人体全身十二经脉及奇经八脉的经穴中,含有"海"字者,仅照海、血海、气海、小海、少海五穴,从穴位命名、生理特点及主治功效等方面,归纳其穴性特点及主治异同。

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE PLUS POINT-PENETRATION FOR CHRONIC ANKLE JOINT SPRAIN

Objective: To observe clinical therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture plus point-penetration for chronic ankle joint sprain. Methods: 76 patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=43) and control group (n=33).In teatment group, penetration needling from Qiuxu (丘墟 GB 40) to Zhaohai (照海 KI 6) was performed, combined with electrical stimulation for 30 min. Patients of control group were ordered to take Antinfan (50 mg,b.i.d.),supplemented with local external application of Votalin cream (b.i.d.).After 14 treatments (two courses), the therapeutic effect was assessed. Results: Following two courses of treatment, of the 43 cases and 33 cases in treatment and control groups,33 (76.7%) and 15 (45.5%) were cured, 4 (9.3%) and 7 (21.2%) had marked improvement in their symptoms, 3 (7.0%) and 2 (6.1%) had improvement, and 3 (7.0%) and 9(27.3%) failed, with the effective rates being 93.0% and 72.7% respectively. The therapeutic effect of treatment group was significantly superior to that of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Penetrative needling plus EA is significantly superior to medication in relieving chronic ankle spain patient’s clinical symptoms and signs.

Biological Community in Submerged Caves and Marine Lakes in ha Long-Cat Ba Area, Vietnam

Submerged caves and marine lakes are two iconic and common ecosystems in Ha Long-Cat Ba area. However, their biological characteristics are poorly known since very limited studies have been conducted, The aim of this study was to investigate biodiversity in these ecosystems. Three submerged caves （Hang Sang, Hang Toi and Qua Bang） and three marine lakes （Dau Be, Ang Du and Qua Bang） were chosen for study. The results showed that organism communities in submerged caves were abundant with over 142 species found. The popular groups comprised sponge and soft coral which were distributed along the length of the caves. Several species with high economic value were widespread in the caves, including stone crab Myomenippe hardwickii, flower crab Portunus pelagicus, cone snails Trochus pyramis, shoemaker spinefoot Siganus sutor, snapper Lutjanus russellii. Species that permanently live in caves were not detected. In the lakes where water is well exchanged to the sea, coral reefs were found and they usually formed a narrow band around the lakes. Sandy beaches were often observed around the lakes at the depths of 0.5-2 m, containing specialty species as clam （Sanguinolaria diphos）, snout otter clam （Lutraria rhychaena）, sea cucumbers with high density （in Dau Be, Qua Bang）. There was no coral reef in the enclosed lake （Ang Du） because of low salinity.

Abdominal acupuncture combined with scarring moxibustion at Qìhǎi(气海 CV 6) for 15 cases of periarthritis of shoulder

Objective To verify the therapeutic effect of abdominal acupuncture combined with scarring moxibustion at Qìhǎi（气海 CV 6） on periarthritis of shoulder.Methods Thirty cases of periarthritis of shoulder were randomly divided into an acup-moxibustion group and an acupuncture group,15 cases in each group.The patients in the two groups were treated with abdominal acupuncture at Zhōngwǎn（中脘 CV 12）,Xiàwǎn（下脘 CV 10）,Shāngqǔ（商曲 KI 17）,Huáròumén（滑肉门 ST 24）,with scarring moxibustion at Qìhǎi（气海 CV 6） added in the acup-moxibustion group,5 treatments each week,altogether 15 treatments.The therapeutic effects were assessed on the 20th day of acupuncture.Results The effective rate was 93.3%（14/15） in both the acup-moxibustion group and the acupuncture group,and the cured and markedly effective rate in the acup-moxibustion group and the acupuncture group was 86.7%（13/15） and 53.3%（8/15）,respectively,the acup-moxibustion group being better than that in the acupuncture group（P〈0.01）;after treatment the cumulative score of pain and the cumulative score of shoulder joint active function were significantly increased in the two groups（all P〈0.05）,with more significantly increased in the acup-moxibustion group（both P〈0.05）.Conclusion The therapeutic effect of abdominal acupuncture combined with scarring moxibustion on periarthritis of shoulder is better than that of the simple abdominal acupuncture.

Tuina Treatment for 37 Cases of Postoperative Urinary Retention

Objective： To observe the effect of postoperative urinary retention treated with tuina therapy. Methods： Tuina therapy was applied on 37 cases of postoperative urinary retention; Qihai （CV 6）, Guanyuan （CV 4）, Zhongji （CV 3） and bilateral Sanyinjiao （SP 6） were selected. Results： Thirty-six cases were cured and 1 case was not surveyed after 1 to 3 treatments. Conclusion： Point tuina is an effective method in treating postoperative urinary retention.

Clinical Observation on the Treatment of 38 Cases of Vascular Headache by Acupuncture

Purpose： This study is to observe the therapeutic effect of puncturing acupoints Dazhui （GV 14）, Fengchi （GB 20）, Jiaji （Ex-B 2）, Waiguan （TE 5）, Qiuxu （GB 40） and Zhaohai （KI 6） on vascular headache. Methods： 68 cases of vascular headache were divided into treatment group including 38 cases and control group including 30 cases. The patients in treatment group were treated by puncturing Dazhui （GV 14）, Fengchi （GB 20）, Jiaji C2-6 （Ex-B 2）, Waiguan （TE 5）, Qiuxu （GB 40） through Zhaohai （KI 6） and patients in control group were asked to take Pizotifen orally. Results： After 2 courses of treatments, 35 cases got effect in treatment group, and 22 cases got effect in control group, the therapeutic effect in treatment group was superior to that in control group （P〈 0.05）. Conclusions： Puncturing Dazhui （GV 14）, Fengchi （GB 20）, Jiaji C2-6（Ex-B 2）, Waiguan （TE 5）, Qiuxu （GB 40） and Zhaohai （KI 6） is effective for the vascular headache.

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.

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.

Abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian for chronic pharyngitis

Objective：To evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian in treating chronic pharyngitis. Methods：Thirty eligible subjects with chronic pharyngitis were given abdominal acupuncture plus needling Lieque （LU 7） and Zhaohai （KI 6）, two out of the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian, once a day, 10 sessions as a course, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after a treatment course. Results：After a treatment course, of the 30 subjects, 21 were recovered, 5 showed markedly effective, 2 were improved, and 2 failed,the total effective rate was 93.3%. Conclusion：Abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian is effective in treating chronic pharyngitis, worth promoting in clinic.

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.

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.

Therapeutic observation on electroacupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) and Fenglong(ST 40) for senile dementia

Objective： To explore the clinical effects of electroacupuncture（EA） at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） in treating senile dementia. Methods： A total of 74 patients were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group based upon the random digital table, 37 cases in each group. EA at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） was given in the EA group, once every day, for six treatments per week. Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets were given to the medication group, 5 mg per time and once a day in the former four weeks, 10 mg per time and once a day after 4 weeks, oral administration before sleep at night. The courses of the treatment were 12 weeks in both groups. The scores of mini-mental state examination（MMSE） and Barthel index（BI） were observed before and after the treatment, for processing the comparative analysis of the clinical effects after the course of the treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 86.5% in the EA group and 70.3% in the medication group. The therapeutic effect was better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. MMSE and BI scores after the treatment in the two groups were all elevated than those of the same groups before the treatment（P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. The improving situation was obviously better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） is affirmative in the therapeutic effect for senile dementia and can also improve the cognitive function and enhance the patients＇ quality of life.

Observations on the Efficacy of Auricular-plaster Therapy plus Medicine in Treating Heroin Addiction

Objective. To investigate the curative effect of auricular plaster therapy on heroin addiction. Methods： Sixty cases of heroin addiction were treated by auricular plaster therapy in cooperation with methadone and another 60 cases with methadone as a control. The treatment lasted 10 days. Results and conclusion： The results showed that the curative effect of auricular-plaster therapy plus methadone on heroin addiction was significantly better than that of methadone in the control group（P〈 0.01）. The rate of drug relapse was also significantly lower in the former（P〈 0.01）. It is considered that auricular-plaster therapy in cooperation with methadone is now an ideal therapeutic method for drug withdrawal.

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.

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.