Regulatory effect of moxibustion for rats with ulcerative colitis on the macrophage functional phenotype protein of lung tissueRegulatory effect of moxibustion for rats with ulcerative colitis on the macrophage functional phenotype protein of lung tissue

Objective： To observe the regulatory effect of moxibustion on the expression of CD86 and CD163, which are the important functional phenotypes of macrophage differentiation in lung tissue of ulcerative colitis（UC） rats. The mechanism of the regulatory effect of moxibustion for macrophage differentiation based on the key cytokine interferon-gamma（IFN-γ）, tumor necrosis death factor-alpha（TNF-α）, interleukin- 4（IL-4） and interleukin-13（IL-13） was also explored. Methods： Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group（NG）, a model group（MG）, a normal moxibustion group（NMG） and a smokeless moxibustion group（SMG）. The model of UC was made by antigen immunization combined with enema with topical formalin. The rats in the normal moxibustion group accepted moxibustion at bilateral Tianshu（ST 25）, while the rats in the smokeless moxibustion group with smokeless moxibustion at bilateral Tianshu（ST 25）, each 10 min, once a day for 8 d. After treatments, the hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colonic tissue, the Western blotting（WB） was used to observe the expression of CD86 and CD163, two important functional phenotypes of macrophage differentiation in lung tissue of UC rats, while the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to assess the content of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-13, the key cytokines of macrophage differentiation in micro environment of the lung tissue. Results： Compared with the NG, the colons of rats in MG were injured more seriously, and the scores of gross observation and histological examination were significantly higher（P〈0.05）. Compared with the MG, the pathological changes of the two groups of rats with moxibustion treatment were improved, which presented with ulcer repair, inflammation dissipation, and the general score and histological score of the two groups were decreased（P〈0.05）. Compared with the NG, the expression of CD86 in the lung tissue of rats in the MG was increased（P〈0.05）, and CD163 expression was decreased（P〈0.05）. Compared with the MG and the SMG, the expression of CD86 in the lung tissue of the rats in the NMG was significantly lower than those in the MG and SMG, and CD163 was higher（P〈0.05）, while the differences were not statistically significant between the MG and the SMG（P〈0.05）. Compared with the NG, the expression of key cytokines in lung tissue of MG was abnormal, the contents of IFN-γ and TNF-α increased（P〈0.05）, while the IL-4 and IL-13 decreased（P〈0.05）. The IL-4 and IL-13 were significantly increased in lung tissue of rats in the NMG（P〈0.05）, and the IFN-γ and TNF-α were reduced（P〈0.05）, compared with those in the MG and the SMG, while the differences were not statistically significant between the MG and the SMG（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Moxibustion can increase the expression of CD163, the important functional phenotype of macrophages in lung tissue of UC rats, and the differentiation critical cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. It can also reduce activated phenotype CD86 and its differentiation critical cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in the lung tissue of UC rats.

Observation on the effects of different partitioned moxibustion in treating ulcerative colitis

Objective：To observe the clinical effect and syndrome scores improvements of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion（HPM） and ginger-partitioned moxibustion（GPM） in treating ulcerative colitis（UC）.Methods：A total of 65 eligible cases were randomly divided into a HPM group（n=32） and a GPM group（n=33） according to their visiting order.Bilateral Tianshu（ST 25） and Dachangshu（BL 25） were selected for the HPM or the GPM treatment once daily,12 d as a treatment course with a 3-day interval,6 courses in all.The clinical effect,syndrome scale and Mayo scale were evaluated and compared between the two groups.Results：Of the 65 cases enrolled,2 cases dropped out in the HPM group and 3 cases dropped out in the GPM group,30 cases of each group finished the treatment courses.The total effective rate is 93.3% in HPM group and 86.7% in the GPM group,there was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups（P〉0.05）;there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in score evaluation of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea,HPM is prior to GPM（P=0.032,P=0.044）.There are no statistical significant differences between the two groups in scores evaluation of general symptom,three main symptoms,quality of life（QOL）,frequency and severity of abdominal pain,times,and pattern of diarrhea（all P〉0.05）.There was a statistical significant difference in the improvement of Mayo score between the two groups,and HPM was superior to GPM（P=0.048）.Conclusion：HPM and GPM are both promising ways to treat UC,and the total effect is quite similar.HPM is superior to GPM in the improvement of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea,and also the Mayo score.

Survey of Research on Acupuncture Treatment of Peptic Ulcer

In reviewing and analyzing the study on the clinical selection of the acupoints for peptic ulcer in the recent ten years, it was found out that peptic ulcer was mostly treated by combination of multiple acupoints clinically, by the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach, and the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach with Lower He-sea point, indicating that Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach and Lower He-sea point have the important ftmctions in the treatment of peptic ulcer.

Research on the Relationship between Spinal Ways and the Effect of Point Zusanli (ST 36)

Objective： The integrity of the corresponding dorsal root is important in the research of the effects of acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36） on gastric smooth muscle. Investigate the communicate channels of central control on the effect of acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36）. Method： Selected 30 healthy adult SD rats and using veniua-glacial acid to made gastric mucosa ulcer model. Divided them into three groups, model group, cutting L4-S1 group and transecting T10-T11 group after the models have been made successfully, each group 10 rats. Implanted diameter in 0.2 mm Platinum Circle electrode into subserous of the ulcer place and recorded the myoelectricity activity of gastric smooth muscle before and after acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36）. Acupuncture parameters, 2-100 Hz, lasting 20 min. Results： Model group before acupuncture, （5.73±0.51） cycle per minitue （cpm）, （2.28±0.57） mV; model group after acupuncture, （5.34±0.34） cpm, （1.06 ± 0.13）. Group that before cutting dorsal L4-S1, （5.65±0.26） cpm, （1.66 ±0.15） mV; group that after cutting dorsal L4-S1, （5.40 ±0.23） cpm, （1.17 ±0.23）, group that after cutting dorsal L4-S1 and acupuncture, （5.26±0.18） cpm, （2.45±0.23）. Group that before transecting dorsal T10-T11 （5.69±0.36） cpm, （1.91 ±0.25） mV, group that after transecting dorsal T10-T11, （4.98±0.53） cpm, （1.05±0.18） mV, group that after transecting dorsal T10-T11 and acupuncture, （4.60 ±0.44） cpm, （2.52 ±0.38） mV. Conclusion： Acupunture Zusanli （ST 36） can inhibit the myoelectricity activity of gastric smooth muscle, cutting L4-S1 can strengthen the myoelectricity activity, but the effect of transect T10-T11 is better. So it can be said that the integrity of Dorsal root is important to the effect of acupuncture. The two-way regulation of Acupuncture has a close relationship with the higher centre above spinal cord.

Effect of Sanhuangwuji powder,anti-rheumatic drugs,and ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with peptic ulcer:a randomized controlled study

OBjECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of oral Sanhuangwuji powder,anti-rheumatic drugs(ARDs),and ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation at Zusanli(ST 36) on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) complicated by peptic ulcer.METHODS:This prospective randomized controlled study included 180 eligible inpatients and outpatients randomly assigned to an ARD treatment(n = 60),ginger-partitioned stimulation(n =60),or combination treatment(n = 60).Patients assigned to the ARD group were given oral celecoxib,methotrexate,and esomeprazole.Patients assigned to theginger-partitioned stimulation group were given ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation at Zusanli(ST 36) in addition to the ARDs.Patients in the combination treatment group were given oral Sanhuangwuji powder,ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation at Zusanli(ST 36),and ARDs.All patients were followed up for 2 months to evaluate clinical effects and safety.The study was registered in the World Health Organization database at the General Hospital of Chengdu Military Area Command Chinese People's Liberation Army(ChiCTR-TCC12002824).RESULTS:The combination treatment group had significantly greater improvements in RA symptoms,laboratory outcomes,and gastrointestinal symptom scores,compared with the other groups(P < 0.05).The peptic ulcer healing rate in the combination treatment group was significantly greater than that in the ARD treatment group(x^2 = 16.875,P < 0.05) and the ginger-partitioned stimulation group(x^2 = 6.171,P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Combination treatment with ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation at Zusanli(ST36),oral Sanhuangwuji powder,and ARDs had a better clinical effect for RA with complicated peptic ulcer,compared with ARD treatmentalone or in combination with ginger-partitioned acupoint stimulation.

Investigating the influence of moxibustion on colonic mucosal barrier in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Methods:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group,with 20 rats in each group.Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4%DSS for seven consecutive days.Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification.After the success of UC model was confirmed,the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups,a model group,a model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a model+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group;the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups,a normal group,a normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a normal+mild moxibustion group,with six rats in each group.After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope;Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,junction adhesion molecular 1(JAM1),mucin 2(MUC2),and transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1)in rat colon tissue.Results:Compared with the normal group,the colon tissue was severely damaged,the pathological score was significantly increased,and the protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.01);while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score,protein expression levels of Occludin,Claudin,JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the normal+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal+mild moxibustion group(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the model+herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model+mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue,ulcer healing,significantly reduced pathological score,and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1(P<0.05);the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model+mild moxibustion group was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats;both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1,MUC2,and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats.Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression.This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.

Effects of electroacupuncture at Chize(LU 5) versus Shangjuxu(ST 37) in rats with ulcerative colitis

Objective： To compare the effects between electroacupuncture （EA） at Chize （LU 5, the He-Sea point of the Lung Meridian） and Shangjuxu （ST 37, the lower He-Sea point of the large intestine） in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC） on the variations of mesenteric microcirculation and vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP） in the colon, lung, and hypothalamus. The relative specificity of acupoints was also explored. Methods： A total of 28 male Wistar rats were randomized into a normal group, a model group, a Chize （LU 5） group and a Shangjuxu （ST 37） group, 7 rats in each group. The UC model was established by enema with acetic acid. Since the third day after modeling, rats in the Chize （LU 5） group and Shangjuxu （ST 37） group respectively received EA at Chize （LU 5） and Shangjuxu （ST 37）, 1S min each time for successive 7 d. The variations of mesenteric microvascular calibers and blood flow status were observed by a microcirculation microscopic tester; VIP in the colon, lung and hypothalamus was measured by radioimmunoassay. Results： Compared with the normal group, the mesenteric microvascular calibers were significantly expanded in the model group （P〈0.05）; there was no significant difference between the model group and Chize （LU 5） group （P〉0.05）; compared with the model group and Chize （LU 5） group, the calibers were obviously shrunk in Shangjuxu （ST 37） group （P〈0.05）. The four groups showed no significant inter-group differences in comparing blood flow status （P〉0.05）. The colonic VIP levels in the model group and Chize （LU 5） group were significantly higher than that in the normal group （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）; the VIP level in Shangjuxu （ST 37） group was markedly lower than that in the model group （P〈0.01）. There were no significant differences among the four groups in comparing VIP level in lung and hypothalamus （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The effects of Chize （LU 5） and Shangjuxu （ST 37） were different in treating UC. Shangjuxu （ST 37） showed a more significant efficacy in down-regulating VIP in the colon and regulating mesenteric microcirculation, while the effects of Chize （LU 5） were not obvious.

Regulatory effects of moxibustion on ubiquitin and NLRP3 proteins in colon of ulcerative colitis rats

Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on colonic inflammation,and the expressions of ubiquitin and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(Nod)-Iike receptor protein 3(NLRP3)proteins in rats with ulcerative colitis(UC),and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the UC treatment.Methods:Clean grade male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a normal group(NG),a model group(MG),a moxa-stick moxibustion group(MSMG)and a Western medicine group(WMG).UC model was prepared by freely drinking 35 g/L d ext ran sulfate sodium(DSS)solution.Bilateral Tianshu(ST 25)were selected for mild moxibustion treatment in the MSMG;mesalazine solution was intragastrically administrated in the WMG.Rats in the NG and MG were only grasped and fixed as in the MSMG without any treatment.After treatment,hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe and score the colonic pathological damage under light microscope;immunofluorescence method was used to determine the expression of colonic ubiquitin protein;immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of colonic interleukin(IL)-1β and NLRP3 proteins.Results:The colon tissue was severely injured,and the pathological score was significantly increased in the MG than in the NG(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon were significantly increased(all P<0.01).Compared with the MG,the colonic damage was repaired,the inflammation and pathological scores were reduced,and the ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β protein expressions were decreased in the MSMG and WMG(all P<0.01).Correlation analysis revealed that the ubiquitin protein expression was correlated with the colonic pathological score and the NLRP3 protein expression(r=0.677,P<0.01;r=0.536,P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can down-regulate the protein expressions of ubiquitin,NLRP3 and IL-1β in the colon of UC rats,which may be one of the mechanisms to promote the repair of colonic inflammatory lesions and exert anti-inflammatory effects.