Gene control of acupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning on apoptosis in ischemic cardiac muscle of rats with re-perfusion

In order to explore the effect of acupuncture preconditioning on rats＇ cell apoptosis with cardiac muscle re-perfusion damage and bcl-2mRNA genes, we used differentiating acupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning among groups, then compared acupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning with ischemic preconditioning. The experimental results show that acupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning makes more bcl-2mRNA genes expressed and produces less cell apoptosis, furthermore, groups of acupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning for twice a day are more effective than those of ischemic ureconditioning.

EFFECT OF NEEDLING STIMULATION QUANTITY ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACU-MOXIBUSTION IN THE TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL FACIAL PALSY IN THE EARLY STAGE

Objective:To observe the correlation between needling stimulation quantity and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of early stage of peripheral facial palsy. Methods: Sixty three peripheral facial palsy patients were randomized into treatment group (n=33) and control group (n=30). In treatment group, Taiyang (EX HN 5), Jingming (BL 1) and Hegu (LI 4) were punctured with gauge 36 acupuncture needles and stimulated with light twirling reinforcing method (about 200 times/min), the acupuncture needles were retained for 20 min. In addition, moxibustion was also applied to Fengchi (GB 20) and Qianzheng (EX HN 17) following puncturing them with gauge 30 filiform needles. In control group, conventional twirling reducing method (about 60 times/min) was applied to Yangbai (GB 14), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Sizhukong (TE 23), etc., following puncturing them with gauge 28 filiform needles. Additionally, thermal needle was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17) and Jiache (ST 6), with the needles retained for 40 min. Results: Following 10 days’ treatment, of the 33 and 30 cases in treatment and control groups, 21 (63.0%) and 12 (40.0%) were cured, 7(21.1%) and 5 (16.7%) had remarkable improvement, 4 (12.1%) and 9 (30.0%) were effective, and 1 (3.0%) and 4 (13.3%) failed in the treatment, with the cure plus markedly effective rates being 84.8% and 56.7% respectively. Statistical analysis shows that in acupuncture treatment of early stage of facial palsy, light stimulation is superior to that of heavy stimulation in the therapeutic effect.

The Therapeutic Effects of Triple Puncture and Routine Body Needling for Cervical Spondylosis

The author has treated 216 cases of cervicalspondylosis with triple puncture and routine bodyneedling since 1996, and made a comparison of thetherapeutic effects between the two methods. Areport follows.

Research Progress on Molecular Mechanism of Moxibustion in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing technology, moxibustion plays a unique role in improving the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The research on the mechanism of moxibustion intervention in AS mainly focuses on anti-inflammatory effects, immune regulation, bone metabolism regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and so on. Molecular medicine is of great significance to further clarify the mechanism of moxibustion intervention in AS. However, there are still some problems in the research on the molecular mechanism of moxibustion intervention in AS: the existing biomedical research methods only explore from a specific field and lack the exploration of moxibustion-targeted molecules based on biomedical network. In the future, the molecular network effect of moxibustion on AS can be discussed comprehensively and systematically with the help of omics technology and the construction of biological information interaction network between omics. The effect of moxibustion on upstream osteogenic transcription factors and related signaling pathways such as WNT, β-catenin, and BMP/Smads is not yet clear. Future research can focus on the relevant signal targets of bone reconstruction and clarify the mechanism of moxibustion against the new bone formation. In addition, there is a lack of research on the molecular mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of AS from the perspective of metabolites. It is necessary to further explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of AS with the help of metabonomics technology.

Design and application of automatic constant temperature moxibustion box

Objective:To explore the clinical application effect of self-designed automatic constant temperature moxibustion box.Methods:From June 2016 to January 2017,150 patients with neck,shoulder,back and leg pain admitted to our hospital were treated with moxibustion under the informed consent of the patients.The patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group,75 cases each.The group used traditional moxibustion box for moxibustion treatment,and the observation group used automatic constant temperature moxibustion box for moxibustion treatment for 15 days.After the treatment,the patient's safety,comfort,satisfaction and adverse reactions were compared,and the results were analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software.Results:The comfort and satisfaction in study group were all superior to that of control group,with statistically significant difference(P<0.01).For patient's safety,the ratio of patients suffered from scald in study and control groups was 5.3/100 and 0,respectively.Conclusions:It is of great significance for improving clinical efficacy and preventing medical risks.It is worthy of clinical application.

Meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials for scalp acupuncture treatment of stroke：A systematic review

OBJECTIVE:To conduct a systematic review to assess the clinical effectiveness of scalp acupuncture(SA) for stroke.METHODS:Literature searches were performed in7 databases up to 16 August 2014,and all the randomized controlled trials(RCTs) in which SA therapy was administered to stroke patients were selected.Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad score,the Cochrane risk of bias assessment,and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture.RESULTS:Of a total of 2086 papers,21 RCTs were selected.Meta-analysis revealed significant differences in the total efficacy rates of the SA group and the body acupuncture(BA) group vs the medication group(P < 0.002,P < 0.000 001,respectively),the SA plus BA group vs the BA group(P < 0.001);in the motor function of the SA plus BA group vs the BA group(P = 0.077);and in the nerve function of the SA group vs the SA plus BA group(P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION:The results of our systematic review showed that SA therapy may exhibit effects in treatment efficacy and in the recovery of motor and nervous functions in patients with acute to chronic stroke.However,because of the lack of methodological quality,the thoroughly planned clinical studies are still required.

Heat induces adenosine triphosphate release from mast cells in vitro:a putative mechanism for moxibustion

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) purinergic signaling in mast cells(MCs) modulated by heat to further understand the molecular mechanisms of moxibustion.METHODS:Skin temperatures induced by monkshood cake moxibustion were evaluated by measuring the Neiguan acupoint(PC 6) from 31 participants with a digital thermocouple thermometer.Temperatures of 43 ℃ and 52 ℃ were applied to cultured human leukemia mast cell line HMC-1 in vitro.Calcium fluorescence was applied to detect intracellular Ca^(2+)([Ca^(2+)]_i).Extracellular ATP contents were measured by luciferin-luciferase assay.RESULTS:Maximum skin temperatures mostly ranged from 40-45 ℃,but some reached up to50 ℃.Both 43 ℃,and 52 ℃ induced MC degranulation,which was accompanied by an increase in[Ca^(2+)]_i and ATP release.Complexing extracellular Ca^(2+) with 5 mM ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid(EGTA) inhibited the noxious heat-induced elevation of[Ca^(2+)]_i and prevented the enhanced ATP secretion by those cells at 52℃ but not 43 ℃.CONCLUSION:Monkshood cake moxibustion can generate heat sufficient to trigger cellular events of MCs,including degranulation,[Ca^(2+)]_i elevation,and ATP release,suggesting that purinergic signals originating from MCs are possibly the initiating response of acupoints to moxibustion.

Treatment Frequency and Long-term Efficacy Observation on Electric Pudendal Nerve Stimulation for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Objective： To observe the effect of different treatment frequency of electric pudendal nerve stimulation （EPNS） on stress urinary incontinence （SUl）. Methods： A total of 60 female SUl cases were randomly allocated into group A and group B, 30 in each group. Cases in both groups were treated with EPNS, 3 times a week for group A, versus twice a week for group B. Then clinical symptoms, stress urinary incontinence and quality of life （QOL） were assessed respectively before treatment and after 12 times of treatment by using questionnaire. In addition, for 99 cases whose clinical symptom scores were reduced by more than 50% after EPNS treatment, a telephone interview follow-up was conducted. 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 （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EPNS has positive effect for female SUl; different treatment frequencies have certain impact on clinical effect： the effect achieved by 3 times a week was better than that by twice a week; and this therapy has stable long-term effect.

Effect of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression：a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression.METHODS:This research was a single-blind, positive-controlled trial done in a single entity.Totally58 patients with ischemic post-stroke depression were randomly divided into two groups.The acupuncture group was given Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture therapy and placebo starch tablets treatment,while the control group was treated with fluoxetine tablets and body acupuncture treatment.Evaluated the clinical efficacy of the two groups with Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Anti Depression Drug Side Effects Rating Scale(SERS), Clinical Global Impression Scale(CGI) respectively before treatment, the fourth weekend of treatment, the eighth weekend of treatment,the twelfth weekend of treatment.The adverse reactions in two groups were observed and documented.RESULTS:The HAMD scale scores of the two groups in different treatment period were significantly decreased compared with that before treatment(P < 0.05); the score reduction of HAMD scale between the two groups had no significant differences(P > 0.05).There was significant difference between the SERS scores of two groups(P < 0.05); the control group had more adverse reactions, and the score would be increased with the extension of treatment time.Effect index(EI) of CGI in the acupuncture group is better than that of control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:The effects of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture and fluoxetine in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression were similar, but the former had no obvious adverse reaction and side effects.

Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Immunologic Suppression in Tumor-bearing Mice

Objective：To observe the effects of electroacupuncture （EA） and moxibustion on the immunologic suppression in tumor.Methods：Forty-eight male Balb/c mice were randomly allocated into an EA group,a moxibustion group,a tumor-bearing group,and a normal group,12 mice in each group.After tumor models were made,mice in the EA and moxibustion groups were treated with EA and moxibustion at Dazhui （GV 14） respectively.Survival rate,tumor inhibited rate,spleen index,and thymus gland index were observed after 6 treatments.The proliferation of spleen lymphocyte of mice stimulated by ConA was measured with AlamarBlue method,and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA,Stat5a mRNA,and Stat5b mRNA of spleen lymphocyte,and Foxp3 mRNA thymus gland lymphocyte were tested with RT-PCR.Results：The survival rate of mice in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the tumor-bearing group without statistic difference.Spleen indexes of mice in the EA group and moxibustion group was higher than that in the tumor-bearing group （P0.05）.Thymus gland indexes of mice in the EA group and moxibustion group were higher than that in the tumor-bearing group without statistic difference.Reducing values of proliferation of spleen lymphocyte of mice in the EA,moxibustion,and tumor-bearing groups were higher than that in the normal group （P0.05）,and the value in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the tumor-bearing group （P0.05）.Expression of Foxp3 mRNA,Stat5a mRNA,and Stat5b mRNA of spleen lymphocyte were up-regulated in the tumor-bearing mice higher than that in the normal mice （P0.05）.The expressions of Foxp3 mRNA,Stat5a mRNA and Stat5b mRNA of the spleen lymphocyte were down-regulated in the EA and moxibustion groups more than that in the tumor-bearing group （P0.05）;the expression of Foxp3 mRNA was higher in thymus gland of tumor-bearing mice than that of the normal mice （P0.05）.Expression of Foxp3 mRNA in thymus gland of mice in the moxibustion group is lower than that in the tumor-bearing group （P0.05）.Expression of Foxp3 mRNA in thymus gland of mice in the EA group was lower than that in the tumor-bearing group without statistic difference.Conclusion：EA and moxibustion could enhance the spleen index and the proliferation of spleen lymphocyte of tumor-bearing mice.The effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on tumor immunologic suppression may be related to the down-regulation of expression of Foxp3 mRNA,Stat5a mRNA,and Stat5b mRNA of the spleen lymphocyte,and Foxp3 mRNA thymus gland lymphocyte.

Diagnosis and Objective Pain Assessment of Traditional Chinese Medicine May Be Useful to Demonstrate Specific Effects of Acupuncture in Low Back Pain: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled and Single Blinded Pre-study

Objective: To prove specific effects of acupuncture on chronic pain. It was speculated that the potential specific effectiveness of acupuncture could be better shown in more properly designed studies. Therefore, diagnoses of both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were used as inclusion criteria to allocate acupoints more precisely to the complaints of the patients. Secondly, objectively measurable parameters of pain relief in addition to usual Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were chosen to quantify the effects of acupuncture. Methods: The study was prospective, randomized, controlled and single-blinded. Eighteen patients with chronic back pain and TCM diagnosis of a Taiyang/Yangming syndrome received one single session of acupuncture chosen according to TCM diagnosis or acupuncture on points outside the meridian system (controls). We evaluated pain via VAS and increased mobility via inclinometry of the back. Results: Although the sample size was small, there was a statistically significant improvement in pain and mobility in the intervention group (n=13), but not in the control group (n=5). The calculated sample size adequate power was lower for inclinometry than for VAS, indicating that VAS is less probable to discriminate acupuncture effects. Conclusion: Objectively measurable physical parameters such as the angle of flexion before and after acupuncture (inclinometry) may be more suitable to measure pain relief than subjective assessment by VAS in acupuncture studies. TCM diagnosis may be a helpful inclusion criterion in studies on acupuncture, so as to potentially allocate interventions better to the complaints of patients.

Systematic Review of Acupuncture for Functional Constipation

Objective： To systematically analyze the therapeutic efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating functional constipation （FC）. Methods： By searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CBM, CNKI, WanFang databases, the randomized controlled trials （RCTs） comparing acupuncture with Western medication in treating FC were retrieved, from the inception of the databases to September 2013. When the literatures were arranged according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the methodological qualities were evaluated, RevMan 5.2 was adopted for meta-analysis. Results： Ten RCTs were included, covering 1 041 cases of FC. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in comparing spontaneous bowel movements per week between shallow acupuncture at Tianshu （ST 25） and Western medication [MD=0.47, 95% CI （-1.28, 0.34）]; there was a significant difference in comparing the spontaneous bowel movements per week between deep acupuncture at Tianshu （ST 25） and Western medication [MD =0.53, 95% CI （0.13, 0.92）], but the difference was insignificant according to the sensitivity analysis [MD=0.38, 95% Cl （-0.03, 0.80）], indicating the low reliability of the conclusion. Regarding the Cleveland clinic score （CCS）, the difference between shallow acupuncture at Tianshu （ST 25） and Western medication was insignificant [MD = 0.39, 95% Cl （-1.13, 1.91）]; the difference between deep acupuncture at Tianshu （ST 25） and Western medication was significant [MD=2.64, 95% Cl （1.32, 3.97）]. In the evaluation of security, the incidence rate of adverse events in acupuncture treatment （0.31%） was significantly lower than that in Western medication treatment （3.4%）. Conclusion： Although the present systematic review showed that deep acupuncture at Tianshu （ST 25） should have better therapeutic efficacy than Western medication, the reliability and quality of the evidences were poor, and thus the above results require proving by more RCTs of higher quality.

Effect of acupuncture at three different acupoints on electrical activity of gastric distention-affected neurons in rat medial vestibular nucleus

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of gastric distention(GD) and acupuncture at three different acupoints on the spontaneous discharge of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus(MVN), and to clarify the specific function of the MVN in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation.METHODS: GD was conducted using a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity, and acupuncture was performed separately at each of three acupoints:Zusanli(ST 36), Quchi(LI 11), and Weishu(BL 21).The effect of acupuncture and GD on the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons was assessed using a glass microelectrode filled with a sodium acetate electrolyte solution containing 1% pontamine sky blue; the discharge signals from the neurons were amplified by the microelectrode amplifier and recorded in the Spike2 system.RESULTS: GD and acupuncture significantly affected the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons. Furthermore, acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) and Weishu(BL 21) was significantly more effective at altering the discharge of GD-responsive MVN neurons compared with GD-nonresponsive neurons.CONCLUSION: GD and acupuncture at three different acupoints affected the electrical activity of MVN neurons. The MVN is involved in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of gastric functions. The effects of acupuncture on gastric function may therefore be mediated via these particular MVN neurons.