电针对家兔坐骨神经损伤后IL-1β的影响

目的:探讨电针治疗坐骨神经损伤的机理。方法:建立右侧坐骨神经挤压伤家兔模型,然后进行电针治疗,用ABC-ELISA法测定坐骨神经组织与脊髓腰膨大段中IL-1β水平。结果:电针治疗2个疗程后,在原损伤局部,模型对照组IL-1β含量高于空白对照组(P<0.05),有显著性差异;电针治疗组IL-1β含量低于模型对照组(P<0.05),有显著性差异;对于脊髓腰膨大段来说,电针治疗组IL-1β含量明显高于模型对照组(P<0.01),有非常显著性差异。结论:家兔坐骨神经损伤后,应用电针治疗可以降低损伤局部IL-1β含量,这可能与电针的抗炎镇痛作用有关;而对脊髓腰膨大段IL-1β含量则有明显的升高作用,这说明电针可能通过升高脊髓组织中IL-1β含量刺激神经生长因子产生,从而促进损伤坐骨神经神经元的修复。

CLINICAL STUDY ON TREATMENT OF VASCULAR DEMENTIA WITH ELECTROACUPUNCTURE OF "SISHENCHONG

Aim: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of vascular dementia. Methods: A total of 46 cases of vascular dementia (VD) patients were divided into 3 classes according to the scores of the revised Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS), and then randomized into EA group (n=23) and medication (Nimodipine) group (n=23). The acupoints used were "Zhisanzhen" [Shenting (GV 24) and bilateral Benshen (GB 13)] and Sishenchong (EX HN 1) etc.. Scores of HDS, ability of daily life (ADL), neurofunctional defect and main symptoms were used as the indexes for assessing the therapeutic effect. Results: Following treatment, scores of HDS and ADL of two groups increased significantly, while those of neurofunctional defect and main symptoms decreased evidently (P<0.01), and the therapeutic effect of EA was obviously superior to that of medication (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA of "Zhisanzhen" and Sishenchong (EX HN 1) is a good approach for treatment of VD.

THERAPEUTIC MECHANISM OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE IN THE TREATMENT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS IN THE RAT

Aim: To investigate the regulatory effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on proinflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC), and further elucidate the underlying mechanism of EA on UC. Methods: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly and evenly divided into four groups: normal control group; UC control group; "Zusanli" (ST 36, EA) group; non-acupoint group. A solution containing ethanol and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate was instilled into the distal colon in the rat (at a dose of 100 mg/kg) to set up UC model. Non-anesthetized rats of EA group were stimulated at ST-36 by electroacupuncture once a day, while those of non-acupoint group were done at the site 0.5 cm beside ST-36. After 10 days’ treatment, all rats were sacrificed simultaneously. Colon mucosal inflammation and damage were assessed by measuring colon mass, morphologic damage score, colonic MPO activity, contents of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Morphologic damage score was examined under stereomicroscope. Colonic MPO was measured by spectrophotometric method. Serum TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-8 were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: Both ratio of colonic mass/body mass (mC/mB) and activity of colonic MPO (μkat/g) in rats with UC were markedly increased (P<0.01 vs normal control group). Concentrations of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 (ng/L) in rats of UC control group were significantly elevated (P<0.01 vs normal control group). In EA group, mC/mB and activity of MPO were decreased markedly compared with those of UC control group (P<0.05). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 of ST-36 group were decreased by EA of ST-36 (P<0.01; P<0.05; P<0.05 vs UC control group). In comparison with UC control group, no significant changes were observed in the non-acupoint group. Furthermore, there were significant correlations among these parameters. Conclusion: In UC rats, serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels and MPO activity all increase significantly, indicating that these cytokines may cause inflammatory and immune response. EA stimulation induced downregulation on serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels and MPO activity may be responsible for its therapeutic effect in improving UC.