艾条灸治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的疗效观察

目的观察用艾条灸治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的疗效。方法将86例带状疱疹后遗神经痛的患者,随机分成两组,治疗组46例,应用艾条对病变部进行灸疗。对照组40例,选用维生素B1、维生素B12神经营养剂,口服消炎痛等常规疗法。分析两组疗效有无差别。结果治疗组总有效率88.13%,对照组总有效率为65%,两组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论艾条灸治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛,疗效显著值得推广。

FORTY-EIGHT CASES OF ACUTE GOUTY ARTHRITIS TREATED COMPREHENSIVELY WITH ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AND WARMING MOXIBUSTION

Objective To probe into the effects on acute gouty arthritis treated comprehensively with electroacupuncture (EA) and warming moxibustion. Methods 70 cases were randomized into treatment group (48 cases), in which the EA+warming moxibustion was applied; and controlled group (22 cases), in which, colchicine was prescribed for oral administration. Results The statistical outcomes after 1 course treatment in treatment group: 28 cases were cured (58.33%), 18 cases improved (37.50%) and the total effective rate was 95.83%. In controlled group: 12 cases (54.55%) were cured, 8 cases improved (36.36%) and the total effective rate was 90.91%. The therapeutic effects of two groups were basically consistent, without significant different (P>0.05). But, concerning to side effect, there was no any toxic side effects in the group treated with EA+warming moxibustion, and the occurrence rate in the group treated with colchicine was 40.91%. Conclusion Electroacupuncture+warming moxibustion achieves good therapeutic effects without any side effects.

Clinical observation on prevention of chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer by moxa-stick moxibustion plus rhG-CSF and its effect on immune function

Objective:To observe the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion plus recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(rhG-CSF)in preventing chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer and its effect on immune function.Methods:A total of 70 patients with gastric cancer treated by chemotherapy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given rhG-CSF,and the observation group was given additional moxa-stick moxibustion on the basis of rhG-CSF.Both groups were treated for 2 chemotherapy cycles,totally 6 weeks.The number of patients with infection,the duration of infection and the duration of continuous use of antibiotics were observed.The leukocytes and granulocytes counts,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)were measured before and after treatment,and the levels of CD4,CD8 and natural killer(NK)cells were analyzed.Results:The infection rate of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the duration of infection and the duration of continuous use of antibiotics were also shorter(P<0.05).After treatment,the leukocytes and granulocytes counts in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(all P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ of the patients in the two groups were improved(all P<0.05),and there were significant differences between the observation group and the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the numbers of CD4,CD8,and NK cells in the observation group increased significantly(all P<0.05);but the changes in the control group were not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Moxa-stick moxibustion plus rhG-CSF can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of chemotherapy infection in gastric cancer,increase the leukocytes and granulocytes counts,and regulate the levels of inflammatory factors,which may be related to the improvement of the immune function of the patients.

Research progress on factors influencing therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion

As a crucial component of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy, moxibustion has been extensively propagated and used with its significant efficacy, simple operation, inconspicuous adverse effects and less sufferings. There are a variety of factors that influence the therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion. The influencing factors, including moxibustion dose （moxibustion duration, distance between moxa and skin, size and number of moxa cone）, selection of points, moxibustion sensations, and the type of moxibustion were analyzed and summarized, to provide references for approaching the maximum efficacy of moxibustion in clinic.

Effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus psychological intervention on SP, 5-HT and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Objective： To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus psychological intervention on serum contents of substance P（SP） and 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT）, as well as the quality of life（QOL） in patients with irritable bowel syndrome（IBS）. Methods： A total of 120 IBS patients were divided into three groups by random sampling method, 40 cases in each group. The heat-sensitive moxibustion group received heat-sensitive moxibustion, the psychological intervention group received psychological intervention, while the observation group received both methods. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 3 courses of treatment. Results： After treatment, the therapeutic efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the psychological intervention group（P〈0.01）, and the heat-sensitive moxibsution group was better than the psychological intervention group（P〈0.05）. In comparing the bowel symptom scale（BSS）, the observation group was better than the other two groups（P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the psychological intervention group（P〈0.05）. In the comparison of QOL, the observation group was significantly superior to the other two groups（P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and psychological intervention group（P〈0.05）. In comparing serum SP and 5-HT, the observation group was markedly better than the other two groups（P〈0.05）, and there were significant differences between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and psychological intervention group（P〈0.05）. The self-rating anxiety scale（SAS） and self-rating depression scale（SDS） were used to estimate the mental state of the three groups, revealing that the observation group was better than the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the psychological intervention group（P〈0.05）, and there were significant differences between the latter two groups（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Heat-sensitive moxibustion plus psychological intervention can regulate the levels of SP and 5-HT, improve BSS, SDS, SAS and QOL in treating IBS.

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in colon of rats with Crohn's disease

Objective： To observe the effect of moxibustion therapy on heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3（MCP-3） protein expressions in the colonic mucosa of rats with Crohn＇s disease（CD）, and to explore the intestinal mucosal immune mechanism of moxibustion therapy in treating CD. Methods： The CD rat model was established using the internationally accepted Morris method. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a mild moxibustion group, a cigarette moxibustion group and a hot compress group, which were compared with the normal group. Except the normal group and the model group, rats in the other groups accepted different moxibustion therapies on bilateral Tianshu（ST 25）. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was conducted and the pathological changes of the colon were observed under light microscope; the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in rat＇s colonic mucosa were determined by immunohisto-chemistry. Results： Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed mucosal defect, villus destruction or loss, submucosal congestion and edema, glandular destruction or disappearance, reduced goblet cells, ulcer formation, significantly increased positive target area and positive target integral optical density of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expression（all P〈0.01）. After treatment, compared with the model group, colonic mucosa was significantly improved in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group, which mainly showed that the intestinal glands were arranged regularly, ulcer surfaces were covered by the neoformative epitheliums, or intestinal ulcers were replaced by the nascent granulation tissue, and submucosal edema was alleviated, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. The total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat＇s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were decreased（all P〈0.01）. Compared with the cigarette moxibustion group and the hot compress group, the total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat＇s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were significantly decreased（all P〈0.01） in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group. Conclusion： Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response of colonic mucosa in CD rats. It can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 proteins in the colonic mucosa of CD rats, which may be one of the mechanism in intestinal mucosal immunity caused by moxibustion therapy.

Treatment of 85 Cases with Chronic Rhinitis by Acupuncture

Patients with chronic rhinitis may not respond well to medications. The author treated 85 cases using acupuncture. The result is reported as follows.

Observations on Therapeutic Effect of Back-Shu Acupoint in Treatment of Asthma

Objective： To investigate the therapeutic effect of Back-Shu acupoint in treating asthma. Methods： Sixty-one patients were randomly divided into a Back-Shu acupoint group, a acupuncture-moxibustion group and a acupuncture group. All the three groups were treated twice a week, 10 times made up a treatment course. The therapeutic effect was evaluated after three courses of treatment. Results and conclusion： The control and marked effective rate were significantly higher in the Back-Shu acupoint group and acupuncture-moxibustion groups than in the acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. They were slightly higher in the acupuncture-moxibustion group than in the Back-Shu acupoint group, but there was no statistically significant difference. The results indicated that the Back-Shu acupoints have a good therapeutic effect in treating asthma.

Effect of moxibustion on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of rats with gastric cancer. Methods:Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week. By the random number table method, 10 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, and 12 rats were randomly selected to simulate the tumor transplantation process;after transplantation, 10 rats were randomly selected as a sham operation group. The remaining 38 rats were used to prepare gastric cancer models by gastric transplantation of the Walker-256 tumor tissue;8 rats were randomly selected to verify the successful modeling after 7 d;the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group by the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. From the first day of enrollment, the rats in the moxibustion group received mild moxibustion at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) (the first group) and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) (the second group), and the two groups of acupoints were alternated every other day. The rats in the infrared group received infrared radiation on the stomach area and the area on the back between the T12-T13 spinous processes, the two areas were alternated every other day. Rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were treated for 20 min each time, once a day for 21 d. Rats in the blank group, the sham operation group, and the model group were simultaneously grasped and fixed, and no other treatment was performed. After 21 d of intervention, the rats in each group were fasted for 12 h, and blood was collected from the orbits. The numbers of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry, and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ was calculated. The rats were sacrificed and the thymus was dissected under sterile conditions to calculate the thymus index. Results:Compared with the blank group, the thymus index, peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio in the sham operation group did not change significantly (allP>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the thymus index of the model group was increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes were increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01), and CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes and the ratio of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ in peripheral blood were increased (allP<0.05). Compared with the infrared group, the thymus index of the moxibustion group was significantly increased (P<0.05), the CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were significantly increased (bothP<0.01), and the CD3+CD8+ was increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can significantly increase the thymus index of gastric cancer-bearing rats and activate CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood.

Clinical observation on collateral-pricking and cupping therapy plus moxibustion for localized neurodermatitis

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of collateral-pricking and cupping therapy plus moxibustion for localized neurodermatitis. Methods： A total of 94 cases with localized neurodermatitis were randomly divided into two groups by their visit order, 47 cases in each group. The cases in the treatment group were treated by bleeding method with a plum blossom needle, cupping method and moxibustion. The cases in the control group were treated by subcutaneous injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate Injection. Results： After treatment, the curative rate and total effective rate were respectively 80.9% and 100% in the treatment group and were 48.9% and 87.2% in the control group. The differences in the curative rate and total effective rate between the two groups were statistically significant （P〈0.01, P〈0.05）. Conclusion; Bleeding method by a plum blossom needle, in combination with cupping method and moxibustion, is an effective therapy for localized neurodermatitis.

Treatment of 60 Cases of Allergic Rhinitis with Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Sixty patients with allergic rhinitis were treated by Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Of the 60 cases, 43 cases were clinical cured, 15 cases were effective and 2 cases were ineffective, with an effective rate of 96.7%.

Treatment of 73 Cases of Bed Sores with Warming Moxibustion

Seventy-three patients with bed sores were treated by warming moxibustion. Of the 73 cases, 58 cases were cured, 12 cases improved and 3 cases ineffective, with an effective rate of 95.9%.

Effect of moxibustion on VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues of rats with gastric tumor

Objective:To explore the inhibitory effect of moxibustion on tumor growth and metastasis, and also its possible mechanism, in gastric tumor-bearing rats by investigating the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Methods:Fifty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (half male and half female) were routinely housed for 1 week. A total of 20 rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a sham operation group, with 10 rats in each group. The remaining 30 rats were used to make gastric cancer models by implantation of ascites-type Walker-256 cancer cells. After successful modeling, rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group, with 10 rats in each group. From the day of modeling, the body weight of each group was weighed every 4 days. Warm moxibustion was alternately performed at two-group acupoints [Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) in one group, and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) in another group] in the moxibustion group. The body surface projection area of the stomach was irradiated with short-wave infrared rays in the infrared group, once a day, 20 min per time for 21 d. At the end of the treatment, the gastric tumor was completely dissected, and the tumor volume and tumor growth inhibition rate were calculated. Then the gastric tumor cell metastasis was recorded. The levels of VEGF and EGF in rat gastric tumor tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Compared with the blank group, the body weight of the model group decreased significantly after modeling (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the rats in the moxibustion group had increased body weight during the middle and late stages (bothP<0.05). The tumor volumes of rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were smaller than the volume in the model group (bothP<0.05). The tumor growth inhibition rate in the moxibustion group was significantly higher than that in the infrared group (P<0.05). The case number of tumor metastasis in the moxibustion group was smaller than that in the model group and the infrared group. The VEGF level in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the VEGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly lower (bothP<0.05). The EGF levels in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly lower than that in the blank group (P<0.05);compared with the model group, the EGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly increased (bothP<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can increase the body weight, inhibit the tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in gastric tumor-bearing rats, which may be related to the regulation of VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues.

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.

Effect of mild moxibustion on cancer-related fatigue,serum ghrelin and adiponectin in patients undergoing chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery

Objective To observe the effect of mild moxibustion on cancer-related fatigue,serum ghrelin and adiponectin in patients undergoing chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery.Methods Seventy patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method,with 35 cases in each group.Patients in both groups were treated with conventional FOLFOX4 chemotherapy regimen.Patients in the control group also received routine treatments such as symptomatic treatment of complications,health education,nutritional support,and exercise intervention.Patients in the observation group received mild moxibustion on the basis of interventions used in the control group.The Piper fatigue scale-revision(PFS-R),Karnofsky performance status(KPS)and spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome were scored,and serum ghrelin and adiponectin levels were measured before and after treatment.Results After treatment,total score of PFS-R in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05),while in the observation group it was significantly reduced(P<0.05)and lower than that in the control group(P<0.05);KPS scores in both groups were increased(both P<0.05),and it was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);total score of spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome in the control group did not change significantly(P>0.05),while it was significantly reduced in the observation group(P<0.05)and lower than that in the control group(P<0.05);serum ghrelin and adiponectin levels in the control group had no significant changes(both P>0.05),but the levels were significantly increased in the observation group(both P<0.05)and higher than those in the control group(both P<0.05).Conclusion Based on the routine treatments,mild moxibustion can relieve fatigue,improve quality of life,and improve the symptoms of spleen and kidney yang deficiency in patients undergoing chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery,which may be related to the regulation of serum ghrelin and adiponectin levels.

Efficacy and effect on serum VEGF-C of mild moxibustion plus functional exercise for upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

Objective To observe the efficacy of mild moxibustion combined with functional exercise in the treatment of upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and its effect on serum vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C).Methods Seventy-eight patients were divided into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method,with 39 cases in each group.The control group received functional exercise and the observation group received mild moxibustion plus functional exercise.The differences in circumference between the two upper limbs,the lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb,the disability of arm,shoulder and hand(DASH)score,the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast(FACT-B)score and serum VEGF-C level between the two groups were compared before and after treatment.Efficacy was evaluated after treatment.Results The total effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The difference in circumference between the two upper limbs of the two groups decreased significantly after treatment(both P<0.05),but it was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb of the two groups increased significantly after treatment(both P<0.05),but it was significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The DASH scores of the two groups decreased significantly after treatment(both P<0.05),but it was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The FACT-B scores of the two groups increased significantly after treatment(both P<0.05),but it was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the serum VEGF-C level increased significantly in the observation group(P<0.05),whereas the control group did not show significant change(P>0.05).The post-treatment serum VEGF-C level was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The efficacy of mild moxibustion combined with functional exercise for upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery is certain,which can reduce the difference in circumference between the two upper limbs,increase the lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb,improve the limb function and the quality of life,and regulate the serum VEGF-C level.

Effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on facial function score in patients with facial paralysis

Objective： To observe and compare the therapeutic efficacies of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus Western medication, dry Western medication, and acupuncture plus TDP in treating peripheral facial palsy （FP）. Methods： Ninety FP patients were randomized into a Western medication group, a heat-sensitive moxibustion group, and an acupuncture group by using sealed envelope, 30 cases in each group. The Western medication group was intervened by conventional Western medication; the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was by heat-sensitive moxibustion in addition to the same Western medication; the acupuncture group was by the Western medication plus acupuncture and TDP radiation. For the three groups, 6-day treatment was taken as a treatment course, with a 2-day interval between 2 courses, and totally 4 treatment courses were observed. Results： After intervention, the modified Portmann scores were changed significantly in the three groups （P〈0.05）, and the improvements in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and the acupuncture group were both superior to that in the Western medication group. The recovery plus markedly effective rate of the acupuncture group was significantly different from that of the Western medication group （P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference in comparing the recovery plus markedly effective rate between the heat-sensitive moxibustion group and acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Heat-sensitive moxibustion is effective in treatment peripheral facial paralysis, and this method is free of pain, causing no adverse reactions, and worth promotion in clinic.

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HSP70 mRNA and protein in gastric cancer-bearing rats

Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on the mRNA and protein expressions of heat-shock protein 70(HSP70)in gastric cancer-bearing rats.Methods:A total of 40 healthy Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were adaptively fed for one week.The gastric cancer model was prepared by Walker-256 cancer tissue transplantation.After 7 d,10 rats were randomly selected to verify the successful modeling,and the remaining 30 rats were divided into a model group,a moxibustion group and an infrared group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.After enrollment,the moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion at Zhongwan(CV 12),Guan yuan(CV 4)and bilateral Zusanli(ST 36),(the first group of acupoints)on the 1st day,and suspended moxibustion at bilateral Pishu(BL 20)and Weishu(BL 21),(the second group of acupoints)on the 2nd day,20 min each time,once a day.Moxibustion was alternately performed every other day at the two groups of acupoints for 21 d.From the day of en roll me nt,rats in the infrared group were irradiated with the infrared radiatio n at the stomach area on the 1st day,and at the T12-Ti3 interspinous region on the 2nd day,20 min each time,once a day,and the two locations were alternately irradiated every other day for 21 d.During the treatment,rats in the model group were intervened by grasping and fixation without treatment.At the end of the treatment,blood was collected from the inner eye orbit,and the HSP70 expression in peripheral blood was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Rats were sacrificed,the tumor volume and growth inhibition rate were measured.The position and changes of HSP70 in gastric cancer were observed by streptavidin-perosidase(SP);HSP70 protein expression was determined by ELISA;HSP70 mRNA expression in cancer tissues was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(R「PCR)assay.Results:In comparison of the model group,the volume growth of the gastric cancer in the moxibustion group was significantly restricted(P<0.01);the volume growth inhibition rate in the moxibustion group was 37.93%;the HSP70 expressi on in peripheral blood and the cancer tissues was sign ifica ntly in creased(both P<0.01);the expressio n of HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 content in gastric tumor were both obviously in creased in the moxibustion group(P<0.01);and a large amount of HSP70 was released to the outside of cancer cells in the moxibustion group.In comparison of the model group,the volume growth of the gastric cancer in the infrared group was slightly restricted(P<0.05)with a volume growth inhibition rate of 15.89%;the HSP70 expression in the infrared group was increased significantly in peripheral blood(P<0.01)and in the gastric cancer tissues(P<0.05);more HSP70 was released outside of the cancer cells in the infrared group.In comparison of the infrared group,the volume growth of gastric cancer was more restricted in the moxibustion group(P<0.05)z and the HSP70 expression in the gastric cancer tissues was also higher(P<0.05);more HSP70 was released outside of the cancer cells in the moxibustion group.Conclusion:Moxibusti on and in fra red treatme nt inhibit the gastric can cer growth in the gastric cancer-bearing rats,up-regulate the HSP70 expression in gastric cancer tissues,and promote the production and extracellular release of HSP70,and the effect of moxibustion is more obvious.

Effects of Moxibustion on Hemoglobin and Immunoglobulin in Cervical Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Objective： To observe the effects of moxibustion on hemoglobin and immunoglobulin in cervical cancer patients on radiotherapy. Methods： Sixty-six patients with cervical cancer were randomized into a moxibustion group （n=36） and a control group （n=30）, and underwent the same radiotherapy; during the radiotherapy period, the moxibustion group was given moxibustion at Shenque （CV 8） and Sanyinjiao （SP 6）, and the control group was given no other treatment. Agar diffusion method was employed to detect the concentrations of hemoglobin and immunoglobulin in peripheral blood before and after treatment. Results： After eight-week treatment, the concentrations of hemoglobin and immunoglobulin were higher in the moxibustion group than those in the control group, with a significant difference in the concentration of IgG between the two groups （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Moxibustion can increase the concentrations of hemoglobin and immunoglobulin in cervical cancer patients on radiotherapy to improve the immunity.

Low-frequency fluctuation amplitude analysis of resting-state fMRI for functional brain response differences between acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36) in patient with functional dyspepsia

Objective： To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli（ST 36） in patients with functional dyspepsia（FD） and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion.Methods： A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent（BOLD） sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging（fMRI） scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation（ALFF） analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI（DPARSF） software.Results： Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles.Conclusion： Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli（ST 36） can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.