EVALUATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF DEEP PUNCTURE OF TIANSHU (ST 25) FOR SLOW TRANSIT CONSTIPATION

Objective： To evaluate the short-term and middle-long-term therapeutic effects of deep puncture of Tianshu （天枢 ST 25） for slow transit constipation （STC）. Methods： Sixty cases of STC patients were evenly randomized into Methods： group and medication group. In acupuncture group, electroaoupuncture （EA, 20 Hz, continuous waves and tolerable strength） was applied to bilateral Tienshu （ST 25） for 30 min after deep puncture. The treatment was given once daily, 5 sessions every week, two weeks altogether. Patients of control group were ordered to take Lactulose （ 10mL/time, b. i. d）, two weeks altogether. Cleveland Constipation Score （CCS） and colonic transit time （COT） were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Results： After treatment, both COS and COT showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of medication group （P〈0.05）. Six-months＇ follow up showed that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture still maintained in 13 of the 22 cases visited, while that of control group only maintained in 1 of the 19 cases. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of deep puncture of Tianshu （ST 25） for STC is definite and has a middle-long-term effect. The patients have no any unfavorable reactions.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE TREATMENT OF 34 CASES OF SLOW TRANSIT CONSTIPATION WITH ELECTROACUPUNCTURE

Objective： To explore effective modelity for slow transit constipation （STC） and provide evidence for standardization of pattern identification of STC. Methods： Sixty eight cases of STC patients were randomly and evenly assigned into acupuncture group （n=34） and medication （control） group （n=34）. In acupuncture group, Tianshu （天枢 ST 25） and Zhigou （支沟 TE 6） were punctured and stimulated electrically by setting the parameters of 1 Hz, continuous waves, suitable strength and duration of 30 min. Patients of the control group were ordered to take Tongbionling （bowel-movernent promotion） Capsule, 5 cap sules/time, once daily. Results： After 28 days＇ treatment, symptom scores in both groups were decreased significantly and colonic ejection rates within 72 hours increased considerably in comparison with pre-treatment （ P〈 0, 01 ） ; and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture group were remarkably better than those of control group in lowering symptom score and raising colonic ejection rate （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Acupuncture is a simple and practical method for the treatment of STC and its therapeutic effect is reliable.

EFFECTS OF HERBAL CAKE-SEPARATED MOXIBUSTION ON BLOOD LIPIDS, PLASMA THROMOXANE B2 AND 6-KETO-PROSTAGLANDIN F_(1α) CONTENTS IN THE RABBIT WITH HYPERLIPEMIA

Objective: To observe effects of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on blood lipids, including total cholesterol (TCh), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-Ch (HDL-Ch), low density lipoprotein-Ch (LDL-Ch), apolipoprotein A (Apo A), apolipoprotein B (Apo B), and plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α (6-keto-PGF 1α) contents and analyse its mechanism. Methods: The hyperlipemia rabbit model was established by breeding of high fat forage and injection of bovine serum albumin. They were treated respectively by direct moxibustion and herbal cake-separated moxibustion at Juque (巨阙 CV 14), Tianshu (天枢 ST 25), Fenglong (丰隆 ST 40), etc., once daily, continuously for 40 days. Blood TCh and TG contents were detected with enzymatic method, LDL-Ch and HDL-Ch with colorimetric method, Apo A and Apo B with electrophoretic method, and TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α with radioimmunoassay. Results: Both the herbal cake-separated moxibustion and direct moxibustion could effectively decrease TCh, TG, LDL-Ch, Apo B and TXB2 contents and TXB2/6-keto-PGF 1α, and increase HDL-CH and 6-keto-PGF 1α contents in the rabbit of hyperlipemia. Conclusion: 6-keto-PGF 1α and TXB2 are possibly involved in the mechanism of herbal cake-separated moxibustion decreasing blood lipids.

Assessment of the operation standard and safety on the individualized deep acupuncture at Tiānshū (天枢 ST 25) under CT

Objective To discuss the individualized operation standard and its safety on the deep acupuncture at Tianshu （天枢 ST 25）. Methods Acupuncture was applied to Tianshu （天枢 ST 25）） in 39 patients. The individualized standard depth of insertion at the acupoint was determined as the penetrating the peritoneum with needle by 1 to 2 mm. The regression analysis was adopted to analyze the impacts of abdominal circumference （AC, cm） on the peritoneal position via CT cross-section scanning and image survey. Results The formula of rational needling depth at Tianshu （天枢 ST 25） with individualized deep acupuncture was： depth=-0.562＋0.045. AC. Conclusion The depth of insertion at Tianshu （天枢 ST 25）, determined as penetrating the peritoneum with needle by 1 to 2 mm is safe and feasible, which may be applicable and have the guidance significance for the assessment of clinical operation and safety on the deep acupuncture at the other acupoints on the abdominal region.

Correlation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Sialic Acid with Various Enzymes in Patients with Meningitis

Meningitis is often associated with cerebral compromise which may be responsible for neurological squeal in nearly half of the survivors. Little is known about the mechanisms of Central Nervous System （CNS） involvement in bacterial meningitis. The present study was undertaken to assess the changes in biochemical parameters including glucose, protein, Sialic Acid （SA） and various enzymes like Aspartate Aminotransferase （AST）, Alanine Aminotransferase （ALT）, Creatine Kinase （CK）, Gamma Glutamyltranspeptidase 7 （GGTP） and Lactate Dehydrogenase （LDH） have been determined in the Cerebrospinal Fluid （CSF） of the meningitis patients （n = 26） and compared with control subjects （n = 26）. Total Protein, CK, SA （P 〈 0.02）, AST （P 〈 0.001） and ALT （P 〈 0.0001） of meningitis patients were significantly higher, whereas, glucose （P 〈 0.05） and Gamma Glutamyltranspeptidase （GGT） （P 〈 0.01 and P 〈 0.05, respectively） were significantly lower than those of the controls. This study suggests that loss of integrity of brain-CSF barriers, sialic acid and enzyme profiles may contribute to the severity and neurological complications of meningitis.

New understandings of the genetic basis of isolated diopathic central hypogonadism

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a rare disease that is characterized by delayed/absent puberty and/or infertility due to an insufficient stimulation of an otherwise normal pituitary-gonadal axis by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone （GnRH） action. Because reduced or normal luteinizing hormone （LH）/follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） levels may be observed in the affected patients, the term idiopathic central hypogonadism （ICH） appears to be more appropriate. This disease should be distinguished from central hypogonadism that is combined with other pituitary deficiencies. Isolated ICH has a complex pathogenesis and ~s fivefold more prevalent in males. ICH frequently appears in a sporadic form, but several familial cases have also been reported. This finding, in conjunction with the description of numerous pathogenetic gene variants and the generation of several knockout models, supports the existence of a strong genetic component. ICH may be associated with several morphogenetic abnormalities, which include osmic defects that, with ICH, constitute the cardinal manifestations of Kallmann syndrome （KS）. KS accounts for approximately 40% of the total ICH cases and has been generally considered to be a distinct subgroup. However, the description of several pedigrees, which include relatives who are affected either with isolated osmic defects, KS, or normo-osmic ICH （nlCH）, justifies the emerging idea that ICH is a complex genetic disease that is characterized by variable expressivity and penetrance. In this context, either multiple gene variants or environmental factors and epigenetic modifications may contribute to the variable disease manifestations. We review the genetic mechanisms that are presently known to be involved in ICH pathogenesis and provide a clinical overview of the 227 cases that have been collected by the collaborating centres of the Italian ICH Network.

Clinical observation on Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu(ST 25) in prevention of post-stroke constipation

Objective： To observe the prevention effect of Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25） for post-stroke constipation. Methods： Seventy eligible patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. Both groups were intervened by conventional treatment and care in Western medicine, while the treatment group was also by Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian and point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25）. The treatment lasted for 14 d. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the first defecation time, constipation incidence and Chinese stroke scale（CSS） score. Results： After treatment, the first defecation time was（1.86 ± 0.74） d in the treatment group, shorter than（2.77 ± 0.83） d in the control group; constipation incidence was 14.3% in the treatment group, significantly lower than 37.1% in the control group, and the between-group differences in the two items were statistically significant（both P〈0.05）. CSS score in both groups dropped significantly after treatment（both P〈0.05）; the improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25） can effectively prevent post-stroke constipation, and can also promote the rehabilitation of nerve functions.

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.

Clinical Research of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treated by Electroacupuncture on Tianshu（ST 25）

Objectives： By observing and evaluating the clinical curative effect systematically of electrical acupuncture （EA） on Tianshu （ST 25） on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （D-IBS）, to make it benefit for the application and spread of EA on Tianshu （ST 25） on D-IBS. Methods： 103 D-IBS matched the involved standards were allocated into treatment group （EA on ST 25, n=53） and control group （EA on Daheng, SP 15, n=50） in randomized, controlled and single-blind ways. Curative effect differences were analyzed by Ridit analysis. Results： The incidence of diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal distention or abdominal discomfort, borborygmus, defecation urgency and defecation incompletion feeling were 100%, 89.3%, 71.8%, 74.8%, 83.5% and 78.6% respectively in D-IBS. Generally, after treatment, 11 cases got excellent results, 34 cases improved and 8 failed in treatment group, totally effective rate was 84.9%; while in control group, 4 cases got excellent effects, 26 improved and 20 failed, totally the effective rate was 60.0%. Conclusion： Compared with control group, EA on Tianshu （ST 25） has a better curative effect on D-IBS.

Clinical observation on the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick

Objective： To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice.Methods： A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli（LI 10）, Zusanli（ST 36）, Shenshu（BL 23） and Tianshu（ST 25） with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score.Results： Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers.Conclusion： The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.

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.

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.

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.

Clinical Observation on Combined Warming Needle and Patented Chinese Medicine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective： To evaluate the clinical efficacy and quality of life of combined warming needle and patented Chinese medicine for patients with irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） due to liver-qi stagnation with spleen deficiency. Method： Sixty IBS cases were randomized into a treatment or control group by single-blind method. Warming needles on Tianshu （ST 25） and Dachangshu （BL 25） combined with patented Chinese medicine were adopted for cases in the treatment group, whereas the patented Chinese medicine alone was adopted in the control group. Results： The therapeutic efficacies in the two groups did not show substantial differences. The main symptoms were significantly improved after the treatment （P〈0.01）. After 2 weeks of treatment, the cases in the treatment group obtained a better improvement than the control group （P〈0.01, P〈0.05） in the severity or frequency of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, suspiciousness, and loose stools with a sense of incomplete emptying. The patient＇s quality of life was improved in both groups （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Both treatment methods could improve the clinical symptoms and increase the patient＇s quality of life. The total effective rate in the treatment group was slightly higher than the control group. Also, the combined warming needle and Chinese herbs could improve the main symptoms in a faster way.

Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation

Objective： To compare the different therapeutic effects of acupuncture and Phenolphthalein for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Methods： A total of 50 patients with constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group by the random digital table, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated by puncturing Gongsun（SP 4）, Sanyinjiao（SP 6）, Taichong（LR 3）, Zusanli（ST 36）, Shangjuxu（ST 37）, Hegu（LI 4）, Lieque（LU 7）, and Tianshu（ST 25）, once every day, and 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses; while the patients in the medication group were given Phenolphthalein, 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses. Compared the Cleveland clinic constipation score（CCS） between the two groups after one course, 3 courses and 3 months after the treatment, as well as the frequency of defecation within one week. Results： After one week of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the medication group than in those of the acupuncture group（P〈0.01）. After 3 weeks of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significant in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group（P〈0.05）. Three months after the end of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment（P〈0.05）, and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture and medication are effective in the treatment of constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Their short-term therapeutic effect is similar, but the long-term therapeutic effect is better in the acupuncture group than in the medication group.

Observation of Therapeutic Effects of Needle Warming Moxibustion for Chronic Diarrhea

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effects of needle warming moxibustion for chronic diarrhea. Methods： Two-hundred cases with chronic diarrhea were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group. 100 cases in the treatment group were treated with needle warming moxibustion on specific acupoints. 100 cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Smecta. Results： The therapeutic results showed cure in 52 cases, remarkable effect in 34 cases, improvement in 14 cases and the total effective rate in 100.0% in the treatment group, and cure in 5 cases, remarkable effect in 23 cases, improvement in 33 cases, failure in 39 cases and the total effective rate in 61.0% in the control group. The comparison of the total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The needle warming moxibustion on specific acupoints is better than oral administration of Smecta in the therapeutic effects.

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.

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.

Comparative study of electroacupuncture and moxibustion in influencing Tianshu(ST 25) regions mast cells in visceral hyperalgesia rats

Objective：To evaluate and compare electroacupunctures（EA） with different parameters and moxibustion at different temperatures influencing the activation of mast cells（MC） in Tianshu（ST 25） regions of visceral hyperalgesia model rats.Methods：Rats（except for model group） respectively accepted 1 m A or 3 m A EA or moxibustion at 43 or 4 to ℃ ℃stimulate Tianshu（ST 25） points after randomization of the fifty visceral hyperalgesia model rats,and then were compared with that in model and normal groups.Number,degranulation numbers,degranulation rates in Tianshu（ST 25） regions MC of rats in each group were observed using toluidine blue staining.Abdominal withdrawl reflex（AWR） score was used to evaluate the rat visceral hyperalgesia reactions.Results：Compared with the normal group and the model group,MC numbers（P〈0.05,P〈0.01,P〈0.01,P〈0.01）,degranulation numbers and degranulation rates（P〈0.01,P〈0.01,P〈0.05,P〈0.01） of Tianshu（ST 25） MC in regions tissues in 43 and 4 moxibustion groups,and 1 m A and 3 m℃ ℃A EA groups all increased significantly.Compared with the model group,AWR scores were significantly lower in 43 and 4 ℃ moxibustion groups,and 1 m A and 3 m℃A EA groups under the stimulation of 20 mm Hg,40 mm Hg,0 mm Hg or 80 mm Hg colorectal distension（CRD）（P〈0.05 in 1 m A and 3 m A EA groups under the stimulation of 20 mm Hg,P〈0.01 in the other groups）.AWR scores in 43 ℃and 4 ℃moxibustion groups under the stimulation of 20 mm Hg,40 mm Hg,0 mm Hg or 80 mm Hg CRD were not significantly different from those in the normal group（all P〈0.05）;AWR scores in 1 m A EA group under the stimulation of 0 mm Hg or 80 mm Hg were significantly higher than that in the normal group（P〈0.01）;AWR score in 3 m A EA group under the stimulation of 0 mm Hg was significantly higher than that in the normal group（P〈0.01）,and AWR scores in 3 m A EA group under the stimulation of 20 mm Hg or 80 mm Hg were also higher than that in the normal group（P〈0.05）.AWR scores were higher in 1 m A EA group under the stimulation of 40 mm Hg or 80 mm Hg than that in 4 moxibustion group（℃ P〈0.05）;AWR score was higher in 3 m A EA group under the stimulation of 40 mm Hg than that in 4 moxibustion group（℃ P〈0.05）.Conclusion：There are differences among EA of different parameters and moxibustion of different temperatures in activating on Tianshu（ST 25） regions MC of visceral hyperalgesia model rats,as well as in improving the visceral hyperalgesia reaction.The effect of 4 moxibustion℃ is the most significant.

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.