“Warming yang and invigorating qi” acupuncture alters acetylcholine receptor expression in the neuromuscular junction of rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies have been shown to form against the nicotinic acetylcholine nicotinic postsynaptic receptors located at the neuromuscular junction.＂Warming yang and invigorating qi＂ acupuncture treatment has been shown to reduce serum inflammatory cytokine expression and increase transforming growth factor beta expression in rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis.However,few studies have addressed the effects of this type of acupuncture on the acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.Here,we used confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine the area and density of immunoreactivity for an antibody to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction in the phrenic nerve of rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis following ＂warming yang and invigorating qi＂ acupuncture therapy.Needles were inserted at acupressure points Shousanli（LI10）,Zusanli（ST36）,Pishu（BL20）,and Shenshu（BL23） once daily for 7 consecutive days.The treatment was repeated after 1 day of rest.We found that area and the integrated optical density of the immunoreactivity for the acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction of the phrenic nerve was significantly increased following acupuncture treatment.This outcome of the acupuncture therapy was similar to that of the cholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine bromide.These findings suggest that ＂warming yang and invigorating qi＂ acupuncture treatment increases acetylcholine receptor expression at the neuromuscular junction in a rat model of autoimmune myasthenia gravis.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON EXPERIMENTAL CEREBRAL INFARCTION IN RATS

Objectives: To explore the effect of acupuncture on cerebral infarction in rats and to try providing some experimental parameters for clinical practice. Methods: 27 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into pseudo operation (n=10), model (n=8) and acupuncture (n=9) groups. Neuro functional defect scoring, apoptosis of single brain slice and the number of bcl 2 immuno reaction (IR) positive neurons in CA1 area of the hippocampus were used as the indexes to investigate the possible mechanisms of acupuncture of "Nie San Zhen" (needling three acupoints in the temporal region) and "Si Shen Zhen" (needling four acupoints in the occiput region) in treating rats with cerebral infarction. Results: There existed significant differences between acupuncture group and model group in improving neurologic functional activities, inhibiting apoptosis of the brain cells and increasing bcl 2 IR positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area ( P <0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture therapy can improve cerebral infarction in the rat by suppressing apoptosis and up regulation of the bcl 2 IR positive neuron expression.

Prof.Sheng Canruo's Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Throat Diseases with Yan Si Xue

Yan Si Xue(咽四穴)refer to four points in the throat summarized by Prof.Sheng Canruo in his long-year clinical experience based on the combination of TCM theory and the knowledge of modernmedical anatomy.By taking “Yan Si Xue” as main points,and other differential adjunct points,Prof.Sheng has obtained satisfactory therapeutic results in treating various throat diseases such ashoarseness,paralysis of vocal cord,dysphonia after radiotherapy on throat tumor,vocal nodules,disorder of the glossopharyngeal nerve,hysteric aphasia,and acute or chronic laryngopharyngitis.

Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Dizziness and Vertigo——A Report of 3 Cases

Dizziness and vertigo is a commonly encountered disease in clinic. There has been the saying from ancient times that "there would be no dizziness if without wind", " there would be no dizziness if without phlegm", "there would be no dizziness if without deficiency", and " there would be no dizziness if without fire". However, in the author's view, the dizziness and vertigo caused by blood stasis blocking the collaterals is most commonly seen in clinic, which should deserve more attention. The following is an introduction about the author's experience in treating 3 cases of dizziness and vertigo with acupuncture.

Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia

Clinically, occipital neuralgia is commonly encountered. It is manifested by pain in the unilateral suboccipital and postmastoid region, which may radiate to the upper occipital part, the ear and copular part, and even to the orbit. The pain is severe, and often cause spasm of the cervical muscles. The authors applied acupuncture for treating occipital neuralgia with good therapeutic results reported as follows.