Effect of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on differential protein expression in rat brain tissue after acute focal cerebral ischemia

Objective:To explore the function of cluster needling at scalp points therapy on regulating differential protein's expression at different time points in middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model rats.Methods:Fifty-four rats were divided into three groups randomly and 18 rats in each group.The groups respectively were the model group(group M,n=18),cluster needling at scalp points group(group C,n=18),false operation group(group F,n=18).Each group was then assigned in three subgroups,including 24-h,7-day,and 14-day subgroups.Six rats in each subgroup.Acupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and 2 points beside Baihui,which was 3 e4 mm away from the midline.Longa score was used to evaluated neurological effects.Proteomics methods were used to identify differentially expression proteins with a standard of fold change greater than 1.5 and P<.05 at different times.Results:1.Nerve function scoring:The nerve function scores at 7 and 14 days decreased in group C,which showed better neural function than group M(P<.05).2.Fold change in proteins:Group M showed932 differentially expressed proteins compared with group F,and among them,414 proteins showed significant changes in expression after acupuncture.The expression levels of Cdc42 and GFAP were increased,and Mag,Shank2,and MBP levels were decreased.In the Gene Ontology analysis,the cellular component consisted of the terms cytoplasm,cytoskeleton,lysosome,and plasma membrane.The main related biological processes were cellecell signaling,protein transport,aging,and cell adhesion.Many synaptic and metabolic pathways were found by KEGG analysis.Conclusion:Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can improve the nerve function score and improve dyskinesia in MCAO model rats.Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can regulate the expression of 414 proteins,including Cdc42,GFAP,Mag,Shank2,and MBP,which are related to cerebral ischemia.The differential proteins are major concentration in cytoplasm,cytoskeleton,lysosomes,and plasma membrane,participate in cellecell signaling,protein transport,aging,and cell adhesion,and act through multiple synaptic and metabolic pathways to exert their biological functions.

Effects of cluster needling of scalp acupuncture on neurofilament protein 200 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in rats with acute cerebral ischemia

Objective:Cluster needling at scalp acupoints has showed satisfying effects with acute cerebral ischemia in clinic whereas the mechanisms are not yet clear completely.This study investigated the influence of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on neurological function,as well as on neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)expression,in rats with acute cerebral ischemia.Methods:Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned in equal numbers to the false operation(group F),model(group M),or cluster needling scalp acupuncture(group C)groups.Each group was divided into three subgroups,of six rats each,by acupuncture treatment time(24 h,7 days,and 14 days).The rat local cerebral ischemia model was prepared using a modified suture occlusion method.Group C rats were treated by cluster needling scalp acupuncture,while groups F and M did not receive acupuncture treatment.Neurological effects were evaluated using the Longa score.NF200 and STAT3 expression were measured by western blotting.Results:At 24 h,there were no statistical difference between group C and group M in nerve function(P>.05).On days 7 and 14,nerve function scores in group C were significantly lower than that in group M(respectively were P<.05 and P<.01).In addition,on days 14,expression of NF200 was significantly higher in group C compared with group M(P<.05).Compared with group M,STAT3 expression was also higher in group C on days 7 and 14,although these differences were not statistically significant(both P>.05).Conclusion:Cluster needling scalp acupuncture were efficient in improving nerve function scores in rats with cerebral ischemia,and promoting the recovery of motor function.These improvements were associated with increases in NF200 and STAT3 expression.

Effects of scalp cluster needling on cognition and oxidative stress in a rat model of schizophrenia

Objective:To analyze the effects of cluster needling at scalp acupoints(CNSA)on behavioral performance and expression of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in the hippocampus of rats with schizophrenia,and therefore,to shed light on the mechanism of action of CNSA in attenuating schizophrenia.Methods:Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control,model,risperidone,and CNSA groups(9 rats per group).The schizophrenia model was prepared by injecting 0.1 mg/mL dizocilpine maleate(MK-801)for 14 consecutive days.Subsequently,rats in the risperidone and CNSA groups were subjected to the following therapy for 14 consecutive days:(1)Risperidone group:intragastric administration of risperidone suspension(0.4 mg/kg);(2)CNSA group:the"Bǎihuì(百会GV 20)""Qiándǐng(前顶GV21)""Shéntíng(神庭GV24)"Xìnhuì(囟会GV 22)""Tōngtiā(通天BL7)""Luòquè(络却BL8)""Qūchā(曲差BL4)"and"Wǔchù(五处BL 5)"acupoints were selected for needle positioning.Following14-day intervention period,the Morris water maze experiment and open field experiment were performed.Finally,hippocampal tissue specimens were collected and SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px expression levels were measured by ELISA.Results:(1)Morris water maze experiment:Following the 14-day model construction period,the model,risperidone,and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in escape latency(all P<0.05)and a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings(all P<0.05)compared with the control group,indicating successful induction of schizophrenia in the rat model.At the end of the intervention period(28 d),the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant decrease in escape latency(both P<0.05),and the CNSA group showed a significant increase in the number of platform crossings(P<0.05)compared with the model group.(2)Open field experiment:At 14 d,the model,risperidone and CNSA groups exhibited a significant decrease in the travelled distance and amount of time spent in the central zone(all P<0.05)compared with the control group(all P<0.05).At 28 d,the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in the travelled distance and percentage of time spent in the central zone(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(3)Antioxidant enzyme expression:At 28 d,the model group exhibited significant decreases in the hippocampal SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px levels,compared with the control group(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Conclusion:CNSA enabled the attenuation of cognitive impairment and enhancement of memory and learning abilities in the rat model of schizophrenia,plausibly through inhibition of the expression of oxidative stress factors in the hippocampus.

Acupuncture at Jǐngjiājǐ(颈夹脊) combined with nape cluster needling in treatment of 100 patients with cervicogenic headache

The authors have adopted acupuncture at Jǐngjiājǐ（颈夹脊） combined with nape cluster needling in treatment of 100 patients with cervicogenic headache. Nape cluster needling was： Xiànǎohù（下脑户）（located in the median depression under occipital bone）, Fēngfǔ（风府 GV 16） and Yǎmén（哑门 GV 15） were selected longitudinally; horizontally, the part from GV 16 to Wángǔ（完骨 GB 12） was divided into six equal sections, one section was an acupoint, and there were 12 acupoints in total at the left and right sides. Bilateral Jǐngjiājǐ（颈夹脊） points on the second vertebra to the seventh vertebra were selected. The acupuncture was conducted once a day, five days were considered as one course of treatment, and two days were free from treatment between two courses. Four courses of treatment were needed. All the patients were cured clinically. It can be seen that acupuncture at Jǐngjiājǐ combined with nape cluster needling in treatment of cervicogenic headache has sound effect.