Influence of Moxibustion of Complementary Acupoints on Analgesic Effect and Mast Cell Function in CIA Rats

[Objectives]To explore the moxibustion effect and mechanism of"Complementary Acupoints"on rheumatoid arthritis(RA).[Methods]A total of 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 group:normal control(K),model group(M group),"the Complementary Acupoints"Yanglingquan and Yinlingquan group(AB group),Shenshu and Zusanli group(CD group),with 8 rats in each group.Moxibustion was performed using refined moxa floss(2 mg/pc)on acupoints in both sides every other day,5 pieces for each acupoint,and implemented for 10 times.Before and after the modeling and after the intervention,the left foot sole thermal pain threshold of each group was measured.After the intervention,the rats'left paws were examined by X-ray to detect the number of mast cells(MCs)and degranulation in the affected area of the foot.[Results]The thermal pain threshold of the model group was lower than that of the K group(P<0.05).The number of MC in the affected area and the degranulation were increased.After the moxibustion intervention,the thermal pain threshold of the AB and CD groups was higher than that of the M group(P<0.05);the number of MCs and degranulation were decreased compared with M group,and the degree of reduction was better than that of CD group.The data of foot and claw showed that the foot and paw soft tissue swelling,bone and joint deformity and bone destruction were better in AB and CD groups were more relieved than that in M group.[Conclusions]The moxibustion of Complementary Acupoints can effectively intervene with RA of rats,and its mechanism may be closely related to the MC degranulation.

Penetration needling on complementary acupoints for insomnia

Objective To observe the comparison of the clinical efficacy between penetration needling from Neiguan （内关 PC 6） to Waiguan （外关 TE 5） and western medicine estazolam for insomnia. Methods Sixty insomnia patients were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table, 30 cases in each group. Penetration needling from PC 6 to TE 5 was mainly adopted in acupuncture group for once a day, 5timesa week, and treatment for 4 weeks was 1 course of treatment. Estazolam was orally given in medicine group before sleep every night in a dosage of 1 mg per time, and treatment for 4 weeks was 2 course of treatment. After 4 weeks, the clinical efficacy and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） score were compared respectively between the two groups. Results The total effective rate was 90.00% in acupuncture group and 63.33% in medicine group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. PSQI score in acupuncture group was （7.93＋3.77）, which was superior to that in medicine group （10.60＋4.20）, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The penetration needling of complementary acupoints from PC 6 to TE 5 was simple and convenient which can significantly improve the patients＇ sleep quality.