Effects on the Tumor Specific Growth Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factorαin Rats'Precancerous Lesion of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Direct Moxibustion at Ganshu(BL 18)Acupoint

Objective： To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu （BL18） on the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor （TSGF） and tumor necrosis factor a （TNF-a） in a rat model with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC. Methods： Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group （n=10）, model group （n=20）, prevention group 1 （n=15） and prevention group 2 （n=15）. The normal rats were injected with physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct moxibusUon with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the rats in the prevention group 1 （1 treatment course, 20 days） and prevention group 2 （2 treatment courses, 40 days）, 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once every other day. At each time point （before model establishment, the end of 1st course prevention, the end of 2rid course prevention and the end of model establishment）, serum levels of TSGF and TNF-eL were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results： Compared with the control group, there was a remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-eL contents in the model group at the end of the experiment （P〈0.05）. At the end of the 1st course of direct moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF- a of rats in the prevention group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group （P〈0.05）. At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF-a levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with significantly difference （P〈0.05）, and the levels of TSGF and TNF-a in the prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect of two courses were better than one course.

Effect of direct moxibustion on blood pressure and clinical symptoms in elderly patients with essential hypertension

Objective： To assess the effects of direct moxibustion on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure （ABP） and clinical symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in elderly patients with essential hypertension, and to explore the antihypertensive effect and influencing factors of moxibustion. Methods： A total of 101 elderly hypertension patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a direct moxibustion I group （n=33）, a direct moxibustion II group （n=34）, and a control group （n----34）. The treatment of calcium antagonist （CCB） or angiotensin II receptor antagonist （ARB） was adopted in the control group. The treatment of direct moxibustion I plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion I group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The treatment of direct moxibustion II plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion II group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The changes of 24-hour ABP and clinical symptoms of TCM after treatment were compared in the three groups. Results： The mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure （mean 24 h ASBP）, night ASBP, percentage of mean 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure （mean 24 h ADBP）~90 mmHg, and percentage of day ADBP^90 mmHg in the control group were elevated after treatment （P^0.05）. The percentage of night ADBP^80 mmHg in the direct moxibustion I group was reduced by treatment （P〈0.01）. There were no significant differences in the other outcome measures of 24 h ABP, such as day ASBP, percentage of mean 24 h ASBP^140 mmHg, percentage of day ASBP^140 mmHg, percentage of night ASBP 〉120 mmHg, mean 24 h ADBP, day ADBP, night ADBP, 24 h ambulatory pulse pressure （APP）, after treatment in all groups （P^0.05）. The degree of improvement of the clinical symptoms of TCM showed significant differences among the three groups of patients （P^0.01）. The total effective rate in the direct moxibustion I group was 73.3%, which was superior to those in the direct moxibustion II group and control group （13.3% and 10.0%, respectively）. Conclusion： The direct moxibustion has benign regulative effect on blood pressure of elderly patients with essential hypertension, and improves their clinical symptoms. The direct moxibustion method I （burning the next moxa cone after the previous one had totally burnt out） was superior to method II （burning the next moxa cone when the previous one had not totally burnt out ） in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms of elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Treatment of Limb Pain after Wind-stroke by Direct Moxibustion with Small Moxa Cones

Thirty-one cases of limb pain after wind-stroke were treated by direct moxibustion with small moxa cones. Results showed that 12 cases got remarkable effects, 15 cases effect and 4 cases ineffectiveness, with a total effective rate of 87.1%.

EFFECT OF HERB-MEDICINE-CAKE-SEPARATED MOXIBUSTION ON SERUM LIPOPROTEIN CONTENTS IN HYPERLIPEMIA RABBITS

Objective: To study the effect of medicinal herb-cake-separated moxibustion on serum lipoprotein levels in hyperlipemia rabbits. Methods: A total of 55 New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group (n=13), model group (n=14), direct moxibustion group (n=14) and medicinal herb-cake-separated moxibustion (indirect moxibustion) group (n=14). Hyperlipemia model was established by feeding the animals with specialized forage (15% vitellus powder, 5% lard, 0.5% cholesterol and common forage) for 6 weeks. Moxibustion was applied to “Juque”(CV 14), “Tianshu”(ST 25), “Fenglong”(ST 40), etc., 4 moxa-cones for every acupoint, once daily and continuously for 40 days. Serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TCh) contents were assayed with colorimentric method. Results: Compared with control group, TCh and TG levels of model group increased significantly (P< 0.01). TCh and TG contents of direct moxibustion and indirect moxibustion groups were significantly lower than those of model group (P<0.01). Comparison between two moxibustion groups showed that serum TCh level of indirect moxibustion group was strikingly lower than that of direct moxibustion group (P<0.01). It indicated that both direct and indirect moxibustion could effectively lower hyperlipemia and the therapeutic effect of indirect moxibustion was significantly superior to that of direct moxibustion in lowering serum TCh level. Conclusion: Both direct and indirect moxibustion can regulate lipid metabolism and the therapeutic effect of medicinal herb-cake-separated moxibustion is superior to that of direction moxibustion in hyperlipemia rabbits.

Can moxibustion, an ancient treatment modality, be evaluated in a double-blind randomized controlled trial? —— A narrative review

For thousands of years, moxibustion has been used for various diseases in China and other Asian countries. Despite the recent surge in Chinese herbal studies, few randomized controlled trials have been conducted on this modality, possibly due to the lacking of suitable double blinding methodology. This is a review of extant sham moxa devices and an introduction to a recently developed device that needs further validation.

Review on Clinical and Mechanism Studies of Moxibustion Therapy for Chronic Gastritis

By computer research, the literature of clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis in the recent fifteen years was collected, sorted and analyzed, in order to understand the general situation about the clinical and experimental studies on moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, summarize the regularity of moxibustion therapy for chronic gastritis, so as to guide the treatment of chronic gastritis.

Experimental observation of effects of acupoints,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature

Objective:To observe the effects of acupoints,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion with different moxibustion methods on skin surface and inside temperature,and to provide references for the clinical standardization of moxibustion amount.Methods:The 42 big-ear white rabbits were divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method,a 2-cone direct moxibustion group,a 2-cone direct moxibustion group,a 3-cone direct moxibustion group,a 1-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,a 2-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,and a 3-cone herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group,with 7 rabbits in each group.Shenque(CV 8);Shenshu(BL 23)and Zusanli(ST 36)were used in each group,but the moxibustion methods,cone numbers and durations of moxibustion were different・Rabbits in each group received moxibustion once every other day for 5 times in total.During the intervention,a thermoelectricity coupled probe and a temperature recorder were used to record the real-time-acupoint skin temperature and the temperature at different time points,so as to observe,analyze and process the real-time changes in the temperature difference between the surface and inside of acu point skin.Results:For herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion,the best temperature for cone changing was(46.38±0.51)℃when the highest surface temperature was(49.20±0.52)℃;the multi-factor comparison of acupoint×cone number×time and acupoint×moxibustion method×time showed that time×acupoint,time×moxibustion method and cone number×acupoint had interactive effects(all P<0.05).Comparing skin temperature differences between different cone numbers at the same acupoint,Shenque(CV 8)on the 1st and the 5th days,Shenshu(BL 23)on the 3rd and the 7th days,Zusanli(ST 36)on the 1st and the 9th days of experiment showed statistically significant differences(all P<0.05).The skin temperature comparison of different moxibustion methods at the same acupoint all had statistical differences(all Pv0.05),except for Shenque(CV 8)before moxibustion,Shenshu(BL 23)before moxibustion and on the 5th day;Zusanli(ST 36)only showed statistical differences on the 5th and 7th days(both P<0.05).The skin temperature differences of different acupoints after moxibustion in the 1-cone,2-cone and 3-cone groups were statistically different(all P<0.05);direct moxibustion and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at different acupoints were all statistically different(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Cone changing temperature under the same specifications of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion was confirmed.Temperature differenee between surface and inside of different acupoint skin at the same maximum temperature was significantly different due to the cone numbers and moxibustion methods,which showed the highest at Shenshu(BL 23),the sec ond at Shenque(CV 8),and the lowest at Zusanli(ST 36).The in fluence of acupoint factor should be considered to determine the quantitative indicators of moxibustion.

Research Progress of Common Andrological Diseases Treated by Moxibustion Therapy

Objective： To summarize the current status of clinical and experimental researches on the treatment of common andrological diseases by moxibustion therapy. Methods： In search of the domestic medical databases by the keywords of moxibustion and andrology, the therapeutic methods of moxibustion on andrological diseases, the rules in acupoints selection and research progress on the mechanism, , are summarized based upon the available literature. Results and Conclusion： Moxibustion therapy is safe and effective for common andrological diseases. However, the therapeutic plan, the criteria of diagnostic and therapeutic effect still need to be further standardized.

Clinical observation of the effects of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs on cancer pain and immune function

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to・severe cancer pain,and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain.Methods:A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for an algesia accordi ng to the stan dardized man agement prin ciples for cancer pain.In addition,the observati on group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone.The treatment was performed once a day,continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course,and a total of 2 courses were performed.The score of numerical rating scale(NRS)and 24 h eq ui vale nt morphi ne consumpti on was compared betwee n the two groups before treatment,after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment.The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment.Results:During the treatment,there were 3 dropouts in the control group,and 2 dropouts in the observation group.Before the treatme nt,there were no sign ificant differe nces in the NRS score and 24 h equivale nt morphine consumpti on betwee n the two groups(both P>0.05).The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period,and there was no significant differenee in the intra-group comparison after treatment(both P>0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point(both P>0.05).In the control group,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on showed an in creasi ng trend.The dosage after 1 treatme nt course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group(both P<0.01).There was no significant cha nge in the mea n 24 h equivale nt morphi ne con sumpti on in the observati on group compared with that before treatme nt(both P>0.05).After 2 courses of treatme nt,the 24 h equivale nt morphine con sumpti on in the observati on group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3:CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)between the two groups(all P>0.05).After treatment the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+Z CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)in the control group were lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05),while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment,and the levels of CD3+and CD4+were significantly different from those before treatment(both P<0.05).After treatment,the levels of T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+and CD4+/CD8+)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.

Regulatory effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on cholesterol reverse transport nuclear receptor LXRα in rabbits with atherosclerosis

Objective: To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver X receptor alpha (LXRa) in rabbits with atherosclerosis. Methods: Thirty-six male New Zea la nd rabbits were ran domly divided into a no rmal group, a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a simvastatin group according to the random number table method, with 9 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in the model group, the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group were modeled by high fat feeding method which took 12 weeks. After verification of the successful model, rabbits in the normal group were not treated, in the model group were bun died, in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustio n group were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion, and those in the simvastatin group were treated with simvastatin, all for a total of 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the aorta and liver were observed for pathological changes;serum and liver were used to detect lipid levels;Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect LXRa protein and mRNA expression levels, respectively. Results: Compared with the normal group, the structure of aorta was disordered, the wall was rough and thick, the intima was unsmooth, and the vascular smooth muscle cells were arranged closely and disorderly in the model group, which was consistent with the characteristics of the rabbit model of aortic atherosclerosis. Compared with the model group, the aortic structure was clear;the degree of hepatocyte degeneration was reduced, the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), the high-density lipoprotein level was elevated (P<0.01), and the total liver cholesterol was decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the rabbits of the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the simvastatin group;compared with the model group, the protein (PvO.Ol or P<0.05) and mRNA (P<0.01) expressions of rabbit LXRa in the herbal cake-partiti oned moxibusti on group and the simvastati n group were in creased. Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can improve the aortic and hepatic lesions, regulate blood lipid and liver lipid levels, in crease the expressi on of liver cholesterol reverse tran sport nu clear receptor LXRa, promote reverse cholesterol transport in the rabbits with aortic atherosclerosis, therefore produces an antiatherogenic effect.

Clinical Study of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Girls with Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding in adolescent girls. Methods： One hundred and seventeen subjects were randomized into two groups, a treatment group in which 87 cases were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion, and a control group in which 30 cases were treated by western medications. The clinical efficacy was observed after treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 97.7% in the treatment group and 86.7% in the control group, with better efficacy in the treatment group than in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture and moxibustion is quite effective for adolescent dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Clinical Observation on Moxa Cone Moxibustion Treatment for Chronic Diarrhea

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of moxa cone moxibustion for chronic intractable diarrhea. Methods： Sixty cases in conformity with the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups randomly. Thirty cases in the treatment group were treated by moxa cone moxibustion on Pishu （BL 20） and Shenshu （BL 23）, while 30 cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects were compared after one treatment course. Results： The total effective rate was higher in the treatment group than that in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P0.05）. Conclusion： Moxa cone moxibustion is better than oral administration of herbal medicine in treatment of chronic intractable diarrhea.

Professor Yan Jun-bai's experience in treating rheumatic arthritis with suppurative moxibustion

To summarize the clinical experience of Prof. Yan Jun-bai in treating rheumatic arthritis （RA） with suppurative moxibustion and aim to guide acupuncture treatment for RA. Prof. Yan believes that contributing factors of RA include external contraction of pathogenic factors, obstructed flow of qi and blood, internal phlegm-turbidity （due to deficiency of healthy qi or improper diet）, and obstruction or malnourishment of meridians. As a result, the treatment strategies are to warm yang, remove pathogenic factors, and tonify the liver, spleen and kidney. Suppurative moxibustion is a reliable therapy for RA.

Effect of Moxibustion on the Contorted Seminiferous Tubules Diameter of the Senile Mice

The age-related changes in reproductive system were very significant. For humans, the testis atrophied gradually along with the aging after the presenium. Some reports supported that the testicular size （long diameter, short diameter） of elderly males were quite different from the young. The testes of old men become small and hard to induce the less androgen secretion, sex hormone disturbance and reproductive dysfunction or defuctionalization, suggesting the aging. The contorted seminiferous tubules （CST） diameter of senile mice was adopted as histological indices to study the impact of moxibustion on gonad testes.

Randomized controlled trial on chronic functional constipation treated with grain-shaped moxibustion and acupuncture

Objective To compare the differences of therapeutic effects of chronic functional constipation treated with the combined therapy of moxibustion and acupuncture and simple acupuncture. Methods One hundred cases of constipation were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a simple acupuncture group with 50 cases for each group. Two groups of acupoints were adopted every other day alternatively for both groups. Point group 1： Tiansha （天枢ST 25）, Daheng （大横 SP 15）, Qihai （气海 CV 6）, Guanyuan （关元 CV 4）, Ztisanli （足三里 ST 36）, Shangjhxu （上巨虚 ST 37） and Sanyinjiao （三阴交 SP 6）. Point group 2： Zhsngliao （中髎 BL 33）, Xiatliao （下髎 BL 34）, Dachangsha （大肠俞 BL 25）, Shenshu （肾俞 BL 23） and Pisha （脾俞 BL 20）. Acupuncture was the only therapy adopted for acupuncture group on all the above mentioned points. While, for acupuncture-moxibustion group, moxibustion with grain-shaped moxa cones was applied on Qihai （所海 CV 6）, Zusatnli （足三里 ST 36）, Datchangshu （大肠俞 BL 25） and Pishu （脾俞 BL 20）, and acupuncture was applied on the rest points. Clinical therapeutic effect, clinical score of constipation, quality of life and score of psychological symptoms were observed before and after the treatment. Results The total effective rate in acupuncture-moxihustion group was 74.0%（37/50）, which was superior to that （52.0%, 26/50） in acupuncture group （P〈0.05）. The clinical scores of constipation, quality of life and scores of psychological symptoms of both groups improved after the treatment. For clinical scores of constipation, degree of difficulty in bowel movement, duration of defecation, abdominal pain, difficulty in exsufflation, incomplete sensation after defecation, obstruction sense of anus, purgative prescription dependence, score of life quality and psychological symptoms of acupuneture-moxibustion group were all better than those of simple acupuncture group （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Conclusion The combined therapy of both moxibustion with grain-shaped moxa cones and acupuncture is safe and effective in treatment of chronic functional constipation, and the effect is superior to simple therapy of acupuncture.

Experimental Research on the Anti-tumor Effect of Moxibustion Serum

Objective： To observe the inhibiting tumor effect of moxibustion serum on the tumor-bearing mice Methods： The mice were transplanted with C57BL/6 mouse thymus cells to form solid tumor and were intraperitoneally injected with moxibustion serum. The tumor growth and survival time of tumor-bearing mice were recorded. Results： The moxibustion serum could significantly postpone the formation of tumor nodules. Compared with the tumor-bearing group, tumor nodules formation time of all treatment groups was delayed and the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice was prolonged. Besides, the inhibiting tumor effect of moxibustion serum in the pre-treatment group was better than that in the moxibustion serum treatment group. Moxibustion acts specifically on acupoints. Conclusion： The moxibustion serum had obvious anti-tumor effects.

Abdominal Acupuncture Combined with Moxibustion for Pelvic Inflammation

Pelvic inflammation is a generic term for inflammation of the female upper reproductive tract and its surrounding tissues, which mainly includes endometritis, salpingitis, turbo-ovarian abscesses （TOA）, and pelvioperitonitis. The inflammation can be limited in one site, or involves several sites. salpingitis and salpingo-oophoritis are most common, which might be acute or chronic. Chronic pelvic inflammation is more intractable, mainly manifesting as lower abdominal down-bearing sidtension or pain,

Wu Ji Health Promotion Moxibustion by Mr.Kim Nam-soo

Mu-guk-bo-yang-tm （tm means moxibustion）, which Nam-soo Kim has developed from extensive clinical findings through acupuncture and moxibustion applications for over 80 years. Mu-guk-bo-yang-tm inclucing Zusanli （ST 36）, Quchi （LI 11）, Zhongwan （CV 12）, Feishu （BL 13）, Gaohuang （BL 43）, Baihui （GV 20）, Qihai （CV 6）, Guanyuan （CV 4） [Zhongji （CV 3） and Shuidao （ST 28） replace Qihai （CV 6） and Guanyuan （CV 4） for women]. Do moxibustion 3-5 cones on every point with half the size of a rice ofmoxa every day.

Treatment of 30 Cases of Meniere＇s Disease with Acupuncture

Meniere＇s disease is a disorder of the inner ear pathologically characterized by hydrops of the membranous labyrinth and clinically manifested by repeated episodes of vertigo, sensorineural deafness and tinnitus. The author has treated 30 cases of meniere＇s disease using acupuncture therapy. Now, the report is given as follows.