Effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points on the expression of microRNA-21 and neuronal apoptosis in rats with acute spinal cord injury. Methods:SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, electro-acupuncture group and methylprednisolone group. The model of acute spinal cord injury was reproduced by modified Allen's method. Each group was given corresponding intervention treatment 2 hours after modeling. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electro-acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points in T8 to T12, the methylprednisolone group was given intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and the sham operation group and model group were not treated. After treatment, BBB scores were observed to evaluate the motor function of posterior limb in each group, and the injured spinal cord tissues were taken. The pathological changes of spinal cord neuropathy were observed by Nissl staining. The expression of microRNA-21 was detected by RT-qPCR, and the expression of apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved-Caspase-3) was detected by Western-Blot. Result:Compared with sham operation group, BBB, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21 were significantly lower, apoptotic rate of neurons was significantly higher, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved Caspase-3 protein and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were significantly increased in model group (P< 0.05). Electroacupuncture could significantly increase BBB score, neuron survival rate and expression of microRNA-21, reduce apoptotic rate of neurons and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and inhibit the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved Caspase-3 protein in tissues, which were significantly different from those of model group (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points can significantly promote the recovery of neurological function in rats after ASCI, and its mechanism may be closely related to the up-regulation of the expression of microRNA-21 in tissues and the inhibition of the activation of Bax/Bcl-2/cleaved Caspase-3 signaling pathway.

Effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2), plus moxibustion and intermediate on postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)plus moxibustion and intermediate frequency on postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).METHODS:A total of 140 outpatients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and volunteered for this treatment were randomly divided into treatment(n=70)and control(n=70)groups.Both groups received a localized lesion area and electroacupuncture treatment combined with moxibustion and intermediate frequency.The treatment group(TG)increased acupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2)and electroacupuncture.Pain and anxiety were assessed before and after 5,10,15,and 20 treatments by using visual pain simulation score(VAS)and Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),respectively.Clinical efficacy was also evaluated.RESULTS:The baseline between the two groups did not significantly differ(P>0.05).The VAS and HAMA scores of the two groups after treatment significantly decreased compared with those of various treatment stages(P>0.05).The HAMA score(P<0.01)of TG was lower than that of the control group(CG).The VAS score of TG was lower than that of CG in the 5th and 10th treatments(P<0.01).In the 15 th and 10 th scores,CG was also superior to TG(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The combined treatment of electroacupuncture at Jiaji acupoints(EX-B 2),moxibustion,and intermediate frequency can relieve the pain and anxiety symptoms of PHN.The efficacy of the combined treatment was superior to traditional acupuncture.

Acupuncture-moxibustion at Jiaji(EX-B 2) points for intervertebral disc herniation: a systematic review

By organizing and classifying the literatures related to acupuncture-moxibustion at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points in treating intervertebral disc herniation （IDH） published before December 32, 2013, to summarize the application status and features of Jiaji （EX-B 2） points. It＇s found that its most favorable indication is IDH. It also further analyzed the action mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points in treating IDH, and brought up some ideas to highlight the further study.

Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (Ex-B 2) Points plus Herbal Medicine for Herpes Zoster

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of electroacupuncture （EA） at Jiaji （Ex-B 2） points plus herbal medicine for herpes zoster （HZ）. Methods： Sixty-two cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group was treated with EA at Jiaji （Ex-B 2） points plus herbal medicine based upon the pattern differentiation. The control group was treated with oral administration of Aciclovir tablets for resisting virus, and Mecobalamin tablets for nourishing the nerves and Aciclovir cream for skin rash. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups, after two-week treatment Results： After 7 d of the treatment, the therapeutic effect was remarkably better in the treatment group than that in the control group （P〈0.01）. After two-week treatment, the therapeutic effects were still different between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of EA at Jiaji （Ex-B 2） points plus herbal medicine for HZ is better than that of Western medications in resisting virus and nourishing nerves.

Treatment of Herpes Zoster with Electroacupuncture plus Collateral-pricking and Cupping Therapy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture （EA） plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy for herpes zoster. Methods： Fifty-three cases with herpes zoster were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty-one cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus local collateral-pricking and cupping therapy. Twenty-two cases in the control group were treated with oral administration of VaLacido~;ir Hvdrochloride and Indomethaci~. Results： The curative and remarkable effective rate was 93.5% in the treatment group and 72.7% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.01）, indicating that EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping therapy is better than Western medications in the clinical effects for herpes zoster. Conclusion： The EA plus collateral-pricking and cupping method is an effective therapy for herpes zoster.

Clinical observation of warm needling moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion at points on the back in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. Methods： Sixty RA patients were randomized into two groups by the random number table, 30 in each group. The observation group was intervened by warm needling moxibustion at the points from the Governor Vessel on the back and Jiaji （EX-B 2） points, while the control group was by regular acupuncture. Results： After intervention, the morning stiffness, joint pain index, joint swelling index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） were significantly improved in both groups （P〈0.01）; the inter-group difference was also statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group versus 76.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Warm needling moxibustion at points from the Governor Vessel on the back and Jiaji （EX-B 2） points can produce a higher efficacy than regular acupuncture in treating RA.

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture plus hydro-acupuncture for low back pain caused by compression fractures

Objective： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly. Methods： Ninety-five elderly in-patients with low back pain caused by compression fractures were randomly divided into an observation group and an EA group according to the visit sequence. Both groups received the same basic treatment. In the EA group, 48 cases were treated with EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points plus the basic therapy; 47 cases in the observation group received the basic treatment plus EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points. The levels of osteoprotegerin （OPG） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） in peripheral blood were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） before and at the 21st day of treatment in both groups. Oswestry disability index （ODI） and visual analog scale （VAS） scores were used to analyze the clinical efficacy. Results： After treatment, the OPG content in the observation group was higher with statistical significance compared with that before treatment in the observation group and after the treatment in the EA group, respectively （both P〈0.05）; the content of IL-1β, ODI and VAS scores were lower than those before treatment in the observation group and after treatment in the EA group with statistical significances （all P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The combination of EA and hydro-acupuncture with sinomenine hydrochloride at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points is effective for low back pain caused by compression fractures in the elderly, and is superior to EA at Jiaji （EX-B 2） points alone.

Electroacupuncture combined with iontophoresis of Chinese medicine for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation

Objective：To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture （EA） combined with iontophoresis of Chinese medicine for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation （LIDH）. Methods： A total of 80 LIDH cases were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group by the random number table, 40 in each group. Cases in the treatment group were treated with EA combined with iontophoresis of Chinese medicine, whereas cases in the control group were treated with EA alone. Cases in both groups were treated once a day, 10 times for one course and there was a 3-day interval between two courses. The therapeutic efficacies in two groups were assessed after two courses of treatment. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire （SF-MPQ） and Japanese Orthopedic Association （JOA） low back pain evaluation questionnaire were used for the scoring system before treatment, after the first treatment and 2 courses of treatment. Results： After two courses of treatment, the total effective rate was 95.0% in the treatment group, versus 87.5% in the control group, showing a statistical difference （P〈0.05）. The therapeutic efficacy in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group after the first treatment and 2 courses of treatment. The score of SF-MPQ in the treatment group was more significantly decreased and the JOA score in the treatment group was more significantly increased, showing statistical differences （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： EA at Jiaji （EX-B2） points combined with iontophoresis of Chinese medicine is better than EA alone in alleviating low back and leg pain and improving functions of the low back and leg as well as the quality of life of LIDH patients .