Electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels and transplantation of umbilical cord bloodderived mesenchymal stem cells for treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is a novel means of treating cerebral ischemia/reper- fusion, and can promote angiogenesis and neurological functional recovery. Acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels also has positive effects as a treatment for cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion. Therefore, we hypothesized that electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels plus mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may have better therapeutic effects on the promotion of angiogenesis and recovery of neurological function than either treatment alone. In the present study, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, cultured, identified and intracranially transplanted into the striatum and subcortex of rats at 24 hours following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Subsequently, rats were electro-acupunctured at Conception and Governor vessels at 24 hours after transplantation. Modified neurological severity scores and immunohistochemistry findings revealed that the combined interventions of electro-acupuncture and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation clearly improved neurological impairment and up-regulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression around the isch- emic focus. The combined intervention provided a better outcome than mesenchymal stem cell transplantation alone. These findings demonstrate that electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation have synergetic effects on promot- ing neurological function recovery and angiogenesis in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Effects of decompression joint Governor Vessel electro-acupuncture on rats with acute upper cervical spinal cord injury

Decompression is the major therapeutic strategy for acute spinal cord injury,but there is some debate about the time window for decompression following spinal cord injury.An important goal and challenge in the treatment of spinal cord injury is inhibiting or reversing secondary injury.Governor Vessel electroacupuncture can improve symptoms of spinal cord injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and improving the microenvironment of the injured spinal cord.In this study,Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with decompression at different time points was used to treat acute spinal cord injury.The rat models were established by inserting a balloon catheter into the atlanto-occipital space.The upper cervical spinal cord was compressed for 12 or 48 hours prior to decompression.Electroacupuncture was conducted at the acupoints Dazhui（GV14） and Baihui（GV 20）（2 Hz,15 minutes） once a day for 14 consecutive days.Compared with decompression alone,hind limb motor function recovery was superior after decompression for 12 and 48 hours combined with electroacupuncture.However,the recovery of motor function was not significantly different at 14 days after treatment in rats receiving decompression for 12 hours.Platelet-activating factor levels and caspase-9 protein expression were significantly reduced in rats receiving electroacupuncture compared with decompression alone.These findings indicate that compared with decompression alone,Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with delayed decompression（48 hours） is more effective in the treatment of upper cervical spinal cord injury.Governor Vessel electroacupuncture combined with early decompression（12 hours） can accelerate the recovery of nerve movement in rats with upper cervical spinal cord injury.Nevertheless,further studies are necessary to confirm whether it is possible to obtain additional benefit compared with early decompression alone.

Electroacupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang for hippocampal neurons in rats with depression

BACKGROUND： Long-term anti-depression treatment can promote the regeneration of hippocampal regeneration. Up-regulation of hippocampal regeneration can reverse or prevent against the injury of stress to cerebrum, especially to hippocampal structure and function. Therefore, promoting hippocampal neuronal regeneration may be a new strategy for treating depression and anxiety, OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang on hippocampal neurons from model rats of depression. DESIGN： A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING： Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： Twenty-four Wistar rats, of either gender, aged 2 months old, weighing 200 - 220 g, were provided by the Animal Experimental Center, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. METHODS： This experiment was carried out in the Clinical Molecular Biochemical Laboratory, Shenzhen Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between October 2006 and April 2007. ①The involved rats were randomized into 4 groups according to body mass： blank control group, model group, electroacupuncture A group and electroacupuncture B group, with 6 in each. Rats in the blank control group were free to access to water, and were not given any intervention. Rats in the latter 3 groups were developed into rat depression models by chronic stress combined with feeding alone, and received 21-day unpredictable various stresses. Rats in the model group were euthanized at 14 days after modeling, and their brain tissues were harvested. Rats in the electroacupuncture A group were modeled, then points ＂Baihui＂ and ＂Shenting＂ were chosen, and given electroacupuncture, once a day, 20 minutes once. Rats in the electroacupuncture B group were modeled, then points ＂Baihui＂, ＂Shenting＂, ＂Xinshu＂and ＂Ganshu＂ were chosen, and frequency and therapeutic time were the same as those of electroacupuncture A group. Rats in the latter 2 groups were also given electroacupuncture, and their brain tissues were harvested 14 days later. ②Index evaluation： Neurons in hippocampal CA 1 and CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus [neuron specific enolase （NSE）-positive cells] were counted by immunofluorescent technique. Each rat was weighted on the day of grouping and before execution at 35 days, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Neuron amount in each hippocampal region and body mass of rats in each group. RESULTS： Twenty-four rats were involved in the final analysis.①Neuronal amount in each region of hippocampus： Neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus of rats in the model group were significantly less than those in the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. Neurons in hippocampal CAland CA3 regions as well as dentate gyrus of rats in the electroacupuncture A and B groups were more than those in the model group （P 〈 0.05）. ② Change in body mass of rats： Body mass increase of rats in the model group was less than that in the blank control group （P 〈 0.05）, and body mass increase of electroacupuncture A and B groups was significantly more than that in the model group, respectively （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture at Du channel and meridian of foot-Taiyang alleviates hippocampal neuronal injury of rats, and thereby, improves depression and promotes the increase of body mass of rats.

Electroacupuncture at Dazhui(GV14) and Mingmen(GV4) protects against spinal cord injury:the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Electroacupuncture at Dazhui（GV14） and Mingmen（GV4） on the Governor Vessel has been shown to exhibit curative effects on spinal cord injury; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we established rat models of spinal cord injury using a modified Allen＇s weight-drop method. Ninety-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups： sham（only laminectomy）, SCI（induction of spinal cord injury at T10）, and EA（induction of spinal cord injury at T10 and electroacupuncture intervention at GV14 and GV4 for 20 minutes once a day）. Rats in the SCI and EA groups were further randomly divided into the following subgroups： 1-day（n = 11）, 7-day（n = 11）, and 14-day（n = 11）. At 1, 7, and 14 days after electroacupuncture treatment, the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale showed obvious improvement in rat hind limb locomotor function, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the histological change of injured spinal cord tissue was obviously alleviated, and immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that Wnt1, Wnt3 a, β-catenin immunoreactivity and protein expression in the injured spinal cord tissue were greatly increased compared with the sham and SCI groups. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture at GV14 and GV4 upregulates Wnt1, Wnt3 a, and β-catenin expression in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, exhibiting neuroprotective effects against spinal cord injury.

Effect of electroacupuncture at conception vessel and governor vessel on correlative signals of stress-injury-repair in cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats

Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at conception vessel and governor vessel on correlative signals of inflammatory response stressinjury-repair in cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats. Methods A total of 216 rats were included in the experiment, of which 192 rats were randomly divided into four groups, including sham operation group（group A）, model group（group B）, governor vessel group（group C）, and conception vessel and governor vessel group（group D）, 48 rats in each group. The rats in each group were further divided into six sub-groups, including 12 h group, 24 h group, 48 h group, 72 h group, 96 h group and 144 h group. MCAO operation course was simulated in group A, and the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and external carotid artery on the right side were exposed, without insertion of suture or treatment. After completion of modeling in group B, treatment was not conducted. After completion of modeling in group C, ＂Shuǐgōu（水沟 GV 26）＂, ＂Bǎihuì（百会 GV 20）＂ and ＂Dàzhuī（大椎 GV 14）＂ of governor vessel were selected, and electroacupuncture device was connected with ＂GV 14＂ and ＂GV 20＂. After completion of modeling in group D, ＂GV 26＂, ＂GV 20＂ and ＂GV 14＂ of governor vessel, and ＂Qìhǎi（气海 CV 6）＂, ＂Guānyuán（关元 CV 4）＂ and ＂Chéngjiāng（承浆 CV 24）＂ of conception vessel were selected; electroacupuncture device was connected with ＂GV 14＂ and ＂GV 20＂, ＂CV 4＂ and ＂CV 6＂. Neurological severity score was conducted.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was applied to determine the concentration of peripheral serum adrenocorticotropic hormone（ACTH） of rats, and immunohistochemical method was adopted to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α（TNF-α） and transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1） in brain tissue of rats. The other 24 rats were also randomly divided into four groups mentioned above, 6 rats in each group, to detect cerebral ischemie volume. Results Compared with group B, the ischemia volume in brain tissue at 144 h after cerebral ischemia reperfusion decreased significantly in group C and group D（P〈0.05）, and the ischemia volume in group D was less than that in group C（P〈0.05）. The neurological impairment scores of group C and group D at all time points were lower than those of group B, and the differences were statistically significant（all P〈0.05）. The scores of group D at all time points were lower than those of group C, and the differences since 24 h were statistically significant（all P〈0.05）. Compared with group B, the excessive expression of ACTH was suppressed dynamically and generally in group C and group D（P〈0.05）; the expression level of TNF-α was down-regulated and TGF-β1 was up-regulated as well in group C and group D（P〈0.05）. The effect in group D was superior to that in group C. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at conception vessel and governor vessel can protect brain through the intervention of the expression of correlative signals of inflammatory response stress-injury-repair of cerebral ischemia reperfusion.

Clinical observation of cerebral palsy treated with Chinese massage for promoting the Governor Vessel, benefiting the kidney and strengthening the spleen combined with music therapy

Objective To observe the effects on the range of motion （ROM） of ankle joint and muscular spasm of the lower limbs treated with Chinese massage for promoting the Governor Vessel, benefiting the kidney and strengthening the spleen combined with music therapy in infantile cerebral palsy （CP）. Methods In 286 cases of spasmodic CP, 7 kinds of Chinese massage were adopted, named massage on acupoints to promote circulation of the Governor Vessel, massage for strengthening the spleen and benefiting qi, spine-pinching therapy, segmental massage, foot massage, massage for promoting the recovery of muscle strength and massage for promoting ROM of joints. Chinese massage was applied in musical background. Buddha music and five-element music of Chinese medicine （music of the Heart, Liver and Kidney Meridians） were optioned. The treatment was given once or twice a day and 30 days made one course. The angles of femoral adductor and dorsal flexion of foot as well as the score of composite spasticity scale （CSS） were observed before and after treatment so that the therapeutic effect was assessed. Results In 30 days of treatment, 106 cases （37. 1%） were effective markedly, 172 cases （60. 1%） effective and 8 cases （2.8%） failed. The angle of dorsal flexion of foot was （105.64± 12.66）° and （76.58± 9.89）° before and after treatment respectively; the angle of femoral adductor was （119.89±25.47）° and （158.99± 18.66）° before and after treatment respectively; the score of CSS was （12.39±2.56） and （7. 069 ± 2.97） before and after treatment respectivel, there was significant difference before and after treatment （all P〈0.01）. Conclusion Chinese massage for promoting the Governor Vessel, benefiting the kidney and strengthening the spleen combined with music therapy brings the extremely active effect into play on the recovery of sitting, kneeling, standing and walking for children with CP.

Effect of sliding-cup along governor vessel on tcpO_2 and tapCO_2 in Mìngmén(命门 GV 4) point of sub-healthy humans: observation on different cupping pressure

Objective To explore the effects of sliding-cup with different parameters on energy metabolism in the body by observing the effect of sliding-cup along the governor vessel on transcutaneous partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in Mìngmén（命门 GV 4） in sub-healthy people. Methods A total of 10 sub-healthy adults at rest were observed and sliding-cup along the governor vessel were conducted with three different parameters, jar-pressure of –0.01~ –0.02 MPa with sliding-cup for 5 min, jar-pressure of –0.02~ –0.03 MPa with sliding-cup for 5 min and jar-pressure of –0.02~ –0.03 MPa with slidingcup for 3 min. Peri Flux System5000 PF5040 module was employed to monitor the changes of transcutaneous partial pressures of oxygen（tcp O2） and carbon dioxide（tcp CO2） in GV 4 at 0 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 20 min, 25 min and 30 min after sliding-cup with above different interventions in sub-healthy subjects. Results After sliding-cup, tcp O2 increased at first and then decreased over time; there was no difference in tcp O2 after sliding-cupping with different parameters（all P0.05）. After sliding-cup, tcp CO2 decreased; there was no difference in tcp CO2 after sliding-cup with different parameters（all P0.05）. Conclusion Sliding-cup has a sustained effect on the body and can speed up the energy metabolism in the body.

Influence of electroacupuncture therapy of tonifying the kidney and regulating governor vessel on Aβ related degradation enzymes in the hippocampus of a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Aβ_(1-42)

Objective： To explore influence of electroacupuncture（EA） therapy of tonifying the kidney and regulating governor vessel on amyloid beta（Aβ） related degradation enzymes in the hippocampus of a rat model of Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） induced by Aβ（1-42）.Methods： Forty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each one. The rats in normal group were normally fed. The rats in sham operation group were bilaterally injected in the hippocampus with 5 μL of saline and they were normally fed after the injection. The rats in the model group and the EA group were bilaterally injected in the hippocampus with 5 μL of Aβ（1-42） on each side. Rats in the EA group received EA of 5 Hz continuous wave at the ＂Bǎihuì（百会 GV20）＂ and bilateral ＂Shènshū（肾俞 BL23）＂ for a duration of 15 min per time every day and continuously for 15 days. After 15 days, the hippocampal expression levels of insulin degrading enzyme（IDE）, lipoprotein（LPL）, transthyretin（TTR）, apolipoprotein E（APoE）,a2 macroglobulin（a2 M） and Aβ（1-42） of the 4 groups were tested by Western blot.Results： Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of IDE, LPL, TTR, APoE and a2 M in the hippocampus were significantly lower（P〈 0.05, P〈 0.01） and the expression of Aβ（1-42） was significantly higher（P〈 0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group, the expression levels of IDE, LPL, TTR,APoE and a2 M in the hippocampus of these rats were significantly lower（P〈 0.05,P〈 0.01）, the expression of Aβ（1-42） was significantly higher（P〈 0.01） in the EA group.Conclusion： EA therapy of tonifying the kidney and regulating governor vessel can enhance the expression of IDE, LPL, TTR, APoE, and a2 M in the hippocampus of AD rats injected by Aβ（1-42）, and may consequently promote the degradation of aβ（1-42） to help improve the pathological manifestations of AD and therefore delay its progression.

Clinical Study on Treatment of Post-apoplectic Limb Spasm by Puncturing Acupoints of Governor Vessel

Objective： To investigate the clinical significance of treating post-apoplectic limb spasm by puncturing the acupoints of Governor Vessel as a main therapy. Methods： Twenty- nine patients with post-apoplectic limb spasm were treated by puncturing the acupoints of Governor Vessel plus the acupoints adjacent to joints, together with another 29 patients treated by conventional acupoints for comparison of the curative effects. Results： Before treatment, there was no significant difference in Ashoworth limb tension score and Fugl-Meyer motor function score between the two groups of patients （P〉0.05）. After treatment, there was significant difference in tension score between the two groups （P〈0.05）. Motor function score significantly increased as compared with that before the treatment in both groups （P〈0.01）, but limb motor function improved more obviously in the treatment group than in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： To puncture the acupoints of Governor Vessel as a main therapy can significantly improve the curative effect in the treatment of post-apoplectic limb spasm than conventional acupuncture method.

Efficacy observation on Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-calming acupuncture for insomnia

Objective：To observe the effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-calming acupuncture on insomnia and further develop the academic idea on Gao＇s lineage acupuncture.Methods：A total of 68 insomnia cases were randomly allocated into an acupuncture group（n=34） and a medication group（n=34） according to their sequences of consultation.Patients in the acupuncture group received acupuncture treatment once a day,5 d a week,for 4 weeks.Patients in the medication group took 1 mg of Estazolam before sleep for each dose,one dose a day,for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,the sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI）,and the efficacy was assessed using the PSQI reductive rate.Results：After treatment,the global PSQI score and scores of each component in the acupuncture group were significantly decreased（all P〈0.01）.The global PSQI score in the medication group was significantly decreased（P〈0.01）.Except for sleep disturbance,scores of the rest of components were significantly decreased（P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）.The between-group difference was statistically significant in global PSQI score（P〈0.01）.Except for sleep latency and duration,scores of the sleep quality,efficiency,disturbance and daytime dysfunction in the acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the medication group（all P〈0.05）.In addition,the recovery and marked effect rate in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the medication group（P〈0.05）.Conclusion：The Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-calming acupuncture is safe,reliable for insomnia and has better efficacy than Estazolam.

Combinatorial effects of conception and governor vessel electroacu-puncture and human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells on pathomorphologic lesion and cellular apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combinatorial effects of conception and governor vessel electroacupuncture(EA) and human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells(HUCB-MSCs) on pathomorphologic lesion and cellular apoptosis in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: With the HUCB-MSCs isolated, cultured and identified and the models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion established, the HUCB-MSCs of passage three were intracranially transplanted and the EA at conception and governor vessels was applied. The pathomorphologic lesion by hematoxylin-eosin staining and the cellular apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling method around the ischemic focus were observed. RESULTS: The cultured adherent HUCB-MSCs exhibited a spindle shape and expressed MSC-specific markers, with the cell purity and proliferation rate significantly increasing after the primary passage. HE staining showed that there were no pathological changes observed in the sham surgery group. However, in the PBS transplantation group, degeneration and necrosis of a great number of nerve cells were seen. In both the HUCB-MSCs transplantation group and the HUCB-MSCs transplantation + EA group, reparative changes of the pathomorphism of the tissue were found. Both combination treatment and simple MSCs treatment were able to improve the pathomorphorlogic lesion following cerebral ischemia and reduce the abnormal TUNEL-positive numbers, with former better than latter. CONCLUSION: HUCB-MSCs improve pathological lesions and inhibit the cellular apoptosis around the cerebral ischemic area. EA at conception and governor vessels also improve pathological lesion and inhibit the cellular apoptosis in rats treated with HUCB-MSCs transplantation, which effects were superior to that of simple HUCB-MSCs transplantation.

Clinical observation on row needling at the Governor Vessel on the head for poststroke insomnia

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of row needling at the Governor Vessel on the head for poststroke insomnia,analyze the changes of sleep structure,serum amino acid neurotransmitters,vascular endothelial cell function and cognitive function,in order to explore the mechanism of this therapy.Methods:A total of 41 patients with poststroke insomnia were included in an observation group and treated with row needing at the Governor Vessel on the head;33 patients with poststroke insomnia were included in a control group and given routine acupuncture treatment.The patients in both groups were treated consecutively for one month.The efficacy was observed and the changes of related indicators were compared.Results:After treatment,the efficacy of the observation group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05).The sleep latency in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05);the total sleep duration,deep sleep duration,light sleep duration and rapid eye movement sleep duration in the observation group were significantly longer than those in the control group(P<0.05);the total waking duration and the waking times over 5 min were significantly less than those in the control group(P<0.05).The serum glutamic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid,calcitonin gene-related peptide,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,nerve growth factor and nitric oxide levels were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).The tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,bradykinin,and endothelin-1 levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).The Pittsburgh sleep quality index score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01),and the mini-mental state examination score was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Row needling at the Governor Vessel on the head can effectively improve the sleep structure,cognitive function,and sleep quality of patients with poststroke insomnia.The possible mechanisms are regulating serum amino acid neurotransmitters and improving the function of vascular endothelial cells.

Functional Feature of“Five Yang Acupoints”in Governor Vessel

Governor Vessel is one of eight extraordinary Meridians, and been also called ＂the sea of Yang Meridians＂. It masters the Yin and Yang of the body cooperating with Conception Vessel. Acupoints on Governor Vessel have been used widely in clinic. The author expounded the functional feature of Yaoyangguan （GV 3）, Mingmen （GV 4）, Zhiyang （GV 9）, Dazhui （GV 14） and Baihui （GV 20）, which can show the characteristic of Governor Vessel and provide reference for clinical application.

Observation on instant analgesic effect of Governor Vessel-regulating and collateral-unblocking acupuncture method for primary headache

Objective： To observe the instant analgesic effect of Governor Vessel-regulating and collateral-unblocking acupuncture method in treating primary headache and to inherit and carry forward the academic achievements of Gao＇s acupuncture school in Yanzhao （Hebei Province） area. Methods： Eighty eligible primary headache patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group following their visiting sequence, 40 patients in each group. The observation group was intervened by Yanzhao Gao＇s Governor Vessel-regulating and collateral-unblocking acupuncture, and the control group was intervened by ordinary acupuncture method. The visual analogue scale （VAS） was used to evaluate the headache intensity before and after the first treatment session in the two groups, to compare the instant analgesic effect of the two acupuncture methods. Results： After the first treatment session, the VAS scores dropped significantly in both groups （both P〈0.05）. The change of VAS score after the initial treatment in the observation group was significantly different from that in the control group （P〈0.05）. The percentage of patients with headache completely vanished instantly after the first treatment was markedly higher in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The two acupuncture methods both can produce a significant instant analgesic effect in treating primary headache, while Yanzhao Gao＇s Governor Vessel-regulating and collateral-unblocking acupuncture method is superior to ordinary acupuncture method.

Evaluation of the curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain on the patients with post stroke depression associated with anxiety

Objective： To observe the comprehensive curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain for post stroke depression associated with anxiety.Methods： Sixty-four patients with post stroke depression associated with anxiety were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the random numbers generated by spss16.0 software, the group of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain（group A） and medication group（group B）, with 32 patients in each group. Acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain was performed in group A.Bǎihuì（百会GV 20）, Shéntíng（神庭GV 24）, Yǎmén（哑门GV 15） and Dànzhōng（膻中CV 17）, Gānshū（肝俞BL 18）. Xīnshū（心俞BL 15）. Shènshū（肾俞BL 23）,Tàichōng（太冲LR 3）, Tàixī（太溪KI 3）, Shénmén（神门HT 7） and Nèiguān（内关PC 6） were selected. The treatment was conducted for once a day, and 5 times a week. Escitalopram oxalate tablets were given orally to the patients in group B for once a day. The treatment was conducted for 8 consecutive weeks in each group. The scores of Hamilton depression scale（HAMD）, Hamilton anxiety scale（HAMA）, Barthel index（BI） and Fugl-Meyer assessment（FMA） in the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results： Comparison with the same group before treatment, HAMD score and HAMA sore in the two groups after treatment for 4 weeks and 8 weeks were all obviously lower than that in the same group before treatment（all P〈0.01）; after treatment for 8 weeks, B1 score and FMA score in the two groups were all significantly higher than that in the same group before treatment（all P〈0.01）. Comparison between two groups after treatment. HAMD score and HAMA sore in group A after treatment for 4 weeks were significantly lower than that in group B（both P〈0.05）; only the HAMA sore in group A after treatment for 8 weeks was lower than that in group B（P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference in HAMD score in the two groups（P〉0.05）; after treatment for 8 weeks, FMA score in group A was obviously higher than that in group B（P〈0.05）, and there was no significant difference in BI score in the two groups（P〉 0.05）.Conclusion： The curative effect of acupuncture manipulation of regulating governor vessel and unblocking brain on the anxiety state and motor function of the patients with post stroke depression is superior to that of escitalopram. With regard to the improvement of depression, this acupuncture manipulation was provided with the characteristic of rapid onset, and its long-term efficacy is equivalent to that of escitalopram. In terms of the improvement of activities of daily living, the curative effect of the two methods is equally well.

The treatment of urinary retention of neurogenic bladder of one patient with diabetes from the perspective of governor vessel:A case report

Objective： To report the clinical effect of traditional acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of neurogenic bladder.Methods： A single case of a 57-year-old female with neurogenic bladder retention of urine considering governor vessel in the use of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupoints selected： Shenshū（肾俞BL 23）,Pángguāngshū（膀胧俞 BL 28）. Yāoyángguan（腰阳关GV 3）, Mìngmén（命门 GV 4）. Moxibustion was applied on Guānyuán（关元 CV4） at the same time.Results： After 6 times of treatment, the patient’s urination function return to normal, avoid the adverse effect of retention catheterization.Conclusion： It is suggested that the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion, and the integration of syndrome differentiation and disease differentiation can effectively treat retention of urine due to neurogenic bladder of patient with diabetes.

Governor Vessel Moxibustion:Ancient Chinese Medical Technology with New Vitality

Moxibustion is an ancient therapeutic technique used in Chinese medicine. Governor Vessel moxibustion（GVM） was developed from long snake moxibustion, a popular technique used in China＇s Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, and is significantly more effective than general moxibustion. We aimed to review GVM, including its theoretical basis, choices of moxibustion points and materials, operation procedures, clinical applications, and contraindications. This information could increase the appropriate use of GVM and support further in-depth research.

Clinical observation on Governor Vessel-regulating,liver-soothing and mind-calming needling for insomnia due to liver fire disturbing the heart

Objective： To compare the therapeutic effects between the Governor Vessel-regulating, liver-soothing and mind-calming needling and the routine acupuncture therapy for Methods： A total of 50 cases with insomnia were nsomnia due to liver fire disturbing the heart randomly divided by the random numberl table into the two groups, 25 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with the Governor Vessel-regulating, liver-soothing and mind-calming needling, while the control group was treated with the routine acupuncture therapy. The two groups were treated for five sessions per week, ten sessions as a course. After 3-course treatment, the therapeutic effects and the improvement of Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） were observed. Results： After treatment for three courses, the total effective rate was 100% in the treatment group and 92% in the control group. The difference in the therapeutic effect between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. After the treatment, the sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, subjective sleep quality, sleeping disturbances, daytime dysfunction, and total PSQI scores in the patients of the two groups were obviously improved in comparing those before treatment, with significant differences （all P〈O.01）. After treatment, the inter-group differences in the sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, subjective sleep quality, and total PSO, I scores were statistically significant （all P〈0.02）; the differences in the scores of sleeping disturbances and daytime dysfunction is not statistical significant （all P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The therapeutic effect of Governor Vessel-regulating, liver-soothing and mind-calming needling is better for insomnia due to liver fire disturbing the heart than the routine acupuncture therapy.

Distribution and Permeability of Capillaries at the Skin of the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel in Healthy Rabbits

Objective: To investigate the distribution and permeability of blood vessels on the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel in the physiological state. Methods: Evans blue (EB) solution was injected into the marginal ear vein of healthy rabbits. Three hours after injection, the rabbits were sacrificed and the skin on the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel and the corresponding bilateral non-channels was collected. EB was extracted with 7:3 acetone: physiological saline, and the absorbance of EB at each skin tissue was measured with a spectrophotometer. Results: The A value of EB absorbance at the Conception Vessel on the abdominal skin was lower than that of the corresponding bilateral non-channels with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The A value of EB absorbance at the Governor Vessel on the back was higher than that of the corresponding bilateral non-channels (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the A value of EB absorbance between the bilateral non-channels of the abdomen and the back (P>0.05). Conclusion: There were differences in capillary distribution and permeability between the Conception Vessel, the Governor Vessel and the corresponding bilateral non-meridians.

Acupuncture at the dorsal section of the governor vessel for gastroesophageal reflux disease combined with sleep disorder:A research of case series

Objective:To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture at the dorsal section of the governor vessel in the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)combined with sleep disorder.Methods:A total of 30 patients with GERD combined with sleep disorder were included.Acupuncture was applied to the dorsal section of the governor vessel,inferior to the spinous process from T3 to T12,once every two days,3 times a week,totally for 8 weeks.Before and after treatment,the scores of the reflux disease questionnaire(RDQ)and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)were evaluated.After treatment,the clinical effect was evaluated in the patients.Results:The mean score of RDQ was 21.57±5.91 before treatment and was 3.75±4.92 after treatment,indicating the statistical significance(P<0.05).After treatment,the score of every dimension of PSQI was lower than that before treatment,indicating the statistical significance(P<0.05).Of 30 patients,23 cases were effective and the total effective rate was 76.7%.Conclusion:Acupuncture at the inferior of the spinous process from T3 to T12,on the dorsal section of the governor vessel,achieves the significant clinical effect on GERD combined with sleep disorder and this therapy deserves to be promoted in clinic.