Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Male Immune Infertility

Objective: Exploring the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for male immune infertility using Meta-analysis. Methods: The literature related to clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for male immune infertility published from the establishment of the database (journal) to 2021 was searched for RR values or OR values and 95% CI as effect indicators. RevMan 5.3 software was applied for meta-analysis. Results: Acupuncture or combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine (hereafter referred to as acupuncture and medicine) or electro-acupuncture, the total effective rate was significantly better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant [RR = 1.29, 95% CI (1.20, 1.38), p 0.00001];In addition, the efficiency of the combined acupuncture and medicine treatment was better than that of the herbal medicine group alone, and the difference was statistically significant [RR = 1.05, 95%, CI (0.94, 1.16), P = 0.42];The sperm viability in the combined acupuncture and medicine treatment group was significantly better than that in the herbal medicine treatment group alone, and the differences were all statistically significant [MD = 0.04, 95% CI (?0.20, 0.28), P0.74];Sperm forward motion was significantly better in the combination of acupuncture and medicine than in the herbal medicine alone group, and the differences were all statistically significant [MD = 0.66, 95% CI (?0.04, 1.36), P = 0.06];ACP indexes were significantly higher in the combination of acupuncture and medicine than in the herbal medicine alone group, with a statistically significant difference [MD = 20.47, 95% CI (?65.31, 106.25), P = 0.64];The AsAb content in the seminal plasma of either needle medicine or acupuncture was lower than in the homogeneous prednisone group, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = ?7.00, 95% CI (?11.19, ?2.81), P = 0.001];The index of AsAb content in the serum of either needle medicine or acupuncture was lower than that of prednisone group, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = ?5.00, 95% CI (?9.53, ?0.47), P = 0.03]. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, acupuncture is more effective than Western medicine (prednisone) alone in the treatment of male immune infertility, and is more effective when combined with Chinese medicine.

Conventional treatment options and herbal remedies for male infertility:An overview

Male infertility is responsible for an estimated 50%of all cases of infertility.Treatments for male infertility include surgery,in-vitro fertilization,hormone therapy,and herbal remedies.Assisted reproductive technologies and methods have made it possible to identify and treat previously untreatable causes of male infertility.Currently available treatments for male infertility are prohibitively expensive,difficult to obtain,necessitate a lengthy course of treatment,and have a host of side effects.Herbal therapy offers male infertility treatment that is less expensive and has fewer side effects than other treatments.The current review focuses on the various treatment options for male infertility.

The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males： a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile men. We searched for relevant trials registered up to May 2013 in 14 databases. We selected randomized controlled trials （RCTs） that compared acupuncture, with or without additional treatment, against placebo, sham, no treatment, or the same additional treatment. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and reporting quality appraisal. Risk of bias and reporting quality were appraised by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, the consolidated standards of reporting trials and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. The outcomes were sperm motility, sperm concentration, pregnancy rate, and adverse events. Pregnancy was defined as a positive pregnancy test. Four RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Acupuncture increased the percentage of sperm with rapid progression （mean difference - 6.35, 95% confidence interval （CI）. 4.38-8.32, P〈 0.00001） and sperm concentration （mean difference - 6.42, 95% CI. 4.91-7.92, P〈 0.00001）, but these two outcomes were substantially heterogeneous among the studies （F = 72% and 58%, respectively）. No differences in pregnancy rate were found between acupuncture and control groups （odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI. 0.70-3.69, P= 0.27, F = 0%）. No participants experienced adverse events. The current evidence showing that acupuncture might improve poor semen quality is insufficient because of the small number of studies, inadequacy of procedures and/or insufficient information for semen analysis, high levels of heterogeneity, high risk of bias, and poor quality of reporting. Further large, well-designed RCTs are required.

Clinical Observation of Combined Acupuncture ＆ Medications in Treating Dysspermia Infertility

目的:观察针药结合治疗精液异常不育症的疗效.方法:采用针灸加中药(二仙汤)、西药(克罗米芬)两种疗法共观察精液异常症患者38例.结果与结论:针灸加中药组(26例)和针灸加西药组(12例)的总有效率分别为96.0%和66.7%,经统计学处理有显著差异(P＜0.05),针灸加中药组痊愈率为38.5%,受孕率为30.8%,均高于针灸加西药组8.3%、8.3%,但统计未见显著性差异.两组患者治疗后的精液量、液化时间、粘度、精子密度、死亡率、1h存活率均较治疗前有显著改善(P＜0.05).针灸加中药组患者治疗后诸症状较治疗前有明显好转.

Rescue of male infertility through correcting a genetic mutation causing meiotic arrest in spermatogonial stem cells

Azoospermia patients who carry a monogenetic mutation that causes meiotic arrest may have their biological child through genetic correction in spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs).However,such therapy for infertility has not been experimentally investigated yet.In this study,a mouse model with an X-linked testis-expressed 11(TEX11)mutation(Tex11PM/Y)identified in azoospermia patients exhibited meiotic arrest due to aberrant chromosome segregation.Tex11PM/Y SSCs could be isolated and expanded in vitro normally,and the mutation was corrected by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)–CRISPR-associated endonuclease 9(Cas9),leading to the generation of repaired SSC lines.Whole-genome sequencing demonstrated that the mutation rate in repaired SSCs is comparable with that of autonomous mutation in untreated Tex11PM/Y SSCs,and no predicted off-target sites are modified.Repaired SSCs could restore spermatogenesis in infertile males and give rise to fertile offspring at a high efficiency.In summary,our study establishes a paradigm for the treatment of male azoospermia by combining in vitro expansion of SSCs and gene therapy.

Auricular-Plaster Therapy Plus Acupuncture at Zusanli for Postoperative Recovery of Intestinal Function

以便在腹部手术以后由于胃肠的机能障碍减轻腹的扩张和另外的不快，病人被耳灰浆的治疗在 Zusanli (圣 36 ) 加针灸对待。(92.4%) 当在 13，控制的情况组织，这是 46.1% 时， 12 在操作以后在 72 个小时以内在治疗的 13 个盒子组织正常蠕动的显示出的恢复，显示加在 Zusanli (圣 36 ) 的针灸的那耳灰浆的治疗可以支持肠的功能的手术后的恢复。

Forty-three Cases of Acute Lumbar Sprain Treated by Acupuncture Plus Kinesitherapy

Acute lumbar sprain is commonly encountered among the young and middle-aged. It often occurs at the lower part of the back, which seriously hinders the daily life and work of the patients because of the severe pain. The author has treated 43 cases of acute lumbar sprain by needling Weizhong (BL 40), Houxi (SI 3) and Yaotongdian (EX-UE7) plus kinesitherapy and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results. A report follows.

Forty-seven Cases of Gonitis Treated by A Combined Therapy of Chinese Drugs and Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis, a nonspecific inflammatory lesion, is a commonly seen joint disease. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by arthralgia, swelling, and motor impairment. Since the knee joint is the load-bearing joint of the human body, and is susceptible to trauma, gonitis tends to have the highest morbidity in the four limbs, which manifests itself arthritis of patella and femur at the early stage; narrowness or disappearance of the medial joint space at the mid stage; and damage of the cartilage accompanied with flexion deformity at the late stage. In recent years, based on the experience of Prof. Cao Yiming, the author has treated 47 cases of gonitis by combined use of Chinese drugs and acupuncture, and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following.

Integrative techniques using acupuncture,Chinese herbal medicine,diet,and supplements for polycystic ovary syndrome:a case report

Patients with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） are on the rise. About 4%-12% of women are currently estimated to have this condition. It is hypothesized that PCOS appears in women who have long-standing insulin resistance （1R）, which leads to high androgen and testosterone levels; this ultimately disrupts their menstrual cycles. Some researchers attribute IR to genetic factors, although there have been only minute changes in the human genome in the past 20 000 years. However, even with a stable gene pool, genes can be turned on and offby the environment, food and air quality and toxin exposure.

The Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Motor Function Recovery in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction:A Randomly Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture treatment in acute phase of cerebral infarction on the motor functions. In this randomly controlled trial, 86 patients were allocated to two groups, the experimental group given clinical and electro-acupuncture treatments for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group given clinical treatment plus active and/or passive functional exercise. The result showed that the level of impairment and disability in both groups were improvement according to the Chinese Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer score, and Barthel Index throughout the study and 3 months after. The motor functions and the activities of daily living (ADL) were improved significantly in the electro-acupuncture group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). Also, the results showed greater reduction of neurological deficit in the electro-acupuncture group than in the control group. Conclusion: Early acupuncture treatment for acute stroke patients may improve motor functions, and consequently the activities of daily living.

OBSERVATION OF THE EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION IN 62 CASES OF CHRONIC COLITIS

62 patients with chronic colitis were randomly divided into two groups.Acupuncture andmoxibustion at acupoints such as Tianshu(St 25),Guanyuan(Ren 4)were applied in thetreatment group,and western drugs were applied in the control group.The resultsshowed that acupuncture and moxibustion had a marked curative effects with few sideeffects,and therefore was readily acceptable to the patients.

Effect of Acupuncture on the Auditory Evoked Brain Stem Potential in Parkinson's Disease

Under the auditory evoked brain stem potential (ABP) examination, the latent period of V wave and the intermittent periods of III-V peak and I-V peak were significantly shortened in Parkinson's disease patients of the treatment group (N=29) after acupuncture treatment. The difference of cumulative scores in Webster's scale was also decreased in correlation analysis. The increase of dopamine in the brain and the excitability of the dopamine neurons may contribute to the therapeutic effects, in TCM terms, of subduing the pathogenic wind and tranquilizing the mind.……

A Variant Maneuver of Acupuncture in Treating Cervical Spondylopathy

Lifting and thrusting with reducing method at acupoint Huatuojiaji (Extra 21) of the affected side was performed to make the limb of the affected side contract involuntarily 1-2 times in 53 cases with cervical spondylopathy. The maneuver produced a much better total effective rate than the routine maneuver (P<0.01).The instant and long-term analgesic effects were also found superior (P<0.01). Probably this is due to the increased serum content of morphine-like substance.

Study on Cytokines IL-2,IL-6,IL-10 in Patients of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Acupuncture

Objectives: To observe the plasmatic concentration of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-2 in the patient of chronic allergic rhinitis before and after acupuncture therapy. Methods: Cytokine levels were determined before and after treatment in 30 healthy volunteers (Group A) and 90 patients of chronic allergic rhinitis (Group B) with an increased plasma IL-10 level. Group B was then divided into 3 subgroups: 30 patients treated with real acupuncture (Group B1); 30 patients treated with sham acupuncture (Group B2); 30 non-treated patients (Group B3). Results: The allergic subjects of group B1, compared with controls, showed a significant reduction of IL-10 after a specific treatment with acupuncture (P<0.05). On the other hand, in those patients treated with sham acupuncture (B2) as well as in non-treated patients (B3), the IL-10 values remained high and unchanged. There was a statistically significant change in IL-2 values at 24 hours (P<0.05) after real acupuncture (Groups A, B1), however the values remained within normal ranges. The IL-6 do not change after therapy. Conclusion: The acupuncture treatment can reduce plasmatic level of IL-10 in chronic allergic rhinitis.

Acupuncture and the Elevation Manipulation of Massage for Treatment of Frozen Shoulder

The authors have treated 50 cases of frozen shoulder in recent years with electro-acupuncture and the elevation manipulation. The results were satisfactory and reported as follows.

100 CASES OF INTRACTABLE MIGRAINE TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AND CUPPING

The author has treated 100 cases ofintractable migraine by acupuncture andcupping with satisfactory therapeutic results,as reported as follows.Clinical Data There were 100 cases in this series,including 38 males and 62 females. 8

Effects of Magnetic Needle Acupuncture on Blood Pressure and Plasma ET-1 Level in the Patient of Hypertension

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is ever known as a bio-peptidewith the strongest vasoconstrictive action and withwide biological effects.

The Affects of Acupuncture at Sibai and Neiting Acupoints on Gastric Peristalsis

The frequency and amplitude of gastric peristaltic wave were significantly changed in 15 subjects when Sibai (ST 2) and Neiting (ST 44) acupoints of the Stomach Channel of Foot-Yangming were punctured. The results demonstrate that these acupoints are effective for treatment of stomach diseases, providing an experimental basis for the theory of channels and collaterals.

Personal Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Mental Diseases

Under the guidance of family veteran Chinese physicians, the author has been pursuing the research and treatment of mental diseases with Chinese herbal medicine supplemented by acupuncture and moxibustion with satisfactory therapeutic effects which is introduced as follows.

Acupuncture Treatment of Chronic Superficial Gastritis by the Eight Methods of Intelligent Turtle

With the clinical manifestations and the point electric conduction volume as the indexes, the authorsobserved the immediate effects of the acupuncture treatment on chronic superficial gastritis with the pointsTurtle), which was compared with the effects in the control group treated with the points selectedaccording to syndrome-differentiation. A higher symptom improvement rate (P＜0.01) and a higherchannel's balance-inverting rate were noticed in the former (P＜0.01), indicating that Ling Gui Ba Fa cangive a better therapeutic results.