Acupuncture at Back-Shu point improves insomnia by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Insomnia is a disease where individuals cannot maintain a steady and stable sleep state or fail to fall asleep.Western medicine mainly uses sedatives and hypnotic drugs to treat insomnia,and long-term use is prone to drug resistance and other adverse reactions.Acupuncture has a good curative effect and unique advantages in the treatment of insomnia.AIM To explore the molecular mechanism of acupuncture at Back-Shu point for the treatment of insomnia.METHODS We first prepared a rat model of insomnia,and then carried out acupuncture for 7 consecutive days.After treatment,the sleep time and general behavior of the rats were determined.The Morris water maze test was used to assess the learning ability and spatial memory ability of the rats.The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum and the hippocampus were detected by ELISA.qRTPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression changes in the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate the protein expression levels of RAF-1,MEK-2,ERK1/2 and NF-κB.RESULTS Acupuncture can prolong sleep duration,and improve mental state,activity,diet volume,learning ability and spatial memory.In addition,acupuncture increased the release of 1L-1β,1L-6 and TNF-αin serum and the hippocampus and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.CONCLUSION These findings suggest that acupuncture at Back-Shu point can inhibit the ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway and treat insomnia by increasing the release of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus.

SIX KEY POINTS FOR ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

In the present paper, the author puts forward six key points for acupuncture treatment of diseases, namely, (1) careful examination, (2) definite diagnosis, (3) precise and appropriate identification of syndromes, (4) accurate location of the acupoint, (5) flexible application of needling manipulations, and (6) 'Deqi'. The first three aspects are the foundation, accurate location and flexible needling manipulations are also the prerequisite for effective treatment of diseases. In addition, sound theoretical basic knowledge of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and modern medicine, and flexibly applying suitable needling maneuvers, stimulating quantity and duration of needle retaining in accordance with the concrete state of disease and the patient's conditions are also very important in clinical practice of acupuncture.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture on nerve repair

Paresthesia is the name given to a temporary or permanent sensory loss caused by several surgical procedures that affected the peripheral sensory nerve.In dentistry,common iatrogenic procedures that can lead to sensory loss include third molar removal,

ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY AND POINT-INJECTION OF MEDICINE FOR TREATMENT OF 32 CASES OF INFANTILE CEREBRAL PALSY

In the present study, 32 cases of infantile cerebral palsy were treated with acupunc-ture and point-injection therapies. Among them, 15 cases were cured basicaly, 7 markedly efec-tive, 9 improved and 2 failed, with a total effective rate being 93. 8%. The results showed thatthe therapies both could improve the microcirculation of the brain tissues in favour of recovery ofcerebral functions.

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.

TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) by electro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treated by oral administration of carbamazepine as the controls. The total effective rate was 90% in the acupuncture group, and 86.7% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), suggesting that electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.

Thirty Cases of Acute Lumbar Sprain Treated by Acupuncture Combined with Point-Injection at Tianzhu

In recent years, the authors have treated 30 cases of acute lumbar sprain by acupuncture combined with point medicinal injection at Tianzhu (BL 10), and obtained quite good therapeutic results, as is reported in the following.

The use of traditional Chinese medicine internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia

Vulvar leukoplakia refers to the chronic disease of degeneration and hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane of the vulva with unbearable itching in women, seriously affecting the quality of life. The main treatment of western medicine for vulvar leukoplakia is the external use of glucocorticoids or estrogen, resulting to the high recurrence rate and side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of the overall concept and dialectical treatment with a variety of ways. Literature review in recent years found that the treatment of TCM decoction combined with external therapies, such as external fumigation, acupuncture and other treatments, or the combination of TCM decoction and external western medicine hormone ointment, can obtain good effects in vulvar leukoplakia. During the clinical practice, we found that the use of TCM internally and externally combined with auricular acupuncture point bloodletting was highly effective with unique advantages in the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia, providing the ideas guidance for clinicians.

OBSERVATION ON THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ACUTE SPRAIN OF SOFT TISSUE TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT PRESSURE PAIN POINTS

In the present paper,70 cases of acute sprain of soft tissue were treated withacupuncture at pressure pain points on the lateral of the second metacarpal bone.Results showedthat the cure rate was 58.6％ and the total effective rate was 94.3％.Also,its mechanisms werestudied preliminarily.The present therapy is simple,convenient,easy to operate and it producesrapidly desired effects with a higher cure rate,so it is suited to be popularized clinically.

CONSTIPATION TREATED BY AURICULAR ACUPOINT PRESSING COMBINED WITH ACUPUNCTURE AT ZUSANLI POINT

This paper reports that 65 cases with functional constipation were treated by putting one Wang Bu Liu Xing (semen vaccariae) seed on each acupoint, Intestinum crassum, Intestinum tenue,Sympathicum, Lung, Spleen, Subcortex, of auricula and pressing, associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point on both sides. The patients were instructed to press the stuck seed twice a day for 3 to 5 minutes each time. Auricular acupoints of both sides were used alternately every 2 days. The electric acupuncture was applied at Zusanli points about 30 minutes each time every other day. Ten times (i. e. 20 days) make one course of treatment and the routine treatment consists of 1 to 2 courses. The results showed that all the patients were cured, patients with Shi Mi (the constipation of excess type) were cured after one course of treatrnent while Xu Mi (the constipation of deficiency type) were cured after two courses. The study suggests that this kind of treatment is an ideal therapy for functional constipation. The pathogenesis and mechanism of treatment of auricular acupuncture pressing associated with acupuncture at Zusanli point for constipation are discussed.

ACUPUNCTURE AT NEIGUAN POINT FOR TREATMENT OF 106 CASES OF LOW PULSE PRESSURE SYNDROME

In spite of normal mean aterlal pressure,decrease of pulse pressure can induce a seriesof clinical symptoms,which is termed as low pulse pressure syndrorne.Acupuncture at bilateralNeiguan（PC 6）is Capable of raising systolic pressure, lowering diastolic pressure, increasing pulsepressure difference and eliminating corresponding symptoms.The effective rate was more than 92％in this observation.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF 282 CASES WITH PAIN TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AT XI POINTS

Of 282 cases with pain treated by acupuncture at Xi points,207 cases were curedaccounting for 73.4％,among which 107 cases were cured after one treatment,36 cases after twosessions and 64 cases after over 3 sessions.75 cases improved.The total effective rate was100％.

A CLINICAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF TOXIC SIDEEFFECTS DURING RADIOTHERAPY AND CHEMOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy arecommonly used in the treatment of tumors.However,such toxic side-effects as leukopenia,gastrointestinal or systemic reactions occurredin the treatment are so serious that somepatients can not tolerate it and even abandonthe treatment.Recently,some doctors

THE THIRD LUMBAR TRANSVERSE PROCESS SYNDROME TREATED BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

32 cases of the third lumbar transverse process syndrome were treated mainly byelectroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, andanother 30 cases of the syndrome by conventional acupuncture as the controls. The resultsshowed that treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji points was superior inanalgesic effect and clinical total effective rate to that by conventional acupuncture. It isconsidered that the mechanism of treatment by electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji pointsis related to the trunk of posterior ramus of the spinal nerve where the points are located.

Treatment of Infantile Morbid Night Crying by Acupuncture at Zhongchong Point in 100 Cases

Morbid night crying is often found in infants. Applying acupuncture at Zhongchong (PC 9) point, the author treated 100 infants with morbid night crying and achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects. The results are reported as follows.……

Forty-five Cases of Apoplexy Treated by Electroacupuncture at the Points of Yin Meridians

Forty-five cases of apoplexy were treated by electroacupuncture only at the points of Yin Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Taiyin Meridians), and the other 30 cases as the controls were treated only at the points of Yang Meridians (i.e. the Hand- and Foot-Yangming Meridians). The total effective rate was 91.1% in the former and 86.7% in the latter, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups, indicating that acupuncture only at the points of Yin-Meridians is also an effective therapy for apoplexy.

Acupuncture Treatment of Insomnia——A Report of 28 Cases

Insomnia, also called hyposomnia, refers to the disorder characterized by failure to obtain a normal sleep. For mild cases, the patients are slow to go into sleep, or in an oneirism or with very short sleep. For severe cases, the patients can only have a sleep of 2 to 3 hours or even no sleep during the night, which inserts a serious impact on the normal life of the patients. Using Shenmen (HT 7) and Benshen (GB 13) as the main points, the author has treated 28 cases of insomnia with quick and satisfactory therapeutic effect. A report follows.

Twenty-eight Cases of Neuritis of Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh Treated by Acupuncture and Point-Injection

Neuritis of lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh, also called meralgia paresthetica, is a commonly encountered disease in clinical practice. The author has treated 28 cases of meralgia paresthetica since 1996 by acupuncture plus point-injection with satisfactory results. A report follows.Clinical Data Among the 28 cases, 13 were male and 15 female. Their age ranged from 24 to 72 years, most of the patients being 35 to 50 years; the duration of illness varied from one month to ten years and 6 cases were affected on left side, 8 cases on right side and 14 cases on both sides.

COMBINED TREATMENT OF 100 CASES OF SCIATICA WITH ACUPUNCTURE AND POINT-INJECTION

In the present paper, 160 cases of sciatica patients were divided into combined treatmentgroup (acupuncture plus point-injection, 100 cases) and acupuncture group (control group, 60 cases).After two courses of treatment, of the 100 cases in the combined treatment group, 72 (72% ) werecured, 25 (25 % ) effective and 3 (3 % ) had no effect, with an effective rate of 97%; Of the 60 casesin the control group, 30 (50 % ) were cured, 21 (35 % ) effective and 9 (15 % ) had no effect, with aneffective rate of 85 %. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups in effective rate (P < 0. 05). It displayed that the effect of acupuncture plus point-injection was apparentlysuperior to that of acupuncture.