Blood-letting punctures at twelve Jing-Well points of the hand can treat cerebral ischemia in a similar manner to mannitol

A rat model of middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion was established using the modified Longa method. Successfully established model animals were treated by blood-letting puncture at twelve Jing-Well points of the hand, and/or by injecting mannitol into the caudal vein twice daily. Brain tissue was collected at 24, 48 and 72 hours after modeling, and blood was collected through the retinal vein before Evans blue was injected, approximately 1 hour prior to harvesting of brain tissue. Results showed that Evans blue leakage into brain tissue and serum nitric oxide synthase activity were significantly increased in model rats. Treatment with blood-letting punctures at twelve Jing-Well points of the hand and/or injection of mannitol into the caudal vein reduced the amount of Evans blue leakage into the brain tissue and serum nitric oxide synthase activity to varying degrees. There was no significant difference between single treatment and combined treatment. Experimental findings indicate that blood-letting punctures at twelve Jing-Well points of the hand can decrease blood-brain barrier permeability and serum nitric oxide synthase activity in rats following middle cerebral artery occlusion, and its effect is similar to that of mannitol injection alone and Jing-Well points plus mannitol injection.

Principle and operation of Jing-well point temperatures' test

Principle and operation of Jing-well point temperatures' test is a method to diagnose and treat diseases by measuring and comparing the symmetrical Jing-well point temperature of human body 12 meridians.It is an important supplement to traditional Chinese medicine four diagnoses. The theoretical basis are that the Jing-well is closely related to Meridians and Viscera, the basic traditional Chinese medicine principle of 'governing exterior to infer interior' and the balancing phenomenon of Meridians. In this paper, the operation steps and treatment measures of Jing-well point temperatures' test are put forward, and 2 successful cases are given. At the end of this paper, the prospect of this method is discussed.

Interpretation of data and treatment of Jing-well point temperatures test

The Jing-well point temperatures test method is a method to diagnose and guide the treatment of diseases by measuring the subjects' symmetrical well point temperature. it is improved from the method of knowing heat sensitivity. The application of Jing-well point temperatures test method is wide, and it can be used in internal and external gynecology and pediatrics and facial features department. at the same time, it has the advantage of objective and accurate diagnosis. The old law has some shortcomings, such as poor intuition, unavoidable omission of information, incomplete interpretation of information and so on. In this paper, Excel software is used to transform the data into line chart form, which improves the intuition and comprehensiveness of this method, so that the data can be better interpreted and used. It is newly proposed in this article that in addition to observing the longitudinal di fference of well point temperature, more attention should be paid to the horizontal contrast difference of well point temperature in different meridians. The article also summarizes a number of treatment methods, including acupuncture, moxa moxibustion, cupping and scraping, and the selection of acupoints, including mother acupoints, tenderness points and heat-sensitive moxibustion, so that doctors can combine traditional Chinese medicine professional knowledge in clinic.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points Alleviates Myocardial Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating HIF-1 α/BNIP3 Signaling-Mediated Mitochondrial Autophagyand Decreasing Oxidative Stress

Objective: To explore the protective effect and possible mechanisms of bloodletting acupuncture at Jing-well points(BAJP) pre-treatment on acute hypobaric hypoxia(AHH)-induced myocardium injury rat. Methods:Seventy-five rats were randomly divided into 5 groups by a random number table: a control group(n=15), a model group(n=15), a BAJP group(n=15), a BAJP+3-methyladenine(3-MA) group(n=15), and a BANA(bloodletting at nonacupoint;tail bleeding, n=15) group. Except for the control group, the AHH rat model was established in the other groups, and the corresponding treatment methods were adopted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) and cardiac troponins I(CTn I) levels in serum and superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels in myocardial tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe myocardial injury, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated d UTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to observe cell apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy detection was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosomes in the myocardium. The mitochondrial membrane potential of the myocardium was analyzed with the fluorescent dye JC-1. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex(complex Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ) activities and ATPase in the myocardium were detected by mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assay kits. Western blot analysis was used to detect the autophagy index and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)/Bcl-2 and adenovirus E1B 19k Da-interacting protein 3(BNIP3) signaling. Results:BAJP reduced myocardial injury and inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis in AHH rats. BAJP pretreatment decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels in AHH rats(all P<0.01). Moreover, BAJP pretreatment increased the mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.01), mitochondrial respiratory chain complex(complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ)activities(P<0.01), and mitochondrial ATPase activity in AHH rats(P<0.05). The results from electron microscopy demonstrated that BAJP pretreatment improved mitochondrial swelling and increased the autophagosome number in the myocardium of AHH rats. In addition, BAJP pretreatment activated the HIF-1α/BNIP3pathway and autophagy. Finally, the results of using 3-MA to inhibit autophagy in BAJP-treated AHH rats showed that suppression of autophagy attenuated the treatment effects of BAJP in AHH rats, further proving that autophagy constitutes a potential target for BAJP treatment of AHH. Conclusion: BAJP is an effective treatment for AHH-induced myocardial injury, and the mechanism might involve increasing HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling-mediated autophagy and decreasing oxidative stress.

Bloodletting Acupuncture at Jing-Well Points on Hand Induced Autophagy to Alleviate Brain Injury in Acute Altitude Hypoxic Rats by Activating PINK1/Parkin Pathway

Objective: To explore the protective effect of bloodletting acupuncture at twelve Jing-well points on hand(BAJP) on acute hypobaric hypoxia(AHH)-induced brain injury in rats and its possible mechanisms.Methods: Seventy-five Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups by a random number table(n=15),including control, model, BAJP, BAJP+3-methyladenine(3-MA), and bloodletting acupuncture at non-acupoint(BANA, tail tip blooding) groups. After 7-day pre-treatment, AHH models were established using hypobaric oxygen chambers. The levels of S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and malondialdehyde(MDA) in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method were used to assess hippocampal histopathology and apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy assay was used to observe mitochondrial damage and autophagosomes in hippocampal tissues. Flow cytometry was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP). The mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities and ATPase in hippocampal tissue were evaluated, respectively. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expressions of Beclin1, autophagy protein 5(ATG5), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta(LC3B), phosphatase and tensin homolog induced kinase 1(PINK1), and Parkin in hippocampal tissues. The mRNA expressions of Beclin1, ATG5 and LC3-Ⅱ were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: BAJP treatment reduced hippocampal tissue injury and inhibited hippocampal cell apoptosis in AHH rats. BAJP reduced oxidative stress by decreasing S100B, GFAP and MDA levels and increasing SOD level in the serum of AHH rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Then, BAJP increased MMP, the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities, and the mitochondrial ATPase activity in AHH rats(all P<0.01). BAJP improved mitochondrial swelling and increased the autophagosome number in hippocampal tissue of AHH rats. Moreover,BAJP treatment increased the protein and mRNA expressions of Beclin1 and ATG5 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰratio in AHH rats(all P<0.01) and activated the PINK1/Parkin pathway(P<0.01). Finally, 3-MA attenuated the therapeutic effect of BAJP on AHH rats(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: BAJP was an effective treatment for AHH-induced brain injury, and the mechanism might be through reducing hippocampal tissue injury via increasing the PINK1/Parkin pathway and enhancement of mitochondrial autophagy.

大接经法治疗血管性痴呆临床观察

目的 :探讨治疗血管性痴呆的临床有效方法。方法 :将 96例血管性痴呆患者随机分为观察组、头针组、药物组 ,每组 32例 ,进行相关治疗。观察治疗前后各组临床疗效、长谷川痴呆修改量表 (HDS R)评分、精神认知能力、日常生活能力及神经功能缺损评分 ,主要症状变化。 结果 :3组治疗后均有一定疗效 ,但以观察组疗效最好 ,差异有非常显著性意义 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :大接经法治疗血管性痴呆疗效确切 ,可改善主要临床症状 ,促进智能、生活自理能力的提高。

手十二井刺络放血配合中药熏洗治疗中风偏瘫后患肢水肿

目的:探寻治疗中风偏瘫后患肢水肿的最佳方法。方法:将80例患者随机分为刺络组、西药组各40例。刺络组采用手十二井刺络放血配合中药熏洗,西药组采用口服利尿药,分别治疗10天后观察疗效。结果:刺络组总有效率为85.0%,西药组总有效率为70.0%,刺络组疗效优于西药组(P<0.05)。2组治疗前后水肿症状积分比较,刺络组压之凹陷、皮肤湿冷、对肢体功能的影响、总分值改善情况明显优于西药组(P<0.05);2组治疗前后中医症状积分比较,刺络组肢体瘫软、气短乏力、舌质暗淡、总分值改善情况明显优于西药组(P<0.05)。结论:手十二井刺络放血配合中药熏洗治疗中风偏瘫后患肢水肿的临床疗效较好,值得临床推广。

井穴放血疗法对卒中后抑郁患者抑郁状况和血清5-羟色胺水平的影响研究

目的探讨井穴放血疗法对卒中后抑郁(PSD)患者抑郁状况和血清5-羟色胺(5-HT)水平的影响。方法选取于2012年6月—2013年12月在贵阳中医学院第二附属医院康复科进行治疗的PSD患者80例,随机分为对照组和观察组各40例。两组患者均进行常规内科治疗和肢体康复治疗,对照组在常规治疗基础上口服帕罗西汀,观察组在常规治疗基础上加用井穴放血疗法,均治疗2个疗程。比较两组治疗前后的汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评分和血清5-HT水平。结果两组性别、平均年龄、平均病程及卒中类型分布比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗前两组血清5-HT水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组HAMD评分比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组HAMD评分与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前两组血清5-HT水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组血清5-HT水平比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后两组血清5-HT水平与治疗前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论井穴放血疗法可以改善PSD患者的抑郁状况,其机制可能与降低血清5-HT水平有关。

手十二井穴刺络放血对中风初起患者意识状态影响的临床对比观察

目的 :观察手十二井穴刺络放血对中风初起意识障碍患者意识状态的影响。方法 :将中风发病 3天内有意识障碍的患者随机分为刺络组与对照组 ,两组均进行常规西医治疗 ,刺络组另加手十二井穴刺络放血。观察治疗前、治疗后 1 5分钟、30分钟、5 0分钟、80分钟患者的神志变化 (Glas gow昏迷评分 ,GCS)。结果 :(1 )刺络组患者各时段GCS评分改善 ,与刺络前比较差异有显著性意义(P <0 0 5 ) ,且明显优于对照组 (P <0 0 1 )。 (2 )刺络放血对脑梗死、脑出血患者GCS的影响均有显著性意义。结论 :手十二井穴刺络放血对中风初起意识障碍患者意识状态具有治疗作用。

循经井穴放血疗法对面瘫急性期疗效的影响

目的 :探讨面瘫急性期的最佳治疗方法。方法 :在面瘫急性期采用循经井穴放血疗法与常规针刺法对照观察。结果 :治疗 3疗程后 ,治疗组痊愈率 6 2 5 % ,对照组痊愈率 2 6 7% ;4疗程治疗组痊愈率 87 5 % ,对照组痊愈率 6 6 7% ,两组痊愈率比较 ,差异有显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 )。结论 :急性期面瘫采用循经井穴放血疗法有助于缩短疗程 ,提高疗效。

Acupuncture at jing-well point combined with educational training for the treatment of children with severe mental retardation

Objective To observe clinical efficacy of acupuncture at ]ing-well point combined with educational training for the treatment of children with severe mental retardation. Methods Sixty children with severe mental retardation were randomly divided into ]ing-well point acupuncture plus simple special education and language training group （group A） and simple special education and language training group （group B） with 30 child patients in each group according to registration order. All the patients were treated once every other day, 10 times as a course of treatment. There were 20 days of interval between each course of treatment. Curative effect was analyzed after 3 courses of treatment. Gesell Developmental Scale test was conducted for all children before and after treatment. Development quotient at the functional area of social adaptability, large motor, fine motor, language skill and social behavior of individuals was recorded and compared between groups and before and after treatment to evaluate the curative effect. Results Social adaptability and fine motor of children were improved in the group B after treatment. And in the group A, social adaptability, fine motor, language skill and social behavior of individuals were improved after treatment. Meanwhile, the group A was superior to the group B in curative effect of overall social adaptability and language skill （both P〈0.05）. The overall response rate in group B was 23.3% （7/30） and in group A was 46.6% （14/30, P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture at jing-well point combined with educational training can effectively improve the intelligence level of children with severe mental retardation and its curative effect is better than that of simply education and training.

井穴刺血对发热家兔体温和红细胞免疫功能的影响

选用日本大耳白兔经耳缘静脉注入内生致热源(EP),复制发热模型,观察井穴少商、商阳刺血对其体温和红细胞免疫功能的影响及可能机制。结果发现:井穴刺血能明显降低发热家兔体温,提高红细胞C3b受体花环率和红细胞免疫复合物花环率,维持红细胞总数、血红蛋白数稳定,迅速升高白细胞总数的作用。表明:井穴刺血确能退热和增强红细胞免疫功能。红细胞总数在发热期无显著变化,说明其免疫功能增强主要是红细胞活性的增强而非数量的增加。

Effects of bloodletting puncture at Jing-Well points in distal ends of finger and toe on survival rate and brain edema in cerebral ischemic rats

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of bloodletting puncture at Jing-Well points in the distal ends of the finger and toe on survival rate,survival time,and brain edema in rats with cerebral ischemia.METHODS:Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal,sham operation,model,bloodletting puncture at Jing-Well points in distal ends of finger and toe,and puncture without bloodletting at these points.Middle cerebral artery occlusion models were established according to Longa's method.The brains were taken 48 h after the model was established.Brain water content,brain density,brain coefficient,survival rate,and survival time in each group were measured.RESULTS:After bloodletting puncture,the survival time of the rats was prolonged,their brain water content and brain coefficient were reduced,and brain density was increased.CONCLUSION:Bloodletting puncture at Jing-Well points in the distal ends of the finger and toe can improve function in ischemic brain edema.

井穴放血减轻全身炎症反应防治大鼠心脏骤停后脑损伤

目的探讨十二井穴放血疗法对大鼠心脏骤停后脑损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法18只SD大鼠随机分配到假手术组、模型组和井穴组3组,每组6只。假手术组不诱导心脏骤停,模型组采用气管夹闭法诱导心脏骤停后进行心肺复苏,井穴组在模型组基础上加用手十二井穴刺络放血。观察不同时间点神经功能缺陷评分、血清IL-6、TNF-α水平,并对72 h后处死大鼠取大脑海马组织进行尼氏染色及TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。结果复苏后模型组和井穴组神经功能缺陷评分均较假手术组显著下降(P<0.05),其中6 h最为明显,至72 h井穴组和假手术组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。复苏后72 h尼氏染色显示假手术组大鼠海马神经元细胞细胞核大,核仁明显;与模型组比较,井穴组大鼠脑组织神经元水肿较轻,细胞核形态较好。复苏后72 h时后,与假手术组比较,模型组和井穴组凋亡指数显著增高(P<0.05);与模型组比较,井穴组凋亡指数显著降低(P<0.05)。复苏后6 h后与假手术比较,模型组和井穴组血清IL-6、TNF-α水平显著升高(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,井穴组血清IL-6于复苏后24 h、72 h显著降低(P<0.05),血清TNF-α于复苏后24 h、48 h及72 h显著降低(P<0.05)。结论减轻心脏骤停后机体炎症反应可能是十二井穴刺络放血防治复苏后脑损伤的机制之一。

井穴电阻值与慢性乙型肝炎中医辨证的相关性

目的 探索慢性乙型肝炎患者中医辨证的定量诊断。方法 采用电阻测定法分别检测肝功能异常和正常的慢乙肝患者的十二经脉井穴电阻值 ,并进行比较分析。结果 肝功能异常患者的十二经脉失衡率高于肝功能正常患者 ,尤其是肝、胆、脾、膀胱四条经脉有显著差异 ;肝功能异常组中出现肝经实脾经虚的现象。

头针联合井穴刺血对卒中后认知障碍的影响

目的观察头针联合井穴刺血对卒中后认知障碍的影响。方法选取卒中后认知障碍患者80例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组和治疗组,每组40例。两组均行常规内科个体化治疗,对照组采用口服尼莫地平治疗,治疗组在对照组的基础上予以头针联合井穴刺血治疗。治疗前后检测血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平,采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)、简易精神状态量表(MMSE)和改良Barthel指数(MBI)对两组患者认知能力和日常生活活动能力进行评估。治疗后比较两组临床疗效。结果治疗组总有效率与对照组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组优于对照组。两组治疗后MMSE、MoCA和MBI评分与治疗前比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);且治疗组优于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗后血清Hcy和hs-CRP水平均降低(P<0.05),治疗组均优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗组不良反应发生率为7.5%,低于对照组的22.5%(P<0.05)。结论在常规药物治疗基础上,头针联合井穴刺血能够显著改善卒中后认知功能障碍患者的认知功能和日常生活活动能力,改善患者生命质量,且在一定程度上减少了不良反应。

Muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting in the treatment of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke

Objective To observe the effect of muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting in improving nail fold microcirculation in the patients with shoulder-hand syndrome(SHS)after stroke,and the effects on hemorrheology,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and serum substance P(SP).Methods A total of 72 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 36 cases in each group.The control group was treated with physical rehabilitation training,and the observation group was treated with additional muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting treatment.The treatment course lasted for 4 weeks.After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.The changes in shoulder-hand syndrome scale(SHSS),simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment-upper extremity(FMA-UE),visual analog scale(VAS),activities of daily living(ADL),traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,nail fold microcirculation hemorheology indictors[whole blood viscosity(high-shear,low-shear),hematocrit,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)],CGRP and SP levels were observed.Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.1%,higher than 63.9%in the control group(P<0.05).The overall curative effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of pain sensation,edema,external turn and rotation of the arm in SHSS,and the total score were significantly decreased in both groups(all P<0.05),and each score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(all P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of VAS and TCM syndrome in both groups decreased significantly(all P<0.05),and the scores of FMA-UE and ADL increased significantly(all P<0.05).The scores of VAS and TCM syndrome in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(both P<0.05),and the scores of FMA-UE and ADL were higher than those in the control group(both P<0.05).After treatment,the whole blood viscosity(high-shear and low-shear)and hematocrit in both groups decreased obviously(all P<0.05),and ESR increased obviously(both P<0.05),and the whole blood viscosity(high-shear and low-shear)and hematocrit in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05),and ESR was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,the peritubular state,loop shape,blood flow and total score of nail fold microcirculation in both groups decreased significantly(all P<0.05),and each score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(all P<0.05).After treatment,SP in both groups decreased obviously(both P<0.05),CGRP increased obviously(both P<0.05),and SP in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),CGRP was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional physical rehabilitation training,muscle regions of meridians warm needling method plus pricking Jing-Well points for blood-letting treatment can significantly reduce the clinical symptoms of SHS,promote the recovery of physical functions,improve the nail fold microcirculation and hemorrheology indictors,and regulate the serum cytokine levels such as CGRP and SP.

Wake-Promoting Effect of Bloodletting Puncture at Hand Twelve Jing-Well Points in Acute Stroke Patients:A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To assess the effect and safety of bloodletting puncture at hand twelve Jing-Well points(HTWPs)in acute stroke patients with conscious disturbance.Methods In this multi-center and randomized controlled trial,360 patients suffered from ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with conscious disturbance within 48 h from the onset of symptom were divided into bloodletting(180 cases)and control(180 cases)groups using a block randomization.Patients in both groups received routine Western medicine,and patients in the bloodletting group received additional bloodletting puncture at HTWPs on admission immediately before conventional treatment.The primary outcome measure was Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and the secondary outcomes included blood pressure,respiratory rate and pulse rate.All variables were evaluated at baseline(before bloodletting),0(after bloodletting immediately),15,30,50 and 80 min post bloodletting.Results At 80 min post bloodletting,the proportion of patients with improved consciousness in the bloodletting group was greater than the control group(P<0.05).In the separate analysis of moderate consciousness disturbance subgroup,bloodletting therapy benefited ischemic patients,and improved the eye and language response of GCS score at 15,30,50,80 min post bloodletting(P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant differences were observed regarding the secondary outcomes between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The bloodletting puncture at HTWPs was safe and could improve conscious levels of ischemic stroke patients,highlighting a first-aid intervention for acute stroke.

Bloodletting Puncture at Hand Twelve Jing-Well Points Relieves Brain Edema after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats via Inhibiting MAPK Signaling Pathway

Objective:To investigate whether blood-brain barrier(BBB)served a key role in the edema-relief effect of bloodletting puncture at hand twelve Jing-well points(HTWP)in traumatic brain injury(TBI)and the potential molecular signaling pathways.Methods:Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the shamoperated(sham),TBI,and bloodletting puncture(bloodletting)groups(n=24 per group)using a randomized number table.The TBI model rats were induced by cortical contusion and then bloodletting puncture were performed at HTWP twice a day for 2 days.The neurological function and cerebral edema were evaluated by modified neurological severity score(mNSS),cerebral water content,magnetic resonance imaging and hematoxylin and eosin staining.Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser speckles.The protein levels of aquaporin 4(AQP4),matrix metalloproteinases 9(MMP9)and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway(MAPK)signaling were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot.Results:Compared with TBI group,bloodletting puncture improved neurological function at 24 and 48 h,alleviated cerebral edema at 48 h,and reduced the permeability of BBB induced by TBI(all P<0.05).The AQP4 and MMP9 which would disrupt the integrity of BBB were downregulated by bloodletting puncture(P<0.05 or P<0.01).In addition,the extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and p38 signaling pathways were inhibited by bloodletting puncture(P<0.05).Conclusions:Bloodletting puncture at HTWP might play a significant role in protecting BBB through regulating the expressions of MMP9 and AQP4 as well as corresponding regulatory upstream ERK and p38 signaling pathways.Therefore,bloodletting puncture at HTWP may be a promising therapeutic strategy for TBI-induced cerebral edema.

Influences of electro-acupuncture at related Jing-well Points in rats with vascular dementia

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture(EA) at related Jing-well Points(HT 9,PC 9,KI 1 and LU 11) in rats with vascular dementia(VD) and discuss the relative mechanism.METHODS:A randomized controlled animal experiment was designed.A total of 104 rats were involved in the present study and divided randomly into 4 groups:sham-operation group,model group,Jing-well Points group,and medication group.The VD model was established according to the modified 4-vessel occlusion(4-VO) method.VD rats in the Jing-well Points group were treated by EA at the related Jing-well Points(HT 9,PC 9,KI 1 and LU 11) while those in the medication group were treated with nimotop.The step-down avoidance test was performed before and after treatment in all rats.Latency and error frequency indexed memory function were recorded.Nitric oxide(NO) levels and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in both cerebral tissue and serum were detected after the treatment course.RESULTS:A total of 42 rats were included in the final analysis.Compared with the model group,the latency in the Jing-well Points group was significantly prolonged(P<0.01) and the error frequency was significantly decreased(P<0.05) after therapy;the decrease in NO levels in both brain tissue and serum was significant(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively);and the increase in SOD activity was also significant(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in latency,error frequency,NO levels and SOD activity between the Jing-well Points group and medication group.CONCLUSION:EA at related Jing-well Points can remarkably improve memory impairment in VD rats.Moreover,decreasing the overproduction of NO and strengthening the ability of eliminating free radicals may provide therapeutic potential for the treatment of VD.