Effect of Moxibustion on IL-1β and IL-2 in Rat Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

目的：观察艾灸“肾俞”、“足三里”穴对类风湿关节炎大鼠细胞因子IL-1D、IL-2的影响，探讨艾灸效应的作用机制。方法：将50Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、药物组、艾灸组及激光组，每组10只。除正常组大鼠外，其他4组大鼠复制类风湿关节炎大鼠模型，观察各组大鼠治疗前后体重、趾围的变化，ELISA法检测大鼠血液中IL-1β、IL-2的含量。结果：治疗后，艾灸组大鼠体重、跖围有显著改善，与模型组相比有非常显著性差异（P〈0．01），其中跖围改善与药物组及激光组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；艾灸组及激光组均能下调类风湿关节炎大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-2含量，与模型组比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），与药物纽比较，无显著性差异。结论：艾灸能显著改善类风湿关节炎大鼠的足跖肿胀，效果优于10．6μmCO2激光照射。在降低促炎症细胞因子IL—1β、IL-2含量方面，10．6μmCO2激光照射具有与艾灸相似的效应。

Determination of Temperature-time Curve of Two Mild Moxibustion Methods:Reinforcing and Reducing

Objective:To observe the specificity of reinforcing and reducing methods of mild moxibustion and explore its clinical significance.Methods:Thirty healthy students were selected and given reinforcing of mild moxibustion on the left Neiguan(PC 6)and reducing on the right Neiguan(PC 6)respectively.Temperature of the acupoint skin surface and the temperature-time curve were recorded by a digital thermometer.Results:In application of mild moxibustion on Neiguan(PC 6),there was a statistical difference in the temperature-increase section between reinforcing and reducing methods(P<0.01).The temperature-increasing section of the temperature-time curve in the reducing method was obviouslysteeper than that in the reinforcing method.In the period of0.5-3 min during moxibustion,the temperature of Neiguan(PC 6)was remarkably higher in the reducing than in the reinforcing(P<0.01).In the application of the reducing,the time for the temperature of Neiguan(PC 6)to increase to 40℃was remarkably advanced(P<0.05)and the rate of burning pain in the subjects was remarkably higher in the reducing method than in the reinforcing method(P<0.001).Conclusion:In comparison with the reinforcing method,the acupoint temperature increased more quickly in the application of reducing method and can produce obvious hot stimulation in a short period of time.In the application of the reinforcing method,the acupoint temperature increased mildly and could enhance the tolerance of the organism to the high temperature.

Regulation of Moxibustion on the Expression of NF-κBp65 and PPARγ mRNA in Colon of Rats with Ulcerative Colitis

Objective: To explore the mechanism of herb-partitioned moxibustion for ulcerative colitis(UC) through observing the colonic mucosal histopathological changes and the expression of nuclear factor kappaB(NF-kB) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) mRNA of UC rats. Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a model group. UC model was established by general immunological plus local irritation method. After model identification, rats in the model group were randomly divided into a model group, a herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM) group and a Western medicine(Salicylazosulfapyridine, SASP) group. Rats in the HPM group received treatment at bilateral Tianshu(ST 25) and Dachangshu(BL 25), two cones for each point, once a day for 7 d. SASP group rats were gavaged with SASP. The pathological scores were evaluated according to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining of colonic tissues. We used light microscopy to observe degree of colonic mucosal damage and the quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR) to detect the expression of NF-κBp65 and PPARγ in colorectal mucosa. Results: Compared with the normal group, histopathological scores were significantly higher in the model group(P<0.05); compared with the model group, the scores were decreased significantly in the HPM group and the SASP group. Compared with the normal group, NF-κBp65 mRNA expression was increased with statistical significance in the model group(P<0.05); compared with the model group, NF-κBp65 mRNA expressions were decreased significantly in the HPM group and the SASP group. Compared with the normal group, PPARγ mRNA expression was increased significantly in the model group(P<0.05); compared with the model group, PPARγ mRNA expressions were decreased significantly in the HPM group and the SASP group. Conclusion: HPM could improve the mucosa damage of UC rats, which is possibly through down-regulating NF-κBp65 to achieve anti-inflammatory effect. Whether decreasing the PPARγ mRNA is possibly involved in preventing precancerosis will need further study.

Research on Acupuncture Regulation of Visual Cortex c-Fos Protein Expression in Monocular Deprivation Cats

Objective: To explore the mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of the visual cortex plasticity. Methods: Eighteen kittens of four weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups, a normal group, a model group and an acupuncture group, with six in each group. There was no treatment to those in the normal group. Unilateral eyelid suture method was used to establish the deprivation amblyopia cat model in the model group and the acupuncture group. After that, kittens in the model group didn't receive any treatment, but those in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture therapy of 12 weeks. Pattern Visual Evoked Potential (P-VEP) and c-Fos protein expression of visual cortex of kittens in each group were tested before and after acupuncture treatment. Results: P-VEP waveform changed significantly in kittens of the model group, the time value of P 100 was significantly delayed (P<0.01) and N 45 -P 100 amplitude was significantly lower (P<0.01) compared with the normal group. After treatment, the time value of P 100 in kittens of the acupuncture group was significantly shorter (P<0.01) and N 45 -P 100 amplitude was significantly higher (P<0.01) when compared with the model group. Expression of c-Fos positive neurons can be seen in the visual cortex layers II-IV of kittens in the acupuncture group, and the density and percentage of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons of cortex layers II-IV in kittens of the model group were significantly lower than those in the acupuncture group. Conclusion: Acupuncture has obvious improvement for abnormal changes of P-VEP waveform of monocular visual deprivation kittens; it can also increase the c-Fos protein expression in visual cortex after form- deprived.

Influence of Electroacupuncture on COX Activity of Hippocampal Mitochondria in Senescence-accelerated Mouse Prone 8 Mice

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on cytochrome c oxidase(COX) activity of hippocampal mitochondria in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8(SAMP8) mice, and to explore the EA mechanism on Alzheimer disease(AD) in improving energy metabolic disorder. Methods: Twelve SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with six in each group. Six senescence-accelerated mouse resistance 1(SAMR1) mice were prepared as blank group. Mice in the EA group received EA on Baihui(GV 20) and Yongquan(KI 1), once a day for 7 d as a course, altogether 3 courses with one day interval between two courses. Mice in the model group and the blank group were manipulated and fixed as those in the EA group. After interventions, Morris water maze was employed to test spatial learning and memory ability to evaluate EA effect; spectrophotometry was used to detect the activity of hippocampal mitochondria COX. Results: Compared with the blank group, mean escape latencies of the EA group and model group were prolonged significantly in Morris water maze tests(P<0.01), the residue duration in the former platform quadrant significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, mean escape latencies on 1 d, 2 d and 3 d of the EA group were significantly reduced(P<0.05), and those on 4 d and 5 d continued the decreasing tendency(P<0.01), the residue duration on the former platform quadrant was significantly prolonged(P<0.05). The COX activity tests showed that, compared with the blank group, COX activities of the model group and the EA group were significantly decreased(P<0.01); compared with the model group, COX activity of the EA group was significantly elevated(P<0.01). Conclusion: It's plausible that EA improves AD learning and memory ability by increasing mitochondria COX activity, protecting the structure and function, and improving energy metabolism.

Effect of Moxibustion on the Motility, Absorption and Activities of ATPase in Small Intestine of Spleen-deficiency Rats

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on intestinal propulsion rate, content of serum D-xylose, content of adenosine triphosphate(ATP) and activities of adenosine triphosphatases(ATPase) in jejunum tissues of spleen-deficiency rats, and to explore the effect of moxibustion on the production of ATP and activities of membrane proteins, for analyzing the mechanism of moxibustion in reinforcing the spleen-stomach. Methods: Forty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely group A(blank control group), group B(model control group), group C(moxibustion group) and group D(herbs group). The animal model of spleen-deficiency was established by intragastric administration with Da Huang(Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) infusion. The rats in group C received moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36), Zhongwan(CV 12), Guanyuan(CV 4), Pishu(BL 20) and Weishu(BL 21). The rats in group D received intragastric administration with Si Jun Zi decoction. The intestinal propulsion was measured by toner method, and the content of D-xylose in serum was detected by phloroglucinol method. Colorimetry method was used to detect the content of ATP and activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in jejunum tissues. Results: Compared with group A, the intestinal propulsion rate, content of D-xylose in serum, content of ATP, activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP in jejunum tissues decreased significantly in group B(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with group B, the intestinal propulsion rate, content of D-xylose in serum, content of ATP, activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in jejunum tissues increased significantly in group C and D(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while there were no significant differences between group C and group D. Conclusion: Moxibustion can increase the intestinal propulsion rate, content of D-xylose in serum and ATP in jejunum tissues, as well as the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase of spleen-deficiency rats, which suggests that moxibustion can enhance the motility and absorption functions of small intestine by promoting the production of ATP in intestinal epithelial cells, increasing the content of membrane proteins, and improving transmembrane transport.

Thinking on Functional Mechanism of Acupuncture for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Based on Metabolomics

Acupuncture has a good therapeutic effect in treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD), but its functional mechanism has not been systematically explained. Metabolomics is the scientific study of dynamic chemical processes involving metabolites as well as metabolic response of living organisms. Metabolomics, a research method with integrity and dynamics, corresponds to the overall regulatory effect of acupuncture and is in line with the overall concept of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the concept of homeostasis. In the recent years, metabolomics has been extensively applied to the clinical and experimental study of IBD, and its potential applied value has been unanimously acknowledged by the researchers. In this article, the application status of metabolomics in acupuncture is summarized, and the research ideas to study the mechanism of acupuncture in the regulation and control of IBD by metabolomics are preliminarily explored.

Study on Burning Temperature Versus Time Graph of Moxa Sticks in a Novel Animal Moxibustion Device

Objective: To invent a novel animal experimentation moxa device and intend to solve temperature fluctuations during moxa stick burning in animal moxibustion test. Methods: Smokeless moxa sticks of 4 mm in diameter and 120 mm in length were selected in this trial. The target temperature was(47±1) ℃. The burning temperature versus time graph of moxa sticks during un-interfered time period were recorded when the distances between moxa sticks and thermometer were 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm respectively. In addition, the total lengths of burned moxa stick ashes within 0-5 min were recorded. Then the moxa stick burning temperature versus time graph after intervention was measured. Results: The maximum temperatures during test duration when the distances were 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm were(47.37±0.25) ℃,(42.62±2.05) ℃ and(35.50±0.40) ℃respectively the total lengths of burned ashes from 0-5 min were(5.1±0.08) mm,(12.17±0.44) mm,(14.8±0.31) mm,(17.25±0.17) mm and(19.82±0.67) mm respectively with a distance of 2 mm between a moxa stick and the testing area, remove 5 mm ashes every 2 min, then the maximum and minimum temperatures within 10 min were(48.37±0.47) ℃and(47.12±0.25) ℃, showing no statistical significance(P=0.12). Conclusion: The novel animal experimentation moxa device can help to maintain relatively constant moxa stick burning temperature during test period.

Regulatory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Ceramide Galactosyltransferase Expression in Sciatic Nerve of Experimental Diabetic Rats

Objective: To observe the change of ceramide galactosyltransferase(CGT) expression in sciatic nerve of experimental diabetic rats after electroacupuncture(EA) treatment. Methods: The rat model of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) was established with Streptozotocin(STZ). Twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an EA acupoint group, and an EA non-acupoint group, with 7 rats in each group. Acupuncture on points Shenshu(BL 23) and Zusanli(ST 36) was performed in the EA group using EA electronic device with continuous wave, 2 Hz, 20 min every time, once every other day for 12 times. Acupuncture(on the tip of rat tail) in EA non-acupoint group was performed with the same electronic parameters and time. The model group and the normal group were not given any treatment, except the same fixation as that in the EA acupoint group. After 12 treatments, the albumen and mRNA expressions of CGT of sciatic nerve in rats from each group were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), fluorescence quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR) and immunohistochemical methods. Results: After modeling, the CGT expression was significantly lower than that in the normal group(P<0.01); however, after 12 EA treatments, the CGT positive cells in the EA acupoint group were up-regulated and significantly higher than those in the EA non-acupoint group and the model group(P<0.01). The CGT mRNA expression of the rats after modeling was also higher than that of the normal rats(P<0.01), and the expression in the EA acupoint group was significantly lower than those in the model group and the EA non-acupoint group(P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: EA treatment with acupoints displays some therapeutic or preventive effect in the recovery of DPN via reversing the abnormal expression of CGT mRNA in sciatic nerves of experimental diabetic neuropathy rats, and it is worthy of further study.

BASIC STUD Peculiar Phenomena During Resistance Detection of Acupoints

Studying on resistance specificity of human acupoints is one of the major subjects in the research on acupoint specificity. Even since a long time ago, many methods have been put forward in the detection of acupoint resistance specificity. From the vertical lengthways of the acupoint structure, the methods and means are put forward to detect the acupoint resistance in a series of studies. In the studies, some peculiar phenomena are found out in the detection of the acupoint resistance, and some phenomena are interrelated with the volume conductor characteristics of the human body, and some phenomena might be interrelated with the detecting methods and means. By the summary and analysis of those peculiar phenomena, references are offered to the relevant researchers engaged in the detection of the acupoint resistance.