Dynamic functional connectivity analysis of Taichong (LR3) acupuncture effects in various brain regions

The present study conducted a multi-scale dynamic functional connectivity analysis to evaluate dynamic behavior of acupuncture at Taichong （LR3） and sham acupoints surrounding Taichong Results showed differences in wavelet transform coherence characteristic curves in the declive, precuneus, postcentral gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and occipital lobe between acupuncture at Taichong and acupuncture at sham acupoints. The differences in characteristic curves revealed that the specific effect of acupuncture existed during the post-acupuncture rest state and lasted for 5 minutes.

Clinical Application of the Point Taichong

Taichong (LR 3) is a yuan (source) point of the Liver Channel of Foot Taiyin. Having the effects of relieving the depressed liver, and regulating the circulation of qi to relieve pain, this point is widely used in clinic with quite satisfactory therapeutic effects. The following is a report of example cases.

开“四关”治疗无先兆性偏头痛32例

观察电针四关穴(合谷、太冲)治疗无先兆性偏头痛的临床疗效,将62例患者随机分为治疗组32例(采用电针四关治疗)和对照组30例(口服尼莫地平片),穴疗程共1个月。结果:治疗组总有效率为90.6％,对照组为76.7％,P<0.05;治疗组的头痛程度和频率都降低,而对照组头痛程度减轻,但头痛频率不降低。提示电针四关穴是一种治疗无先兆性偏头痛的安全、有效的方法。

内关、太冲穴位埋线对自发性高血压前期大鼠心肌损伤和能量代谢的影响

目的:探讨内关、太冲穴位埋线对自发性高血压(SHR)前期大鼠心肌损伤和能量代谢的影响。方法:选择16只4周龄自发性高血压大鼠,随机分为埋线组与模型组(n=8),另取8只同龄的京都种Wistar(WKY)大鼠为对照组。埋线组大鼠定位内关、太冲并进行穴位埋线干预,模型组及对照组仅予以抓取固定干预,实验周期为2周。在干预前1 h及干预2、7、14 d后,测定各组大鼠收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、平均动脉压(MAP)及心率(HR);并取心肌组织,采用HE染色比较各组大鼠左心室前壁心肌组织病理改变,电镜观察左心室前壁心肌组织线粒体的结构差异,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)试剂盒测定心肌组织血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)水平,三磷酸腺苷(ATP)检测试剂盒测定心肌组织中ATP水平。结果:干预2、7和14 d后,与模型组比较,埋线组大鼠DBP和MBP显著降低(P<0.01);干预7 d和14 d后,与模型组比较,埋线组大鼠SBP明显降低(P<0.01)。3组大鼠HR比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。模型组心肌细胞排列紊乱,心肌细胞横径和细胞间隙明显增大;与模型组比较,埋线组心肌细胞排列规则,心肌细胞横径明显减小(P<0.05),细胞间隙基本正常。在高倍透射电镜下,模型组线粒体排列紊乱,形状不规则,线粒体密度减小,埋线组较模型组有所改善。与模型组比较,埋线组左心室心肌组织中ATP水平升高,AngⅡ水平降低(P<0.05)。结论:内关、太冲穴位埋线可调节自发性高血压前期大鼠心肌能量代谢,对改善心肌损伤和降低血压水平有积极作用。

Brain activation and inhibition after acupuncture at Taichong and Taixi: resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Acupuncture can induce changes in the brain. However, the majority of studies to date have focused on a single acupoint at a time. In the present study, we observed activity changes in the brains of healthy volunteers before and after acupuncture atTaichong （LR3） andTaixi （KI3） using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain 15 minutes before acupuncture, then received acupuncture atTaichong andTaixi using the nail-pressing needle insertion method, after which the needle was retained in place for 30 minutes. Fifteen minutes after withdrawal of the needle, the volunteers underwent a further session of resting-state functional magnetic res-onance imaging, which revealed that the amplitude of low-frequency lfuctuation, a measure of spontaneous neuronal activity, increased mainly in the cerebral occipital lobe and middle occipital gyrus （Brodmann area 18/19）, inferior occipital gyrus （Brodmann area 18） and cuneus （Brodmann area 18）, but decreased mainly in the gyrus rectus of the frontal lobe （Brodmann area 11）, inferi-or frontal gyrus （Brodmann area 44） and the center of the posterior lobe of the cerebellum. The present ifndings indicate that acupuncture atTaichong andTaixi speciifcally promote blood lfow and activation in the brain areas related to vision, emotion and cognition, and inhibit brain areas related to emotion, attention, phonological and semantic processing, and memory.

针刺太冲穴对肝阳上亢型偏头痛大鼠血清血管活性物质含量的影响

目的:探讨针刺太冲穴对肝阳上亢型偏头痛模型鼠的作用机制。方法:将50只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组(n=10)、模型组(n=40),模型组大鼠以附子汤灌胃结合颈肩部皮下注射硝酸甘油建立肝阳上亢偏头痛模型,其中30只大鼠成模,将成模的大鼠随机分为模型组、太冲组、非穴组,每组10只。太冲组针刺双侧太冲穴,非穴组针刺双侧肋下非穴,留针30 min。观察大鼠行为学(耳红持续时间、挠头及爬笼次数)、酶联免疫吸附试验法检测大鼠血清降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量。结果:模型组、太冲组及非穴组均在注射硝酸甘油后4 min左右耳红,持续3 h左右消失;与模型组、非穴组比较,太冲组大鼠耳红持续时间较短(均P<0.05)。针刺前,除空白对照组外,大鼠的挠头、爬笼次数增加且组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);针刺后1 h、2 h,与模型组和非穴组比较,太冲组大鼠挠头、爬笼次数均减少(均P<0.05)。与空白对照组比较,模型组大鼠血清中CGRP、TNF-α含量增高(P<0.05),5-HT含量降低(P<0.05);与模型组和非穴组比较,太冲组大鼠血清中CGRP、TNF-α含量减少(均P<0.05),5-HT含量增多(均P<0.05)。结论:针刺双侧太冲穴可缓解偏头痛,其作用机制可能与降低血清中CGRP、TNF-α含量,提高5-HT含量有关。

Effects of Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3) on Vascular Dilation and Constriction in Migraine Patients

Hegu （LI 4） and Taichong （LR 3） are the Yuan- Primary acupoints of the Large Intestine and Liver Meridian, and are collectively named as Si Guan （four gates） point. Combined use of these two acupoints can harmonize yin and yang, regulate qi and blood, and balance ascending or descending. This paper attempts to study the effects of Si Guan point on the vascular dilation and constriction in migraine patients from the perspective of its feature.

Effect of Taichong(LR 3) acupuncture in spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Taichong(LR3) acupuncture points(acupoints) on the expression of glucose transporter protein 1(GLUT1) in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs) as measured by combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography(PETCT).METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were divided into model, Taichong(LR 3) acupuncture, and sham groups. Additionally, Tokyo Wistar rats were used as the control group. Changes in blood pressure were recorded in different groups of rats before and after the corresponding treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was used to study basic morphological changes, and immunohistochemistry was used to determine GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus. Further,PET-CT was utilized to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism after acupuncture at the Taichong(LR 3) acupoints.RESULTS: PET-CT indicated activation of the hypothalamus. Measurement of blood pressure showed that acupuncture at the Taichong(LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure. HE staining did not show any significant pathological changes, although differences in cell number were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated a GLUT1 downregulation in the SHRs of the Taichong(LR 3) acupuncture group after the treatment.CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Taichong(LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure in SHRs, with possible mechanisms being changes in cell number and GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus.

“气伤痛”理论指导下针刺合谷穴、太冲穴治疗颈椎病临床观察

目的:观察“气伤痛”理论指导下针刺合谷穴、太冲穴治疗颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:选取2020年1月至2022年7月上海市静安区中医医院收治的颈椎病患者112例,按照随机数字表法分为对照组与研究组各56例。对照组给予常规针刺治疗,研究组在对照组治疗的基础上行“气伤痛”理论指导下针刺合谷穴、太冲穴治疗。观察两组患者治疗前后症状评分、疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale, VAS)、血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein, CRP)、P物质(substance p, SP)、血管阻力指数(resistant index, RI)、搏动指数(pulsitility index, PI)、收缩期峰值血流速度(peak systolic velocity, PSV)及临床疗效。结果:研究组有效率为94.64%,对照组有效率为82.14%,研究组有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后症状评分高于对照组,VAS评分低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后TNF-α、CRP、SP低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);研究组治疗后RI、PI低于对照组,PSV高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:“气伤痛”理论指导下针刺合谷穴、太冲穴治疗颈椎病,能有效减轻患者疼痛,改善患者症状。

Treatment of Toothache by Needling Taichong (LR 3): A Report of 20 Cases

Purpose To explore the feasibility of treating toothache with the acupoints in Liver Meridian. Method According to syndrome differentiation, toothache was divided into pathogenic wind-fire type and deficiency-fire type. Twenty patients were treated by needling Tai-chong (LR 3) o! the affected side. Reducing manipulation was performed for toothache due to pathogenic windfire while early-reducing-late-tonifying was performed for toothache due to deficiency-fire type. Results The pain disappearance occurred in 14 cases, improved in 5 cases and no effect in one case. Conclusion Needling Tai-chong( LR 3) was effective for toothache.

Influence of Electroacupuncture at Taichong(LR 3) and Ququan(LR 8) on Hepatic Hemodynamics

Objective： To observe the influence Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8） on patients with chronic hepatic diseases. of electroacupuncture hepatic hemodynamics （EA） at in the Methods： Sixty cases with chronic hepatic diseases were randomly divided into a Taichong （LR 3） group and a Ququan （LR 8） group, 30 cases in each group, and were respectively treated with electroacupuncture at Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8）. The blood flow results of the hepatic artery and portal vein by color ultrasonic test were used as the objective indexes, to compare and observe the hemodynamics changes of the hepatic artery and portal vein in the patients before and after EA. Results： After EA, in Taichong （LR 3） group, the average velocity, the lowest velocity, resistance indexes and the highest velocity of blood flow of the hepatic artery, and the highest velocity, average velocity of blood flow of the portal vein, blood flow volume of the portal vein （PVBF）, total blood flow volume of the liver （TLBF）, and Doppler blood perfusion indexes of the hepatic artery （DPI） were all statistically different from those before intervention （all P^O,O5）, In Ququan （LR 81 group, the highest velocity, average velocity, lowest velocity and resistance indexes of blood flow of the hepatic artery, and the highest velocity and average velocity of blood flow of the portal vein, and PVBF were significantly different from those before intervention （P〈0.05）. The TLBF and DPI were significantly different from those before intervention （P〈0.01）. All various indexes were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion： EA at Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8） can speed up blood flow velocity of the portal vein, increase PVBF, increase the TLBF, increase the resistance indexes of the hepatic artery, decrease the blood flow velocity of the hepatic artery, and decrease DPI in the liver.

针刺合谷与太冲fMRI脑功能成像的比较研究

目的 :探讨针刺不同穴位对脑组织fMRI功能成像的影响。方法 :将健康受试者随机分为针刺合谷组、太冲组、合谷配伍太冲组各 7人 ,分别观察fMRI脑功能成像。结果 :针刺合谷穴诱导额叶和枕叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加 ;针刺太冲穴仅诱导颞叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加 ;针刺合谷配太冲穴诱导额叶和颞叶脑组织血流量和血流容积的增加。 结论 :针刺不同穴位激发不同脑区的脑组织变化 ,而两个穴位配伍并不是两个穴位引起脑组织fMRI功能改变作用的叠加 ,而是引起脑组织fMRI功能重新分布。

针刺治疗抑郁性神经症：多中心随机对照研究

目的:观察针刺对于抑郁性神经症的临床疗效。方法:采用多中心随机对照研究,将440例患者分为针刺组、百忧解组、非穴位针刺组。针刺组采用四关穴(合谷、太冲)为主的穴位,百忧解组服用药物百忧解20 mg/d,非穴位针刺组患者接受针刺治疗,但取穴偏离真正的穴位。在治疗前、后进行汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)计分,按HAMD减分率进行疗效评价,以Asberg氏抗抑郁药副反应量表(SERS)结合严重不良反应记录进行安全性评估,对数据进行意向性分析(ITT分析)。结果:针刺组的总有效率为86.4%,优于非穴位针刺组的59.1%及百忧解组的72.7%;针刺组的HAMD计分与百忧解组相当,而且2组均优于非穴位针刺组;针刺组及非穴位针刺组的SERS计分均明显低于百忧解组,未见晕针等严重针刺不良反应记录。结论:针刺对于抑郁性神经症是一种有效、安全的疗法;针刺治疗抑郁性神经症的疗效可能优于百忧解或与百忧解相当,但副作用远低于百忧解。

论四关穴在慢性疲劳综合征治疗中的作用

目的探讨四关穴在慢性疲劳综合征针刺治疗中的作用。方法以慢性疲劳综合征在中医学中的诊断归属以及病因病机分析作为切入点,通过对近10年来四关穴的相关文献分析,从3个方面对四关穴在慢性疲劳综合征针刺治疗中的作用进行了归纳。结论对于涉及身心两方面众多纷繁复杂症状的慢性疲劳综合征,以四关穴为主进行针刺治疗可以收到较好的疗效。

针四关穴为主治疗原发性痛经临床观察

目的:观察青龙摆尾法针刺四关穴为主治疗原发性痛经(PD)的临床疗效,并探讨其作用机制。方法:将180例PD患者随机分为针四关穴组( A组)60例、常规取穴组(B组)60例、月月舒组(C组)60例。A组以青龙摆尾法针刺四关穴(合谷、太冲);B组常规取穴,穴取三阴交、次醪为主;C组口服月月舒冲剂。治疗3个月后统计疗效,并观察治疗前后患者血液流变学及前列腺素等指标的改变。结果:A组治愈率为75.0%,总有效率为100.0%;B组分别为60.0%、95.O%;C组分别为25.0%、90.0%。A、B组疗效优于C组(P<0.01);而治疗30分钟内止痛疗效比较,A、B两组优于C组(P<0.01),A组优于B组(P<0.01)。结论:青龙摆尾法针刺四关穴为主治疗原发性痛经疗效显著,其作用机制可能是通过改善患者的血液循环状态、抑制前列腺素而达到缓解疼痛的目的。

针刺太冲穴对65例肝阳上亢型高血压病患者的即时降压效应

目的评价针刺太冲穴治疗肝阳上亢型高血压病的即时降压效应。方法1、2级高血压病患者67例,针刺双侧太冲穴,每日1次,疗程7天。每日针刺前、针刺后30分钟各测血压1次,观察针刺前后血压变化及不良反应。结果患者针刺前后收缩压、舒张压比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗第1日按血压分级分组比较,血压较高患者降压幅度明显。结论针刺太冲穴即时降压效果良好,降压幅度与针刺前血压呈正相关,不良反应少。

光明、太冲穴与中枢神经相关效应的观察

目的观察针刺光明、太冲穴时,中枢不同区域的相关反应。方法将19名正常志愿者随机分为1组(视觉刺激加单侧针刺组)7人,2组(视觉刺激加双侧针刺组)6人和3组(单纯针刺双侧穴组)6人。用功能性磁共振(f MRI)观察各组在针刺光明、太冲穴时视觉皮质区与相关脑区的反应。结果发现视觉刺激及针刺进针时,视觉皮质的血氧饱和水平(BOLD)无明显变化(P>0.25),但在进行单侧和双侧持续刺激时,发现大脑相关区域有BOLD变化。结论针刺对单侧和双侧穴位的刺激均能改善大脑相关区域的BOLD,但与进行手法和视觉刺激无关。

针刺太冲穴对自发性高血压大鼠小脑差异蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨针刺太冲穴对自发性高血压(SHR)大鼠小脑差异蛋白表达的影响。方法选用SHR大鼠55只,随机分为模型组、非穴组、曲泉组、太冲组、冲阳组5组,每组11只;另取Wistar大鼠8只,作为正常组。模型组和正常组只抓取不针刺,其余4组相应针刺曲泉穴、太冲穴、非穴和冲阳穴,1次/d,共7 d,记录实验前后各组小鼠的血压变化,后将小鼠处死取材,获得小脑组织,通过双向电泳和质谱检测观察蛋白表达结果。结果治疗前后血压对比模型组的血压有显著升高(P<0.05),太冲组舒张压呈下降趋势,其他针刺组的收缩压和舒张压有略微升高,但均无统计学意义(P>0.05);双向电泳和质谱结果显示太冲穴组针刺后小脑区蛋白表达点上调明显多于曲泉组、冲阳组及非穴组。结论针刺太冲穴后促使小脑组织蛋白表达发生差异性变化,其差异蛋白点功能包括促进代谢产物如过氧化物的消除、加快遗传信息转化、促进神经再生等,为神经-内分泌-免疫网络假说提供佐证。

针刺四关穴治疗偏头痛及其对一氧化氮水平的影响

目的观察针刺四关穴治疗偏头痛的疗效及其对血浆一氧化氮(NO)水平的影响。方法对38例偏头痛患者以针刺四关穴治疗,并于治疗前后作血浆NO水平测定。结果经治疗,患者总有效率78.95%;治疗后血浆NO水平明显升高。结论四关穴针刺治疗偏头痛有确切疗效,其机理可能与升高血浆NO水平有关。

电针对MPTP亚急性帕金森病模型小鼠步态运动行为的影响

目的研究电针治疗早期对帕金森病(Parkinson's disease,PD)小鼠模型步态运动行为的影响。方法步态运动行为训练合格的C57BL/6小鼠40只,随机分为对照组、模型组、美多芭组和电针组,每组10只。对照组腹腔注射生理盐水,模型组、美多芭组和电针组腹腔注射MPTP诱导亚急性PD小鼠模型。对照组、模型组不予干预,美多芭组给予美多芭灌胃,电针组给予电针“合谷”“太冲”干预,连续7d后进行步态行为学实验、爬杆实验、悬挂实验、转棒实验。结果模型组与对照组比较,平均体转角、单支撑时相、双支撑时相、足迹平均强度、对侧协调性、速度、平均步行周期、支撑时相、瞬时速度等步态指标均有明显变化(P<0.05,P<0.01);与模型组比较,电针组、美多芭组的单支撑时相_左后、单支撑时相_右后、速度、平均步行周期、瞬时速度_左后、瞬时速度_右后、左前推进指数、右前推进指数等步态指标有明显改善(P<0.05,P<0.01);模型组与对照组比较,下半部时间、总时间等爬杆指标均明显增加(P<0.01);模型组与对照组比较,掉落潜伏期、在杆足数得分等悬挂指标均有明显下降(P<0.05,P<0.01);模型组与对照组比较,转棒指标掉落潜伏期明显下降(P<0.05);电针组、美多芭组与模型组比较,爬杆、悬挂、转棒指标均无明显变化(P>0.05)。结论电针在治疗早期即可改善PD小鼠的步态运动行为,全自动小鼠步态分析系统能够在电针治疗早期准确敏感反映PD小鼠步态运动行为的细微改变。