Future directions:combination of acupuncture with mesenchymal stem cells for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease(PD)is a progressive chronic disease currently with no radical cure drugs and means due to the complex pathological mechanisms and limited regenerative capacity of neurons.Acupuncture aids in neuronal regeneration via various signaling routes like ROCK,Wnt,and Notch,safeguarding dopaminergic neurons against inflammation,oxidative stress,and cell death,which in turn enhances the progression of PD progression.Numerous research findings indicate that integrating acupuncture with mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)transplantation is more effective than using either acupuncture or MSCs infusion alone.The combined treatment improves the survival rate of MSCs,promotes the generation of functional neural networks by stimulating the secretion of neurotrophic factors,and ultimately improves the disease microenvironment.In this review,we state the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture or MSCs treament alone in PD,then summarize the application of acupuncture combined with MSCs therapy in other diseases.Consequently,we anticipate that integrating acupuncture with MSCs transplantation may emerge as a novel and efficient approach for managing PD.This possibility needs to be verified through further basic and clinical research.

Historical review and reflections on the participation of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of epidemics in the People’s Republic of China (from 1950 until now)

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, both the Communist Party and the government have placed great emphasis on the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been actively involved in combating major epidemics such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and COVID-19. This article conducts a historical review of these three significant cases to elucidate how the acupuncture community has effectively utilized its unique advantages and characteristics through theoretical discussions, clinical practices, experimental research, as well as receiving administrative leadership and political support from the Communist Party of China and government. We provide an objective evaluation of their effectiveness while summarizing historical experiences to serve as a reference for future utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in epidemic relief efforts. Additionally, propose four suggestions: strengthening Party leadership and enhancing political support;timely summarization of experiences to establish programs and systems;deepening scientific research by integrating experimental findings with clinical practice;focusing on public awareness campaigns and education to solidify grassroots foundations.

Role of ferroptosis in Parkinson’s disease and intervention mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion

Parkinson’s disease(PD)is the second neurodegenerative disease in the world.The pathological characteristics of PD are degeneration,loss and death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain.At present,most scholars believe that the main pathogenesis of PD is α-synuclein aggregation,oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammatory reaction.More and more studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PD.Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death that is significantly different from traditional apoptosis,scorching and necrosis.Its main feature is iron-dependent lipid peroxidation.Some studies have found that the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of PD may be related to the regulation of ferroptosis.Therefore,this study mainly discusses the occurrence and development mechanism of ferroptosis and its role in PD,and the possible mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of PD dopaminergic neurons,so as to provide theoretical basis for acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of PD.

针刺调控淋巴细胞介导的免疫炎症改善SAMP8小鼠学习记忆能力的机制研究

目的观察针刺对阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer′s disease,AD)模型快速老化小鼠(senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8,SAMP8)学习记忆能力及淋巴细胞介导的免疫炎症的影响,探讨针刺治疗AD的部分作用机制。方法将12只6月龄的雄性SAMP8小鼠随机分为模型组和针刺组(各6只),另取6只同月龄雄性SAMR1小鼠作为空白组。针刺组小鼠选取“百会”和“涌泉”进行40 d的针刺干预。治疗结束后,采用水迷宫实验检测各组小鼠的学习和记忆能力,流式细胞技术检测小鼠脾脏中淋巴细胞的细胞亚群CD_(4)^(+)T、CD_(8)^(+)T比例和免疫分子CD3、CD22的表达量,酶联免疫吸附试验检测大脑皮层中IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的表达以及血清中IL-2和IFN-γ的表达水平。结果与空白组比较,模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期延长(P<0.05)、穿越平台次数明显减少(P<0.01)、CD_(4)^(+)T比例和CD22表达量降低(P<0.05)、CD_(8)^(+)T比例和CD3表达量降低(P<0.01)、CD_(4)^(+)T/CD_(8)^(+)T比值升高(P<0.01)、IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α含量升高(P<0.01)、IL-2和IFN-γ含量明显降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,针刺组小鼠第1、2、3天的平均逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.01)、穿越平台次数增加(P<0.05)、CD_(4)^(+)T和CD_(8)^(+)T比例升高(P<0.05)、IL-6和TNF-α水平下降(P<0.01,P<0.05)、IL-2和IFN-γ水平升高(P<0.05)。结论针刺“百会”“涌泉”对SAMP8小鼠空间学习和记忆能力的提升,可能与改善淋巴细胞介导的免疫炎症反应有关。

IMPACTS OF PENETRATION THERAPY WITH HEAD ELECTRICAL ACUPUNCTURE ON PROLIFERATION OF NEURAL STEM CELLS IN SUBSTANTIA NIGRA OF RAT MODEL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Objective To probe into the function mechanism of penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture on Parkinson＇s disease. Methods Microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamin （6-OHDA） on the left cor- pus striatum was adopted to prepare rotation model of Parkinson^s disease in rat. Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture was administered in treatment. Normal group, sham-operation group, model group and penetration therapy group were set up. （1）lmmunohistochemical （IHC） method was used to test the morphology and count of positive cell of tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）. （2）RT-PCR technology was used to detect the expression of nestin mRNA of neural stem cell （NSC）. Results （1）Compared with model group, in pene- tration therapy group, the expressions of TH-positive neurons in immune response were increased in areal density （AD）, numerical density （ND） and integrating optic density （P〈0.05）. （2）Compared with model group, in penetration therapy group, the expression of nestin mRNA was increased （P〈0. 05）. Conclusion Penetration therapy with head electrical acupuncture promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in substantia nigra of rat model of Parkinson＇s disease.

Acupuncture and moxibustion reduces neuronal edema in Alzheimer's disease rats

To examine the possible correlation of aberrant Wnt signaling and pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease and measured axin and β-catenin expression in the hippocampus. Rats were pretreated with moxibustion or electroacu-puncture, or both, at Baihui（GV20） and Shenshu（BL23）. Axin expression was lower, β-catenin expression was greater, and neuronal cytoplasmic edema was visibly prevented in the rats that had received the pretreatments. Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying the neuro-protective effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in Alzheimer’s disease is associated with axin and β-catenin expression in the Wnt signal transduction pathway.

Acupuncture improves dendritic structure and spatial learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's disease mice

Acupuncture can improve the cognitive state of Alzheimer＇s disease, but its mechanism is not clear. Dendritic atrophy and synaptic loss in Alzheimer＇s disease brain are positively correlated with cognitive damage. Therefore, we speculated that the effect of acupuncture on improving cognitive function may be associated with reduced dendritic damage in the brain. Acupuncture at Qihai（CV6）, Zhongwan（CV12）, Danzhong（CV17）, bilateral Zusanli（ST36）, and bilateral Xuehai（SP10） acupoints was performed once a day（1-day rest after 6-day treatment） for 14 consecutive days. Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8（SAMP8） mice without acupuncture and senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1（SAMR1） mice were used as normal controls. After 14 days of treatment, spatial learning and memory ability of mice was assessed in each group using the Morris water maze. Dendritic changes of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were analyzed by quantitative Golgi staining. Our results showed that acupuncture shortened escape latency and lengthened retention time of the former platform quadrant in SAMP8 mice. Further, SAMP8 mice exhibited a significant increase in the number of apical and basal dendritic branches and total length of apical and basal dendrites after acupuncture. These results suggest that acupuncture improves spatial learning and memory ability of middle-aged SAMP8 mice by ameliorating dendritic structure.Acupuncture can improve the cognitive state of Alzheimer＇s disease, but its mechanism is not clear. Dendritic atrophy and synaptic loss in Alzheimer＇s disease brain are positively correlated with cognitive damage. Therefore, we speculated that the effect of acupuncture on im- proving cognitive function may be associated with reduced dendritic damage in the brain. Acupuncture at Qihai （CV6）, Zhongwan （CV 12）, Danzhong （CV17）, bilateral Zusanli （ST36）, and bilateral Xuehai （SP10） acupoints was performed once a day （1-day rest after 6-day treat- ment） for 14 consecutive days. Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） mice without acupuncture and senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 （SAMR1） mice were used as normal controls. After 14 days of treatment, spatial learning and memory ability of mice was assessed in each group using the Morris water maze. Dendritic changes of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were analyzed by quantitative Golgi staining. Our results showed that acupuncture shortened escape latency and lengthened retention time of the former platform quadrant in SAMP8 mice. Further, SAMP8 mice exhibited a significant increase in the number of apical and basal dendritic branches and total length of apical and basal dendrites after acupuncture. These results suggest that acupuncture improves spatial learning and memory ability of middle-aged SAMP8 mice by ameliorating dendritic structure.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of Crohn’s disease:A brief review

Crohn’s disease(CD)is a kind of intestinal inflammatory disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and the incidence rate of CD is gradually increasing worldwide.Acupuncture and moxibustion have unique curative effects on gastrointestinal diseases and can be new options for the treatment of CD.

Acupuncture enhances brain function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: evidence from a functional-near infrared spectroscopy study

Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.It is imperative to develop a proper treatment for this neurological disease in the aging society.This observational study investigated the effects of acupuncture therapy on MCI patients.Eleven healthy individuals and eleven MCI patients were recruited for this study.Oxy-and deoxy-hemoglobin signals in the prefrontal cortex during working-memory tasks were monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.Before acupuncture treatment,working-memory experiments were conducted for healthy control(HC)and MCI groups(MCI-0),followed by 24 sessions of acupuncture for the MCI group.The acupuncture sessions were initially carried out for 6 weeks(two sessions per week),after which experiments were performed again on the MCI group(MCI-1).This was followed by another set of acupuncture sessions that also lasted for 6 weeks,after which the experiments were repeated on the MCI group(MCI-2).Statistical analyses of the signals and classifications based on activation maps as well as temporal features were performed.The highest classification accuracies obtained using binary connectivity maps were 85.7%HC vs.MCI-0,69.5%HC vs.MCI-1,and 61.69%HC vs.MCI-2.The classification accuracies using the temporal features mean from 5 seconds to 28 seconds and maximum(i.e,max(5:28 seconds))values were 60.6%HC vs.MCI-0,56.9%HC vs.MCI-1,and 56.4%HC vs.MCI-2.The results reveal that there was a change in the temporal characteristics of the hemodynamic response of MCI patients due to acupuncture.This was reflected by a reduction in the classification accuracy after the therapy,indicating that the patients’brain responses improved and became comparable to those of healthy subjects.A similar trend was reflected in the classification using the image feature.These results indicate that acupuncture can be used for the treatment of MCI patients.

PRACTICE AND DEVELOPMENT ON ZHU'S AND CHAU'S SCALP ACUPUNCTURE

Zhu’s and Chau’s Scalp Acupuncture is one of the newly developed needling meth-ods which follows the "penetrating head acu-point needling" method. Through many years ofclinical experience, exploration and research in conjunction with the various advantages of differ-ent styles and sects of scalp acupuncture needling methods, a unique method of scalp acupuncturehas been developed. This method combines the modern medical theory and the traditional Chinesemedical theory. The region of head is divided into seven treatment areas: Shenting region (GV24), Touwei region (ST 8), Shuaigu region (GB 8), Baihui region (GV 2O), Qiangjian region(GV 18), Xinhui region (GV 22), Wangu region (GB 12). The manipulation is developed andcreated according to the Collection of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chouqi and Jinqi methods.In the process of the insertion of the needles, this method requires the cooperation of rapid andslow breathing by lifting, following and opposing the meridian course, including active and pas-sive

Modulatory effects of acupuncture on brain networks in mild cognitive impairment patients

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used to investigate the effects of acupuncture on neural activity. However, most functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have focused on acute changes in brain activation induced by acupuncture. Thus, the time course of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, 32 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into two groups, where they received either Tiaoshen Yizhi acupuncture or sham acupoint acupuncture. The needles were either twirled at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints, including Sishencong（EX-HN1）, Yintang（EX-HN3）, Neiguan（PC6）, Taixi（KI3）, Fenglong（ST40）, and Taichong（LR3）, or at related sham acupoints at a depth of approximately 15 mm, an angle of ± 60°, and a rate of approximately 120 times per minute. Acupuncture was conducted for 4 consecutive weeks, five times per week, on weekdays. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging indicated that connections between cognition-related regions such as the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex increased after acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints. The insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus acted as central brain hubs. Patients in the Tiaoshen Yizhi group exhibited improved cognitive performance after acupuncture. In the sham acupoint acupuncture group, connections between brain regions were dispersed, and we found no differences in cognitive function following the treatment. These results indicate that acupuncture at Tiaoshen Yizhi acupoints can regulate brain networks by increasing connectivity between cognition-related regions, thereby improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Long-term acupuncture treatment has a multitargeting regulation on multiple brain regions in rats with Alzheimer＇s disease：a positron emission tomography study

The acute effect of acupuncture on Alzheimer＇s disease,i.e.,on brain activation during treatment,has been reported.However,the effect of long-term acupuncture on brain activation in Alzheimer＇s disease is unclear.Therefore,in this study,we performed long-term needling at Zusanli（ST36）or a sham point（1.5 mm lateral to ST36）in a rat Alzheimer＇s disease model,for 30 minutes,once per day,for 30 days.The rats underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning.Positron emission tomography images were processed with SPM2.The brain areas activated after needling at ST36 included the left hippocampus,the left orbital cortex,the left infralimbic cortex,the left olfactory cortex,the left cerebellum and the left pons.In the sham-point group,the activated regions were similar to those in the ST36 group.However,the ST36 group showed greater activation in the cerebellum and pons than the sham-point group.These findings suggest that long-term acupuncture treatment has targeted regulatory effects on multiple brain regions in rats with Alzheimer＇s disease.

Electroacupuncture-regulated neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease rats

Acupuncture for the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease has a precise clinical outcome. This study investigated the effect of electroacupuncture at Fengfu （GV16） and Taichong （LR3） acupoints in rat models of Parkinson＇s disease induced by subcutaneous injection of rotenone into rat neck and back. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression was significantly increased in the substantia nigra of rat models of Parkinson＇s disease, and that abnormal behavior of rats was significantly improved following electroacupuncture treatment. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the substantia nigra of rat models of Parkinson＇s disease. Thus, electroacupuncture may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease.

Acupuncture and vitamin B_(12) injection for Bell's palsy:no high-quality evidence exists

OBJECTIVE： To assess the efficacy of acupuncture combined with vitamin B12 acupoint injection versus acupuncture alone to reduce incomplete recovery in patients with Bell＇s palsy. DATA RETRIEVAL： A computer-based online retrieval of Medline, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM databases until April 2014 was performed for relevant trials, using the key words ＂Bell＇s palsy or idiopathic facial palsy or facial palsy＂ and＂acupuncture or vitamin B12 or methylcobalamin＂. STUDY SELECTION： All randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with acupuncture combined with vitamin B12 in patients with Bell＇s palsy were included in the me- ta-analysis. The initial treatment lasted for at least 4 weeks. The outcomes of incomplete facial recovery were monitored. The scoring index varied and the definition of healing was consistent. The combined effect size was calculated by using relative risk （RR） with 95% confidence interval （C/） using the fixed effect model of Review Manager. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Incomplete recovery rates were chosen as the primary outcome. RESULTS： Five studies involving 344 patients were included in the final analysis. Results showed that the incomplete recovery rate of Bell＇s palsy patients was 44.50% in the acupuncture combined with vitamin B12 group but 62.57% in the acupuncture alone group. The major acupoints were Taiyang （EX-HN5）, Jiache （ST6）, Dicang （ST4） and Sibai （ST2）. The combined effect size showed that acupuncture combined with vitamin B12 was better than acupuncture alone for the treatment of Belrs palsy （RR = 0.71, 95%CI： 0.58-0.87; P = 0.001）, this result held true when 8 patients lost to follow up in one study were included into the analyses （RR = 0.70, 95%CI： 0.58-0.86; P = 0.0005）. In the subgroup analyses, the therapeutic effect in patients of the electroacupuncture subgroup was better than in the non-electroacupuncture subgroup （P = 0.024）. There was no significant dif- ference in the incomplete recovery rate by subgroup analysis on drug types and treatment period. Most of the included studies were moderate or low quality, and bias existed. CONCLUSION： In patients with Bell＇s palsy, acupuncture combined with vitamin 812 can reduce the risk of incomplete recovery compared with acupuncture alone in our meta-analysis. Because of study bias and methodological limitations, this conclusion is uncertain and the clinical appli- cation of acupuncture combined with vitamin B12 requires further exploration.

“调神畅志”法针刺对帕金森伴便秘模型大鼠结肠组织PI3K/AKT/eNOS信号通路的影响

目的:探讨“调神畅志”针法对帕金森(PD)伴便秘大鼠结肠组织磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B/内皮型一氧化氮合酶(PI3K/AKT/eNOS)信号通路关键标志物(PI3K、AKT、p-Akt及eNOS)的影响,并探究此针法治疗的机制。方法:采用颈背部皮下注射鱼藤酮的方法制造PD伴便秘大鼠模型,并用APO诱导检测。40只造模成功大鼠随机分为模型组、西药组、常规针刺组与调神畅志组,每组10只,另空白组、假手术组各10只,共计60只,予相应干预4周。采用Western blot法检测各组大鼠远端结肠组织中PI3K、AKT、p-Akt蛋白表达和eNOS含量。结果:与空白组相比,模型组大鼠远端结肠组织中PI3K、AKT及p-Akt蛋白表达显著降低,eNOS含量显著升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);与模型组比较,西药组、常规针刺组和调神畅志组远端结肠组织PI3K、AKT及p-Akt蛋白表达均明显升高,eNOS含量均明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);与常规针刺组比较,调神畅志组PI3K、AKT及p-Akt蛋白表达明显较高,eNOS含量显著较低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:针刺能够改善PD伴便秘大鼠模型便秘症状,且调神畅志针刺优于常规针刺,PI3K/AKT/eNOS信号通路的激活是调神畅志针法的治疗机制之一,其作用机制是通过上调大鼠远端结肠组织中PI3K/AKT/eNOS信号通路中PI3K、AKT、p-Akt的蛋白表达和降低eNOS含量来实现的。

“通督启神”针法对APP/PS1小鼠肠道菌群的影响

目的:观察小鼠的行为学和肠道菌群多样性、组成及功能的变化,探讨“通督启神”针法改善APP/PS1小鼠认知功能障碍的潜在作用机制。方法:将APP/PS1小鼠随机分为模型组、针刺组和益生菌组;C57BL/6小鼠为正常组。针刺组选取百会穴、印堂穴与双侧足三里穴进行针刺;益生菌组予以益生菌灌胃。上述干预1次/d,共56 d。采用Morris水迷宫评估小鼠的空间学习和记忆能力;采用16S rRNA高通量测序技术检测小鼠肠道菌群的多样性、组成和功能。结果:与正常组比较,模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期显著增加(P<0.01),穿台次数、目标象限游泳时间比及路程比均显著降低(P<0.01);肠道菌群多样性显著降低,肠道菌群的组成和功能显著改变(P<0.01)。针刺和益生菌治疗能够逆转上述变化(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论:“通督启神”针法能够良性调节APP/PS1小鼠的肠道菌群紊乱,进而提升其学习记忆能力。

Prof.Sheng Canruo's Experience in Acupuncture Treatment of Throat Diseases with Yan Si Xue

Yan Si Xue(咽四穴)refer to four points in the throat summarized by Prof.Sheng Canruo in his long-year clinical experience based on the combination of TCM theory and the knowledge of modernmedical anatomy.By taking “Yan Si Xue” as main points,and other differential adjunct points,Prof.Sheng has obtained satisfactory therapeutic results in treating various throat diseases such ashoarseness,paralysis of vocal cord,dysphonia after radiotherapy on throat tumor,vocal nodules,disorder of the glossopharyngeal nerve,hysteric aphasia,and acute or chronic laryngopharyngitis.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON 44 CASES OF APOPLEXY WITH ZHU'S SCALP ACUPUNCTURE

88 cases of apoplexy of recovering and sequela phases were divided randomly intotwo groups,group of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture and group of somatic acupuncture There were 44 Casesin each group.Clinical effect of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture was better than that of somatic acupuncture,percentage of basic cure and marked effect of the former was markedly higher than that of thelatter（P【0.05）.Clinical effect of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture on recovering phase of apoplexy wasmarkedly better than that on sequela phase（P【0.01 for the rate of basic cure and marked effect andP【0.05 for the total effective rate）.Clinical effect of Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture on hemorrhagicapoplexy hadn’t marked difference with that on ischemic apoplexy（P】0.05）.Applying Zhu’s ScalpAcupuncture to treat apoplexy,only need a few points,it is easy to manipulate,the needling sensationsare intensive,the clinical effecct is good,it is easy to accept by patients.

40 CASES OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE TREATED WITH ACUPUNCTURE

40 cases of Parkinson’s disease were treated with acupuncture at Baihui(GV 20), Taichong(LR 3), Shaohai(HT 3), Hegu(LI 4), Waigaun(TE 5) and Juegu(GB 39) points. As a result,the total effective rate was 95 %. The therapy has the action of regulating Qi and blood, and balancingYin and Yang.

Editor's Choice—Specificity of acupuncture acupoints:observation by functional magnetic resonance imaging

Acupuncture at certain acupoints （specific sites for needle insertion） can induce the activation of specific regions of the brain. This activated brain region influences the target organ or tissue in order to treat the disease. Acupoint specificity is the basis of acupuncture therapy.