Moxibustion at ST36 activates peritoneal macrophages in CTX-induced immunosuppression in mouse model via IFN-γ

Background:To explored whether moxa cone moxibustion can reduce peritoneal inflammation by increasing the content of peritoneal macrophages and B cells via interferon-gamma.Methods:The mice were randomly divided into three groups with six mice in each group:the control group,model group,and moxibustion group,and the model was established in mice using cyclophosphamide.In the moxibustion group,the mice received moxa cone moxibustion at Zusanli(ST36)for 7 days.Analysis of Peritoneal cell were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence,the protein expression level in the peritoneal fluid were measured with mouse cytokine antibody arrays and verified by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test,and RNA-Sequencing was used for peritoneal cell RNA analysis.Results:Our results showed that moxa cone moxibustion could reduce the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells(P<0.05).With the cytokine array analysis and enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test of peritoneal fluid,we found that IFN‐γwas up-regulated in moxibustion group(P<0.05).There were 169 genes were down-regulated in the model group and up-regulated in the moxibustion group while 19 genes that were up-regulated in the model group and down-regulated in the moxibustion group via RNA-sequencing.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of 188 intersect differentially expressed genes were found that the top 3 pathways with the highest enrichment of up-regulated genes included Hematopoietic cell lineage,Inflammatory bowel disease and Malaria.The differentially expressed genes visualization protein-protein interaction network shows the top 10 genes including Ifng,Grb2,CCR7,CTLA4,CXCR5,Foxp3,kit,PRF1,CD5 and klrg1.Conclusion:These findings showed that moxa cone moxibustion can alleviate chemotherapy-induced diarrhea by reducing the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity,possibly through up-regulating inflammatory bowel disease signaling pathway via interferon-gamma to regulate the survival and function of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells.

Comparison of protective effects of electroacupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36)on perinatal nicotine exposure-induced lung phenotype in rat offspring

Objective:To compare the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36)on the lung phenotype of rat offspring exposed to nicotine during the perinatal period.Methods:Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:the control group(saline only),the model group(nicotine only),the EA group(nicotine+EA at ST 36 acupoints bilaterally),and the moxibustion group(nicotine+moxibustion at ST 36 acupoints bilaterally).n=6 rats per group.On postnatal day 21,the body weight,lung weight,and pulmonary function were determined and lung morphometry was performed.Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma andβ-catenin levels in the lung tissue of offspring were also determined.Results:Perinatal nicotine exposure(PNE)results in decreased body and lung weights of offspring rats,abnormal lung tissue morphology,and significantly altered pulmonary function,showing an increase in total airway resistance and a decrease in tidal volume,minute ventilation,total airway compliance,and peak expiratory flow.Bilateral EA at ST 36 acupoints could block all of these perinatal nicotine-induced effects.Although moxibustion also had protective effects in nicotine-induced offspring lungs,some of these effects did not reach statistical significance,e.g.,protection against the upregulation ofβ-catenin,the downregulation of PPARγsignaling,and the increase in peak expiratory flow.Conclusion:Maternal EA at ST 36 blocked the PNE-induced changes in key developmental signaling pathways,prevented the PNE-induced changes in lung morphology,and protected pulmonary function.Moxibustion at ST 36 showed similar but weaker protective effects against the PNE-induced changes in the exposed offspring.It is important to note that the mechanism underlying the protective effects of moxibustion at ST 36 may be different from those of EA at ST 36,and further research is needed to understand these differences.

Effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) on inflammatory cytokines in a rat model of smokeinduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE： Improvement in lung function was reported after acupuncture treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Because an immune response imbalance could be seen in COPD, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture （EA） may play a role in regulating inflammatory cytokines and contribute to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD. METHODS： A COPD model using male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke was established. The rats were randomly divided into four groups （control, sham, COPD, and COPD plus EA）, and COPD model was evaluated by measuring pulmonary pathological changes and lung function. EA was applied to the acupuncture point Zusanli （ST36） for 30 min/d for 14 d in sham and COPD rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） was used to measure levels of tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-a）, interleukin-113 （IL-113）, and malonaldehyde （MDA）. RESULTS： Compared with the control rats, COPD rats had significant changes in lung resistance （R,） and lung compliance （C,） （both P〈0.01）, bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction （P〈0.01）, and levels of MDA, TNF-α, and IL-1β（P〈0.01）. There were no significant differences between the control and the sham groups. Compared with the COPD rats, the COPD plus EA rats had decreased R, and increased CL （both P〈0.05）, and reduced bronchi and bronchiole airway obstruction （P〈0.05, P〈0.01, respectively）, while levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA in BALF were lowered （P〈0.05 and P〈0.01, respectively）. However, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of the EA group rats remained higher than those of the control group （P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： EA at ST36 can reduce lung injury in a COPD rat model, and beneficial effects may be related to down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may prolong the clinical benefit of EA.

Effects of pre-moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) on heat shock protein 70 expression in rats with gastric mucosal lesions after neurotomy

Studies have shown that pre-moxibustion protects the gastric mucosa by up-regulating the expression of heat shock protein 70. However, the signaling pathway underlying this effect remains unclear. Rats were intragastrically administered absolute alcohol, causing obvious lesion of the gastric mucosa. Following pre-moxibustion at Zusanfi （ST36） for 8 days, the ulcer index decreased to different degrees. The results of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting showed significant upregulation of heat shock protein 70 expression in the gastric mucosa and serum. None out of transection of the spinal cord, damage to the nucleus of the solitary tract, neurotomy of the vagal nerve and neurotomy of the common peroneal nerve affected the decrease in ulcer index or the increase in heat shock protein 70 expression in serum after pre-moxibustion at Zusanfi, and heat shock protein 70 expression was obviously decreased in the gastric mucosa. These findings suggest that pre-moxibustion at Zusanfi can protect the gastric mucosa against lesioning, and that the mechanism underlying this effect involves its induction of heat shock protein 70 expression. Neural pathways participate in the regulatory effects of moxibustion on heat shock protein 70 expression in the gastric mucosa.

Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) to improve lower extremity motor function in sensory disturbance patients with cerebral stroke A randomized controlled study of 240 cases

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that sensory transduction is a way to introduce needle sensation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the influence of electro-acupuncture at the ＂Zusanll＂ （ST 36） point on lower extremity motor function in various sensory disturbance patients with cerebral stroke. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, clinical study was performed at the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Centre from September 2006 to June 2008. PARTICIPANTS： Patients with first-time cerebral infarction or hemorrhage, or with a stroke history, but no neurodysfunction （single damage）, were selected for this study. The subjects were right-handed and disease state was stable. A total of 240 inpatients were randomly assigned to the following groups： electro-acupuncture （n = 124） and control （n = 116）. The two groups were further assigned into sub-groups： no sensory disturbance, superficial sensory disturbance, deep sensory disturbance, and deep and superficial sensory disturbance. METHODS： On the basis of routine limb function training, the acupoint Zusanliwas utilized in all patients from the electro-acupuncture group. Perpendicular acupuncture was 3.0-4.0 cm deep. An electric acupuncture instrument was connected when patients developed the needle sensation, deqi. A stimulation pattern consisting of distant and dense waves of 50 Hz was used to elicit slight dorsal foot extension. Acupuncture was administered 5 times per week, 30 minutes per session, for 6 weeks in total. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： FugI-Meyer assessment （FMA） was used to evaluate lower extremity motor function; Ver.1.0 gait analysis to estimate gait （step frequency, step speed, and step scope）; lower extremity Composite Spasticity Scale （CSS） to estimate muscle spastic degree. RESULTS： Following treatment, motor function improved in both groups. Compared with the control group, FMA score, step speed, step frequency, and step scope were increased in the electro-acupuncture group, but there was no difference in lower extremity CSS scores between the electro-acupuncture and the control groups （P 〉 0.05）. Compared with the control group, Zusanli （ST 36） electro-acupuncture improved motor function indices as follows： FMA score, step frequency, step speed, and step scope of patients with no sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05-0.01）, step frequency of patients with superficial sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05）, and step frequency and step speed of patients with deep sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Zusanfi （ST 36） electro-acupuncture effects on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients were improved with no muscle tone rise. Therefore, this form of treatment can be used in convalescent treatment, Moreover, effects were different according to various sensory disturbance types, which suggested that sensory input influenced acupuncture effects.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MOXIBUSTION AT ZUSANLI(ST 36) AND LIANGMEN (ST 21) INDUCING HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 (HSP70) EXPRESSION TO RESIST OXIDATIVE INJURY OF GASTRIC MUCOSA

Objective: To observe effect of moxibustion at Zusanli (足三里 ST 36) and Liangmen (梁门 ST 21) on expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in gastric mucosa of the rat of stress ulcer (SU) to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in resisting oxidative injury of the gastric mucosa. Methods: Sixty SD rats were evenly randomized into 4 groups, a blank group, a model group, an acupoint moxibustion group and a non-acupoint moxibustion group. Water restraint stress (WRS) method was used to make stress gastric ulcer rat model. The ulcerative index (UI) of gastric mucosa was evaluated by using GUTH method, the gastric mucosa blood flux (GMBF) was detected by a laser Doppler bloodflow monitor, and HSP70 expression and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the gastric mucosa were determined respectively with immunohistochemical and thiobarbiturate methods. Results: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangmen (ST 21) significantly decreased UI, up-regulated HSP70 expression, increased GMBF, and decreased MDA content in the gastric mucosa in the rat of stress gastric ulcer, with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint moxibustion group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Liangmen (ST 21) can induce high expression of HSP70 and decrease MDA content in the gastric mucosa, so as to resist oxidative injury, with relative acupoint specificity.

电针“足三里”对大鼠胃电及脑肠肽的影响

目的 :通过电针“足三里”对大鼠胃电及脑肠肽影响的观察 ,进一步探讨足三里与胃运动内在联系的物质基础。方法 :对 2 4只健康成年大鼠胃内埋置电极记录胃电 ,观察电针对胃电的影响 ,实验结束后抽取血液 1 5mL和胃窦组织 ,采用放免分析法测定血浆和胃窦内的P物质、胃动素(MLT)、胃泌素 (GAS)含量的变化。结果 :电针“足三里”后大鼠胃电慢波高活动相平均振幅变化率和慢波高活动时程/周期比值 ,以及快波峰簇数差值比均明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ,P <0 0 1 )。胃窦内脑肠肽物质含量均不同程度高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 ,P <0 0 1 )。结论 :电针“足三里”可使胃电活动增强 。

电针刺大鼠足三里穴对LESP血浆胃泌素和胃动素的影响

目的:观察电针刺足三里穴对大鼠下食管括约肌压力(LESP)的影响以及与血浆胃泌素(GAS)和胃动素(MTL)的关系.方法:将Wistar大鼠40只随机分成5组:对照组、非经非络穴组、足三里穴组、阿托品组和阿托品+足三里穴组.应用三通道微细注水式测压管和荷兰UPS-2020型食管测压系统测定大鼠LESP,同时放免法测定血浆GAS和MTL的水平.结果:电针刺大鼠足三里穴和非经非络穴及电针刺停止后,LESP均有明显升高[升高率:62.7±27.0%,131.0±36.4%(0-20 min),122.6±25.9%(21-40 min),P＜0.01],足三里穴组LESP升高明显大于非经非络穴组(2.34±0.69 kPa vs 1.94±0.35 kPa,3.308±0.88 kPa vs2.30±0.36 kPa,3.17±0.69 kPA vs 2.22±0.40 kPa,P＜0.01).大鼠阿托品ip后LESP明显下降(P＜0.01);在电针刺期间及电针刺后LESP升至正常,升高率明显低于足三里穴组(P＜0.01).电针刺大鼠足三里穴后血浆GAS,MTL水平与对照组相比明显升高(P＜0.01);非经非络穴组升高不明显(P1=0.492,P2=0.104);阿托品+足三里穴组GAS和MTL比阿托品组明显升高(P1＜0.01、P2＜0.05);GAS和MTL变化与LESP呈明显正相关(r1=0.664、r2=0.703,P＜0.01).结论:电针刺对LESP的调控作用具有一定的经络和穴位特异性;胆碱能M受体阻断可部分减弱电针刺足三里的作用,电针刺可以使胆碱能神经阻断大鼠降低的LESP恢复至正常;胃泌素和胃动素可能参与了电针刺对LESP的调控作用.

针刺“足三里”对大鼠孤束核P物质的影响

目的 :观察延髓孤束核P物质免疫阳性反应产物的分布以及针刺“足三里”穴对其的影响。方法 :将SD大鼠随机分为三组 :电针“足三里”穴组 (n =10 )、电针“足三里”穴旁开 0 5cm组(n =10 )、空白对照组 (n =10 )。应用免疫组织化学ABC法显示延脑组织SP免疫活性切片。结果 :孤束核内P物质的免疫阳性反应产物以膨体型纤维为主 ,呈点状和串珠状 ,其敞开部有少量阳性胞体。主要分布于孤束核的内侧亚核、连合亚核 ,其余亚核内较为稀疏 ;电针“足三里”穴内侧亚核、连合亚核阳性纤维的光密度明显升高 ,其余亚核无明显变化 ;电针“足三里”穴外侧旁开 0 .5cm组与空白组相似 ,各亚核均无明显变化。结论 :针刺“足三里”可能通过抑制NTS内侧亚核和连合亚核SP的释放 。

针刺足三里PET脑功能成像

目的:探讨针刺足三里穴PET脑功能成像的实验方法,寻找针刺足三里脑功能变化的实验依据。方法:用PET对6例男性健康志愿者行针刺右侧足三里前后的18FDG-PET脑功能成像,用SPM软件处理脑内葡萄糖代谢率变化的实验数据,获得脑功能变化的可视性实验依据。结果:针刺右侧足三里穴引起视丘下部、尾状核头部、小脑、颞叶、中央后回、脑干的葡萄糖代谢增加。结论:针刺足三里穴可引起与内脏功能有关的皮质下植物神经中枢葡萄糖代谢增加,PET是研究针灸中枢机制的可行性方法之一。

足三里穴进针角度和深度的研究

目的:为针刺足三里穴提供适宜的进针角度和深度,避免对神经血管的损伤并发挥其最大功效。方法:用80只成人下肢标本,按国颁标准进针,解剖观测进针时所涉及的层次结构及毗邻重要血管神经。结果:直刺进针时,针体由皮肤到骨间膜的深度为(2·22±0·31)cm,到胫骨后肌后缘的深度为(4·42±0·53)cm;在骨间膜浅层可刺中胫前动脉和腓深神经的扇形分支。针体穿过胫骨后肌后可触及含有胫神经和胫后血管粗大的血管神经束。结论:针刺足三里穴的适宜深度为2·22cm,最大深度为4·42cm。穴位注射时直刺或略偏胫骨方向,接近与胫骨内侧面平行进针,同时进针深度一般不超过5cm较为安全。犊鼻下3寸,胫骨前肌、趾长伸肌之间的体表定位点,也是值得临床尝试的有效刺激点。

电针“足三里”穴对大鼠迷走神经放电的影响

目的：观察电针大鼠双侧“足三里”穴对迷走神经放电的影响。方法：将30只健康成年SD雄性大鼠（200-240g）随机分为对照组、足三里组（电针双侧“足三里”穴）和非经非穴组（电针非经非穴，即“足三里”穴外侧旁开5mm处），每组10只。足三里组及非经非穴组大鼠以3Hz脉冲电流持续进行电针刺激30min，强度以双下肢微颤为宜（约2～4V）。以双极铂电极分别引导左侧迷走神经传出及传入纤维，采用生物机能试验仪连续记录迷走神经放电频率和峰值。结果：刺激前后，对照组与非经非穴组大鼠迷走神经传出和传入纤维放电频率和峰值均无显著性改变（P〉0．05）；组内各时间点比较亦无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。足三里组电刺激“足三里”穴（7．5±3．4）min后，迷走神经传出纤维放电频率明显加快，峰值增加，与刺激前比较差异均有显著性意义（P〈0．01），各参数值均显著高于对照组和非经非穴组相应时间点（P〈0．01）；而传入纤维放电的各参数值均无明显改变。结论：电针“足三里”穴可以使迷走神经传出纤维放电增强。但对其传入纤维放电无影响。

针刺老年大鼠“足三里”“关元”穴对NO、SOD、MDA以及免疫影响的实验研究

目的 :探讨针刺抗衰老的作用机理。方法 :针刺老年大鼠的“足三里”“关元”穴 ,观察对脑、心、肝、肾组织中一氧化氮 (NO)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、丙二醛 (MDA)变化以及对单核巨噬系统吞噬功能的影响。结果 :针刺能调节脑心肝肾组织中NO的含量 ;能提高脑心肝肾组织中抗氧化能力 ,使SOD的含量增高 ,MDA的含量降低 ;能提高单核巨噬系统的吞噬指数。结论 :针刺“足三里”“关元”

电针足三里对脓毒症大鼠组织肿瘤坏死因子和多脏器功能损害的影响

目的:研究电针足三里(ST36)对脓毒症大鼠促炎症因子所致多脏器功能损害的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠64只,采用盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)制备大鼠脓毒症模型,随机分为CLP+电针(EA)足三里组(CLP/EA组)、CLP+假电针(shamEA)组(CLP/SEA组)、迷走神经切断(VA)+CLP+SEA组(VA/CLP/SEA组)和VA+CLP+EA组(VA/CLP/EA组),每组16只。CLP/EA组持续针刺双侧足三里穴30min,强度为2mA,2-100Hz。CLP/SEA组采用相同频率和强度刺激非经非穴(足三里外侧旁开0.5cm)30min。VA组于CLP前切断双侧迷走神经干。各组大鼠于CLP术后12h取血检测血浆谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和肌苷(Cr);然后处死动物,取肝、肾和空肠组织检测肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量、髓过氧化物酶(MPO)和二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性以及脏器组织含水率。结果:与CLP/SEA组比较,CLP/EA组TNF-α、MPO、ALT、Cr水平和脏器组织含水率显著降低,肠组织DAO活性显著增加(均P<0.05);VA/CLP组和VA/CLP/EA组TNF-α、MPO、ALT、Cr水平和脏器组织含水率显著增加,DAO活性显著降低(均P<0.05);VA/CLP/EA组与VA/CLP组比较,上述指标的变化无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论:电针足三里显著抑制CLP大鼠肝、肾和空肠组织TNF-α水平,减轻脏器水肿和功能损害;切断迷走神经能显著减轻或消除EA的作用,上调组织TNF-α水平、加重脏器损害。电针足三里的抗炎和减轻脏器损伤的机制可能与兴奋胆碱能抗炎通路有关。

静态压力刺激对大鼠“足三里”穴区及穴旁区域成纤维细胞PGE_2和IL-6释放影响的比较研究

目的:通过探讨机械刺激对大鼠“足三里”穴筋膜组织成纤维细胞的压力信号生物转换作用,为腧穴“感受刺激,防治疾病”的现代医学生物学机制提供理论与实验依据。方法:体外培养大鼠“足三里”穴及穴旁区域的筋膜组织细胞,对细胞进行形态学鉴定后,实施压力刺激并检测细胞外培养液中前列腺素E2(PGE2)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)含量的变化。结果:“足三里”穴及穴旁区域的筋膜组织细胞主要都是成纤维细胞,压力刺激均能够促进细胞PGE2和IL-6合成释放的增加,差异有统计学意义。结论:腧穴与非穴的筋膜组织成纤维细胞皆能直接感受刺激,从而将机械信号转换为生物信号。

电针“足三里”对胃粘膜损伤大鼠Bcl-2、Fas蛋白表达的影响

目的 :观察电针“足三里”对胃粘膜损伤大鼠的细胞保护作用与细胞凋亡调控基因Bcl 2、Fas蛋白表达水平的关系及“足三里”是否具有腧穴相对特异性。方法 :40只大鼠 ,随机分为四组 ,即“足三里”组、非穴组、模型组和空白组 ,每组 1 0只。用无水乙醇按每只 1mL灌胃 ,造成胃粘膜损伤模型。各组检测胃粘膜细胞Bcl 2、Fas蛋白表达水平。结果 :Bcl 2基因蛋白阳性表达在“足三里”组非常明显 ,“足三里”组与模型组比较 ,有明显差异 (P <0 0 5)。Fas基因蛋白阳性表达在“足三里”组不明显 ,“足三里”组与非穴组、模型组比较 ,有极显著差异 (P <0 0 1 )。结论 :电针“足三里”对胃粘膜损伤后的细胞保护作用可能的机理 ,是由于促进了Bcl 2基因蛋白表达 ,抑制了Fas基因蛋白表达 ,并具有腧穴相对特异性。

针刺足三里、悬钟对缺血性中风患者脑血管功能的影响:多中心随机对照研究

目的:探讨针刺足三里、悬钟对缺血性中风患者脑血管功能的影响。方法:采用3中心、单盲、随机、对照研究方法,将160例患者随机分为针刺组与对照组,每组各80例,两组均予以常规缺血性中风治疗,针刺组在此基础上结合针刺足三里、悬钟,以治疗前后TCD脑血管血流指数的变化情况进行两组疗效评价。结果:针刺组脑血管舒缩反应能力、脑血流自动调节功能、大脑半球侧支循环代偿功能较治疗前均显著加强(P<0·05,P<0·01),且均优于对照组(P<0·05)。结论:针刺足三里、悬钟对缺血性中风患者脑血管舒缩反应能力、脑血流自动调节功能、大脑半球侧支循环代偿功能有明显改善作用。

电针足三里对兔胃粘膜损伤细胞保护作用的观察

目的:探讨电针足三里对兔胃粘膜损伤的细胞保护作用。方法:采用无水乙醇灌胃,造成胃粘膜损伤模型,以胃粘膜损伤指数为评定指标,均与足三里旁非穴点进行比较。结果:电针足三里可降低胃粘膜损伤指数,与非穴组比较,有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:电针足三里对胃粘膜损伤具有细胞保护作用,足三里与胃密切相关,并具相对特异性。

电针“足三里”穴对大鼠T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

本试验选用健康大鼠 ,随机分为正常对照组、“足三里”组、非经非穴组、免疫抑制组、免疫抑制 +“足三里”组。应用流式细胞仪技术 ,通过微量全血直接免疫荧光染色法测定各组大鼠的外周血T淋巴细胞亚群。实验结果如下 :电针“足三里”组大鼠T4细胞百分率明显高于正常对照组 (P <0 0 1 ) ,T8细胞百分率与正常对照组相比无统计学差异 (P >0 0 5 )。电针非经非穴组 ,各项指标与正常对照组相比无统计学差异 (P >0 0 5 )。且“足三里”组T4细胞百分率明显高于非经非穴组 (P <0 0 1 )。免疫抑制组T4细胞百分率明显低于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,T8细胞百分率无明显变化 (P >0 0 5 )。免疫抑制 +“足三里”组大鼠T4细胞百分率与免疫抑制组相比有明显改善和提高 (P <0 0 1 )。结果显示 ,电针“足三里”穴可明显提高正常大鼠与免疫抑制大鼠的淋巴细胞亚群。而电针非经非穴点则无此作用。

穴位处胶原纤维在针刺大鼠“足三里”镇痛过程中的作用

目的:探讨针刺镇痛作用机制。方法:采用穴位注射Ⅰ型胶原酶法破坏穴区胶原组织结构。在急性佐剂关节炎大鼠模型上,以大鼠缩爪反射的潜伏期及肥大细胞脱颗粒率为观察指标,比较破坏与不破坏穴位区胶原组织结构2种情况下,针刺"足三里"捻转或提插手法对针刺镇痛效应及肥大细胞的影响。结果:破坏胶原结构后2种手法的镇痛效果明显削弱,且穴位肥大细胞脱颗粒也受到明显抑制。结论:穴区胶原纤维与肥大细胞在针刺镇痛效应的产生过程中起到了重要的作用,胶原纤维参与了针刺信号由穴位向靶器官传输与转换过程,而肥大细胞脱颗粒则始终与针刺镇痛效应呈正相关。