Evaluating the clinical application and effect of acupuncture therapy in anal function rehabilitation after low-tension rectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND According to the indexes of serum and anal function,acupuncture therapy was applied to patients with low rectal cancer in order to avoid the occurrence of anal incontinence and reduce complications.AIM To explore the clinical application and evaluate the effect of acupuncture therapy for anal function rehabilitation after low-tension rectal cancer surgery.METHODS From the anorectal surgery cases,we selected 120 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between January 2020 and December 2022 and randomly divided them into a control group(n=60),observation group(n=60),and control group after surgery for lifestyle intervention(including smoking cessation and exercise),dietary factor adjustment,anal movement,and oral loperamide treatment.The serum levels of motilin,5-hydroxytryptamine,and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),Wexner score for anal incontinence,and incidence of complications were compared between groups.RESULTS After treatment,the VIP and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The motilin level was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Postoperative anal incontinence was better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of complications in the observation group was 6.67%,which was significantly lower than that in the control group(21.67%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupuncture therapy has a positive effect on the rehabilitation of anal function after low-tension rectal cancer surgery;it can effectively help to improve the serum indices of patients,avoid the occurrence of anal incontinence,and reduce the incidence of complications.Popularizing and applying it will be valuable.

Effects of Acupuncture and Tuina Combined with Rehabilitation Therapy on Oxidative Stress Response and Motor Function in Stroke Hemiplegia Patients

Objective:To explore the effects of acupuncture and tuina combined with rehabilitation therapy on oxidative stress response and motor function in stroke hemiplegia patients.Methods:Sixty stroke hemiplegia patients were randomly divided into observation and control groups,with 30 cases each.The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy,while the observation group also underwent acupuncture and tuina.After 8 weeks of treatment,oxidative stress indicators[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)],neurological deficit scores(NIHSS),Fugl-Meyer motor function scores(FMA),and activities of daily living(Barthel Index)were compared between the two groups.Results:Before treatment,there were no significant differences in MDA,NIHSS scores,FMA scores,and Barthel Index between the two groups(P>0.05).After 8 weeks,the observation group had lower MDA and NIHSS scores,but higher SOD,GSH-Px,FMA scores,and Barthel Index compared to the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture and tuina combined with rehabilitation therapy can effectively improve oxidative stress levels,promote neurological recovery,enhance motor function,and improve daily living activities in stroke hemiplegia patients.This combined therapy is recommended for clinical application.

CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY IN TREATING MAXILLOFACIAL TUMOURS

Electrochemical therapy, ECT, has been used to treat 122 cases of various kinds of tu-mour, among them, 81 cases were malignant tumours (32 cases facial, 18 cases subaural, 16 cases labial, 15 cases tongue), and the other 41 cases were bening tumours (cavermous hemangioma at facial region 23 cases and in oral cavity 18 cases). Pathological examination of malignant tumours revealed that there were 63 cases of squamous epithelial cancers and 18 cases of adenocarcinoma. Cavermous he-mangioma is benign tumour and congenital. Special designed and made platinum needles were inserted into the tumours and the needles were connected to an instrument protucing a direct current for treat-ment. Voltage used was usually 8 volts with current 60 - 80 mA. The quantity elecricity applied was 100 coulombs per 1 cm in diameter of the tumour. The effectiveness of treating 81 cases malignant tu-mours was: CR 42 cases (51. 8% ), PR 31 cases (38. 3% ), NC 5 cases (6. 2% ) and PD 3 cases (3.7 % ). CR + PR was 73 cases (90. 1 % ). The effectiveness of treating 41 cases of benign hemangioma was: CR 38 cases (92. 7 % ) and PR 3 cases (7. 3 % ). One, three and five year survival rates of malig-nant tumour patients were 95 %, 65. 4 % and 37 %, respectively. While all the 41 patients with he-mangioma survived over five years after treatment.

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.

CLINICAL REPORT ON MULTI-CENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE BY ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE AT QI■X■(丘墟GB40)

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of electro acupuncture at QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） for treating migraine and provide clinical study for Acupoints Dictionary of People＇s Republic of China. Methods Multi-center （3 First-Class hospitals） study was adopted, and the involved 3 hospitals did clinical observation according to the requirements of the project. The methods are as follows. All cases were randomized into treatment group and control group according to their sequence. QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） was selected in treatment group, while Tiānshū （天枢 ST25） was selected in control group. Both groups were performed electro acupuncture, and syndromes indexes of migraine and 5-HT were observed before and after treatment. All data were analyzed by statistic software SPSS11.5. Results There was significant difference of VAS margin between two groups in each center and the combined center （u= -3. 362, P=0. 001 ）. There was significant difference of therapeutic effect of 4-week treatment between two groups in each clinical center and the combined center. The therapeutic effect of 3-month treatment between two groups in No. 1 and No. 3 hospitals, showed significant difference, the treatment group was better; while that of No. 2 hospital had no obvious difference. The therapeutic effect of 6-month treatment between two groups in each center and the combined center had significant difference, the treatment group was better. Conclusion The therapy of electro acupuncture at QIǖXǖ（丘墟GB40） is effective for migraine.

ON THE RELEVANCE OF PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUE AND ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

The psychotherapeutic technique plays an important role in acupuncture therapy. In the present paper, the authors explain the relevance of psychotherapeutic technique and curative effect of acupuncture from （1）connection between psychologic factors and curing disease, （2）specialty of acupuncture therapy, and （3）influence of psychologic factors on acupuncture therapy, etc. Finally bring forward how to make good use of the technique during the course of acupuncture.

The Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Motor Function Recovery in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction:A Randomly Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture treatment in acute phase of cerebral infarction on the motor functions. In this randomly controlled trial, 86 patients were allocated to two groups, the experimental group given clinical and electro-acupuncture treatments for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group given clinical treatment plus active and/or passive functional exercise. The result showed that the level of impairment and disability in both groups were improvement according to the Chinese Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer score, and Barthel Index throughout the study and 3 months after. The motor functions and the activities of daily living (ADL) were improved significantly in the electro-acupuncture group as compared with the control group (P

Electroacupuncture effect on synaptic ultrastructure in focal cerebral ischemia marginal zone of the rat

BACKGROUND：Synapses undergo high levels of plasticity within the nervous system, and cerebral ischemia induces synaptic plasticity changes.OBJECTIVE：To demonstrate the effects of electroacupuncture on ultrastructural synaptic changes in the focal cerebral ischemia marginal zone in rats using quantitative analysis of stereological measurement.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING：A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Experimental Animal Center and Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2008 to January 2009.MATERIALS：The G-6805 electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Huayi Instrument Factory, China.METHODS：A total of 90 male, Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sham-surgery, model, and electroacupuncture groups, with 30 animals in each group. Each group was subdivided into 1 hour, as well as 1, 3, 7, and 21 days post-surgery groups, with six animals assigned to each time point. Heat coagulation-induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Electroacupuncture was applied immediately following surgery to the electroacupuncture group [4/20 Hz, 2.0-3.0 V, 1-3 mA, to Baihui （GV 20） and Dazhui （GV 14）] for 30 minutes. Treatment was performed once a day, and experimental animals were sacrificed, at 1 hour, as well as 1, 3, 7 and 21 days post-surgery.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：At different time points after intervention, changes in synaptic ultrastructure, such as postsynaptic density thickness, synaptic cleft width, and synaptic interface curvature, were observed in the focal cerebral ischemia marginal zone in rats through the use of transmission electronic microscopy.RESULTS：Broken synapses were observed following cerebral ischemia, and the number of synapses was significantly decreased. Compared to the model group, synaptic ultrastructure was significantly improved in the electroacupuncture group. Compared to the sham-surgery group, postsynaptic density thickness was significantly decreased, as were synaptic cleft width and synaptic interface curvature in the electroacupuncture and model groups. However, compared to the model group, postsynaptic density thickness was significantly increased in the electroacupuncture group at the same time point post-surgery （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. In addition, synaptic cleft width and synaptic interface curvature were significantly increased with the passage of time （P〈 0.05 or P〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION：Electroacupuncture significantly ameliorated structural synapse lesion during the early stage of cerebral ischemic injury, promoted repair of synaptic structure, improved structural parameters of synapses, and increased synaptic structural plasticity, which suggested that the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture was related to synaptic reorganization.

Study of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy for optimizing anaesthesia scheme of painless gastroscopy and improving painless gastroscopy related complications

BACKGROUND Painless gastroscopy is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic technology in clinical practice.Propofol combined with opioids is a common drug for painless endoscopic sedation and anaesthesia.In clinical work,adverse drug reactions of anaesthesia schemes are often one of the important areas of concern for doctors and patients.With the increase in propofol dosage,the risk of serious adverse drug reactions,such as respiratory depression and hypotension,increases significantly;the use of opioids often causes gastrointestinal reactions in patients after examination,such as nausea,vomiting,delayed recovery of gastrointestinal function and other complications,which seriously affect their quality of life.AIM To observe the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture therapy on the anaesthesia regimen and anaesthesia-related complications during and after painless gastroscopy examination.METHODS Two hundred patients were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group(n=100)and a control group(n=100).Both groups were routinely anaesthetized with the nalbuphine and propofol regimen,gastroscopy began after the patient lost consciousness,and given supportive treatment and vital sign monitoring.If the patient interrupted the surgery due to intraoperative torsion,intravenous propofol was used to relieve his or her discomfort.The treatment group received wrist-ankle acupuncture on this basis.RESULTS The general data before treatment,American Society of Anesthesiologist(ASA)grade and operation time between the two groups was no significant difference.The Wakeup time,and the Selfambulation time in the treatment group was significantly faster than that in the control group(P<0.05).The total dose of propofol in the treatment group was 109±8.17 mg,significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of respiratory depression and hypotension was not significantly different,but the incidence of hiccups was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).After the examination,the incidence of nausea,vomiting,abdominal distension,and abdominal pain was 11%,8%,6%,and 5%,respectively,which was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).In addition,both the operators and the patients were more satisfied with this examination,with no significant difference between the groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Wrist-ankle acupuncture treatment can optimize the painless gastroscopy and anaesthesia scheme,reduces propofol total dose;shortens patient Wakeup time and Self-ambulation time,improves patient compliance and tolerance,is beneficial to clinical application.

Pretreatment of emulational manual acupuncture versus electroacupuncture against visceral traction pain in rats

BACKGROUND： Acupuncture and moxibustion against visceral noxious stimulation present different mechanisms in the peripheral and central nervous systems, involving release of neurotransmitter substance P, acetylcholine esterase, leucine-enkephalin, and c-Fos protein expression. However, there are few reports addressing changes in neurotransmitter expression following manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture against visceral traction pain.OBJECTIVE： To explore changes in neurotransmitter expression in the ileum and protein expression in the medullary visceral zone of visceral traction pain rats undergoing pretreatment of emulational manual acupuncture, and to investigate the differences between emulational manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled study was performed at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China from August 2008 to July 2009.MATERIALS： G6805 electroacupuncture apparatus （Shanghai Medical Electronic Machine Factory, China） and ZSF-I acupuncture manipulation simulation therapeutic system （Chinese Medical Engineering Room, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai China） were used in the present study.METHODS： A total of 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were equally and randomly assigned to sham surgery, model, emulational manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups. In the emulational manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups, emulational manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture were applied at bilateral Zusanli （ST 36） acupoints for 30 minutes, and models of visceral traction pain were established immediately.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Substance P expression, c-Fos and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression were measured using immunohistochemistry. Acetylcholine esterase activity was examined utilizing a colorimetric method. Leucine-enkephalin content was detected using a radioimmune assay. Degree of pain in rats was assessed by pain score.RESULTS： Pain score, substance P expression in the ileum, acetylcholine esterase activity, expression of c-Fos protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the medullary visceral zone were significantly decreased following pretreatment of emulational manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture in rats with visceral traction pain （P〈0.05）. Compared with the electroacupuncture group, the leucine-enkephalin content was significantly increased, and pain score was significantly diminished in the emulational manual acupuncture group （P〈0.05）.CONCLUSION： Emulational manual acupuncture pretreatment decreases acetylcholine esterase activity, increases leucine-enkephalin release, downregulates expression of c-Fos protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein and ultimately inhibits visceral traction pain by reducing substance P release. The effectiveness in inhibiting visceral traction pain is greater when using emulational manual acupuncture compared with electroacupuncture. This is because emulational manual acupuncture effectively increases leucine-enkephalin release.

Clinical effects of electroacupuncture stimulation on treatment of stroke-induced limb spasm

OBJECTIVE： To summarize the development of electroacupuncture stimulation in the treatment of stroke-induced limb spasm, to provide research possibilities or clinical development, and to clarify the mechanism and therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture stimulation. DATA SOURCES： Articles relating to therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture stimulation on treatment of stroke-induced limb spasm, as well as clinical studies （which are not limited to age, sex and race）, were retrieved from the China Journal Fulltext Database from January 2000 to December 2007. The key words were stroke, apoplexy, spasm, and electroacupuncture in Chinese. Other articles were obtained from specific journals or books. STUDY SELECTION： Data were first selected by title and abstract. Clinical and rehabilitative studies relating to the effects of electroacupuncture and acupuncture on the treatment of stroke-induced limb spasm were included. Clinical studies related to the rehabilitative treatment of limb spasm were excluded, unless the effects of electroacupuncture stimulation were recorded. DATA EXTRACTION： A total of 338 references were collected; however, 295 of these were excluded. Therefore, 43 articles were analyzed, comprising 40 in Chinese and 3 in English. DATA SYNTHESIS： At present, acupuncture is widely used at home to treat stroke-induced limb spasm; however, acupuncture at different acupoints might cause different clinical effects. Electroacupuncture, which is characterized by analgesia and relief of spasm, can preclude inflammatory edema, improve blood circulation and blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation and adherence, relieve formation of atheromatous plaque in tunica intima of artery, and resist cerebral anoxia, so as to relieve stroke-induced limb spasm. Meanwhile, electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation can effectively decrease the degree of spasm and improve motor function. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy are superior in the rehabilitative treatment of stroke-induced limb spasm. Electroacupuncture is a convenient means to stimulate the acupoints. There are various ways to use this method, but it clearly has therapeutic effects, with few side effects. Electroacupuncture can effectively control limb spasms, while improving motor function and living ability.

Combined treatment using acupuncture and music therapy on children with cerebral palsy Gross motor function measure comparison in 60 cases

BACKGROUND： The use of acupuncture has received recognition to effectively treat cerebral palsy. Moreover, music therapy can be used to modify treatment of cerebral palsy. OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of combined treatment using acupuncture and music therapy on gross motor function measure （GMFM） of children with cerebral palsy, compared with acupuncture treatment alone. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, clinical study. The experiment was conducted in Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2007 and September 2007. PARTICIPANTS： All children with cerebral palsy in the trial were from the outpatient department of Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The children were randomly divided into two groups： 30 children in Group B received acupuncture and music therapy, while 30 children in Group A received only acupuncture therapy. METHODS： Subjects in Groups A and B received acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation. The main acupoints were necessary for all participants. At first, flash needling was applied to the acupoints. For the remaining acupoints, the technique of transverse needling was applied to the head acupoints, and perpendicular needling was used for the other points. The inserted needles were twirled and then maintained for 30 minutes. The needle was twirled for one second every other 10 minutes, without reinforcing-reducing techniques. The therapy was performed every other day. The trial consisted of three periods each, and lasted for 84 days. Subjects in Group B received music therapy. They listened to music that they preferred while acupuncture was being performed. Following acupuncture, they were allowed to perform musical activities, such as percussion, singing, and dancing. The music therapy was scheduled for one hour, including listening to music for 30 minutes and music activities for 30 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The comprehensive functional evaluation scale of cerebral palsy and the GMFM were applied to test symptoms before and after respective treatment. RESULTS： All 60 children were included in final analysis. The general function of all children with cerebral palsy improved, but the general efficiency in Group B was obviously higher than in Group A （93% and 73%, Х^2 = 4.32, P 〈 0.05）. GMFM evaluation showed that the function of crawling and kneeling, standing, and walking improved more significantly in Group B than in Group A （P 〈 0.05）, while the function of lying down, rolling, and sitting remained similar between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The combination of acupuncture and music therapy on the treatment of cerebral palsy is more effective than acupuncture alone. The various activities in music therapy may affect treatment of cerebral palsy.

Auricular-Plaster Therapy Plus Acupuncture at Zusanli for Postoperative Recovery of Intestinal Function

In order to relieve the abdominal distension and other discomforts due to gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operations, the patients were treated by auricular-plaster therapy plus acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36). 12 (92.4%) of the 13 cases in the treatment group showed recovery of normal peristalsis within 72 hours after operations, while that in 13 cases of the control group was 46.1%, indicating that auricular-plaster therapy plus acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) may promote postoperative recovery of the intestinal function.

Electroacupuncture improves gut barrier dysfunction in prolonged hemorrhagic shock rats through vagus anti-inflammatory mechanism

AIM:To investigate whether electroacupuncture(EA)at Zusanli(ST36)prevents intestinal barrier and remote organ dysfunction following prolonged hemorrhagic shock through a vagus anti-inflammatory mechanism.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to about 45%of total blood volume loss followed by delayed fluid replacement(DFR)with Ringer lactate 3h after hemorrhage.In a first study,rats were randomly divided into six groups:(1)EAN:EA at non-channel acupoints followed by DFR;(2)EA:EA at ST36 after hemorrhage followed by DFR;(3)VGX/EA:vagotomy(VGX)before EA at ST36 and DFR;(4)VGX/EAN:VGX before EAN and DFR;(5)α-bungarotoxin(α-BGT)/EA:intraperitoneal injection ofα-BGT before hemorrhage,followed by EA at ST36 and DFR;and(6)α-BGT/EAN group:α-BGT injection before hemorrhage followed by EAN and DFR.Survival and mean arterial pressure(MAP)were monitored over the next 12 h.In a second study,with the same grouping and treatment,cytokine levels in plasma and intestine,organ parameters,gut injury score,gut permeability to 4 kDa FITC-dextran,and expression and distribution of tight junction protein ZO-1 were evaluated.RESULTS:MAP was significantly lowered after blood loss;EA at ST36 improved the blood pressure at corresponding time points 3 and 12 h after hemorrhage.EA at ST36 reduced tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin(IL)-6 levels in both plasma and intestine homogenates after blood loss and DFR,while vagotomy or intraperitoneal injection ofα-BGT before EA at ST36reversed its anti-inflammatory effects,and EA at ST36did not influence IL-10 levels in plasma and intestine.EA at ST36 alleviated the injury of intestinal villus,the gut injury score being significantly lower than that of EAN group(1.85±0.33 vs 3.78±0.59,P<0.05).EA at ST36 decreased intestinal permeability to FITCdextran compared with EAN group(856.95 ng/mL±90.65 ng/mL vs 2305.62 ng/mL±278.32 ng/mL,P<0.05).EA at ST36 significantly preserved ZO-1 protein expression and localization at 12 h after hemorrhage.However,EA at non-channel acupoints had no such effect,and abdominal vagotomy andα-BGT treatment could weaken or eliminate the effects of EA at ST36.Besides,EA at ST36 decreased blood aminotransferase,MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase and creatinine vs EAN group at corresponding time points.At the end of 12-h experiment,the survival rate of the EA group was significantly higher than that of the other groups.CONCLUSION:EA at ST36 attenuates the systemic inflammatory response,protects intestinal barrier integrity,improves organ function and survival rate after hemorrhagic shock via activating the cholinergic antiinflammatory mechanism.

Comparison of the analgesic effects between electro-acupuncture and moxibustion with visceral hypersensitivity rats in irritable bowel syndrome

AIM To observe whether there are differences in the effects of electro-acupuncture(EA) and moxibustion(Mox) in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. METHODS EA at 1 m A and 3 m A and Mox at 43?℃ and 46?℃ were applied to the Shangjuxu(ST37, bilateral) acupoints in model rats with visceral hypersensitivity. Responses of wide dynamic range neurons in dorsal horns of the spinal cord were observed through the extracellular recordings. Mast cells(MC) activity in the colons of rats were assessed, and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor(5-HT3R) and 5-HT4Rexpressions in the colons were measured.RESULTS Compared with normal control group, responses of wide dynamic range neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord were increased in the EA at 1 m A and 3 m A groups(1 m A: 0.84 ± 0.74 vs 2.73 ± 0.65, P < 0.001; 3 m A: 1.91 ± 1.48 vs 6.44 ± 1.26, P < 0.001) and Mox at 43?℃ and 46?℃ groups(43?℃: 1.76 ± 0.81 vs 4.14 ± 1.83, P = 0.001; 46?℃: 5.19 ± 2.03 vs 7.91 ± 2.27, P = 0.01). MC degranulation rates and the expression of 5-HT, 5-HT3 R and 5-HT4 R in the colon of Mox 46?℃ group were decreased compared with model group(MC degranulation rates: 0.47 ± 0.56 vs 0.28 ± 0.78, P < 0.001; 5-HT: 1.42 ± 0.65 vs 7.38 ± 1.12, P < 0.001; 5-HT3R: 6.62 ± 0.77 vs 2.86 ± 0.88, P < 0.001; 5-HT4R: 4.62 ± 0.65 vs 2.22 ± 0.97, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The analgesic effects of Mox at 46?℃ are greater than those of Mox at 43?℃, EA 1 m A and EA 3 m A.

Effect of Electro-acupuncture Stimulation of Ximen(PC4) and Neiguan(PC6) on Remifentanil-induced Breakthrough Pain Following Thoracal Esophagectomy

The clinical analgesic effect of electro-acupuncture（EA） stimulation（EAS） on breakthrough pain induced by remifentanil in patients undergoing radical thoracic esophagectomy, and the mechanisms were assessed. Sixty patients（ASAⅢ） scheduled for elective radical esophagectomy were randomized into three groups： group A（control） receiving a general anesthesia only; group B（sham） given EA needles at PC4（Ximen） and PC6（Neiguan） but no stimulation; and group C（EAS） electrically given EAS of the ipsilateral PC4 and PC6 throughout the surgery. The EAS consisting of a disperse-dense wave with a low frequency of 2 Hz and a high frequency of 20 Hz, was performed 30 min prior to induction of general anesthesia and continued through the surgery. At the emergence, sufentanil infusion was given for postoperative analgesia with loading dose of 7.5 μg, followed by a continuous infusion of 2.25 μg/h. The patient self-administration of sufentanil was 0.75 μg with a lockout of 15 min as needed. Additional breakthrough pain was treated with dezocine（5 mg） intravenously at the patient＇s request. Blood samples were collected before（T1）, 2 h（T2）, 24 h（T3）, and 48 h（T4） after operation to measure the plasma β-EP, PGE2, and 5-HT. The operative time, the total dose of sufentanil and the dose of self-administration, and the rescue doses of dezocine were recorded. Visual Analogue Scale（VAS） scores at 2, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperatively and the incidence of apnea and severe hypotension were recorded. The results showed that the gender, age, weight, operative time and remifentanil consumption were comparable among 3 groups. Patients in EAS group had the lowest VAS scores postoperatively among the three groups（P〈0.05）. The total dose of sufentanil was 115±6.0 μg in EAS group, significantly lower than that in control（134.3±5.9 μg） and sham（133.5±7.0 μg） groups. Similarly, the rescue dose of dezocine was the least in EAS group（P〈0.05） among the three groups. Plasma β-EP levels in EAS group at T3（176.90±45.73） and T4（162.96±35.00 pg/mL） were significantly higher than those in control（132.33±36.75 and 128.79±41.24 pg/mL） and sham（136.56±45.80 and 129.85±36.14 pg/mL） groups, P〈0.05 for all. EAS could decrease the release of PGE2. Plasma PGE2 levels in EAS group at T2 and T3（41±5 and 40±5 pg/mL respectively） were significantly lower than those in control（64±5 and 62±7 pg/mL） and sham（66±6 and 62±6 pg/mL） groups. Plasma 5-HT levels in EAS group at T2（133.66±40.85） and T3（154.66±52.49 ng/mL） were significantly lower than those in control（168.33±56.94 and 225.28±82.03） and sham（164.54±47.53 and 217.74±76.45 ng/mL） groups. For intra-group comparison, plasma 5-HT and PGE2 levels in control and sham groups at T2 and T3, and β-EP in EAS group at T3 and T4 were significantly higher than those at T1（P〈0.05）; PGE2 and 5-HT levels in EAS group showed no significant difference among the different time points（P〉0.05）. No apnea or severe hypotension was observed in any group. It was concluded that intraoperative ipsilateral EAS at PC4 and PC6 provides effective postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing radical esophagectomy with remifentanil anesthesia and significantly decrease requirement for parental narcotics. The underlying mechanism may be related to stimulation of the release of endogenous β-EP and inhibition of inflammatory mediators（5-HT and PGE2）.

Facial nucleus up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA following electroacupuncture treatment in a rabbit model of facial nerve injury

BACKGROUND： The effect of acupuncture treatment on peripheral facial nerve injury is generally accepted. However, the mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To validate the effect of acupoint electro-stimulation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） mRNA expression in the facial nucleus of rabbits with facial nerve injury, with the hypothesis that acupuncture treatment efficacy is related to BDNE DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Peripheral facial nerve injury, in situ hybridization, and randomized, controlled, animal trial. The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from March to September 2005. MATERIALS： A total of 120 healthy, adult, Japanese rabbits, with an equal number of males and females were selected. Models of peripheral facial nerve injury were established using the facial nerve pressing method. METHODS： The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups （n = 24）： sham operation, an incision to the left facial skin, followed by suture; model, no treatment following facial nerve model establishment; western medicine, 10 mg vitamin B1, 50 ug vitamin B12, and dexamethasone （2 mg/d, reduced to half every 7 days） intramuscular injection starting with the first day following lesion, once per day; traditional acupuncture, acupuncture at Ytfeng, Quanliao, Dicang, Jiache, Sibai, and Yangbai acupoints using a acupuncture needle with needle twirling every 10 minutes, followed by needle retention for 30 minutes, for successive 5 days; electroacupuncture, similar to the traditional acupuncture group, the Yifeng （negative electrode）, Jiache （positive electrode）, Dicang （negative electrode）, and Sibai （positive electrode） points were connected to an universal pulse electro-therapeutic apparatus for 30 minutes per day, with disperse-dense waves for successive 5 days, and resting for 2 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Left hemisphere brain stem tissues were harvested on post-operative days 7, 14, 21, and 28 under a dissecting microscope. Neuronal appearance in the facial nucleus was observed following Nissl staining. BDNF mRNA expression in the facial nucleus was determined using in situ hybridization. RESULTS： A total of 120 rabbits were included in the final analysis. In the model group, the nucleolus was asymmetric with cell body swelling, and the number of Nissl bodies decreased. With increasing time, there were more Nissl bodies in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, in particular the electroacupuncture group. However, the number of Nissl bodies remained less than in the sham operation group. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus was significantly greater in the western medicine, traditional acupuncture, and electroacupuncture groups, compared with the model group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of BDNF-positive neurons in the facial nucleus of reached a minimum in the electroacupuncture group on post-surgery day 21, and increased by day 28, but remained less than control levels. CONCLUSION： Electroacupuncture at acupoints increased BDNF expression in the facial nucleus, alleviated neuronal injury in the facial nucleus, and promoted facial nerve regeneration. The effect was superior over traditional acupuncture and western medicine.

ACUPUNCTURE FOR LEUCOPENIA INDUCED BY CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIOTHERAPY——A Meta-analysis

In the present paper, the authors analyze the academic theses of acupuncture for treatment of leucopenia induced by chemo or radio therapy. A total of 14 theses are retrieved and all written in Chinese. Quantitative meta analysis is done for 4 studies of dichotomous data and 5 studies of continuous data. Both of them have positive results. Majority of these trials have methodological and/or reporting shortcomings. Overall, the existing evidence supports the value of acupuncture for the treatment of leucopenia induced by chemo or radio therapy. However, the evidence is still not fully convincing. There is an urgent need for well planned, large scale and multiple center studies to assess the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of acupuncture under real life conditions.

TREATMENT OF POSTAPOPLECTIC THALAMIC SPONTANEOUS PAIN BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AT HUATUOJIAJI POINTS

The authors have treated 30 cases of postapoplectic thalamic spontaneous pain (PTSP) by electro-acupuncture at Huatuojiaji points (Extra), with the other 30 cases of PTSP treated by oral administration of carbamazepine as the controls. The total effective rate was 90% in the acupuncture group, and 86.7% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), suggesting that electroacupuncture at Huatuojiaji (Extra) is a better therapy for PTSP.

Electro-acupuncture Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Improves Learning and Memory Function of Rats with Cerebral Infarction by Inhibiting Neuron Cell Apoptosis

This study examined the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy at different time windows on learning and memory ability of rats with cerebral infarction and the underlying mechanism.Two hundred SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal group,sham-operated group,model group and EA+TMS group,and each group was then divided into five sub-groups in terms of the different time to start treatment post operation:6,12,24,48 and 72 h.Cerebral infarction models were established in the model and the EA+TMS groups by left middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R).After treatment for 14 d,the Morris water maze test was applied to examine the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats.In infarcted area,the expression of caspase-3 was immunohistochemically detected,and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA.The results showed that in EA+TMS group compared with model group at the same treatment time windows,the escape latency was substantially shortened,the expression of caspase-3 was considerably decreased and the expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA significantly increased (P<0.05).In the EA+TMS sub-groups,the escape latency was shortest,the expression level of caspase-3 lowest,and the expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA highest at the treatment time window of 24 h.It was concluded that EA combined with TMS can promote neurological function of rats with cerebral infarction by increasing the expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA and decreasing the expression of caspase-3.The best time window is 24 h after perfusion treatment to ischemia.