Catgut implantation at acupoints increases the expression of glutamate aspartate transporter and glial glutamate transporter-1 in the brain of rats with spasticity after stroke

Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.

Effect of lit-moxa stimulation of Guanyuan(CV 4) acupoint on levels of lactic acid and super-oxide dismutase in skeletal muscle of rats

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of lit-moxa stimulating acupoint Guanyuan(CV 4) on lactic acid and super-oxide dismutase(SOD) in skeletal muscle after exercise exhaustion.METHODS:Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group,exhausted control group,exercise group and moxibustion group using exercise training and mild heating with lit-moxa stick as treatment methods.The exhausted control group,moxibustion group and exercise group received an exhaustive swimming after 20 days of intervention.Swimming exhausted times were recorded.Lactic acid and SOD concentration in soleus muscle were detected and compared between every two groups.RESULTS:The swimming exhausted times of the moxibustion group and the exercise group were significantly increased compare to the exhausted control group(P < 0.05).The lactic acid of the exhausted control group was significantly increased comparing with the normal control group(P <0.05),and the lactic acid of the moxibustion group and the exercise group were significantly lower than that of the exhausted control group(P < 0.05).The SOD level of the exhausted control group was significantly decreased comparing with the normal control group(P < 0.05),and the SOD level of the moxibustion group and the exercise group were significantly higher than that of the exhausted control group(both,P < 0.05).There was no statistical difference between the moxibustion group and the exercise group.CONCLUSION:With lit moxa stick,heat stimulating acupoint of Guanyuan(CV 4) decreased the levels of lactic acid and SOD in rat's skeletal muscle.

Acupoints selection pattern in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of perimenopausal syndrome from 2007 to 2016

Objective： To discuss the acupoints selection pattern in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of perimenopausal syndrome（PMS） from 2007 to 2016. Methods： Clinical literatures related to PMS treated with acupuncture-moxibustion published from 2007 to 2016 were collected from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database（CBM）, Chongqing VIP Database（CQVIP）, China National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）, and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database（Wanfang）. The retrieved data underwent descriptive analysis, cluster analysis and association pattern analysis to determine the acupoints selection principle in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS. Results： The top five acupoints used in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS were Sanyinjiao（SP 6）, Shenshu（BL 23）, Guanyuan（CV 4）, Baihui（GV 20）, and Shenmen（HT 7）. The leading 4 meridians were Bladder Meridian, Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian, and Governor Vessel. The clustering analysis showed that the 5 core acupoint groups were：（1） Sanyinjiao（SP 6）;（2） Shenshu（BL 23） and Guanyuan（CV 4）;（3） Baihui（GV 20）, Shenmen（HT 7）, Zusanli（ST 36）, Ganshu（BL 18） and Taichong（LR 3）;（4） Taixi（KI 3）, Pishu（BL 20）, Xinshu（BL 15）, Qihai（CV 6） and Neiguan（PC 6）;（5） Sishencong（EX-HN 1）, Zhongwan（CV 12）, Hegu（LI 4）, Yintang（GV 29）, Fengchi（GB 20）, Zhongji（CV 3） and Feishu（BL 13）. The three most significant acupoints were Sanyinjiao（SP 6）, Shenshu（BL 23） and Guanyuan（CV 4）. Acupoint groups based on syndrome differentiation included：（1） Hegu（LI 4）, Zhongwan（CV 12） and Sishencong（EX-HN 1）;（2） Feishu（BL 13）, Zhongji（CV 3）, Fengchi（GB 20） and Yintang（GV 29）;（3） Xinshu（BL 15）, Pishu（BL 20）, Qihai（CV 6）, Neiguan（PC 6） and Taixi（KI 3）;（4） Ganshu（BL 18）, Zusanli（ST 36）, Shenmen（HT 7）, Taichong（LR 3） and Baihui（GV 20）. The analysis of association pattern elaborated that Shenshu（BL 23） and Sanyinjiao（SP 6） won the highest support rate in the paired groups; Ganshu（BL 18）, Shenshu（BL 23） and Sanyinjiao（SP 6） had the highest support rate among the acupoint groups. Conclusion： The data mining results of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS substantially conform to the general principle in traditional acupuncture-moxibustion theories, able to reflect the acupoints selection and grouping pattern and provide references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS.

Effect of stimulating acupoint Guanyuan(CV 4) on lower back pain by burning moxa heat for different time lengths: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different heat-stimulating time lengths on lower back pain.METHODS: Forty participants were randomly assigned to four groups of various heating time lengths. The short heating time length group(SL),moderate heating time length group(ML), and long heating time length group(LL) respectively received 15, 30, and 60 min of moxibustion therapy stimulating the acupoint Guanyuan(CV 4). The conventional acupuncture group(CA) received needle acupuncture treatment as a control group. The participants were treated continuously over a 2-week treatment period for a total of 10 sessions, with five sessions given per week. Participants were assessed weekly by blinded assessors, using the visual analogue scale(VAS) and Roland Morris Questionnaire(RMQ).RESULTS: The VAS and RMQ scores reduced in all four groups during treatment. There were significant differences in VAS scores(P < 0.01) and RMQ scores(P < 0.01) between before treatment and after 2 weeks of treatment in the LL group. After treatment, the LL group reported significantly lower VAS scores compared with the CA group, ML group,and SL group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The long and moderate lengths of heat-stimulating time of 30 and 60 min may be more effective for relieving lower back pain than that of short stimulating time lengths.

Effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on GABA_B and mGluR1 expressions in brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on the expressions of γ-amino butyric acid B receptor(GABAB ) and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1(mGluR1) in the brain stem of rats with spasticity after stroke.METHODS: In total, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham group(n=10), a model group(n=25) and a treatment group(n=25). The rats in both the model group and the treatment group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of focal cerebral ischemia. Rats with limb-spasm met the inclusion criteria. Only the left carotid artery was isolated in sham group rats. Three days after modeling, the treatment group was subjected to catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12). Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. The Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS), and isolated muscle tone were used to evaluate spasticity before and after treatment. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine the expression of GABAB and mGluR1 in the rat brain stem after treatment.RESULTS: After treatment, neural impairment symptoms had significantly improved in the treatment group when compared to the model group(P<0.05). Both MAS and isolated muscle tone in the treatment group were significantly decreased when compared with the model group(P<0.05),and were also lower than before treatment. GABAB expression was significantly higher and mGluR1 was lower in the treatment group when compared with the model group(P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).CONCLUSION: Catgut implantation at Dazhui(GV 14), Guanyuan(CV 4), and Zhongwan(CV 12), can relieve limb spasticity by increasing the expression of GABAB and reducing the expression of mGluR1 in the brain stem of rats after stroke.

针刺关元穴对寒凝证类痛经大鼠扭体反应和血管舒缩物质的影响

目的观察针刺关元穴对寒凝证类痛经大鼠镇痛效应及血管舒缩物质的影响。方法本实验用注射苯甲酸雌二醇和缩宫素再结合全身冷冻的方法制备寒凝证类痛经大鼠模型,观测大鼠扭体反应(扭体潜伏期、扭体次数、扭体评分),并用酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆TXB_2和6-keto-PGF1a含量。结果与盐水组比较,模型组扭体潜伏期明显缩短,扭体次数明显增多,扭体评分明显升高(P<0.01);与寒凝证类痛经模型组比较,针刺组扭体潜伏期均明显延长,扭体次数均明显减少,扭体评分均明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。与盐水组比较,模型组血浆6-keto-PGF_(1a)含量明显降低(P<0.05);血浆TXB_2含量有上升趋势(P>0.05)。与模型组比较,针刺(关元)组血浆6-keto-PGF_(1a)含量有升高趋势(P>0.05);血浆TXB_2含量有降低趋势(P>0.05)。结论寒凝证类痛经大鼠血液中血管舒缩物质出现明显紊乱。针刺关元穴可在改善痛经大鼠扭体反应缓解痛经程度的同时,良性调节TXB_2及6-keto-PGF_(1a)。血管舒缩物质可能是针刺防治痛经的重要物质之一。

穴位埋线治疗功能性便秘的疗效观察

目的观察穴位埋线治疗功能性便秘的临床疗效。方法将60例功能性便秘患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组采用脐三穴(天枢、关元和中脘)埋线治疗,对照组取相同穴位进行针刺治疗。观察两组治疗前后排便障碍症状积分表各项评分(排便通畅度、排便时间、腹胀症状)及总分的变化情况,并比较两组临床疗效。结果两组治疗15 d、30 d后排便障碍症状积分表各项评分与同组治疗前比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组治疗30 d后排便障碍症状积分表各项评分及总分与对照组比较,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组总有效率为93.3%,对照组为73.3%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论脐三穴埋线是一种治疗功能性便秘的有效方法,较针刺治疗具有更持久的疗效。

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”

中药穴位敷贴治疗慢性疲劳综合征的疗效研究

【目的】观察穴位敷贴对慢性疲劳综合征的治疗作用。【方法】将60例慢性疲劳综合征患者随机分为治疗组和对照组各30例。治疗组给予自制中药药膏(附子、人参、肉桂、丁香、冰片等组成)穴位敷贴大椎、关元、中脘、足三里穴,对照组给予不含药物的安慰膏穴位敷贴与治疗组同样穴位;2组均每日敷贴1次,每次1 h,10次为1个疗程,疗程间休息1周,共进行2个疗程治疗,观察2组临床疗效和治疗前后症状积分的变化情况。【结果】治疗组痊愈14例,显效7例,有效6例,无效3例,总有效率为90.0%;对照组痊愈0例,显效2例,有效8例,无效20例,总有效率为33.4%;2组比较,治疗组疗效优于对照组(P<0.01)。治疗后2组患者的症状积分均有显著改善(P<0.01),治疗组的改善程度更优(P<0.01)。【结论】中药穴位敷贴治疗慢性疲劳综合征有较好临床疗效,能较好地改善其临床症状。

热敏灸治疗常年变应性鼻炎临床观察

目的观察热敏灸治疗常年变应性鼻炎的临床疗效,为相关患者提供临床治疗新方法。方法将80例常年变应性鼻炎患者随机分为观察组(40例)、对照组(40例),观察组采用热敏灸上印堂、肺俞及关元穴,对照组采用地氯雷他定片联合曲安奈德鼻喷雾剂治疗,对比两组患者症状、血清IgE水平、生活质量、临床疗效。结果治疗后观察组患者症状评分明显低于对照组(P=0.001);治疗后6个月随访,观察组患者症状评分仍明显低于对照组(P<0.001);治疗后观察组血清IgE水平明显低于对照组(P=0.004);治疗后6个月随访,观察组血清IgE水平仍明显低于对照组(P<0.001);治疗后观察组生活质量评分明显低于对照组(P<0.001);治疗后6个月随访,观察组生活质量评分明显低于对照组(P<0.001);观察组治愈率及总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论热敏灸治疗常年变应性鼻炎临床疗效显著。

正常和病理状态下“关元”穴的中枢神经束路示踪研究及电针的影响

目的:应用伪狂犬病毒(PRV)作为神经示踪剂研究正常和病理状态下"关元"穴针刺信号从穴位传递到神经中枢的通路,并观察电针对其影响。方法:将SD雌性大鼠随机分为正常组(NC)、正常加电针组(NC+EA)、去卵巢组(OVX)和去卵巢加电针组(OVX+EA)。OVX和OVX+EA组行双侧卵巢切除术,术后4周与NC和NC+EA组同时在"关元"穴注射10μl滴度为108plaque-formingunits(PFU)/ml的PRV。NC+EA和OVX+EA组在注射病毒后30min在"关元"穴给予电针处理(2Hz,2～3mA),每天1次,每次30min,连续3d。用免疫组化法观察PRV免疫阳性细胞在中枢神经系统的分布及数量。结果:1)4组大鼠的脊髓、脑干、下丘脑以及大脑皮层均可观察到PRV免疫阳性细胞,其主要分布为:脊髓腰、胸、颈段的腹侧和背侧角,脑干孤束核、巨细胞网状核、三叉神经脊束核、下橄榄核等,下丘脑室旁核、弓状核、腹内侧核、斜角带核、视前大细胞亚核等,以及皮层的纹状区等。2)在OVX组,与神经内分泌密切相关的核团中PRV免疫阳性细胞数量明显减少,如:隔内侧核、室旁核、弓状核、斜角带核(P<0.05);部分核团甚至无阳性表达,如:下丘脑视前大细胞亚核、腹内侧核(P<0.01)。OVX+EA组在相同核团内的阳性细胞数量与OVX组相比明显增加(P<0.05)。NC和NC+EA组相比差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:去卵巢后,机体功能发生异常,正常状态下的神经通路受到影响;针刺"关元"可促进原有神经结构的恢复。

针刺地机与地机、关元对原发性痛经即刻镇痛效应的比较

目的比较针刺地机与地机、关元治疗原发性痛经的疗效差异,以探讨针刺治疗原发性痛经常用腧穴的配伍关系。方法将40例原发性痛经患者随机分为单穴组和双穴组,每组20例。单穴组针刺地机穴,双穴组针刺地机、关元穴,观察针刺前后两组患者视觉模拟评分(VAS)随时间的变化,并比较两组数据的差异。结果双穴组针刺后各时间点VAS读数与针刺前差值均大于单穴组差值。结论疼痛时针刺地机及地机、关元均可有效治疗原发性痛经,但针刺地机、关元有优于单刺地机的趋势,针刺地机、关元治疗原发性痛经时可能存在协同作用。

大椎、关元对腰椎间盘突出症临床疗效的影响

目的:探讨大椎、关元对腰椎间盘突出症临床疗效的影响,以及任督脉在腰椎间盘突出症临床治疗上的指导意义。方法:将427例腰椎间盘突出症患者随机单盲分为常规(循经取穴)组、常规加大椎组和常规加关元组进行治疗观察,采用u检验评定比较各组间疗效。结果:加大椎组和加关元组的治愈率与常规组比较,差异有显著或非常显著性意义(P<0.05,P<0.01),而有效率组间比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:大椎、关元可以提高腰椎间盘突出症的治愈率,调节任督、温补阳气可能是治疗腰椎间盘突出症的重要手段和方法之一。

针灸关元穴的实验研究进展

关元穴具有强壮作用,为人体保健要穴。近年来通过针灸关元穴的实验研究表明,针灸关元穴有保护子宫功能,可延缓子宫退行性变,提高机体免疫防御和适应调节能力,对特异性与非特异性免疫都有良好的改善作用,可调整肾—肾中精气—天癸—冲任—胞宫生殖轴、下丘脑—垂体—性腺轴功能,改善神经内分泌功能。还可以提高中枢及异位内膜组织中β-内啡肽(β-EP)与强啡肽(DynA1-13)的含量而达到镇痛作用。

关元穴治疗尿潴留临床应用概况

通过对近年来关元穴治疗尿潴留临床文献的收集整理,探讨关元穴治疗尿潴留的常用方法及临床疗效,为针灸治疗尿潴留的进一步推广应用奠定基础。

雷火灸治疗原发性痛经的临床观察

【目的】观察雷火灸治疗原发性痛经的临床疗效。【方法】将100例原发性痛经患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各50例。治疗组给予雷火灸关元、三阴交穴治疗,对照组给予布洛芬缓释胶囊治疗。连续治疗3个月经周期后,观察2组患者治疗前后疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分的变化情况,并评价2组临床疗效以及不良反应。【结果】(1)研究过程中,治疗组剔除5例,对照组剔除5例。最终治疗组45例、对照组45例纳入疗效统计。(2)治疗组总有效率达到93.33%(42/45),对照组达到66.67%(30/45)。治疗组疗效优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(3)治疗后第1、2、3个月及1年后随访,2组患者的VAS评分均明显改善(P<0.05),且治疗组在改善VAS评分方面均明显优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(4)在治疗过程中,对照组有4例不良反应,不良反应发生率为8.89%(4/45),治疗组在治疗过程中未观察到有不良反应,2组患者的不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。【结论】雷火灸治疗原发性痛经,能明显改善患者的疼痛症状,提高临床疗效,改善患者生活质量,疗效显著。

乳腺增生病不同证型关元穴红外辐射光谱探讨

目的:比较乳腺增生病患者不同证型任脉经穴关元穴体表红外辐射光谱特性。方法:采用高灵敏度PHE201体表红外光谱仪,观察了60例乳腺增生病患者不同证型关元穴1.5～16μm波段体表红外辐射光谱的差异。结果:乳腺增生病肝郁痰凝型患者与冲任失调型患者比较,两组关元穴体表红外辐射强度存在显著性差异。具有统计学意义差异的波段为:1.5～2.25μm,2.75μm,3μm,3.5μm,3.75～5μm,6～6.5μm,7μm,7.75μm,10.5～14μm,(P<0.05)。结论:关元穴红外辐射强度的差异可能与乳腺增生病不同证型有关。

电针对“关元”穴区初级感觉传入神经元节段分布的影响

目的：用CB—HRP示踪法对大鼠“关元”穴传入的神经节段分布进行研究。方法：SD大鼠随机分成对照组和电针组，分别在“关元”穴注入0．03％CB-HRP 20μL。注射后，电针组动物每天给予“关元”穴电针30min，共3d。84h后，观察两组动物的双侧相应节段的背根神经节（DRG）中阳性标记细胞的形态学变化和数量的变化。结果：在两组动物的T11～L3双侧DRG中，都存在有与“关元”穴相关的CB—HRP标记细胞；电针组的标记细胞总数显著高于对照组；标记细胞总数分布最多的节段，对照组在L3，电针组比对照组高一节段，在L2；两组标记细胞的形态学观察，均可分为大、中、小三型细胞，其中以小型细胞占多数。结论：针刺大鼠“关元”穴，可使穴位区局部感觉神经初级传入功能活动加强，L2可能是针刺“关元”穴信号传入脊髓的主要途径。

关元穴穴位按摩联合中药贴敷预防肛肠科术后尿潴留疗效观察

目的探讨关元穴穴位按摩联合中药贴敷预防肛肠科手术后尿潴留的疗效。方法将180例肛肠科手术患者随机分为观察组和对照组各90例,对照组术前训练床上排尿、术后有效止痛、改变体位等传统的护理方法预防术后尿潴留,观察组在对照组基础上给予关元穴中药贴敷。观察两组患者术后自行排尿时间和尿潴留的发生率。结果对照组与观察组两组患者术后尿潴留的发生率分别为7.78%和4.44%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者术后自行排尿时间比较差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论采用关元穴中药贴敷能有效促进排尿,预防肛肠科手术后尿潴留的发生。

经前隔姜灸治疗寒凝血瘀型原发性痛经疗效观察

目的观察经前隔姜灸神阙、关元穴治疗寒凝血瘀型原发性痛经的临床疗效。方法 65例寒凝血瘀型原发性痛经患者均在经前5 d采用隔姜灸神阙、关元穴治疗,共治疗3个月经周期。结果 65例患者经治疗后痊愈34例,显效23例,有效5例,总有效率为95.4%。65例患者治疗前痛经症状积分为(11.02±3.76)分,治疗后为(3.45±4.13)分,两者比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论经前隔姜灸是一种治疗寒凝血瘀型原发性痛经的有效方法。