Kuicolong-yu enema decoction retains traditional Chinese medicine enema attenuates inflammatory response ulcerative colitis through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND Ulcer colitis(UC)is a chronic,nonspecific,and noninfectious inflammatory bowel disease.Recently,Toll-like receptors(TLRs)have been found to be closely associated with clinical inflammatory diseases.Achieving complete remission in patients with intermittent periods of activity followed by dormancy is challenging.Moreover,no study has explored the mechanism by which Kuicolong-yu enema decoction retains traditional Chinese medicine enemas to attenuate the inflammatory response in UC.AIM To explore the mechanism by which Kuicolong-yu enema decoction retains traditional Chinese medicine enemas to attenuate the inflammatory response in UC.METHODS This prospective clinical study included patients who met the exclusion criteria in 2020 and 2021.The patients with UC were divided into two groups(control and experimental).The peripheral blood of the experimental and control groups were collected under aseptic conditions.The expression of TLR4 protein,NF-κB,IL-6,and IL-17 was detected in the peripheral blood of patients in the experimental group and control group before and 1 month after taking the drug.Linear co rrelation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the expression level of TLR4 protein and the expression levels of downstream signal NF-κB and inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-17,and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS There were no significant differences in the patient characteristics between the control and experimental groups.The results showed that the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The levels of IL-6 and IL-17 in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The TLR4 protein expression in the experimental group was positively correlated with the expression level of downstream signal NF-κB and was positively correlated with the levels of downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-17(r=0.823,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Kuicolong-yu enema decoction retains traditional Chinese medicine enema attenuates the inflammatory response of UC through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

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.

Effect of Danzhijiangtang capsule on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA expression in newly diagnosed diabetes subclinical vascular lesions

AIM:To investigate the effect of Danzhijiangtang capsule(DJC) on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) mRNA expression in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) subclinical vascular lesions.METHODS:Sixty-two patients with newly diagnosed T2DM subclinical vascular lesions were randomly divided into a control group and treatment group of 31 cases each.Oral antidiabetic therapy with routine western medicine was conducted in both groups,and the treatment group was additionally treated with DJCs.The treatment course for both groups was 12 wk.Before and after treatment,the total efficiency and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score were calculated.The fasting plasma glucose(FPG),2-h plasma glucose(2hPG),fasting insulin(FINS),insulin resistance index(IRI),hemoglobin(Hb)A1c,blood lipids,and hemorheology indices were determined.In addition,the levels of vascular endothelial growth factors including thrombomodulin(TM),von Willebrand factor(vWF),P-selectin and MCP-1 mRNA were determined.RESULTS:After 12 wk of treatment,the TCM syndrome score was significantly decreased compared to before treatment in both groups.After treatment,FPG,2hPG,HbA1c,FINS,IRI,total cholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein,high-density lipoprotein,whole blood low shear specific viscosity,plasma specific viscosity,TM,vWF,P-selectin and MCP-1 mRNA were significantly improved compared to before treatment in both groups.After treatment,the total efficiency and TCM syndrome score in the treatment group were better than in the control group.FINS,IRI,whole blood high shear specific viscosity,plasma specific viscosity,TM,vWF,P-selectin and MCP-1 mRNA level in the treatment group were significantly reduced after treatment compared with control group.CONCLUSION:DJCs are efficacious in supplementing qi,nourishing yin and invigorating blood circulation,and upregulate MCP-1 mRNA expression in patients with T2DM subclinical vascular lesions.

Effects of preventive acupuncture or moxibustion at the Guanyuan acupoint on expression of interleukin-2 and its receptors in hypothalamus, serum, and uterus of menopausal rats

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have indicated preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at the Guanyuan point have positive effects on the immune system of menopausal rats. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of preventive acupuncture or moxibustion at the Guanyuan point on interleukin-2 （IL-2） and its receptor （IL-2R mRNA） levels in hypothalamus, serum, and uterus of menopausal rats. DESIGN： Randomized control animal experiment. SETTING： School of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： This study was performed at the Laboratory of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from November 2004 to July 2005. The vaginal smear method was used to determine the estrus cycle of 9.5-month-old Sprague Dawley （SD） female rats. Three continuous estrus cycles were measured, and 160 rats with estrus cycle disorder, weighing （300 _＋ 20） g, were included in this study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups： preventive acupuncture group （n =48）, preventive moxibustion group （n =48）, model groups （n =48）, and 10-month-old group （n =16）. Sixteen 3.5-month-old healthy SD female rats, weighing （240 ± 20） g, were also assigned to the young group. All rats were clean grade and were purchased from the Laboratory Animal Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The experiment was in accordance with animal ethics standards. METHODS： Acupuncture was applied to the preventive acupuncture group at 10 months of age. The needle was inserted upward and perpendicularly two fen to a point that was two fen below the Guanyuan point. The rats freely moved around during needle retention （20 minutes）. Acupuncture was administered twice a week and continued for eight weeks. A moxa cone （small） moxibustion was applied to the preventive moxibustion group at 10 months of age. The rats were caught gently and kept at the same position as the preventive acupuncture group. The moxa cone was ignited and held to the Guanyuan point directly. Only one moxa cone was used each time. After moxibustion, the local skin turned slightly red. Moxibustion was used twice a week and continued for eight weeks. Nothing except gently catching and lying was administered to the model group and the young group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Radioimmunoassay, in situ hybridization, and similar methods were employed to detect IL-2 in serum and the uterus, as well as IL-2R mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and uterus arcuate nuclei, of the preventive acupuncture group, preventive moxibustion group, model groups （at 12, 14, and 16 months）, 10 month old group （at 10 months）, and the young group （at 4 months）. RESULTS： All 176 rats were included in the final analysis. （1） IL-2R mRNA： IL-2R mRNA expression decreased significantly in the uterus of 12-, 14-, and 16-month-old model groups and in the hypothalamus of 14- and 16-month-old model groups （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Compared to the same month-aged model groups, the expression of IL-2R mRNA increased significantly in the hypothalamus and uterus of 16-month-old preventive acupuncture or moxibustion groups （P 〈 0.05-0.01）.（2） IL-2：IL-2 in serum of 12- and 14-month-old model groups and in the uterus of 12-, 14-, and 16-month-old model groups decreased significantly compared to the young group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. IL-2 serum levels increased significantly in the 16-month-old group with preventive moxibustion; in addition, IL-2 expression levels increased significantly in the uterus of the 12-month-old group with preventive moxibustion, as well as the 12- and 16-month-old groups with preventive acupuncture （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. CONCLUSION： As a rat ages and becomes menopausal, IL-2R mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and uterus, as well as IL-2 levels in the serum and uterus, decrease. However, preventive acupuncture and preventive moxibustion can repress the decrease to some extent. This effect is even greater in the late stages of menopause （16-month-old rats）.

Comprehensive Acupuncture Treatment of Lumbago Due to Hemirachischisis——A Report of 48 Cases

Hemirachischisis is commonly-seen in clinic. Many patients complaining of lumbago are often found to have this disease shown by radiography. The common methods of treatment in Western medicine are surgical operation and administration of analgesics. In recent years, the authors have adopted acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment, with quite good therapeutic results reported as follows. Clinical Data Of the 48 cases in this series, 32 were male and 16 female; ranging in age from 16 to 67 years; with course of illness from 1 month to 32 years. All the patients had the chief complaint of lumbago, and were diagnosed as having hemirachischisis by radiography.

OBSERVATION OF CURATIVE EFFECT ON EOSINOPHILIC GASTROENTERITIS BY TREATMENT WITH METHOD OF REINFORCEMENT OF ESSENCE OF THE KIDNEY

12 patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis were treated with prescriptions and drugs based mainly on the method of reinforcement of essence of the kidney. Remarkable curative effect was achieved in 9 cases and eutherapeutk effect in 3, Le, the cure rate was 100%. The efficacy began to appear hi a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 12 days. There was no recurrence over 1 to 3 years’ follow-up observation.

TWENTY-THREE CASES OF ATROPHIC RHINITIS TREATED BY DEEP PUNCTURE AT THREE POINTS IN THE NASAL REGION

Atrophic rhinitis is a disease which manifests itself mainly by anosmia due to dryness andatrophy of the nasal mucosa.There is no specific therapy for the disease at present.In thepast few years,23 cases of atrophic rhinitis were treated mainly by deep puncture at threepoints in the nasal region with satisfactory results.In order to find out the functionalchanges of the nasal mucosa,the mucociliary transport rate(MTR),surface temperatureof the conchai mucosa,acid-base scale of nasal secretion,and volume of nasal secretionwere determined before and after the treatment.

Clinical efficacy of angina pectoris after pci in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with type 2 diabetes by Yiqi Yangyin and Huatan Tongluo recipe

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Yangyin and Huatan Tongluo Recipe in improving the symptoms of angina pectoris and cardiac function in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with type 2 diabetes after PCI.Methods Sixty-two patients with coronary heart disease complicated with type 2 diabetes after PCI were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 31 patients in each group.Both groups were treated with western medicine.The treatment group added Yiqi Yangyin and Huayu Tongluo Recipe granules.The changes of metabolic equivalent(METs),angina symptoms,TCM symptoms,BNP,hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),Interleukin-6(IL-6),Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-α)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)were analyzed after 1 course of treatment and Corrected TIMI Frame Count(CTFC)after six month.Results The improvement of METS and LVEF in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05);the improvement of BNP,hs-CRP,IL-6,TNF-αand CTFC in the treatment group was better than that in the control group;the curative effect of angina pectoris in the treatment group was better than that in the control group;the effective rate of TCM syndrome improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group.Conclusion Yiqi Yangyin and Huatan Tongluo Recipe can effectively alleviate angina pectoris symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease complicated with type 2 diabetes after PCI,suggesting cardiac function,inhibiting inflammatory response,and improving microcirculation disturbance.

APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLE OF "PREVENTION IN PREFERENCE TO TREATMENT OF DISEASES" IN ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION CLINIC

In the present paper the author reviews the viewpoint of 'preventive treatment of diseases' in the ancient literature of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its clinical application from ① prevention first before the occurrence of diseases; and ② preventing development after onset of diseases. In the preventive treatment of diseases, the ancient Chinese doctors usually ① regulated qi of both Conception Vessel and Governor Vessel for health care; ② performed regular moxibustion; and ③ applied plaster to the acupoint in summer for treating winter-diseases. In the treatment of diseases after onset, the ancient Chinese usually ① tried best to make early diagnosis and early treatment; and ② strengthened the related internal organ in advance to check their development; and ③ employed appropriate remedies to recuperate the patient's health.

Salubrinal alleviates traumatic spinal cord injury through suppression of the eIF2α/ATF4 pathway in mouse model

Spinal cord injury(SCI)remains an intractable clinical challenge of neurosurgery,it can be divided into two stages:uncontrollable primary injury induced by mechanical damage and controllable secondary injury regulated by continuous cell death.The apoptosis was the one of most important events in secondary injury,previous studies revealed that excessive endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress breaks down the homeostasis and triggers apoptosis in the spinal cord.To deter or alleviate the secondary jury,we screen one of fat-soluble compounds,salubrinal,which was an inhibitor of eIF2αdephosphorylation can repair SCI by inhibiting ER stress in mice after SCI.Administration of salubrinal effectively represses apoptosis,protects neuronal cell,and promotes the restoration of locomotor function in mice SCI models.Furthermore,the level of phosphorylated eIF2αwas raised in the presence of salubrinal,but the protein expression of ATF4 and CHOP was downregulated.Unexpectedly,transcriptional expression of CHOPregulated pro-apoptotic genes was decreased.These data suggest salubrinal suppress ER stress by targeting eIF2α/ATF4 pathways and reduces cell death after SCI.It is suggested that the mitigation of secondary lesion by inhibiting ER stress induced apoptosis in the early phase of SCI is promising treatment strategy.

Association of MiR-21 expression and hypertension:A Meta-analysis

Objective:To systematically evaluate the relationship between the miR-21 level in peripheral blood and hypertension.Methods:A systematic literature searching of CNKI,Wanfang and VIP databases,PubMed,Web of Science and EMBASE by keywords was performed up to the end of November 2020.All statistical analysis was performed using the state16.0 software.Results:A total of 9 studies including 577 hypertension patients and 344 healthy controls were selected.The combined effect SMD was 1.53(95%CI:0.58-2.47,P=0.002).It is suggested that the level of miR-21 in peripheral blood of patients with hypertension is higher than that of controls.In subgroup analysis,the level of miR-21 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)in hypertensives was higher than that in controls(SMD=3.49,95%CI:1.24-5.74),and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.002).But the association was not found in plasma(P=0.375).No publication bias was found in our study by Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test.Conclusion:The increased level of miR-21 in peripheral blood,especially in PBMC,is a risk factor for hypertension.Limited by the number of included studies,the conclusion still needs to be verified by more high-quality studies.

32 CASES OF FEMORAL ADDUCTORS SYNDROME TREATED BY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION

The syndrome of femoral adductors is a common disorder of the sport injury. It is manifested by pain in the pubic and medial femoral regions, which is exacerbated by walking and squatting down. The author had treated 32 cases of the syndrome by electroacupuncture and moxibustion with satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following.

The Potential Role of Chinese Medicine in Ameliorating Extra-articular Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease chiefly affecting synovial membranes of multiple joints. The clinical manifestations are highly variable. Besides joint affection, extra-articular manifestations always occur in RA patients, such as lung, blood vessel, heart, endocrine glands, hematological system, and nervous system affections. In addition to Western medicine therapy, Chinese medicine also plays a significant role in the treatment of RA with good efficacy and less adverse reactions. This paper summarizes the effects of Xinfeng Capsule （新风胶囊）, a Chinese medicine, and the mechanisms of its action in ameliorating the extra-articular manifestations based on a series of clinical and experimental researches.

ACUPUNCTURE METHODS FOR HEMIPLEGIC SPASM

Remitting hemiplegic spasticity in apoplexy (HSA) is an important problem in today’s clinical study. Through teaching and clinical practice, the authors summed up the effective acupuncture methods for remitting HSA: puncture deeply the acupoints on the superior-spasm side (SSS) by filiform needles so as to obtain the intensive needling sensations in the deep tissues (ISDT) until the superior spasm is immediately remitted; tap the skin on the inferior-spasm side (ISS) by skin needles until the corresponding muscle contracts. The methods have showed a significant immediate and long-term therapeutic effect.

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE ANTI-HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK

The effect of acupuncture at Neiguan(P 6)on regulating hemorrhagic shock in 90 rabbitswas observed.All the results suggested that acupuncture at Neiguan could raise blood pres-sure,protect cardiac pump function,correct the disturbance of secretion and metabolism ofhumoral factors,reduce blood adhesion to normal level and thus achieve anti-hemorrhagicshock.This study has provided scientific basis for expounding the mechanism of acupuncturein anti-shock.

Abnormal skeletal metabolism and its changes after decopper therapy in patients with Wilson disease

BACKGROUND: Researches indicate that patients with Wilson disease (WD) have abnormal skeletal metabolism, which is induced by various factors. OBJECTIVE: To probe into the changing characteristics of abnormal skeletal metabolism in WD patients and observe the effect of decopper therapy. DESIGN: Case-contrast and self-control study. SETTING: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Neurological Institute, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 35 patients with WD including 21 males and 14 females aged from 10 to 42 years with the mean age of (20±8) years were selected from Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Neurological Institute, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2000 to February 2001. All the patients were in compliance with the diagnostic criteria: history of family heredity; cone symptoms in vitro, physical sign or liver symptoms; positive Kayser-Fleischer ring; serum copper protein < 200 mg/L or A copper oxidase < 0.2; urine copper > 1.6 μmol/24 hours; liver copper > 250 μg/g (dry weight). The control group was selected from 25 cases of health individuals including 13 males and 12 females aged from 16 to 35 years with the mean age of (22±6) years. All patients who participated in the study were informed first and consented. METHODS: Patients in treatment group were treated with venous injection of 1.0 g sodium dimercaptosulfonate, once a day for totally 6 successive days. And then, patients rested for 2 days. This procedure mentioned above was regarded as a course, and the treatment lasted for 4-8 courses. Before and after injection of sodium dimercaptosulfonate, serum calcitonin (CT), osteocalcin (BGP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-(OH)2VitD3 were measured with radio-immunity method; blood, urine calcium, phosphorum and urine creatinine were measured with biochemical analyzer; urine dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase(DPD) was detected with enzyme-immunity method; bone mineral density (BMD) was checked at the one third from distal end of ulna and radius with single photon absorptiometry (SPA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative indexes of bone metabolism of blood and urine and results of BMD in both two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: Among 35 patients with WD and 25 healthy subjects, 5 patients were excluded because of uncompleted decopper therapy; therefore, 30 patients with WD and 25 healthy subjects were involved in the final analysis. ① Comparisons between the two groups: Contents of serum calcium, PTH and 1,25-(OH)2VitD3 were lower in treatment group than those in control group [(2.49±0.34) mmol/L vs. (2.69±0.19) mmol/L; (218.7±50.5) ng/L vs. (262.5±88.9) ng/L; (23.53±14.21) ng/L vs. (42.78±14.44) ng/L; P < 0.05-0.01]; however, contents of serum BGP and CT were higher in treatment group than those in control group [(10.22±6.11) μg/L vs. (5.78±4.22) μg/L; (282.8±109.6) ng/L vs. (62.5±37.9) ng/L, P < 0.01]; moreover, there was no significant difference of contents of serum phosphorum, urine calcium, phosphorum and DPD/creatinine between treatment group and control group (P > 0.05). BMD of males and females was lower in treatment group than that in control group [(0.617±0.197) g/cm2 vs. (0.718±0.274) g/cm2; (0.594±0.124) g/cm2 vs. (0.677±0.157) g/cm2, P < 0.05]. ② Comparisons in treatment group before and after treatment: Contents of CT and urine calcium were lower after treatment than those before treatment [(95.3±55.4) ng/L vs. (283.3±96.7) ng/L; (2.38±1.68) mmol/L vs. (3.31±2.30) mmol/L; P < 0.01, 0.05]; however, contents of 1,25-(OH)2VitD3 and DPD/creatinine were higher after treatment than those before treatment [(33.61±19.30) ng/L vs. (24.21±14.47) ng/L; (42.95±19.92) nmol/mmol vs. (19.51±9.96) nmol/mmol, P < 0.05]; moreover, there were no significant differences among other indexes before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference of BMD before and after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: WD patients have changes in the related indexes of abnormal skeletal metabolism. In addition, contents of CT and urine calcium are decreased remarkably after decopper therapy; however, value of BMD is not changed obviously.

INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS IN EMERGENCY ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT

This essay suggests the indications and relative contraindications in the emergency treatment and cure by acupuncture and moxibustion based on an analysis of the characteristics and principles of treatment in emergency cases and the many-sided regulating effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. It also introduces, case by case, methods of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in 22 frequently encountered emergency situations, and stresses the fact that emergency treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion must be based on the various new achievement and experience and strictly observe rules of operation. It states that only by doing so can the therapeutic effect be enhanced and adverse reactions prevented.

Effect of Xinfeng Capsule(新风胶囊) on the Cardiac Function in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective： To study the changes in cardiac function of rheumatoid arthritis （RA） patients and to observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsule （新风胶囊 XFC） on them. Methods： Sixty-eight RA patients were randomly assigned to two groups by a lottery： 38 patients in the treatment group treated orally with XFC, 3 capsules, thrice a day, and 30 in the control group treated with Fengshi Gutong Capsule （风湿骨痛胶囊, FSGTC）, 4 capsules, twice a day, 30 days as one course of treatment, and two courses were given for both groups. A normal control （NC） group including 20 healthy subjects was set up. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two treated groups. The changes in cardiac function, including early diastolic peak flow velocity （E）, late diastolic peak flow velocity （A）, left ventricular fraction shortening （FS）, and E/ A, as well as uric acid （UA）, erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）, α-acid glycoprotein （α-AGP）, and hypersensitive C-reaction protein （hs-CRP）, were observed. The regulation T cell was determined with flow cytometry. Results： （1） The total effective rate in the treatment group and the control group was 92.1% （35/38） and 70.0% （21/30）, respectively. Significant difference was shown between them （P〈0.05）. （2） Compared with those of the NC group, E peak, E/A ratio, and FS of RA patients were lower （P〈0.01）, while A peak was higher （P〈0.01）. Moreover, A peak of the treatment group after treatment was significantly lower （P〈0.05） and E/A ratio was significantly higher （P〈0.05） as compared with those of the control group. （3） The improvement in the treatment group in reducing UA and hs-CRP was superior to those of the control group （P〈0.05）. In addition, the improvement in α-AGP, CD4＋CD25＋ Treg, and CD4＋CD25＋CD12T Treg of the treatment group was obvious as compared with the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant. （Conclusions： The descendent of cardiac function exists in RA patients. XFC could improve cardiac function of RA patients, which is superior to FSGTC. Its mechanism may be related to its effect on raising CD4＋CD25＋Treg and CD4＋CD25＋CD127- Treg cells, decreasing UA, α-AGP, and hs-CRP levels, reducing immune inflammation, adjusting the overall balance of immune response, and thus improving the cardiac function of RA patients.

Effect of Moxibustion on IL-1β and IL-2 in Rat Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

目的：观察艾灸“肾俞”、“足三里”穴对类风湿关节炎大鼠细胞因子IL-1D、IL-2的影响，探讨艾灸效应的作用机制。方法：将50Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、药物组、艾灸组及激光组，每组10只。除正常组大鼠外，其他4组大鼠复制类风湿关节炎大鼠模型，观察各组大鼠治疗前后体重、趾围的变化，ELISA法检测大鼠血液中IL-1β、IL-2的含量。结果：治疗后，艾灸组大鼠体重、跖围有显著改善，与模型组相比有非常显著性差异（P〈0．01），其中跖围改善与药物组及激光组比较有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；艾灸组及激光组均能下调类风湿关节炎大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-2含量，与模型组比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），与药物纽比较，无显著性差异。结论：艾灸能显著改善类风湿关节炎大鼠的足跖肿胀，效果优于10．6μmCO2激光照射。在降低促炎症细胞因子IL—1β、IL-2含量方面，10．6μmCO2激光照射具有与艾灸相似的效应。