Inhibitory effect of electro-acupuncture on apoptosis after spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND： Acupuncture and electro-acupundura （EA） as complementary and alternative medicine have been applied for neurological recovery after spinal cord injury （SCI）, but the mechanism of treatment is unclear yet. OBJECTIVE： To examine and compare the effects of EA with methylprednisolone （MP） on apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in early SCI, in an attempt to provide experimental clues for clinical use of EA in the treatment of early SCI. DESIGN ： A randomized control tria SETTING ： Department of Anatomy, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA MATERIALS： Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats aged 12 weeks and weighing （250±20） g were used. The experimental procedures were performed in accordance with the animal care guidelines of the National Institute of Health （NIH）. Equipments and medicine： Methylprednisolone sodium succinate （Pharmacia ＆ Upjohn N.V./S.A., Puurs, Belgium）; sodium pentobarbital （Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO）; G-6805-2 Multi-Purpose Health Device （Shanghai Medical Instruments High-TECH Co., Shanghai, China）; POD kit （Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Mannheim, Germany）; ISH Detection Kit （Wuhan Boster Biological Technology Ltd., Wuhan, China）; ABC kit （Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA）; light microscope （x200, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan）; HPIAS-1000 color High-definition pathological image analysis system （Qianping Imaging Engineering Company of Wuhan Tongji Medical University）. METHODS： The experiment was carried out in Department of Anatomy, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between October 2004 and March 2006. ① The SCI model was established by modified Allen＇s method on T10. The force applied in traumatization was 50 g.cm. ②Forty-eight SD rats were equally randomized into four groups： sham operation （SO） group, in which animals received laminectomy only; model control （MC） group as a negative control, in which animals did not receive any treatment; EA treatment （EA） group, in which animals were treated with electro-acupuncture immediately after SCI, and MP treatment （MP） group, in which animals were treated with 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate through the tail vein immediately after SCI. Electro-acupuncture treatment was performed for EA group at 8 hours and 20 hours after SCI. The needles were inserted at a depth about 5-6 mm into the locus of the Dazhui and Mingmen. Asymmetric waves were used for electro-acupuncture at a stimulating frequency of 1 Hz. The total duration of EA stimulation was 30 minutes. ③ Six rats of each group were sacrificed at 6 hours and 24 hours after SCI. A 1.5 cm segment of the spinal cord encompassing the injury site was removed and prepared for experiment. ④ Cellular apoptosis was observed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase （TDT）-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate （dUTP）-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） method. Expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein were estimated by ⑤Measurement data among groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance and differences between groups were compared with q test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The effect of electro-acupuncture on TUNEL-positive cells, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein. RESULTS ： The forty-eight rats were involved in the final experiment. ① TUNEL-positive cells： TUNEL-positive cells in MP group and EA group were 29.00±8.27 and 30.17±6.85, respectively, at 6 hours after SCI; and were 1.00±0.89, 60.17±7.83, 6.67±3.56; 1.17±1.17, 69.50±8.50, 9.67±4.97, respectively at tip, intermediate zone and end of spinal cord at 24 hours after SCI; which were less than those in MC group （47.17±11.12, 9.33±4.76, 92.00±11.14, 22.50±5.43, P〈 0.01）. Cells in MP group were close to those in EA group （P〉 0.05）. ② Expression of positive caspase-3 mRNA： At 6 hours after SCI, numbers of positive caspase-3 mRNA were 133.33±11.84, 117.17±11.70, 120.00±10.73, respectively in MC, MP and EA groups, which were more than those in SO groups （83.50±8.64, P〈 0.01）. At 24 hours after SCI, numbers of positive caspase-3 mRNA were 121.50±11.34, 96.16±8.18, 97.67±9.69, respectively in MC, MP and EA groups, which were more than those in SO groups （83.50±9.64, P〈 0.05-0.01）. Numbers in MP group were close to those in EA group but less than those in MC group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. ③ Expression of caspase-3 protein： Numbers in MC and MP groups were close to those in EA group （12.83±2.86, 10.00±3.58, 10.50±3.62） at 6 hours after SCI; numbers in MP and EA groups were 11.00±4.43 and 12.17±3.43 at 24 hours after SCI, which were less than those in MC group （17.83±4.92, P〈 0.01, 0.05）. CONCLUSION ： EA may partially inhibit apoptosis and protect nerve after SCI by down-regulating expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein.

Interstitial fluid flow:simulation of mechanical environment of cells in the interosseous membrane

In vitro experiments have shown that subtle fluid flow environment plays a significant role in living biological tissues, while there is no in vivo practical dynamical measurement of the interstitial fluid flow velocity. On the basis of a new finding that capillaries and collagen fibrils in the interosseous membrane form a parallel array, we set up a porous media model simulating the flow field with FLUENT software, studied the shear stress on interstitial cells＇ surface due to the interstitial fluid flow, and analyzed the effect of flow on protein space distribution around the ceils. The numerical simulation results show that the parallel nature of capillaries could lead to directional interstitial fluid flow in the direction of capillaries. Interstitial fluid flow would induce shear stress on the membrane of interstitial cells, up to 30 Pa or so, which reaches or exceeds the threshold values of cells＇ biological response observed in vitro. Interstitial fluid flow would induce nonuniform spacial distribution of secretion protein of mast cells. Shear tress on cells could be affected by capillary parameters such as the distance between the adjacent capillaries, blood pressure and the permeability coefficient of capillary＇s wall. The interstitial pressure and the interstitial porosity could also affect the shear stress on cells. In conclusion, numerical simulation provides an effective way for in vivo dynamic interstitial velocity research, helps to set up the vivid subtle interstitial flow environment of cells, and is beneficial to understanding the physiological functions of interstitial fluid flow.

What Does GABAergic Neurotransmission System Do in Acupuncture Analgesia?

As one of the essential components of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been accepted world-widely for its effectiveness in treating various disease and health conditions. Pain management is one of the least controversial therapeutic benefits of acupuncture treatment. To date, the mechanism underlying acupuncture analgesia remains poorly understood. In this review, roles of members of GABAergic neurotransmission system which has long been related to pain perception and modulation, in acupuncture analgesia are discussed.

Studies on sensitivity to tension and gating pathway of MscL by molecular dynamic simulation

Mechanosensitive（MS） ion channels play an important role in various physiological processes.Although the determination of the structure of mechanosensitive channel of large conductance（MscL） makes the simulation study possible,it has not so far been possible to directly simulate the gating mechanism of MscL in atomic detail.In this article,MscL has been studied via molecular dynamic（MD） simulations to gain a detailed description of the sensitivity to lateral tension and the gating pathway.MscL undergoes conformational rearrangement in sustaining lateral tension,and the open state is obtained when 2.0 MPa lateral tension is directly applied on the pure protein.During the opening process,Loop region responds to tension first,and the mechanical sensitivity is followed by S1 domain.Transmembrane（TM） bundle is the key position for channel opening,and the motion of TM1 helices finally realizes the significant expansion of the constricted gating pore.C-terminus domain presents expansion later during the TM opening.In our study,return of the whole protein to the initial closed state is achieved only in the early opening stage.During the relaxation from the open state,the TM helices are the most mobile domain,which is different from the opening process.

The history of acupuncture anesthesia for pneumonectomy in Shanghai during the 1960s

The success of acupuncture anesthesia （AA） for pneumonectomy in Shanghai in 1960 was a key event for AA gaining practical clinical application. The effort was a close collaboration between the Shanghai First Tuberculosis Hospital and the Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. One of the most important factors of AA success was the great financial and political support provided by the Chinese central government and Shanghai local government. In December 1965 the State Science and Technology Commission of China issued a formal document acknowledging AA as an important first-leve national achievement of the integration of Chinese and Western medicine, and a collaborative effort of the whole scientific community in China. AA was an important influential factor that helped acupuncture spread across the world.

Clinical Research of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treated by Electroacupuncture on Tianshu（ST 25）

目的：对电针天枢穴治疗腹泻型肠易激综合征（D—IBS）的，临床疗效进行综合评价，促进电针天枢穴治疗腹泻型肠易激综合征的应用和推广。方法：以随机、对照、单盲的方法，对就诊的103例符合纳入标准的D—IBS患者随机分为电针天枢穴组（聆=53）和电针大横穴组（n=50）。两个疗程后进行疗效统计，两组之间综合疗效比较采用Radit分析。结果：D—IBS的腹泻、腹痛、腹胀或腹部不适、肠鸣、排便急迫感、排便不尽感等症状的发生率分别为1000／0、89．3％、71．8％、74．8％、83．5％、78．6％等；综合疗效分析，电针天枢穴组显效11例，好转34例，无效8例，总有效45例，总有效率84．9％；电针大横穴组显效4例，好转26例，无效20例，总有效30例，总有效率60．0％。两组疗效差异具有统计意义（P〈0．05）。结论：电针天枢穴治疗D—IBS临床疗效优于电针大横穴。

Clinical Research of Acute Stroke Treatment Using Acupuncture

目的:研究针刺治疗急性期中风的临床疗效。方法:150例中风急性期患者随机分为两组:药物组、针刺组,药物组采用神经内科常规药物治疗,脑复康250 mL,丹参注射液20 mL 加入生理盐水250 mL 中,静脉点滴,每日一次。针剌组除应用药物外,加"平肝潜阳法"针刺治疗。采用改良爱丁堡由斯堪的那维亚卒中量表(Scandinavian StrokeScale,SSS)、日常生活活动量表(ADL)(Barthel 指数)、血脂和血液流变学进行治疗前后对照观察。结果:量表结果显示针刺组与药物组相比有显著性差异,生化指标无特异性差异,血液流变学指标部分改善。结论:该量表能够较好的同步反映中风患者的临床症状及其变化,针刺疗法对急性期中风具有显著疗效。

Interaction of δ-opioid Receptor with Membrane Transporters: Possible Mechanisms in Pain Suppression by Acupuncture

目的:研究阿片受体与神经递质转运蛋白和钠钾泵在针刺镇痛中的可能机制。方法:利用爪蟾卵母细胞所建立的异源性蛋白表达模型,通过基因显微注射技术,应用双电极电压钳方法检测所表达靶蛋白的跨膜稳态电流。结果:δ-阿片受体(DOR)与γ-氨基丁酸转运蛋白(GAT1)、谷氨酸转运蛋白(EAAC1)或钠钾泵共表达均可降低神经递质转运蛋白的活性,阿片受体的激活以不同方式影响转运蛋白的活性:1)GAT1活性被进一步抑制;2)EAAC1活性增强;3)钠钾泵被抑制会导致 DOR 对激动剂(DPDPE)的敏感性增加。结论:DOR 的激活可使突触间隙的 GABA 水平增加,而谷氨酸浓度减少,钠钾泵的抑制导致阿片受体激动剂的敏感性增加,我们认为内源性哇巴因可能放大了这些效应。这些协同性效应可能是痛觉抑制和/或针刺镇痛的分子机制。

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Experimental Epilepsy: Roles of Different Acupoints and Stimulation Parameters

目的:确定电针对实验性癫痫的抑制效应,探索治疗实验性癫痫的最佳电针条件。方法:在雄性 SD 大鼠侧脑室注射红藻氨酸以诱导急性实验性癫痫。造模30分钟后,以1 mA/100 Hz 和1 mA/10 Hz 电针分别在水沟+大椎、筋缩+腰奇、内关+曲池、丰隆+涌泉四组穴位施治,以 Racine 行为学评分和脑电记录作为疗效评价的方法。结果:行为学评分结果表明:除1 mA/10 Hz 电针内关+曲池外,低频(10 Hz)和高频(100 Hz)电针均可抑制实验性癫痫的发作(和对照组比较 P<0.05或0.01);2)在低频电针(10 Hz)治疗组中,丰隆+涌泉穴位的治疗效果优于其他穴位组(P<0.05或0.01);3)高频电针(100 Hz)治疗组中,不同穴位之间的疗效差异不明显;4)总体而言,除筋缩+腰奇穴位组外,高频电针(100Hz)的治疗效果优于低频电针(10 Hz)(P<0.05或0.01)。与此同时,脑电图记录也显示出电针具有降低实验性癫痫大鼠脑电频率和幅度等的作用。结论:电针可以减轻实验性癫痫大鼠的癫痫发作,其效应与电针参数和穴位的选择有一定的相关性。

Dynamic Study of the Effect of Electroacupuncture on Dopamine in the Striatum for Rats with Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion

目的:观察脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠纹状体内多巴胺的动态变化,以及电针对该变化的影响。方法:运用微透析采样技术、高效液相检测技术,在多个时段对实验动物进行动态采样,观察缺血所致纹状体内多巴胺的变化,及电针风池穴对该变化的影响。结果:正常组、假手术组、假手术+电针组在观测时段内,细胞外多巴胺的变化没有显著差异,胞外多巴胺的含量在脑缺血后15-45 min 及再灌注后0-30 min 出现两个峰值(P<0.05)。再灌注后120 min 也观测到一次上升的趋势。经电针治疗后,胞外多巴胺的含量于再灌注后90 min 明显低于缺血组(P<0.05),再灌注后也未出现峰值。结论:电针风池穴能够调节多巴胺含量的紊乱,能够改善整体的神经功能。这可能是针灸治疗脑缺血再灌注损伤的机制之一。

Analysis of the Frequency of Clinical Acupoint Use Based on ‘Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Databank'

The frequencies of use of 361 human acupoints in 74 academic journals of traditional Chinese medicine published between 1949 and 2010 are arranged in order using ‘Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncturemoxibustion Information Databank'. The frequencies of use are divided into five grades: most frequent use, more frequent use, frequent use, less frequent use and infrequent use. The most frequently used acupoints and infrequently used acupoints are summarized and analyzed to help point selection for clinical acupuncture and selection of acupuncture research projects in the future.

Effects of 650 nm-10.6 μm Combined Laser Acupuncture-Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized,Double-blinded and Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

目的:观察650 nm-10.6 μm复合激光治疗膝骨关节炎患者的有效性以及与红光照射相比,在减轻疼痛和改善关节功能方面是否具有更好疗效。方法:48名膝骨关节炎患者被随机分到两组(每组24人),分别接受650 nm-10.6 μm复合激光或红光照射犊鼻穴,每次治疗20 min,第一疗程(共2星期)每星期治疗3次,第二疗程(共4星期)每星期治疗2次。主要结果采用 McMaster 大学关节炎量表(Western Ontario and McMasterUniversities Osteoarthritis Index,WOMAC)进行打分。并对患者关于疗效的自评、治疗的副作用及盲法的有效性进行统计分析。结果:所有患者均完成了第一疗程,但有12名患者在第二疗程脱落。由于第二疗程的脱落率较高,故只对第一疗程的数据进行分析。治疗前,两组患者一般情况及 WOMAC 得分无显著性差异(P>0.05)。治疗后,复合激光组及红光照射组患者 WOMAC 得分与基线期相比均有显著降低(P<0.01)。两组患者 WOMAC得分改善率比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。两组患者对疗效的自评及脱落率比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。两组患者对自己所属分组的猜测无统计学差异(P>0.05),且两组患者对自己所属分组的猜测未对其 WOMAC 得分改善率及对疗效的自评产生影响(P>0.05)。结论:复合激光和红光照射犊鼻穴对膝骨关节炎患者均有疗效,需扩大样本量,控制脱落率,以进一步观察两者的差异。

A FLUID MECHANICS MODEL OF TISSUE FLUID FLOW IN LIMB CONNECTIVE TISSUE——A MECHANISM OF ACUPUNCTURE SIGNAL TRANSMISSION

This article explores the mechanisms of acupuncture meridians by determining characteristics of the tissue fluid flow in the connective tissue along meridians. Based on deep dissection of acupoints on the upper and lower limbs of the human body and micro and macro observation and measurement, a mathematical model of the flow of tissue fluid in interosseous membranes is constructed. It is shown that the signal transmission along acupuncture meridians may be determined by unique anatomical and physiological factors that govern the flow of tissue fluid in the connective tissue and involve mast cell degranulation. Our results provide a preliminary explanation of the phenomenon of the ＂de qi＂ sensation and the mechanism of acupuncture signal transmission along acupuncture meridians.

Review of Leucopenia Treated by Acupuncture and Moxibustion from 1949 to 2004

为推动针灸临床的发展,根据《中国现代针灸信息数据库》数据,采用计量分析方法,回顾1949-2004年针灸治疗白细胞减少的状况。从1981年起针灸治疗白细胞减少的文献报道逐年增如,呈平稳增长趋势。临床治疗以水针、针刺、灸法为主,临床选穴多取足太阳膀胱经穴和督脉穴。针灸治疗白细胞减少有较好的疗效。

Review of Vascular Headache Treated by Acupuncture from 1949 to 2004

为回顾1949-2004年针灸治疗血管性头痛的状况,以推动针灸临床的发展,根据《中国现代针灸信息数据库》数据,计量分析针灸治疗血管性头痛的临床文献。从1956年起针灸治疗血管性头痛的文献报道逐年增加,呈平稳增长趋势,临床治疗以针刺为主,临床选穴以邻近取穴与辨证取穴相结合。

Traditional Indian Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Comparative Overview

Traditional Indian medicine or Ayurveda(阿育吠陀)and Traditional Chinese Medicine remain the most ancient yet living traditions.These are the two great traditional medicines with rich philosophical,experiential,and experimental basis.Both the systems have been developed and enriched by thousands of years of practices,observations,and experiences.As India and China are neighbors,some exchange of medical ideas and practices might have occurred between the two nations since ancient times.Therefore,when the two traditional medicines are examined closely,many similarities become apparent in the theories and practices along with individual differences.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Cerebral Ischemia: Earlier Application,Better Protection

Objective:To observe if an earlier application of electroacupuncture (EA) leads to a better protection against cerebral ischemia.Methods:Adult rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery

Effects of Laser Acupuncture on HSP70 Expression and Arthritic Histopathology in C57 Black Mice with Osteoarthritis

Methods:Sixty C57 black mice aged 10 weeks were divided randomly into six groups.Ten mice as normal control and fifty mice received forced running for 6 weeks as model

Mechanisms of Qi-blood circulation and Qi deficiency syndrome in view of blood and interstitial fluid circulation

OBJECTIVE: Based on comparison between fundamental theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine (WM) and modern scientific research on meridians, we find that "Qi" in TCM is closely related to tissue fluid. In this study, the essence of Qi is explored in the view of circulation of blood and interstitial fluid. METHODS: Because the concept of Qi is complicated, Qi deficiency syndrome (QDS) is chosen to probe the relationship between of Qi deficiency and Qi-blood circulation (QBC). We analyze Qi-blood theory in terms of WM, set up a hemodynamic model to describe QBC, and review clinical research on QDS in the view of blood-interstitial fluid circulation. RESULTS: QDS is caused by imbalances of substance exchanges between blood and interstitial fluid, leading to an increase in the interstitial liquid volume or a decrease in nutrients and retention ofmetabolic wastes in interstitial fluid. CONCLUSION: This study describes the essence of Qi, providing support for further research on theories of Qiand Qi-blood circulation inTCM.

Clinical Study on the Prevention and Treatment of Intestinal Fibrosis in Ulcerative Colitis by Moxibustion

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of intestinal fibrosis in ulcerative colitis. Methods Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai ( CV 6) were the main acupoint; other points were used according to syndrome differentiation. Sixty-five patients were randomized into two groups: Group A in which 32 cases were treated by herbpartitioned moxibustion and group B in which 33 cases were treated by bran-partitioned moxibustion. The therapeutic effects and TGF-β1, Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen expressions were measured before and after treatment. Results In group A, 17 cases were cured, 12 cases improved and 3 failed; in group B, 1 1 cases were cured, 16 cases improved and 6 cases failed. Ⅰ , Ⅲ collagen expressions were obviously inhibited in the two groups, in group A in particular. Conclusion In the prevention and treatment of intestinal fibrosis, moxibustion may reduce the expression of TGF-β1, and hence to block or inhibit the synthesis of Ⅰ、Ⅲ collagens, and improve the structure and function.