[Clinical observation on medulla oblongata palsy after brainstem infarction treated with electroacupuncture at eight-neck-occiput points].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the efficacy on speech and swallowing dysfunction of medulla oblongata palsy (MOP) after brainstem infarction between electroacupuncture at eight-neck-occiput points and routine acupoints. METHODS: Seventy-two patients were randomized into a neck-occiput points group and a meridian points group, 36 cases in each one. In the neck-occiput points group, the eight-neck-occiput points (Neck 1-4 points, Occiput 1-4 points) were selected. In the meridian points group, Lianquan (CV 23), Futu (LI 18), Tongli (HT 5), Hegu (LI 4) and the others were selected. Electroacupuncture was used in the two groups, dense-dispersion wave, retaining for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day, 5 treatments a week. Totally, 4 weeks were required. The symptom scores of speech and swallowing dysfunction were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The scores of speech and swallowing dysfunction were improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results in the neck-occiput points group were better than those in the meridian points group (both P < 0.01). The curative rate of speech dysfunction was 30.6% (11/36) and that of swallowing dysfunction was 22.2% (8/ 36) in the neck-occiput points group, which were better than 11.1% (4/36) and 5.6% (2/36) in the meridian points group, respectively. The differences were significant in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at eight-neck-occiput points achieves a better efficacy on speech and swallowing dysfunction of MOP after brainstem infarction as compared with the routine acupoints. This therapy is characterized as more accurate point localization and safer operation.

Necrosis and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats exposed to 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol.

The 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4-nitro-m-cresol; PNMC) exists in diesel exhaust particles (DEP), and is also one of the degradation products of insecticide fenitrothion. To assess potential nephrotoxicity of PNMC, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subcutaneously dosed with PNMC at 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg/day for five consecutive days. No significant changes were detected in body weights and relative weights of kidneys by the treatment of PNMC. However, the extent of cellular necrosis was found to be severe in renal tubular epithelial cells of PNMC-treated rats. In addition, PNMC exposure significantly increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyle transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells compared to the control in renal tubule of PNMC-treated rats. Moreover, immunohistochemical results indicated that significant decrease in the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expressions andincrease in the Bcl-2 associated × protein (Bax) expression were detected in PNMC-treated rats. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was also reduced significantly at PNMC-treated rats dosed at 10 or 100 mg kg(-1) . Furthermore, the significant increase of FAS (CD95/APO-1) expression was found in the groups dosed at 10 or 100 mg kg(-1) of PNMC. The expression of Caspase-3 was higher in PNMC-treated rats, compared to the control group. Our results indicated that activation of mitochondria and Caspase-3 protease may contribute to the PNMC-induced apoptosis, suggesting that PNMC could cause both necrosis and apoptosis resulting in cell death of renal epithelium cells and could induce renal toxicity.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of deeply needling Qiangji 4 points on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of deeply needling Qiangji 4 points and routine acupuncture therapy on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy-nine cases were randomly divided into 2 groups, deeply needling group (n=140) and routine acupuncture group (n=139). The deeply needling group were treated with deeply needling Qiangji 4 points, and the routine acupuncture group with acupuncture at Qihaishu (BL 24), Dachangshu (BL 25), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Xiaochangshu (BL 27) into routine deep. Their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: At the end of the first therapeutic course, the cured rate was 42.1% in the deeply needling group and 28.1% in the routine acupuncture group with significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), and at the end of the second course, the cured rate was 82.9% in the deeply needling group and 46.8% in the routine acupuncture group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of deeply needling Qiangji 4 points on prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc is significantly better than that of routine acupuncture.