Clinical study on acupuncture treatment of gastrointestinal damp-heat acne.

BACKGROUND: Acne is a common inflammatory disease of sebaceous glands, which brings extensive emotional and psychological distress to patients. Although acupuncture has certain advantages in the treatment of acne, the curative effect is not exact. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of the "Spleen and Stomach Guiyuan Acupuncture Method" (SSGA) in the treatment of gastrointestinal damp-heat acne. METHODS: The proposed protocol is planned as a randomized, assessor-blind, conventional-treatment-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of SSGA on gastrointestinal damp-heat acne. Seventy six gastrointestinal damp-heat acne patients will be randomly divided into 2 groups and receive SSGA or conventional acupuncture treatment. The entire study period is 12 weeks, including an 8-week treatment period and a 4-week follow-up period. All patients will receive 16 sessions of acupuncture treatment over 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the investigation global assessment (IGA) at week 8, which is an overall assessment of the degree of the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion. The secondary outcomes include IGA, the total facial lesion count (Total Lesion Count), the acne-specific quality of life, etc at weeks 8 and 12. The Expectation and Credibility of treatment rating scale will be used to measure the patients' attitudes to acupuncture after the first treatment. Adverse events will also be recorded. DISCUSSION: This study is helpful to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and safety of SSGA in the treatment of gastrointestinal damp-heat acne. The results will be used in sample size calculations for subsequent large-scale studies.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100047363. Registered on June 13, 2021.

[Acupoint selection rules of hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture].

To explore the clinical acupoint selection rules for hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture. By taking "hyperthyroidism" "acupuncture and moxibustion" as keywords，literature regarding acupuncture for hyperthyroidism and related exophthalmos published was collected in the Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), VIP Database (VIP) and WANFANG database. The literature was organized, the database of acupuncture prescription was established and the characteristics and rules of acupoint selection were analyzed. A total of 46 papers were included, involving 89 acupoints, the frequency of acupoint application was 449 times. The most commonly used 6 acupoints for hyperthyroidism treated with acupuncture were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Shuitu (ST 10), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3). And the most meridians of acupoints were the stomach meridian and the pericardium meridian. The most commonly used 6 acupoints for hyperthyroidism related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture were Fengchi (GB 20), Shangtianzhu (Extra), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14). And the most meridian of acupoints was the gallbladder meridian. The most commonly used specific acupoints for hyperthyroidism treated with acupuncture were crossing points, yuan-source points and five-shu points. The most commonly used specific acupoints for hyperthyroidism related exophthalmos treated with acupuncture were crossing points, yuan-source points and five-shu points. Acupuncture masters in modern times have achieved significant therapeutic effect in the treatment of hyperthyroidism，which has showed the principles of searching for the primary cause of disease in treatment and giving consideration to both the root cause and symptoms. But there is a lack of simple and effective treatment methods that can be rapidly promoted in clinical practice.

Electroacupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Baihui (DU 20) regulate the aging-related changes in gene expression profile of the hippocampus in sub-acutely aging rats.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of sub-acutely aging and demonstrate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Baihui (DU 20) acupoint on the sub-acutely aging brain, cDNA microarrays and bioinformatics analyses were carried out. Thirty Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups: the control group (C), the sub-acutely aging model group (M) and the electroacupuncture group (M+EA). Sub-acutely aging model rats were obtained by D-galactose s.c. injection continuously for 40 days. Total RNA was extracted from the hippocampus area of brains in three groups for cDNA microarrays. The data of different groups were compared and analyzed by differential expression analysis, Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and quantitative real-time PCR. According to the results, 4052 DE genes were identified in our study. Among them, there were 3079 differentially expressed (DE) genes between group M and group C, and these genes are associated with the aging of rats. Moreover, 983 genes were expressed differently in group M+EA compared with group M, revealing that points stimuli could regulate gene expression in brain with aging. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment and KEGG enrichment were performed to further classify the differential expression genes. Important GO terms and KEGG pathways connected with sub-acutely aging EA effects were identified. At last, 3 significant differentially expressed genes were selected for real-time quantitative PCR to clarify the cDNA microarray results. In conclusion, the cDNA microarray data first compared and analyzed the differences of gene expression profile in the hippocampus of rats in different groups, which contribute to our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of EA towards sub-acutely aging.

[Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Intervention on Contents of Serum Interleukin-7 and In- terleukin-18 in Cyclophosphamide-induced Immune Suppression in Tumor-bearing Mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention on the contents of serum IL-7 and IL-18 and white blood cell counts in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced hypofunction of immunity in tumor-bearing mice, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of immune suppression caused by chemotherapy. METHODS: Sixty-four male Kunming mice were implanted with S 180 sarcoma at the left armpit (for making tumor-bearing model) , and then, randomized into control group, model group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group( 16 mice in each group). The mice of the latter 3 groups were injected with CTX (i. p. , 150 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)), and those of the control group were injected (i. p.) with normal saline. Filiform acupuncture needle or moxibustion was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) , unilateral "Geshu" (BL 17) , "Shenshu"(BL 23) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) once daily for 3 or 5 days. Contents of serum IL-7 and IL-18 were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the plasma leukocyte counts from day 2 to day 5, the spleen index and serum IL-18 contents on day 3 and 5 after administration of CTX were significantly decreased, and serum IL-7 contents on day 3 and 5 after CTX remarkably increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Following the treatment, the spleen index on day 3 and serum IL-18 content on day 5 in the moxibustion group, serum IL-7 and IL-18 contents on day 3 and 5 in the acupuncture group were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). The effect of acupuncture was markedly superior to that of moxibustion in up-regulating serum IL-18 contents on day 3 and 5 after the treatment (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the acupuncture and moxibustion groups in the leukocyte counts and spleen index after the treatment, and in serum IL-7 contents on day 3 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can up-regulate the serum IL-7 and IL-18 and white blood cell levels in immuno-suppression mice, wnicn may contribute to their effects in relieving immune hypofunction caused by alkylating agent CTX.

[Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on serum contents of hematopoietic growth factor in mice with marrow inhibition].

OBJECTIVE: To observe serum contents of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in mice with marrow inhibition before and after acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, so as to discuss the molecular biological mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion on improving marrow inhibition and increasing white cells after chemotherapy. METHODS: Eighty clean-grade male Kunming mice were selected and randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a moxibustion group according to the weight, 20 cases in each one. Mice in the model group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group were injected with cyclophosphamide (CTX) to establish mice models of marrow inhibition, while mice in the normal group received intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% NaCl. Four hours after model establishment, mice in the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were treated with acupuncture or moxibustion at "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Geshu" (BL 17), "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), respectively. Mice in the normal group and model group were immobilized without any treatment. All the treatment was given once a day for consecutive 5 days. Mice blood samples were collected from caudal vein. With manual examination, the white blood cells in peripheral blood were measured on each day from model establishment to end of treatment. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure the serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF 3 days and 5 days after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the white cells in the model group were all reduced at each time point (all P<0.05), and the serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF were significantly reduced (all P<0.05). Three days after treatment, compared with the model group, the white cells in the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were increased, and the difference in acupuncture group was significant (P<0.05); the serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF were significantly lifted (P<0.05). Four days after treatment, compared with the model group, the white cells in the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were increased (both P<0.05). Five days after treatment, compared with the model group, the white cells in the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were increased and close to the normal level; the serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF were significantly lifted (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Through increasing serum contents of GM-CSF and G-CSF in CTX mice, acupuncture and moxibustion could prompt maturation and proliferation of myeloid hematopoietic cells, which is benefit to the reconstruction of hematopoietic function and relieve the marrow inhibition caused by CTX, and thus lift peripheral white blood cells.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription on the T lymphocyte subset proportions in aging rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture of "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription on postponing aging. METHODS: Forty 3-month SD rats, male only, 30 rats were made sub-acute aging model by D-galactose s.c. injection continuously for 42 d, and rest of the rats, 10, were divided into a normal control group. After the modeling, the sub-acute aging model rats were randomly into a Shuanggu Yitong group [electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), hand needle at "Baihui" (GV 20)], an acupuncture control group [electroacupuncture at "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Shuifen" (CV 9), hand needle at "Yintang" (GV 29)] and an aging model group, ten in each one. The treatment was given once in a day, six of which made a course. The rats in the normal control group and aging model group were not received any treatment. After the treatment for three weeks, the rats were put to death and their spleen index, thymus index and the T lymphocytes subgroups (CD8(+) T/T cell and CD8(+) CD28(-) T/CD8(+) T cell) were tested. RESULTS: The spleen index (1.74 +/- 0.059) and thymus index (0.64 +/- 0.039) in the aging model group was obviously lower than those in the normal control group (1.93 +/- 0.061), (0.81 +/- 0.053) respectively (both P < 0.05); the CD8(+) CD28(-) T/CD8(+) T cell percentages (26.28 +/- 4.69)% and CD8(+) T/T cell percentages (43.33 +/- 2.84)% in the aging model group were both significantly higher than those (15.08 +/- 5.58)% (P < 0.01), (34.70 +/- 4.24)% (P < 0.01) in the normal control group. Compared with the aging model group, the spleen index (1.91 +/- 0.081) and thymus index (0.79 +/- 0.080) in the Shuanggu Yitong group were significantly higher (both P < 0.05), but obviously decreased with the percentage of CD8(+) CD28(-) T/CD8(+) T cell (18.07 +/- 1.73) (P < 0.01); the percentage of CD8(+) CD28(-) T/CD8(+) T cell (18.07 +/- 1.73)% in the acupuncture control group was also lower than the aging model group (P < 0.05), but more obvious reduce for the Shuanggu Yitong group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment of Shuanggu Yitong prescription could regulate the proportions of the T lymphocyte subset, and slow down the immunosenescence of subacute aging model rats induced by D-galactose.