Application and underlying mechanism of acupuncture for the nerve repair after peripheral nerve injury: remodeling of nerve system.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a structural event with harmful consequences worldwide. Due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the peripheral nerve in adults, neural restoration after PNI is difficult. Neurological remodeling has a crucial effect on the repair of the form and function during the regeneration of the peripheral nerve after the peripheral nerve is injured. Several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is effective for PNI-induced neurologic deficits, and the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects involve the nervous system remodeling in the process of nerve repair. Moreover, acupuncture promotes neural regeneration and axon sprouting by activating related neurotrophins retrograde transport, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), N-cadherin, and MicroRNAs. Peripheral nerve injury enhances the perceptual response of the central nervous system to pain, causing central sensitization and accelerating neuronal cell apoptosis. Together with this, the remodeling of synaptic transmission function would worsen pain discomfort. Neuroimaging studies have shown remodeling changes in both gray and white matter after peripheral nerve injury. Acupuncture not only reverses the poor remodeling of the nervous system but also stimulates the release of neurotrophic substances such as nerve growth factors in the nervous system to ameliorate pain and promote the regeneration and repair of nerve fibers. In conclusion, the neurological remodeling at the peripheral and central levels in the process of acupuncture treatment accelerates nerve regeneration and repair. These findings provide novel insights enabling the clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of PNI.

Prospective observational studies on nutrition intake and the incidence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: According to several studies, a specific dietary pattern can reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. However, the robustness of these results has not been tested. The study intends to investigate the association between nutrition intake and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults (≥45-years) and provide reliable, evidence-based references for healthcare decision-makers, researchers, and policymakers. REVIEW QUESTION: Are the dietary characteristics of community-dwelling adults (≥45-years) associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment? OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this protocol is to synthesize the longitudinal observational evidence on the relationship between nutrition intake patterns and the incidence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults (≥45-years), and to provide detailed dietary recommendations for the prevention of cognitive impairment in this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Cohort studies conducted among adults (≥45-years) will be included. The following electronic databases will be searched for relevant records published by July 2023, with a restriction on language to English: Pubmed, Medline, Embase, Web of science, Cochrane Library. The studies will be selected, the data will be extracted, and the bias risk will be assessed by two independent investigators. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines will be followed to summarize observational studies, and the protocol will adhere to the recommendations from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 statement. Endnote X9 will be used to manage data screening. We will use Review Manager 5.4 and Stata 16.0 to conduct data analysis, and a random-effects model will be applied to pool clinically homogenous studies. The results will be presented based on the form of nutrition intake. For assessing publication bias, Egger's test and visual inspection of funnel plots will be utilized. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As this study does not involve primary data, ethical approval is not required. The final report will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: A registration number of DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/NAKC3 was assigned to it on October 15, 2022 on Prospero.

Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity Modulation and Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for Posterior Circulation Infarction Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Vertigo is a cardinal symptom of posterior circulation infarction (POCI). Acupuncture is demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on posterior circulation infarction vertigo (PCIV). However, the mechanism of acupuncture therapy is not clarified. This study aims to assess the cerebral blood flow velocity modulation and clinical efficacy of acupuncture for PCIV patients. Methods: We conducted this systematic review for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture on PCIV. The study duration was from September 2020 to September 2021. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP. The publication date was set from inception to August 31, 2020. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data including basic study information, intervention details, outcome details, and adverse events. Outcome measures included the blood flow velocities of vertebrobasilar arteries and the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Pooled data were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and relative risks (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software version 5.3.0. Results: A total of 20 eligible RCTs (1541 participants) were included in this review, which compared acupuncture therapy (1 RCT) or acupuncture combined with pharmaceutical therapy (19 RCTs) to pharmaceutical therapy in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. 7 studies assessed the blood flow velocities of the basilar artery examined by Transcranial Doppler (TCD), 8 studies assessed the bilateral vertebral arteries, and 13 studies evaluated the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Meta-analysis results showed that blood flow velocities of the basilar artery (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.40-0.76; P < 0.05), left vertebral artery (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.22-0.73; P < 0.05), and right vertebral artery (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.19-0.69; P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. Clinical Effective Rate (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.15-1.29; P = 0.792) was significantly better in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. Conclusions: This study shows that acupuncture therapy is useful in improving the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar arteries and Clinical Effective Rate in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. However, double-blind, sham-controlled trials with large sample sizes are required to support our conclusions.

HyperCKemia associated with acupuncture: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture therapy has been widely used as an alternative therapy to treat multiple diseases, such as sequelae of stroke, pain, facial paralysis and so on. In recent years, few adverse events related to acupuncture treatment have been reported, among which hematoma, bleeding and dizziness are the main manifestations. However, to date, there have been no existing cases reported the association between acupuncture therapy and asymptomatic/pauci-symptomatic hyperCKemia. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a patient who developed hyperCKemia during 5 sessions of acupuncture at different frequencies. After stopping acupuncture treatment for 1 month, follow-up showed a significant downward trend in serum creatine kinase (sCK). However, after that this patient started to get acupuncture treatment again in order to improve the sequelae of stroke. Meantime, the sCK rose again. CONCLUSION: HyperCKemia may associated with acupuncture therapy. All kinds of adverse events of acupuncture should be recorded comprehensively and objectively so as to improve the safety standard system of acupuncture therapy.

[Theoretic analysis on twirling acupuncture manipulation for reinforcing and reducing in treatment of hypertension by academician SHI Xue-min].

The paper explains academician SHI Xue-min's understanding on hypertension and the concrete application of twirling acupuncture technique for reinforcing and reducing in treatment of hypertension, and explores the theoretic basis of the first and second definitions of twirling acupuncture technique for reinforcing and reducing proposed by the academician SHI Xue-min. It is believed that the dysfunction of the sea of qi and the disharmony of the liver and spleen are the etiologies of hypertension, thus, the treatment principles are suggested as "activating blood circulation, dispersing wind, smoothing liver qi and strengthening spleen functions". Renying (ST 9) is selected as the main acupoint, while Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36) are used as the adjuvant acupoints. The twirling acupuncture technique is applied to achieve reinforcing or reducing. Four elements are determined to the successful application of this needling technique, i.e. direction of exertion, strength of exertion, manipulation duration of twirling needle, and the interval duration between two treatments of acupuncture. Eventually, the specification on acupuncture treatment for hypertension can be effectively promoted.

Study on quantitative diagnosis model of TCM syndromes of post-stroke depression based on combination of disease and syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common stroke complications with high morbidity. Researchers have done much clinical research on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment, but very little research on diagnosis. Based on the thought of combination of disease and syndrome, this study will establish a unified and objective quantitative diagnosis model of TCM syndromes of PSD, so as to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PSD. OBJECTIVE: First: To establish a unified and objective quantitative diagnosis model of TCM syndromes in PSD under different disease courses, and identify the corresponding main, secondary, and concurrent symptoms, which are based on the weighting factor of each TCM symptom. Second: To find out the relationship between different stages of PSD and TCM syndromes. Clarify the main syndrome types of PSD under different stages of disease. Reveal the evolution and progression mechanism of TCM syndromes of PSD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a retrospective study of PSD TCM diagnosis. Three hundred patients who were hospitalized in the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM with complete cases from January 2014 to January 2019 are planned to be recruited. The study will mainly collect the diagnostic information from the cases, find the related indicators of TCM and Western medicine in PSD, and clarify the relationship between different disease stages and TCM syndromes. Finally, the PSD TCM syndrome quantitative diagnosis model will be established based on the operation principle of Back Propagation (BP) artificial neural network. CONCLUSION: To collect sufficient medical records and establish models to speed up the process of TCM diagnosis.

[Professor WU Lian-zhong's clinical experience for treating post-stroke distal limb dyskinesia].

Professor WU Lian-zhong's experience for treating post-stroke distal limb dyskinesia is introduced from the aspects of syndrome differentiation principles, clinical acupoint selection and acupuncture manipulation. Professor WU proposes the original syndrome differentiation system of "ten factors" for stroke, and emphasizes the importance of spirit differentiation and syndrome differentiation. The syndrome differentiation focus on the three yang meridians and kidney meridian, as such, Quchi (LI 11), Shousanli (LI 10), Waiguan (TE 5), Hegu (LI 4), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Sidu (TE 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Tengyue point, Taichong (LR 3), Xiangu (ST 43), Zulinqi (GB 41), Dazhong (KI 4), Genjian point, Zhaohai (KI 6), Fuliu (KI 7) and Taixi (KI 3) are selected. In addition, professor WU develops clear quantitative standards for acupuncture manipulation.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for posterior circulation ischemic vertigo: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Posterior circulation ischemic vertigo (PCIV) is one of the most complaint symptoms in clinical, and is associated with high risk of recurrence. Current studies show that acupuncture has therapeutic effect on releasing symptom as well as improving the blood flow of posterior circulation. In this review, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for PCIV. METHODS: Literature of clinical randomized control trials regarding acupuncture for PCIV published before August of 2020 will be searched in databases, including 5 English databases and 4 Chinese databases. For the included studies, methodological quality will be assessed according to Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and evidence quality will be evaluated with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. Data analysis will be performed using Review Manager Software. RESULTS: The primary outcomes involve changes of PCIV symptoms and blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar. The secondary outcomes include Barthel Index, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, clinical effectiveness, and adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Based on current clinical studies, this systematic review and meta-analysis will provide evidence-based basis for the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating PCIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol for this review has been registered in the INPLASY network (Registration number: INPLASY202070116).

[Professor WU Lianzhong's experience in the treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy with acupuncture based on the interactions of twelve muscle regions and opposing needling theory].

It was to introduce professor WU Lianzhong's experience in the treatment of oculomotor nerve palsy with acupuncture based on the interactions of twelve muscle regions and opposing needling theory. In the treatment, the TCM syndrome differentiation is taken as the general principle, the theory of the interactions of twelve muscle regions and opposing needling as the specific feature. The contrary needling is used at Hanyan (GB 4) and Juliao (ST 3) on the healthy side. The meridian-collateral and the exterior-interior differentiations are adopted to identify the syndromes. At the early stage of the disease, the treating principle focuses on expelling wind, eliminating cold and promoting the circulations of meridians and collaterals. The shallow needling, less acupoints and gentle stimulation are required. At the middle and late stage, the treating principle concentrates on strengthening the antipathogenic qi and harmonizing qi and blood. The deep needling, the multiple acupoints and the strong stimulation are applied. Additionally, the four-needling technique at Fengchi (GB 20), the multiple shallow needling at the eyelid margin, the opposing needling and the quantity of needling sensation are used in combination, which were developed by professor WU. With those comprehensivemethods, the symptoms of oculomotor nerve palsy are relieved and the significant clinical therapeutic effects achieved.

Acupuncture lowering blood pressure for secondary prevention of stroke: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the prime cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, and hypertension will increase the recurrence and mortality of stroke. We report a protocol of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) using blood pressure (BP)-lowering acupuncture add-on treatment to treat patients with hypertension and stroke. METHODS: This is a large-scale, multicenter, subject-, assessor- and analyst-blinded, pragmatic RCT. A total of 480 patients with hypertension and ischemic stroke will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group will receive "HuoXueSanFeng" acupuncture combined with one antihypertensive medication in addition to routine ischemic stroke treatment. The control group will only receive one antihypertensive medication and basic treatments for ischemic stroke. HuoXueSanFeng acupuncture will be given for six sessions weekly for the first 6 weeks and three times weekly for the next 6 weeks. A 9-month follow-up will, thereafter, be conducted. Antihypertensive medication will be adjusted based on BP levels. The primary outcome will be the recurrence of stroke. The secondary outcomes including 24-h ambulatory BP, the TCM syndrome score, the Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), as well as the Barthel Index (BI) scale will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post initiating treatments; cardiac ultrasound, carotid artery ultrasound, transcranial Doppler, and lower extremity ultrasound will be evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks after treatment. The safety of acupuncture will also be assessed. DISCUSSION: We aim to determine the clinical effects of controlling BP for secondary prevention of stroke with acupuncture add-on treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02967484 . Registered on 13 February 2017; last updated on 27 June 2017.

[Acupuncture therapy for regaining consciousness in terms of acupoint location, needle insertion and needle manipulation].

Acupuncture therapy for regaining consciousness activates soreness, numbness, distention, heaviness, radiating and moving, electric shock and ant climbing sensations at the specific acupoints in the stroke patients. Radiating and moving sensations are the summary of needling sensations such as soreness, numbness and twitching presenting during lifting and thrusting manipulation. These sensations are the essential factors of the therapeutic effect of regaining consciousness. Radiating sensation refers to the conduction along meridians and radiation of soreness and numbness. Moving sensation refers to the local muscular twitching at acupoints and the involuntary movement of limbs, joints and the distal. Acupuncture at the specific acupoints achieves radiating and moving sensations for promoting the circulation in meridians, regulating qi and mind and balancing yin and yang in stroke patients. This therapy was introduced in the paper in view of acupoint location, needle insertion and manipulation.