METTL3-mediated m6A methylation of SLC38A1 stimulates cervical cancer growth.

The objective of this study was to better characterize the role of the glutamine transporter SLC38A1 in cervical cancer and explore the underlying mechanisms. Data from public databases and clinical cervical cancer tissue samples were used to assess the expression of SLC38A1 and its prognostic significance. Immunohistochemical staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were used to evaluate the expression of relevant genes and proteins. Cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and intracellular glutamine content were measured using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and biochemical assays. Additionally, the RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was used to examine the impact of METTL3/IGF2BP3 on the m6A modification of the SLC38A1 3'UTR. Both cervical cancer specimens and cells showed significantly increased expression of SLC38A1 and its expression correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. Knockdown of SLC38A1 inhibited cell viability and cell cycle progression, induced apoptosis, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Glutaminase-1 inhibitor CB-839 reversed the effects of SLC38A1 overexpression. METTL3 promoted m6A modification of SLC38A1 and enhanced its mRNA stability through IGF2BP3 recruitment. Moreover, METTL3 silencing inhibited cell viability, cell cycle progression, intracellular glutamine content, and induced apoptosis, but these effects were reversed by SLC38A1 overexpression. In conclusion, METTL3-mediated m6A methylation of SLC38A1 stimulates cervical cancer progression. SLC38A1 inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.

Radiological classification of meningiomas with hemorrhagic onset and its clinical significance.

Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumors and frequently present with a gradual onset of neurological deficits; conversely, their acute presentation with hemorrhagic onset appears to be a rare event. Nonetheless, as early surgical evacuation is the foundation of treatment, a timely diagnosis of this rare type of intracranial hemorrhage is necessary. The purpose of the present single-center study was to investigate the radiological characteristics and propose a new bleeding classification for guiding the diagnosis and treatment. A total of 19 patients consecutively diagnosed with hemorrhagic meningioma were enrolled in this retrospective study. Intracranial extra-axial mass, tumor-associated hemorrhage and peritumoral brain edema were the three main radiological features of the hemorrhagic meningiomas. The site of tumor-associated hemorrhage included the peritumoral space, subarachnoid space, subdural space, brain parenchyma and/or intratumor region. Based on the anatomical relationship between meningioma and hematoma, the spontaneous hemorrhage stemming from meningiomas was further summarized into three bleeding patterns involving purely intratumoral hemorrhage (type I), purely extratumoral hemorrhage (type II) and combined intra/extratumoral hemorrhage (type III); furthermore, the type III hemorrhage usually came from type I bleeding that extended into the surrounding regions. The symptoms in type I patients were generally mild and early surgery was performed following adequate preoperative evaluations. The symptoms in type II patients were mild in certain cases and moderate to severe in others, so early or emergency surgery was chosen according to the clinical status of the patient. Almost all type III patients had moderate to severe symptoms and these patients usually required emergency surgery. In addition, patients with different bleeding types may have different pathological mechanisms underlying the tumor bleeding. Apart from being convenient for diagnosis, this concise and practical bleeding classification may aid in the selection of the treatment strategy and facilitate the understanding of the associated mechanisms.

[Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation promotes gastric motility by up-rgulating α7nAChR and suppressing NF-κB p65 expression in duodenum in rats with functional dyspepsia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on gastric sensitivity and motility in rats with functional dyspepsia (FD), so as to explore its underlying mechanism in improving FD. METHODS: A total of 48 young SD rats were randomly divided into control (n=10), model (n=9), taVNS (n=9), subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve stimulation (SDVNS, n=9) and sham SDVNS (n=7) groups. The FD model was established by gavage of 0.1% iodoa-cetamide+2% glucose, once daily for 6 days. Rats in the taVNS group received taVNS (0.5 mA) of optopoint "Heart" and "Stomach" for 30 min, once daily for 14 days, while rats in the SDVNS group received subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve stimulation through the implanted electrode, and those of the sham SDVNS group received only application of the same electrodes without electrical stimulation. Electromyogram (EMG) of the cervical trapezius muscle (reflecting gastric sensitivity) was recorded before and after intragastric expansion via an air ballon and the gastric emptying rate was calculated for assessing the gastric motility. The contents of acetylcholine (ACh), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit (α7nAChR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the duodenum tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in the duodenum tissue was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the EMG change rate at intragastric pressure levels of 40, 60 and 80 mm Hg, expression of NF-κB p65 protein, and contents of IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01, P<0.001), while the gastric emptying rate, ACh and α7nAChR contents considerably decreased (P<0.05, P<0.001) in the model group. After interventions, the EMG change rate, contents of IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and expression of NF-κB p65 were notably decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001), and the gastric emptying rate, ACh and α7nAChR contents obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.001) in both taVNS and SDVNS groups relevant to the model group. In comparison with the sham SDVNS group, the EMG change rate, contents of IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and expression of NF-κB p65 were notably decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05,P<0.001), and the gastric emptying rate, ACh and α7nAChR contents obviously increased (P<0.01, P<0.001) in the both SDVNS and taVNS groups. CONCLUSION: taVNS can reduce gastric sensitivity and promote gastric emptying in FD model rats, which may be closely related to its functions in up-regulating ACh and α7nAChR contents and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB p65 signaling in the duodenum.

Hemorrhagic abdominal pseudocyst following ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pseudocyst is an uncommon but important complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. While individual articles have reported many cases of abdominal CSF pseudocyst following VP shunts, no case of a hemorrhagic abdominal pseudocyst after VP shunts has been reported so far. CASE PRESENTATION: This article reports a 68-year-old woman with a 4-month history of progressive abdominal pain and distention. She denied any additional symptoms. A VP shunt was performed 15 years earlier to treat idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and no other abdominal surgery was performed. Physical examination revealed an elastic palpable mass in her right lower abdomen, which was dull to percussion. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan indicated a large cystic collection of homogenous iso-density fluid in the right lower abdominal region with clear margins. The distal segment of the peritoneal shunt catheter was located within the cystic mass. Abdominal CSF pseudocyst was highly suspected as a diagnosis. Laparoscopic cyst drainage with removal of the whole cystic mass was performed, 15-cm cyst which found with thick walls and organized chronic hematic content. No responsible vessel for the cyst hemorrhage was identified. No further shunt revision was placed. Histological examination showed that the cyst wall consisted of outer fibrous tissue and inner granulation tissue without epithelial lining, and the cystic content was chronic hematoma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and remained asymptomatic for 8-mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of hemorrhagic onset in the abdominal pseudocyst following VP shunt. Such special condition can accelerate the appearance of clinical signs of the abdominal pseudocyst after VP shunts, and its mechanisms may be similar to the evolution of subdural effusion into chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH).

[Questionnaire survey and analysis of implementability of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion].

The current usage and the existing problems in the implementability of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion were investigated by questionnaire survey, aiming to provide reference for the development or update of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion in the future. The results showed most of the acupuncture-moxibustion clinicians did not have a deep understanding of the guidelines, but they had a strong will of uniform standards and related guidelines. Although the published clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion achieved some success, they still had not got rid of the shackles of the previous textbook. The main existing problems in the guidelines included insufficient promotion, poor credibility, no evaluation criteria for curative effect, and lack of consideration for patients' will, etc. As the guidelines for acupuncture-moxibustion were based on the latest evidence of current clinical research, it reflected the low quality of current clinical research on acupuncture-moxibustion and lacking of evidence-based concept among acupuncture-moxibustion clinicians. The implementability of clinical practice guidelines is a key step in evidence-based translational medicine, while the research on the implementability of acupuncture-moxibustion guidelines is still blank. More attention should be paid to this field in the future.

[Progress of Research on Mechanism of Acupuncture for Diabetes Mellitus].

Acupuncture has been used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) for more than one thousand years. In the present paper, we review new progress of researches on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture intervention for DM. Results showed that acupuncture intervention can relieve DM by 1) reducing body weight through up-regulating leptin level, suppressing insulin resistance and appetite to reduce food intake possibly by way of down-regulating expression of neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus, retarding gastric emptying velocity, increasing small intestinal peristalsis, raising plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY, etc.; 2) improving pancreas function, raising insulin sensitivity to improve insulin resistance possibly by activating AMP-activated protein kinase and sirtuin 1/ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 α signaling, up-regulating activities of cholinergic nerve activity and nitric oxide synthase, and inhibiting apoptosis of pancreatic beta-cells; 3) lowering blood glucose possibly by increasing anaerobic glucose metabolism, regulating activities of vagal and sympathetic nerves; 4) adjusting the levels of related hormones such as melatonin, insulin, glucocorticold, epinephrine, etc. Moreover, acupuncture treatment combined with hypoglycemic drugs has a synergic effect in lowering blood glucose, suggesting a potentially effective approach for improving DM and being worthy of further studying in clinical practice.

Neuroprotective effect of berberine against learning and memory deficits in diffuse axonal injury.

The aim of the present study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of berberine against learning and memory deficits in diffuse axonal injury (DAI). DAI rats were orally gavaged with berberine at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight for 4 weeks. Behavioral tests were used to analyze the neuroprotective effect of berberine against DAI-induced learning and memory deficits. In the present study, treatment with berberine significantly protected against DAI-induced inhibition of learning and memory in rats. Notably, berberine significantly suppressed the levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1ß and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, as well as reduced the protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB, Bcl-2-associated X protein and cytochrome c in DAI rats. In addition, berberine significantly suppressed the protein expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, activating transcription factor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in DAI rats. These results suggested that berberine exhibited a neuroprotective effect against learning and memory deficits in severe DAI through the suppression of inflammation, angiogenesis and apoptosis in a rat model.

Effect of solid lipid's structure on nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulated with sun filter: characterisation, photo-stability and in vitro release.

Three series of solid lipid are formulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) system, which encapsulated with sun filter to evaluate the effect on the physicochemical properties of the nanocarriers. Production is performed by ultrasonication-homogenisation, analysis by particle size, zeta potential (ZP), transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, the encapsulation efficiency, ultraviolet performance and in vitro release are also investigated. The particle sizes of NLCs are between 185 and 225 nm and the polydispersity index is lower than 0.4, ZP from -56.4 to -78.6 mV, and the particles are spherical and in homogenous shading. All prepared NCLs encapsulated the sun filter and the EE are higher than 73%. DSC analysis revealed α- to ß-polymorphic modification existed in the system of fatty alcohol and fatty acid. However, α, ß and ß'-polymorphic modifications are exist in the system of cetyl palmitate (PC). Compared with conventional emulsion, all NLCs displayed perfect photo-protective property, especially for the alcohol system. The photo-stability studies showed that the all NLCs have the ability to improve the photo-stability of sunscreens. The in vitro release study suggested all three NLCs displayed sustained release profile and they were fit well with Higuchi equation.

An Underlying Pathological Mechanism of Meningiomas with Intratumoral Hemorrhage: Undifferentiated Microvessels.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas usually present with a gradual onset of symptoms, and their acute presentation with a hemorrhagic event appears to be a rare condition. Although many clinical features of such a condition have been characterized, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the bleeding remain unclear, and some contradictory results have been reported. The value of tumor vascularity as an index for the bleeding propensity of meningiomas is inconsistent. We sought to identify whether meningiomas have different types of blood vessels, and to explore the association of the different tumor vessels with intratumoral hemorrhage. METHODS: Six patients with meningioma with acute onset due to intratumoral hemorrhage were identified, and 12 nonhemorrhagic meningiomas were matched according to specific clinical data. The characteristics of tumor vessels were examined through immunohistochemical staining of CD31, CD34, and smooth muscle actin (SMA). The number of stained vessels was counted and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Two distinct types of blood vessels were determined in all meningiomas: undifferentiated (CD31+/CD34-) and differentiated (CD31+/CD34+) vessels, and most differentiated vessels were covered by pericytes marked by SMA. However, only the mean number of undifferentiated vessels in hemorrhagic meningiomas was significantly higher than that in controls (15.3 ± 4.9 vs. 6.4 ± 3.6; P < 0.01). Neither the number of differentiated vessels nor the total number of tumor vessels were significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that tumor vasculature in meningiomas is heterogeneous, and that the undifferentiated vessels may play a pivotal role in the spontaneous intratumoral hemorrhage from meningiomas.

[The development of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies].

From cooperation between World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and World Health Organization, works of academics and standardization, acupuncture-moxibustion education, technique service, organization development, etc., the 27-year development of WFAS since 1987 was summarized and reviewed in details. The growth of WFAS witnesses and promotes the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world, so by learning the experience and lessons, WFAS could have a wider path, becoming a core organization for communicating and promoting the development of acupuncture, even the traditional medicine in the world.

Where are we in the modelling of traumatic brain injury? Models complicated by secondary brain insults.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to a substantial number of deaths and cases of disability. Despite well-established experimental models and years of carefully conducted research, a clinical therapeutic breakthrough in TBI has lagged. This may be due, in part, to the discrepancies between commonly used experimental models and clinical scenarios. METHOD: Secondary insults, such as hypotension and hypoxemia, have been well demonstrated as powerful determinants of outcomes from TBI. Despite the frequency of secondary insults in patients with TBI, they are rarely incorporated into most existing models of TBI. This review focuses on the combined injury models, especially coupled with systemic secondary insults, and aims to provide a new view to guiding future research endeavors in this field. RESULTS: A growing number of experimental models of TBI complicated by certain secondary insult have been gradually introduced and characterized. Correspondingly, the pathophysiological changes following combined injuries and the interactive effects of primary injury with secondary insults can be studied more in-depth. CONCLUSION: A more complete understanding of the interactions between the injured brain and secondary insults represents a potentially fruitful avenue that may increase the likelihood of developing effective therapies. Experimental models of TBI should not only attempt to model the focal or diffuse changes resulting from external forces, but also integrate, when appropriate, secondary insults reminiscent of human situations.

[History of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies].

The history of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) was reviewed through summarizing the background and process of the establishment of WFAS. The establishment background was explained in different aspects, named the recovery of acupuncture-Moxibustion in the world, the successive setup of world acupuncture-Moxibustion organizations, the divergences of International Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, striding forward of China reform and opening policy as well as the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), etc. The establishment of WFAS was introduced on the proposal from eight countries, the important time of the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, 1984, divergences and consensus as well as the final phase. The official establishment of WFAS represents the global benefits of acupuncture-Moxibustion colleagues. It is the international organization of acupuncture and moxibustion, contributing to the promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world.

[Electroacupuncture intervention improved changes of skin barrier and color in type 2 diabetes rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of auricular concha region (ACR), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) on abnormal skin barrier and color in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T 2 DM) rats so as to find a better therapeutic method. METHODS: Fifty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into control (n = 10), model (n = 13), EA-ST 36-SP 6 (n = 14) and EA-ACR (n = 13) groups. T 2 DM model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1% STZ (50 mg/kg) and by feeding the animals with high-fat diet for 30 days. EA (15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and ACR respectively for 30 min, once daily for 14 days. Multi Probe Adapter 9 skin measurement system (MPA 9) was used to measure the stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index (El), melanin index (MI) and chromatic aberration values (L. a. b.) of the abdomenal and back (L1 - L6) skin, respectively. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group and pre-modeling, blood glucose contents of the model, EA-ST 36-SP 6 and EA-ACR groups were increased significantly (P < 0.01) after modeling. Compared with the model group, blood glucose levels of both EA-ST 36-SP 6 and EA-ACR groups were down-regulated apparently (P < 0.01) after treatment. Thirty days after modeling, the SCH, TEWL, EI, MI, L. and a. levels of the back skin, and the SCH and L. levels of the abdominal skin were decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while the level of b. in the back skin, and those of TEWL, EL, a. and b. of the abdominal skin increased considerably in the model group (P < 0.05). After EA, the levels of SCH, TEWL MI, L. a. and b. in the EA-ST 36-SP 6 group, SCH, TEWL, L. and b. in the EA-ACR group of the back skin, and SCH, L. and b. of both EAST 36-SP 6 and EA-ACR groups, as well as EI and a. of the EA-ST 36-SP 6 group of the abdominal skin were reversed remarkably (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the EA-ST 36-SP 6 and model groups in the levels of El of the back skin, TEWL and MI of the abdominal skin, and between the EA-ACR and model groups in the levels of SCH, EI, MI and a. of the back skin, and TEWL, EI, MI and a. of the abdominal skin (P > 0.05). In spite of a mildly better therapeutic effect of EA-ST 36-SP 6 in regulating some of the abovementioned indexes, no significant differences were found between the two EA groups in all the indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of both ST 36-SP 6 and ACR can effectively down-regulate blood glucose level, suppress DM-induced decrease of SCH, TEWL, L. and a. of the back skin, and SCH of the abdominal skin, and down-regulate b. levels of the back and abdominal skin in T 2 DM rats, showing an improvement of the impaired skin barrier and color changes following EA intervention.

[Bibliometrics study of the development trend of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trials in foreign countries].

On the basis of MEDLINE and EMBASE database, through bibliometrics, the quantitative research was conducted on the published literatures on the acupuncture-moxibustion clinical trial abroad. The situation of published articles in each continent, country and institution was analyzed statistically. It was found that the number of published articles was higher in Germany, America, England, Sweden, Austria, Japan, South Korea, etc. In Europe, the clinical trial of acupuncture and moxibustion was in the tendency of more country participants, wider distribution and larger amount of research. In North America, America was the main country for the study. In Asia, Japan and South Korea played the leading role. Of those countries, some institutions in Germany America, and South Korea were on the top of the list. In future, the above-mentioned countries and institutions should be monitored specifically so as to launch the active cooperation and strategic project.

[Bibliometrics study on indications of acupuncture therapy based on foreign acupuncture clinical trials].

In the present paper, the authors make a bibliometrics study on clinical indications of acupuncture therapy based on the published foreign articles about acupuncture clinical trials collected from PubMed database and Excerpta Medica database (EMbase). In 1996, 64 acupuncture indications were declared by WHO in Milan conference. But in recent 15 years, clinical trials have been conducted extensively in the foreign countries. Till now, 77 new indications for acupuncture therapy have been found in the foreign journals. The authors recommended that 29 indications (knee osteoarthritis, critique age problems, muscular fasciae ache, anxiety, etc.) should be added to the first class, 4 indications (irritable bowel syndrome, malposition, backache, simple obesity) should be upgraded from the second class to the first class, and the other 3 indications (childbirth pain, male and female barren) should be upgraded from the third class to the first class due to their application frequency in clinical trials. Increase of clinical indications reflects extensive application of acupuncture therapy and may help providing a better service for people's health.

[Intervention of electroacupuncture for patients with impaired glucose tolerance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation on 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2h PBG) for patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in the intervention with electroacupuncture. METHODS: Sixty cases of IGT were divided randomly into an electroacupuncture group and a blank control group, 30 cases in each one. In electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied to Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the intervention, lasting for 6 sessions. In blank control group, no any intervention was adopted. The levels of fasting blood-glucose (FBG), 2 h PBG with 75 g glucose and hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) were observed before and after the intervention for the patients in electroacupuncture group, as well as in blank con trol group. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 76.7% (23/30) in electroacupuncture group, which was superior to that of 16.7% (5/30) in blank control group (P < 0.01). 2h PBG [(7.08 +/- 0.74) mmol/L] and HbAlc [(5.74 +/- 0.35)%] were down-regulated significantly after the intervention with electroacupuncture of 6 sessions in electroacupuncture group. The therapeutic effects of it were superior remarkably to those [(8.93 +/- 1.87) mmol/L, (5.97 +/- 0.591)%] in blank control group, indicating statistical significant difference (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But, there was no any impact for the patients with normal FBG. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture may be the means to achieve the clinical effective intervention for the people with IGT and the approach in the prevention and treatment of diabetes at the early stage.

[Effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture on blood glucose level in impaired glucose tolerance patients].

OBJECTIVE: To Investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at different frequencies for patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: A total of 120 IGT outpatients were randomly divided into control, EA-5 Hz, EA-50 Hz, and EA-100 Hz groups (n = 30/group). EA (1 mA) was applied to bilateral Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) for 20 min, once daily for 60 sessions. Body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose (2 h PBG) contents were detected by using BAYER Blood Sugar Analyzer and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) content was detected by enzymatic assay. RESULTS: Following the treatment, both HbA1c and 2 h PBG levels in the EA-5 Hz group were significantly lower than those of the control group and those of pre-treatment in the same one group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the EA-5 Hz and control groups, between pre-treatment and post-treatment in the EA-5 Hz group in BMI and FBG levels; between the EA-50 Hz and control groups, between the EA-100 Hz and control groups, and between pre-treatment and post-treatment in the EA-50 Hz and EA-100 Hz groups in BMI, FBG,2 h PBG and HbA1c levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lower frequency EA of BL 20, BL 23, ST 36 and SP 9 can reduce HbA1c and 2 h PBG levels in IGT patients, suggesting a helpful effect of EA in controlling the development of diabetes.

[Efficacy assessment of acupuncture and moxibustion on tear secretion in xerophthalmia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy differences between acupuncture-moxibustion and medication in xerophthalmia. METHODS: Eighty cases of xerophthalmia were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. In acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied to the local and distal points, such as Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Quchi (LI 11) etc., combined with non-smoking moxibustion. In medication group, Sodium Hyaluronate eye drops were administered, three times per day, 1 drop each time. Before and after treatment, tear secretion volume (Schirmer's test), break-up time (BUT), symptom score, visual function score and tear film grade were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 73.1% (57/78) in acupuncture-moxibustion group, and was 37.2% (29/78) in medication group, indicating significant statistical difference in comparison (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in statistics in tear secretion volume between two groups after treatment (P < 0.05), in which, the result in acupuncture-moxibustion group was superior to that in medication group. The significant statistical differences presented in tear secretion volume, BUT, symptom score, visual function score and tear film grade in comparison before and after treatment in acupuncture-moxibustion group (all P < 0.05). The significant statistical difference presented in symptom score and tear film grade before and after treatment in medication group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture-moxibustion apparently relieves the symptoms of xerophthalmia, promotes tear secretion and improves the life quality of patients.

Morin exerts neuroprotective actions in Parkinson disease models in vitro and in vivo.

AIM: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of morin on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+))-induced apoptosis in neuronal differentiated PC12 cells as well as in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: PC12 cells were challenged with MPP(+) in the presence or absence of morin. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed using fluorescence assay. In an MPTP mouse model of PD, behavioral deficits, striatal dopamine content, and number of dopaminergic neurons were measured. RESULTS: MPP(+) induced apoptosis and ROS formation in PC12 cells. Concomitant treatment with morin (5-50 mumol/L) significantly attenuated the loss of cell viability and apoptosis when compared with MPP(+) treatment alone. Morin also attenuated ROS formation induced by MPP(+). MPTP induced permanent behavioral deficits and nigrostriatal lesions in mice. When administered prior to MPTP, morin (20 to 100 mg/kg) attenuated behavioral deficits, dopaminergic neuronal death and striatal dopamine depletion in the MPTP mouse model. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that morin has neuroprotective actions both in vitro and in vivo, and may provide a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.