Efficacy of Baishao Luoshi decoction on synaptic plasticity in rats with post stroke spasticity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Baishao Luoshi decoction (, BD) on synaptic plasticity in rats with post stroke spasticity (PSS), and to study the mechanism behind the action. METHODS: The PSS model of rat was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The neurological deficit symptoms were evaluated by modified neurological deficit score (mNSS). Muscle tension were evaluated by Modified Ashworth score (MAS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the synaptic ultrastructure. The expression of synaptic plasticity-related protein brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), growth associated protein-43 (GAP43), synaptophysin (p38) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in the brain tissue around the infarct were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: We found that mNSS were significantly improved and limb spasticity was ameliorated treated by BD. The thickness of postsynaptic density and the synaptic curvature increased significantly. The expression of synaptic plasticity-related protein BDNF, GAP43, p38, MAP2 in the brain tissue around the infarct were raised remarkably after treated by BD. CONCLUSIONS: Alleviating PSS by BD may be related to rescuing the synaptic plasticity, which provides a probable new therapeutic method for PSS.

Effectiveness and Safety of Acupoint Catgut Embedding for the Treatment of Poststroke Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Acupoint catgut embedding therapy has shown effectiveness in treating functional constipation; however, relevant, high-quality clinical evidence is scarce. This study aimed to systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of acupoint catgut embedding in treating poststroke constipation. Methods: Correlative randomized controlled trials were identified through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library/Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Internet, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang, and VIP databases from inception until February 2022. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Fifteen trials involving 1084 patients were identified. The meta-analysis revealed that the acupoint catgut embedding group was significantly superior to the non-catgut embedding group with regard to the efficacy rate (RR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.19, 1.37), P < 0.05), the first defecation time (MD = -3.08, 95% CI (-4.53, -1.63), P < 0.05), the defecation sensation score (MD = -0.44, 95% CI (-0.61, -0.26), P < 0.05), the degree of difficulty in defecation (MD = -0.73, 95% CI (-1.10, -0.37), P < 0.05), the PAC-QOL scale score (MD = -10.06, 95% CI (-13.47, -6.64), P < 0.05), and the symptom integral (MD = -3.15, 95% CI (-3.60, -2.71), P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the stool property score (MD = 0.06, 95% CI (-0.39, 0.50), P > 0.05) as well as the incidence of adverse reactions (RD = 0.01, 95% CI (-0.01, 0.03), P > 0.05) between the two groups. Conclusions: The results showed that acupoint catgut embedding is probably an effective and safe acupuncture treatment strategy for poststroke constipation. Nevertheless, more rigorously designed, standardized, large-sample, and multicenter randomized controlled designs are warranted to further verify the findings of this study.