Effects and mechanisms of different frequencies of electroacupuncture for learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Shenshu(BL 23)" for the learning and memory ability as well as glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in hippocampal tissue of rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD), so as to explore the mechanism of different frequencies of EA for the prevention and treatment of AD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twelve healthy Wistar male rats were divided into seven groups by random number table, namely a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 30 Hz EA group, and a 50 Hz EA group, 16 rats in each one. The rats in the normal group were conventionally raised in the laboratory without any treatment. 0.9% NaCl solution was injected into bilateral dentate convolution of hippocampus in rats of the sham operation group. AD model was established by β-amyloid protein1-42 (Aβ1-42) injected into bilateral dentate convolution of hippocampus in the other groups. 15 days after establishment, no treatment was applied in the model and sham operation groups, and EA with corresponding frequencies at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Shenshu (BL 23)" was used in the three EA groups for 2 sessions, once a day and 7 times as one session. There was 1 day between the two sessions. The same acupoints were adopted in the acupuncture group, without electrical connection. The escape latency, the first spanning platform time, and the number of crossing platform were tested in the Morris water maze immediately after treatment. The expressions of GSK-3β and GAP-43 were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>①Morris water maze tests showed that the escape latency and the first spanning platform time significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group (both<0.01), and the number of crossing platform decreased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency and the first spanning platform times decreased in the acupuncture and three EA groups (all<0.01), and the numbers of crossing platform increased (<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture and 2 Hz, 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency decreased in the 50 Hz EA group (<0.01,<0.05); the first spanning platform time reduced (all<0.01); the number of crossing platform increased (<0.01,<0.05). ②The expressions of GSK-3β and GAP-43 of the model group increased compared with those of the normal group(both<0.01). The expressions of GSK-3β in the acupuncture and three EA groups decreased compared with that in the model group (all<0.01), and the expressions of GAP-43 increased (all<0.01). The expressions of GSK-3β decreased and GAP-43 increases in the 50 Hz EA group compared with those in the acupuncture group and 2 Hz, 30 Hz groups (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA may promote synaptic damage rehabilitation by down regulating GSK-3β and up regulating GAP-43 to improve learning and memory ability of AD rats. The effect of 50 Hz EA is better than those of 30 Hz and 2 Hz EA and acupuncture.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of related protein mRNA in the striatum in rats with Parkinson's disease / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each group. PD rat model was duplicated by micro injection of 6-hydroxyl dopamine into right striatum of rats, and the rats in the sham operation group were treated with micro injection of 0. 9% NaCl. Rats in the normal group, model group and the sham operation group received no treatment; rats in the EA group were treated by EA at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day for total 2 weeks. Behavioral test was used to evaluate rotational behavior changes of PD rats. RT-PCR method was applied to detect the expression of GFAP (glial fiber acidic protein) mRNA and Cx43 (connexin 43) mRNA in the striatum.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of rotational behavior was not significant before and after treatment in the model group (P>0. 05), while that in the EA group was significant (P<0. 01). The expression of GFAP mRNA and Cx43 mRNA in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group and sham operation group (all P<0. 01); after EA treatment, the expression of GFAP mRNA and Cx43 mRNA in the EA group was lower significantly than that in the model group (both P<0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The action mechanism of EA for prevention and treatment of Parkinson' s disease may be associated with inhibiting the activation of astrocytes.</p>

Effects of Moxibustion on Behaviors and Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 in Hippocampus of Alzheimer’s Disease Model Rats / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to probe into the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 40 male 15-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, moxibustion group and sham-operation group. Stereotactic injection of agglutinated Aβ25-35 into rat’s bilateral hippocampus was used to prepare AD models. Equal amount of normal saline was injected to rat’s bilateral hippocampus in the sham-operation group. Model rats were treated by moxibustion at the distance of 2-3 cm above points of‘BL23-Shenshu’, ‘ST36-Zusanli’ and ‘GV20-Baihui’. No intervention was given to rats in the normal group. The learning and memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test. Changes on expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 of hippocampus zone were detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that in the model group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days were significantly lengthened. And the times across the platform position were significantly reduced. Compared with the normal group and the sham-operation group, expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus were significantly increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was obviously decreased (P < 0.01). In the moxibustion group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days were shortened obviously, and the times across the platform position were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced, and the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the action mechanism of AD treatment with moxibustion may be through the reducing of proapoptotic protein Bax and Caspase-3 releasing, promoting the releasing of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, so as to improve the learning and memory impairment caused by Aβ.

Effects of Moxibustion on Behaviors and Hippocampal Ultrastructure of Alzheimer's Disease Model Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on learning and memory ability and nerve cell ultrastructure in CA1 region of hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD);To discuss its mechanism of action to AD.Methods A total of 40 male SD mice was randomly divided into normal group, model group, moxibustion group and sham-operation group. Stereotactic injection agglutinated Aβ25-35 into bilateral hippocampus of rats in model group and moxibustion group to prepare AD models. Rats in moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion at the points which were located above 2-3 cm away from Shenshu, Zusanli and Baihui. Rats in normal group received no treatment. The learning and memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test. Morphological changes of rat nerve cell ultra structure in hippocampal CA1 region were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results In model group, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days was significantly lengthened, and the times across the platform position significantly decreased. Transmission electron microscope indicated nerve cell structures were damaged and displayed unclearly;mitochondrion swelled, even mitochondrial crista was abnormal and deformed, endoplasmic reticulum of inter organelle expanded and the deposition of lipofuscin increased. After the treatment by moxibustion, the average escape latency of five days and the last three days was shortened obviously, and the times across the platform position significantly increased. In moxibustion group, the edema of nerve cells significantly decreased;dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria swelling significantly improved;golgi bodies, mitochondria and ribosomes obviously increased in comparison with the model group. Conclusion Moxibustion can improve the learning and memory impairment caused by Aβ by promoting repairing of nerve cells in brain.

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture Based on Syndrome Differentiation in Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation for functional dyspepsia (FD), and to explore the plausible action mechanism.Method Seventy-two eligible FD patients were randomized into a treatment group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases). In the treatment group, the FD patients were divided into four types, liver-qi stagnation, spleen-stomach qi-deficiency, liver-qi affecting stomach, damp-heat accumulated in stomach, to receive acupuncture at the corresponding points based on syndrome differentiation in addition to the basic points including Zhongwan (CV12), Tianshu (ST25), Zusanli (ST36), and Neiguan (PC6); the control group was given Itopride hydrochloride tablets. Before and after intervention, the symptomatic efficacy index and the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as serum Gastrin (GAS) content were observed in the two groups.Result The total effective rate was 94.1% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 63.9% in the control group (P＜0.01); after intervention, the improvement of symptomatic efficacy index in the treatment group was markedly better than that in the control group (P＜0.01); the improvements of the SF-36 component scores in the treatment group were markedly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture based on syndrome differentiation can obviously improve the symptoms of FD patients, gastrointestinal function, and the quality of life, which is possibly realized by regulating serum GAS, and thus this treatment protocol is proper to be the optimal protocol in clinic for FD.

Eleetroacupuncture and the immunological inflammatory reaction in the frontal lobe seen with Alzheimer's disease / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objeetive To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on microglia, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-or (TNF-α) in the frontal lobes of rats modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Forty-eight normal SD rats 24 months old were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operated group, a model group and an EA group, with 12 rats in each group. The AD model was established by stereotaxic microinjection of agglutinated amyloid-beta protein (A1β-40, 1 μl, 10 μg/μl) into the rats' bilateral Meynert nucleus. The effects of EA applied to the rats' "Baihui" ( DU 20) "Taixi" ( KI 3 )" and "Zusanli" ( ST 36) acupoints were observed. The EA treatment was applied once a day for 6 days as a course. The next course of treatment was continued after one day's rest and the total treatment involved 2 courses. The activated mieroglia and the expression of IL-1β, and TNF-α in the frontal lobe were determined by immunohistochemistry method. Results The number of cells exhibiting microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α in the frontal lobes of rats in the model group increased significantly, but after EA treat-ment, cells showing microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α decreased remarkably. There were significant differences in compar-ison with the model group (P≤0. 01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture treatment can depress inflammatory reac-tion in the frontal lobe of AD rats and adjust the rats' immunologic state.

Moxibustion on Telomerase Activity in Aging Rat / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on telomerase activity and genes expression in tissues of senescent rats. Methods: Subacute aging rats model were established by injection with D-gal solution. Points Shenshu (BL 23) were treated with moxibustion in treatment group, contrasting with a model group and a normal group. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays(ELISA) was used for the level oftelomerase activity in liver tissues, and In Situ Hybridization(ISH) was used for the condition of expression of telomerase genes in liver tissues. Results: The level of telomerase activity in the aging model group was obviously lower than that in normal control group (P＜0.01), the level in moxibustion group was obviously higher than that in model group(P＜0.05). In comparison with normal rats, the positive-expressed areas and photodensity of telomerase genes in aging model group were all significantly lower (P＜0.01,P＜0.01), and the positive-expressed areas in moxibustion group was significantly higher than that in model group (P＜0.01). Conclusions: Moxibustion could regulate telomerase activity of senile rats, hence delaying aging.

Influence of Needling Point Hegu(LI 4) on Colonoscopy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Purpose: To investigate the influence of needling bilateral points Hegu (LI 4) before colonoscopy on the examined patients and the time of inserting colonoscope. Methods: 185 patients to receive colonoscopy were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (93 cases) and a control group (92 cases) in order of examination. Bilateral points Hegu (LI 4) were needled before colonoscopy in the acupuncture group. No preventive measures were taken in the control group.Pain grades during the period that colonoscope passes the sigmoid and transverse colons were observed and the time of inserting colonoscope was recorded. Results: One hundred and sixty-five patients underwent colonoscopic insertion successfully, which were taken as the effective cases. Of them, 84 cases were in the acupuncture group and 81 cases in the control group. Statistics indicated that pain grades during colonoscope's passing the sigmoid and transverse colons were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P＜ 0.01); the time of inserting colonoscope was significantly shorter in the acupuncture group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion: Needling bilateral points Hegu(LI 4) before colonoscopy can effectively relieve the patients'discomfort and shorten the colonoscopic time during the examination.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Neuronal Apoptosis and the Expression of NF-?B Protein in Cerebral Ischemia Area of Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of NF-?B in cerebral ischemia area of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and the neuron apoptosis in cortex by EA on shuigou and neiguan (left) point, and study the protective effect and its mechanism of EA on the cerebral ischemia. Method Cerebral ischemia reperfusion model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 30 min and then removal, then EA shuigou and neiguan left points of experimental rats. Neuronal apoptosis in cortex was observed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), NF-?B protein in the ischemia cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry. Result The neuronal apoptosis and the expression of NF-?B protein in the ischemia cortex was deteded of ischemia side of EA treatment groups were lower comparing with model group. Conclusion EA can lighten the neurons injury after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by decreasing the expression of NF-?B protein and the neuronal apoptosis in the ischemia cortex.

The Action Mechanism of Nucleus of Solitary Tract in Adjusting Gastric Motion by Acupuncture at "Zusanli"Point / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To research the function of the vagus nerve center nucleus of solitary tract(NTS)in the influence of gastric pressure by acupuncture at "Zusanli" in rats with motility disturbances of the stomach.Methods Adopting electrophysiological methods,the extracellular discharge signals of neuronic action in NTS were recorded with glass microelectrode.The influence of the discharges of NTS neurons and gastric pressure responding to the acupuncture at "Zusanli" point were observed in normal status and the condition of Atropine or Metoclopramide intravenous injection.Results In the normal status,acupuncture at "Zusanli" activated the discharges of NTS neurons and promote the gastric pressure remarkably.After Atropine intravenous injection,the background discharges of NTS neurons decreased.There was no statistical difference in the discharges responding to the effect of acupuncture before and after Atropine administration.And the gastric motion reinforced obviously by acupuncture at "Zusanli" after Atropine administration.But after intravenous injection of Metoclopramide,the background discharges of NTS neurons increased.There was also no statistical difference in the discharges responding to the effect of acupuncture before and after Metoclopramide administration.Moreover,the function of promoting gastric motion by acupuncture at "Zusanli" got more obviously after Metoclopramide administration.Conclusion The function of adjusting gastric motion by acupuncture at "Zusanli" point has close relation to the activation of NTS neurons,and the increasing amplitude of the discharges of NTS neurons wasn't influenced by cholinergic receptor blocker Atropine and dopamine-receptor antagonist Metoclopramide.

Isolation of differently expressed cDNAs from the hippcampus of rats with vascular dementia by RNA fingerprinting / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To isolate differently expressed cDNAs associated with vascular dementia from hippocampus of rats. Methods The creation of vascular dementia model of rat was by 4 vessel occlusion method. The learning and memory of vascular dementia(VaD) rats were examined by Morris water maze. RNA fingerprinting was used to analyse the differently expressed cDNAs in the hippocampus of normal aging and VaD rats. At the same time, cDNAs expressed differently during the progression of VaD were isolated. Results Thirty two candidate cDNA fragments were isolated by RNA fingerprinting. The two cDNA fragments specifically expressed in VaD rats were analysed by Northern blot. Homology analysis through BLAST revealed that these two were novel genes and were given numbers of BG937392 and BG937393 in the gene bank. Conclusions RNA fingerprinting is a simple and quick method for isolating differently expressed genes. These two new gene fragments may contribute significantly to the process of VaD as pathogenic genes or protective genes.

Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Activation of Glial Cells and Neuronic Ultrastructure in Hippocampus of Alzheimer' s Rats / 中医杂志

Objective To observe the effect of electropuncture on activation of glial cells and neuronic ultrastructure in hippocampus of Alzheimer disease(AD) rats,and to investigate its protective effect on neuron.Methods AD rat model was established by microinjection of amyloid-beta protein(A?1-40) into the Meynert nucleus of rats,then randomly divided into normal group,sham operation group,model group and electropuncture group,14 rats in each.Electro-acupuncture was given at "baihui(DU 20)","taixi(KI 3)" and "zusanli(ST 36)"in the electro-acupuncture group;activation of glial cells in hippocampus was determined by immunohistochemistry,and ultrastructure of neurons was observed under transmission electron microscopy in all group of rats.Results A great number of glial cells were activated in model group with increase of the number,nerve cell degeneration,endoplasmic reticulum to expand,and chondriosome to swell.After treatment of electro-acupuncture,the number of activated glial cells decreased as compared with model group,and the ultrastructure returned to almost normal.Conclusions Electro-acupuncture treatment can decrease the number of activated glial cells of AD rats so as to protect the neurons.