Effect of electro-acupuncture on metabolites in the cerebral cortex of ulcerative colitis rats based on Pi/Wei-brain related theory / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) at points along Foot Yangming Channel on metabolite of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats' cerebral cortex and to identify key metabolites by referring to Pi/Wei-brain related theory in Chinese medicine (CM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The UC rat model was set up by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) method. Male SD rats were randomly divided into the model group and the EA group, 13 in each group. Another 13 rats were recruited as the blank control group. Rats in the blank control group and the model group received no EA. EA was performed at Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), and Tianshu (ST25) for 5 days by using disperse-dense wave. Then all rats were sacrificed. Their recto-colon and the ileocecal junction were pathomorphologically observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cerebral cortexes were extracted. Water-soluble and lipid-soluble brain tissue metabolites were respectively extracted for metabolic research using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EA could obviously improve the general condition of UC model rats, decrease the value of DAI, reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the intestinal tract, stabilize structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and so on (P <0.05). 1HNMR analysis showed that in the model group, contents of glutamic acid, cholesterol, very low density lipoproein (VLDL) in the pallium obviously decreased, while alanine and low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased. After EA, levels of lactic acid, glutamic acid, total cholesterol (TC), and VLDL all increased, and levels of alanine and LDL decreased. All indices were approximate to those of the blank control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at Foot Yangming channel was found to have some effect on metabolites in the brain tissue of UC model rats, which had specific metabonomic material basis and mechanism based on the Pi/Wei-brain related theory.</p>

Effect of electro-acupuncture on the expression of NCAM and NF-kB in SamP8 mouse hippocampus / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy on the syuaptic plasticity of hippocampal neurons in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8) by examining the changes in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression, and explore the mechanism behind the therapeutic effect of EA on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in view of neural cell adhesion. Methods Twenty-four SAMP8 mice as the animal model of AD were randomized equally into the model group and EA treatment group, with 12 senescence-accelerated resistant mice (SAMR1) mice as the blank control group. EA on Baihui (Du20) and Yongquan (Kid1) was administered once daily for 21 consecutive days in mice in the EA group. The expressions of NCAM and NF-κB mRNA and proteins in the hippocampal neurons were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results Compared with the model group, the mice in EA group showed significantly increased expression of NCAM and NF-κB mRNA and proteins (P<0.05). Conclusion EA can increase the expression of NCAM and NF-κB in mouse hippocampal neurons. EA can promote the cell adhesion and synapse plasticity of the neurons possibly by upregulating NF-κB expression to induce increased NCAM production.

Analysis of the trace elements in the hair of elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the association between the trace elements and senile dementia.Methods The trace elements including zinc,iron,copper,manganese,and lead elements and calcium in the hair of the elderly patients with Alzheimer' s disease(AD)admitted in our hospital from January,2006 to September,2008 were analyzed,and the results were compared with those from 46 control subjects.Results Zinc,calcium and manganese levels in the AD group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Lowered contents of the trace elements zinc,calcium and manganese might be associated with the pathology of AD.