Impact of Low Frequency Electro-acupuncture on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Unmarried PCOS Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on glucose and lipid metabolism in unmarried patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).@*METHODS@#Fifty-four PCOS patients were equally randomized into true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group (control) for totally 16 weeks of treatment by random method with a computerized randomization program. Patients in true acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with EA and two sets of acupoint groups were used alternatively. The first set consisted of Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guilai (ST 29), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Hegu (LI4) and Baihui (GV 20), and the second set consisted of Tianshu (ST 25), ST 29, CV 3, CV 6, SP 6, Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC) 6 and GV 20. Patients in the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods through EA without electricity at 4 non-meridian points in each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin release test, glucose and lipid metabolism indicators such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, resistin, and interleukin (IL-6).@*RESULTS@#Twenty-six subjects in the true acupuncture group and 20 subjects in the sham group completed the clinical trial. After 16 weeks of treatment, no significant difference in the outcome measures were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). However, as compared with baseline data, a reduction in weight, BMI, hipline, WHR, fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity, visfatin and HDL-C, and an increase in resistin and IL-6 were observed in the true acupuncture group (P<0.05). In addition, a reduction in visfatin and an increase in TC were also observed in the sham group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of PCOS by improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Moreover, the sham acupuncture may be not completely ineffective. Sham acupuncture may improve some of the aspects of the glucose and lipid metabolism of PCOS patients through a placebo effect. (Registration Nos. ChiCTR-TRC-12002529 and NCT01812161).

Acupuncture for infertility: is it an effective therapy? / 中国结合医学杂志

Acupuncture has been used to treat infertility extensively, including ovulatory dysfunction, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and male infertility. This review summarizes the recent studies which investigated the role of acupuncture in infertility. In conclusion, most of the existing studies suggest a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility treatment. Firstly, acupuncture may improve ovulation by modulating the central and peripheral nervous systems, the neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, the ovarian blood flow, and metabolism. Secondly, acupuncture can improve the outcome of IVF-ET, and the mechanisms may be related to the increased uterine blood flow, inhibited uterine motility, and the anesis of depression, anxiety and stress. Its effect on modulating immune function also suggests helpfulness in improving the outcome of IVF-ET. Finally, the studies suggest that acupuncture plays a positive role in male infertility, the mechanism of which is not yet clear. Even though a positive effect of acupuncture in infertility has been found, well-designed multi-center, prospective randomized controlled studies are still needed to provide more reliable and valid scientific evidence. Furthermore, it is urgent and necessary to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture for infertility.

Effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe on protein kinase Balpha expression in polycystic ovary rats with insulin resistance / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (, BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of protein kinase B alpha (PKB alpha) in hepatic, adipose, muscular, and ovarian tissues of polycystic ovary (PCO) rats with insulin resistance (IR) and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of BSTMR in treating IR and ovulation dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Female 22-day-old SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (9 mg.100g(-1).d(-1)) for 20 days and fed with high-fat diet for 80 days to induce PCO rats with IR. Then, the PCO rats were randomly divided into the model group (n=23) and the treated group (n=21). The treated group was administered with BSTMR for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, a group with 15 rats of the same age was used as the control group. The histological changes in the ovaries were examined. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined by the glucose oxidase method. Serum fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA level of PKBalpha was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis were employed to detect the protein expression in target tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the ovaries in the model group showed multiple follicular cysts, levels of FBG and Fins in the model group increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively), and the insulin sensitive index (ISI) decreased obviously (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues in the model group were dramatically lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the stratum granulosum of the ovarian follicle in the treated group increased markedly, the level of Fins in the treated group decreased obviously (P<0.01), ISI in the treated group improved markedly (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of the treated rats were elevated significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BSTMR could improve IR and ovulation dysfunction in PCO rats with IR, and its molecular mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of PCO rats with IR.</p>

Effect of bushen tongmai recipe on insulin resistance and ovulation dysfunction in PCOS rats accompanied with insulin resistance / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome accompanied with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR), and to observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (BSTMR) on insulin resistance and ovulation dysfunction in the model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sodium prasterone sulfate at the daily dose of 9 mg/100 g was subcutaneously injected to female SD rats, 23-day old, for 20 days, and fed with high-fat forage for 80 days to establish the rat model of PCOS-IR. The model rats were randomized into the model group and the treated group administered with BSTMR. Besides, a group consisted of 15 healthy rats was set up as a normal control. Ovarian histological changes and ovulation condition in rats were examined with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined by glucose oxidase method; serum levels of fasting insulin (FINS), serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotrophic hormone (LH) were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the mean number of corpus luteum, ovulation rate, FSH level and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were lower significantly (P <0.01), and levels of FBG, FINS, T, E2 and LH were higher (P<0.05, P <0.01). Compared with the model group, in the treated group, the mean number of corpus luteum, ovulation rate, levels of FSH and ISI were higher, and levels of FINS, T and E, were lower (all P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rat model of PCOS-IR could be established by sodium prasterone sulfate and high-fat forage, and the insulin resistance and ovulation dysfunction in the model rats could be improved by BSTMR.</p>

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on endometrial P21 expression of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on endometrial P21 and PCNA expression of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The expression of P21 protein was analyzed by means of immunoblot and immunohistochemical method. The expression of PCNA protein was analyzed by means of immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The expression and disappearance of P21 and PCNA protein in endometrium of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice lagged behind in a temporal and cell specific manner. Bushenyiqihexue recipe could improve the expression of P21 and PCNA protein in a temporal and cell specific manner, and then improve the decidual reaction of endometrium of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Improving the expression of P21 and PCNA protein in endometrium and eventually regulating endometrium decidual reaction is one of the mechanisms of improved embryo implantaion by Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe.</p>

Effects of bushen tongmai recipe on insulin signaling in insulin resistant rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Bushen Tongmai recipe (BSTMR) on the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor (InsR) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) after insulin stimulation in muscle and fat tissues of insulin resistant (IR) rats induced by high-fat forage.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (normal forage), model group (high fat forage, in which 61% calories were supplied by fat) and treated group (same forage as model group and treated with BSTMR). All animals were fed for 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood glucose (BG) levels 1- and 2-hrs after glucose loading were determined routinely, serum fasting insulin (Ins) was determined with radioimmunoassay (RIA) and tyrosine phosphorylation level of InsR and IRS-1 in fatty and muscular tissues was measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, FBG in the treated group changed insignificantly, but level of Fins decreased markedly (P < 0.01), so the insulin sensitivity index was significantly elevated in the treated group (P < 0.01), levels of BG 1- and 2-hrs after glucose loading in the treated group were greatly improved in comparison with those in the model group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). Meanwhile, the density of electrophoresis bands of tyrosine phosphorylated InsR and IRS-1 proteins in muscular and fatty tissues in the treated group increased obviously.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BSTMR could attenuate the insulin resistance in rats, its pharmaceutical mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of the tyrosine phosphorylation levels of InsR and IRS-1 in muscular and fatty tissues after insulin stimulation, and improvement of insulin signal transduction in target tissues.</p>