Amplitude Changes of Low Frequency Fluctuation in Brain Spontaneous Nervous Activities Induced by Needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.</p>

Clinical observation on repair of lymphocyte injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy treated by regulating spleen-stomach needling / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore therapeutic effect and action mechanism of regulating spleen-stomach needling on diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using multi-centric, randomized, controlled and blind principles, 144 cases of DN were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random digital tab, 72 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment of diabetes, the regulating spleen-stomach needling was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Xuehai (SP 10), etc. in the observation group while Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected in the control group by reference of Acupuncture and moxibustion. The treatment was given twice a day, six days as a treatment session with interval of one day between sessions. Totally six weeks were required. Changes of clinical symptoms and signs, fast blood glucose (FBG), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), lymphocyte membrane cholesterol, propanediol (MDA), PCO, 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were observed before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As for improving clinical symptoms and signs, total effective rate was 84.29% (59/70) in the observation group and 55.56% (40/72) in the control group, which had statistical difference between two groups (P<0.01). As for regulating glycometabolism [(6.25 +/- 0.32) mmol/L vs (8.09 +/- 0.63) mmol/L], reducing UAER [(154.43 +/- 55.14) mg/24h vs (268.91 +/- 77.65) mg/24h], restraining over-expression of MCP-1 [(137.59 +/- 36.15) pg/mL vs (166.89 +/- 42.82) pg/mL], regulating level of oxidative stress, prohibiting oxidation of protein and adjusting quantity and activity of T lymphocyte subgroup, the observation group was superior to the control group (P< 0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The regulating spleen-stomach needling is an effective method for treatment of DN, which cold improve glycometabolism disturbance-induced progressive kidney injury, recover glomerular filtration, reduce urinary albumin excretion rate, restrain overexpression of MCP-1, adjust level of oxidative stress, prohibit oxidation of protein, increase protectiveness of membrane, adjust quantity and activity abnormity of T lymphocyte subgroup, leading to repairing lymphocyte damage and improving immune expression to delay kidney damage.</p>

Randomized controlled study on dysphagia after stroke treated with deep insertion of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect of dysphagia after stroke treated with different depth of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundreds and eighty-three cases of dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group (99 cases), Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (94 cases) and traditional acupuncture group (90 cases) based on multi-central randomized control and blinding methods. Besides routine therapy, Chonggu (EX-HN 27) and Lianquan (CV 23) were selected in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group; the needles were inserted for 60-75 mm and 30 mm respectively and the electroacupuncture was applied in both groups; in traditional acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12) and Lianquan (CV 23), etc. were selected. The needles were retained for 30 min, twice a day and 30 treatments totally in 3 groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated by Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 97.0% (96/99) in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group, superior to that of 64.9% (61/94) in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and 70.0% (63/90) in traditional acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). Compared with the scores before and after treatment, significant differences were presented statistically in score reduction of TCM Scale in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (P < 0.01); the scores of Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke were obviously reduced in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and traditional acupuncture group (all P < 0.01); compared with the scores between groups after treatment, the reduction of scores in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group was superior to those in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and traditional acupuncture group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Puncture at Chonggu (EX-HN 27) can improve the dysfunction of swallowing after stroke; it is safe and effective, and the needle should be inserted deeply.</p>

Research on the clinical significance of theory of the ebb and flow of qi-blood in the twelve meridians / 中国针灸

The sequence of the circulations of the twelve meridians does not follow on the permutation of the yin and yang meridians,whereas it is based on the law of qi-blood circulation. The relative strength of circulation between yin and yang, the ebb and flow of qi-blood goes around and around as cycles. Yin, yang and qi-blood gather in the meridians of the Taiyin and the Yangming, mutually converting in maximum, passing the meridians of the Shaoyin and the Taiyang, and then reaching the meridians of the Jueyin and the Shaoyang in minimum. It reflects not only the running course of the meridians, the sequential and reverse transmission, but also reflects the mutual supporting of yin-yang, and waxing and waning of yin-yang, the relative equilibrium of qi-blood, the transformation of excess and deficiency of disease. Therefore, the clear inspection of the law of qi-blood circulations of the twelve meridians, which is based on the therapy, is the precondition of the comprehensive significance of the sequence.

Randomized controlled study on effects of the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (CDM) and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using multi-central, randomized, controlled and blind methods, 120 cases of CDM were divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. They were treated by routine therapy for diabetes mellitus, and in the observation group, acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fenglong (ST 40). Diji (SP 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. were added with the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach; while in the control group, acupuncture was given at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given twice a day in the two groups. Clinical therapeutic effects were assessed according to clinical symptoms and signs, frequency and lasting time of angina pectoris, quantity of taking Glycerol Trinitrate, blood sugar, blood lipids, urinary albumin excretion rate, urinary beta2-microglobulin, urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), ECG, heart color Doppler, etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach not only could improve the symptoms and signs of the patient, but also could improve the degree of ST segment moving down and the function of left artrium relaxation, and had benign regulative effect on glycometabolism, lipids metabolism and urinary albumin level, with significant differences as compared with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The markedly effective rate for improvement of ECG was 50.00% in the observation group and 13.79% in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach can improve the damage of heart and blood vessels induced by abnormal sugar and lipids, decrease the level of urinary protein, inhibit MCP-1 excessive expression, relieve myocardial load and raise cardiac output in the patient of coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p>

Multi-central randomized controlled trials of electroacupunture at Zhigou (TE 6) for treatment of constipation induced by stagnation or deficiency of qi / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zhigou (TE 6) on constipation induced by stagnation or deficiency of qi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-central randomized controlled trials were adopted and the patients conforming to the criteria for diagnosis, enrolling and excluding were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random number table. The observation group were treated with EA at Zhigou (TE 6) and the control group with EA at non-acupoint for 4 weeks. The cumulative score of clinical symptoms, colon transmission test and various safety indexes were assessed. The following-up was carried out 1 and 3 months after the end of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EA at Zhigou (TE 6) could obviously improve clinical symptoms and colon transmission time, decrease using rate of Kaisailu and cathartics, with an effective rate of 94.4%, which was better than 61.3% in the control group (P < 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at Zhigou (TE 6) has a function of regulating qi and relaxing the bowels and it is an effective method for treatment of constipation with safety and no adverse effect.</p>