Clinical observation on electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" on moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect between electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser in treatment of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.@*METHODS@#A total of 68 patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy were divided into an electroacupuncture group (34 cases) and an Erbium laser group (34 cases, 3 cases dropped off) according to the settings. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at "four points of sacral region", i.e. points of 0.5 cun beside bilateral sacrococcygeal joints and bilateral Huiyang (BL 35), with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 60 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week, 12 times as one course of treatment. In the Erbium laser group, transurethral Erbium laser technology was given, once every 4 weeks as one course of treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 courses. The scores of the International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire-short form (ICI-Q-SF) and the incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) were observed before treatment, after each course of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, respectively, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those before treatment, the ICI-Q-SF scores were decreased while the I-QOL scores were increased after 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1, 2 months of treatment completion in the two groups (P<0.01). The ICI-Q-SF score in follow-up after 2 months of treatment completion were higher than that after 5 courses of treatment in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05). After 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the ICI-Q-SF scores in the electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.05, P<0.01); after 2, 3, 4, 5 courses of treatment and in follow-up after 1 and 2 months of treatment completion, the I-QOL scores in the electroacupuncture group were higher than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01). The change ranges of ICI-Q-SF score and I-QOL score between before treatment and after each course of treatment in the electroacupuncture group were lager than those in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 61.8% (21/34) in the electroacupuncture group, which was superior to 19.4 (6/31) in the Erbium laser group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Both electroacupuncture at "four points of sacral region" and transurethral Erbium laser can improve the clinical symptoms and the quality of life in patients of moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. The short-term efficacy and long-term efficacy of electroacupuncture are superior to the Erbium laser technology.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture nerve stimulation therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture nerve stimulation therapy (ENST) for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).@*METHODS@#A total of 68 patients with IC/PBS were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with ENST; abdominal four acupoints and sacral four acupoints were connected with a pair of electrodes and treated alternately every other day. The ENST was given 50 min per times, three times a week for 3 months. The patients in the control group were treated with perfusion therapy of four-medication combination (heparin sodinm, lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate, gentamicin sulfate), twice a week for the first 6-8 weeks, followed by twice per month for 3 months. The infusion fluid remained for 1 h before discharging. The O' Leary-Sant score, including interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI) and interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI), 24 h urination frequency, visual analogue scale (VAS) and maximum bladder volume were observed before treatment and treatment of 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment respectively; the adverse events during the treatment were also recorded.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the O'Leary-Sant score (ICSI, ICPI), 24 h urination frequency, VAS and maximum bladder volume in the two groups were improved after 1, 3 months treatment and 6 months after treatment (all <0.05). The scores of ICSI, ICPI, VAS and 24 h urination frequency in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (<0.05). The maximum bladder volume in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (<0.05). Six months after treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 87.5% (28/32), which was higher than 69.7% (23/33) in the control group (<0.01). No significant adverse events occurred during the treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#ENST could effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of IC/PBS, but its long-term efficacy needs further observation.

Effects of Governor Vessel Electroacupuncture in Different Time Points on Motor Functions and p75 Neurotrophin Receptor after Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the effect of Governor Vessel electroacupuncture in different time points on motor function and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) after spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 180 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (one day, three days and seven days after modeling), and each group was divided into normal control group, normal electroacupuncture group, sham operation group, model group and Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group with 12 cases in each group. The spinal cord injury model was established with the modified Allen's method. The normal electroacupuncture group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmeng (DU04) acupoints. Basso-Beattic-Bresnahan (BBB) Scale was performed to assess the motor function of rats. The expression of p75NTR was detected with Western blotting. Results The BBB score of the model group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than that of the other three groups. The BBB score was significantly higher in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group seven days after intervention (t=-4.510, P<0.001). The expression of p75NTR was siginificantly lower in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of p75NTR increased after spinal cord injury. Governor Vessel electroacupuncture could improve the motor function, and inhibit the p75NTR expression of damaged spinal cord tissues.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Expression of Phosphodiesterase 4 and Subtypes in Hippocampus in Rats with Chronic Stress Depression / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the biological mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) for depression. Methods Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8). Depressive models were established with lonely raising and chronic unpredictable mild stress. They were tested with Open-field Test, and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)A and PDE4D in hippocampus was detected with RT-PCR. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.001), while it increased in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D decreased in the EA group (P<0.001). Conclusion Electroacupuncture may relieve depression through inhibiting the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D.

Research Progress of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Spinal Cord Injury (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Spinal cord injury is a kind of central nervous system diseases with high morbidity. Acupuncture and moxibustion has unique advantages in treating spinal cord injury and its complications including neurogenic bladder, neuropathic pain, intestinal disorders, and muscle spasms. This article reviewed the researches of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on spinal cord injury. It is presented to provide reference for clinical research.

[Advance in studies on anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory monomers of Tripterygium wilfordii].

Tripterygium wilfordii has complex chemical components. To study and summarize the advance in studies on the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities and toxicology of known monomers of T. wilfordii, the pertinent literatures related to the studies on the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of T. wilfordii over past 30 years were searched. According to the findings, more than ten anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory monomers were found in T. wilfordii. The pharmacology and toxicology of wilforidine, triptolidenol, triptonide, demethylzeylasteral shall be further studied.

Simultaneous determination of three coumarins in Angelica dahurica var. formosana by QAMS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS) method for simultaneous determination of three coumarins in Angelica dahurica var. formosana, by using one standard substance.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>With imperatorin as internal reference standard, and 2 relative correction factors (RCF) to imperatorin were calculated within certain ranges. Their contents in 20 batches of samples, collected from different areas, were determined by both external standard method and QAMS. The method was evaluated by comparison of the quantitative results between the two methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>No significant differences were found in the quantitative results of three coumarins in 20 batches of A. dahurica var. formosana determined by the two methods (RSD < 5%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QAMS is feasible and suitable for quality control of A. dahurica var. formosana.</p>