[Manual acupuncture versus electroacupuncture for menopausal syndrome:a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effects and safety on menopausal symptoms between manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA). METHODS: Fifty patients were randomized into an MA group (25 cases) and an EA group (25 cases). In the MA group, the regular needling technique and pseudo-EA were used at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Tianshu (ST 25) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). In the EA group, the acupoints were the same as the MA group and stimulated with EA and pseudo-MA (no manipulation applied in treatment), with disperse-dense wave, 10 Hz/50 Hz, 0.5 to 1.0 mA. In the two groups, the needles were retained for 30 min. The treatment was given once every two days, three times a week, totally for 8 consecutive weeks. The results of the menopause rating scale (MRS), the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL), the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) as well as adverse reactions were evaluated before treatment, in 4 and 8 weeks of treatment separately. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, the scores of MRS, MENQOL, SAS and SDS were all reduced in the 4 and 8 weeks of treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05). The results in 8 weeks of treatment were lower than those in 4 weeks of treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05). The differen-ces were not significant statistically between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the levels of FSH and LH reduced and E2 increased after treatment in the two groups, without significant differences (all P>0.05). The differences were not significant statistically between the two groups (all P>0.05). The severe adverse reactions were not found in the treatment of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety in menopausal syndrome,improve the living quality and do not induce apparent changes in serological sex hormones in the patients.

The Effects of Modified Simiao Decoction in the Treatment of Gouty Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The modified Simiao decoctions (MSD) have been wildly applied in the treatment of gouty arthritis in China. However, the evidence needs to be evaluated by a systematic review and meta-analysis. After filtering, twenty-four randomised, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of MSD and anti-inflammation medications and/or urate-lowering therapies in patients with gouty arthritis were included. In comparison with anti-inflammation medications, urate-lowering therapies, or coadministration of anti-inflammation medications and urate-lowering therapies, MSD monotherapy significantly lowered serum uric acid (p < 0.00001, mean difference = -90.62, and 95% CI [-128.38, -52.86]; p < 0.00001, mean difference = -91.43, and 95% CI [-122.38, -60.49]; p = 0.02, mean difference = -40.30, and 95% CI [-74.24, -6.36], resp.). Compared with anti-inflammation medications and/or urate-lowering therapies, MSD monotherapy significantly decreased ESR (p < 0.00001; mean difference = -8.11; 95% CI [-12.53, -3.69]) and CRP (p = 0.03; mean difference = -3.21; 95% CI [-6.07, -0.36]). Additionally, the adverse effects (AEs) of MSD were fewer (p < 0.00001; OR = 0.08; 95% CI [0.05, 0.16]). MSD are effective in the treatment of gouty arthritis through anti-inflammation and lowering urate. However, the efficacy of MSD should be estimated with more RCTs.

Effects of Wutou Decoction on DNA Methylation and Histone Modifications in Rats with Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Background. Wutou decoction (WTD) has been wildly applied in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and experimental arthritis in rats for many years. Epigenetic deregulation is associated with the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis; however, the effects of WTD on epigenetic changes are unclear. This study is set to explore the effects of WTD on DNA methylation and histone modifications in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Methods. The CIA model was established by the stimulation of collagen and adjuvant. The knee synovium was stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and methylated CpG binding domain 2 (MBD2) expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined by Real-Time PCR. The global DNA histone H3-K4/H3-K27 methylation and total histones H3 and H4 acetylation of PBMCs were detected. Results. Our data demonstrated that the DNMT1 mRNA expression was significantly lowered in group WTD compared to that in group CIA (P < 0.05). The DNA methylation level was significantly reduced in group WTD compared to that in group CIA (P < 0.05). Moreover, H3 acetylation of PBMCs was overexpressed in WTD compared with CIA (P < 0.05). Conclusions. WTD may modulate DNA methylation and histone modifications, functioning as anti-inflammatory potential.

A Systematic and Narrative Review of Acupuncture Point Application Therapies in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma during Dog Days.

Acupuncture point application therapies, including San-Fu-Tie and San-Fu-Jiu, have been widely employed to treat diseases with attacks in winter during dog days in China. The therapies combine Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture points with the nature. However, the previous studies were reported to be unsystematic and incomplete. To develop a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of acupuncture point application therapies on allergic rhinitis and asthma, a systematic review of the literature up to 2015 was conducted. After filtering, eighteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1,785 subjects were included. This systematic and narrative review shows that acupuncture point application therapies have been extensively applied in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma with advantages of favorable treatment effect, convenient operation, receiving patients' good acceptability and compliance, and few side effects. Meanwhile, the study elaborated the operating process of San-Fu-Tie and San-Fu-Jiu in detail. The review may provide a reference for clinical application in future. However, the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of San-Fu-Tie and San-Fu-Jiu in treating the above diseases need to be validated by more well-designed and fully powered RCTs in a larger population of patients.