ABSTRACT
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).
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Acupuncture Therapy , Glucose , Insulin Resistance , Lipid Metabolism , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/therapy , Single PersonABSTRACT
Objective@#To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the pregnancy outcome and sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.@*METHODS@#We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang from inception till January 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) with the keywords male infertility, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, etc. Using the Cochrane risk bias tool, we evaluated the quality of the identified RCTs, and analyzed the primary outcomes, including pregnancy and live birth, and secondary outcomes, such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology.@*RESULTS@#Four RCTs with 321 subjects were included, of which none reported live birth and only one reported a pregnancy rate of 15% after treatment of 2 Hz TEAS. Neither 2 Hz (WMD: -3.01, 95% CI: -22.28 to 16.26) nor 100 Hz TEAS (WMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -5.29 to 5.56) had any significant effect on sperm concentration, while 100 Hz TEAS markedly improved the percentage of grade a sperm (WMD: 6.83, 95% CI: 2.10 to 11.57) compared with 2Hz TEAS (WMD: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.61). In comparison with the blank control, neither 2 Hz (WMD: 4.07, 95% CI: -5.15 to 13.29) nor 100 Hz TEAS (WMD: 6.59, 95% CI: -5.36 to 18.55) significantly affected the percentage of grade a + b sperm or total sperm motility.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The effect of TEAS on the pregnancy outcome is not yet clear. 100 Hz TEAS significantly improved the percentage of grade a sperm in idiopathic oligoasthenospermia patients, which, however, is to be further verified with more high-quality clinical studies.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Acupuncture Points , Pregnancy Rate , Sperm Count , Sperm MotilityABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the growth inhibition effect of Brucea javanica Fruit Oil Emulsion (BJFOE) on human ovarian caner SKOV3 cells and the transplanted tumor of SKOV3 nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Growth inhibition effects of different concentrations BJFOE alone or its combination with cisplatin on human ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 were measured using MTT method. The orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell lines was established in nude mice. Totally 32 ovarian cancer nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the blank control group (Group A), the BJFOE group (Group B), the BJFOE combined Cisplatin group (Group C), and the Cisplatin control group (Group D), 8 in each group. Mice in Group A were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (0.2 mL/ 20 g), once per two days. Mice in Group B were intraperitoneally injected with BJFOE (0.2 mL/20 g), once per two days. Mice in Group C were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) 0.2 mL on the first day, and intraperitoneally injected with BJFOE on the second day. Mice in Group D were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) 0.2 mL, once per two days. All mice were injected for six times, and sacrificed 48 h after the last injection. The lesion formation of the abdominal tumor tissue was observed. Tumor specimens were obtained to perform HE staining. Expression levels of MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5 were detected using Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inhibition of BJFOE was time-dose depend- ently correlated with its inhibition effect of SKOV3 cells. The inhibition effect of BJFOE in combination of cisplatin was significantly superior to that of using any of the two drugs alone. Western blot results showed expression levels of MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5 were up-regulated in Group B and Group D with statistical difference (P < 0.05). But they were down-regulated in Group C with statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intraperitoneal injecting BJFOE was feasible and effective for treating ovarian cancer. BJFOE also could inhibit the invasion and migration of tumor cells targeting at MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5. But its specific anti-tumor mechanism was not clearly probed.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic , Pharmacology , Brucea , Cell Line, Tumor , Cisplatin , Fruit , Mice, Nude , Neoplasm Transplantation , Ovarian Neoplasms , Plant Oils , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in ovarian granulose cells (GCs) cultured by excess androgen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ovarian GCs from porcine follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) or YZD was added in the GCs treated by excess testosterone propionate. Totally 48 h later mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Excess androgen inhibited mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR of GCs. FSH and YZD could antagonize inhibition of excess androgens, and promote mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in GCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YZD could antagonize the inhibition of excess androgen on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs. Thus, we inferred that YZD could improve the follicle dysplasia by promoting mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Androgens , Pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Follicle Stimulating Hormone , Pharmacology , Granulosa Cells , Cell Biology , Metabolism , Membrane Transport Proteins , Genetics , Metabolism , Ovarian Follicle , Cell Biology , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen , Genetics , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Receptors, FSH , Genetics , Metabolism , SwineABSTRACT
Acupuncture clinical trials are designed to provide reliable evidence of clinical efficacy, and SCI papers is one of the high-quality clinical efficacy of acupuncture research. To analyze these papers published in high impact factor journals on acupuncture clinical trials, we can study clinical trials from design to implementation, the efficacy of prevention and cure, combined with international standard practices to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture. That is the core of acupuncture clinical trials, as well as a prerequisite for outstanding academic output. A scientific and complete acupuncture clinical trial should be topically novel, designed innovative, logically clear, linguistically refining, and the most important point lies in a great discovery and solving the pragmatic problem. All of these are critical points of papers to be published in high impact factor journal, and directly affect international evaluation and promotion of acupuncture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Therapy , Clinical Trials as Topic , Journal Impact Factor , Research DesignABSTRACT
Scientific research output of clinical trials in Chinese medicine (CM) is insufficient, but international papers hold an important scientific position in China. Based on the current situation, we analyzed the present publication situation of international medical papers in our country, and the feasibility and urgency of publishing international papers on clinical trials of CM. Finally, we proposed to use the PDCA (plan-do-check-action) cycle method to improve the quality control and management of CM clinical trials. Moreover, by combining our experience in relevant scientific research launched at our department, we expounded strategies for improving the quantity and quality of international papers in CM.
Subject(s)
Bibliometrics , Clinical Trials as Topic , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce the modern advances of studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The recent years' literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders were reviewed from clinical studies and treatment mechanisms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, the nervous system and immune system of the organism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion has very good clinical effects on ovulation disorders, and it is a safe and effective adjuvant way for modern assisted reproductive technique.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Therapy , Moxibustion , OvulationABSTRACT
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most popular diseases that cause menstrual dysfunction and infertility in women. The present paper is a brief retrospection on the progress in treatment of PCOS caused infertility with integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM). It can be seen from these materials that using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipes formulated by Shen-replenishing herbs or acupuncture to reinforce Gan-Shen, regulate Chong-Ren Channels in treating PCOS, stable clinical efficacy could be obtained, with less adverse reaction, though the effect initiated somewhat late. Whereas, when Shen-replenishing recipe and acupuncture are combined with hormone or ovulation promoting drugs of Western medicine, the above-mentioned shortcomings would be overcome. So, this combined therapy is frequently used in clinical practice.