Effects of heat-reinforcing acupuncture on urine metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis rabbits / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects of different acupuncture methods on urine metabolites in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits, and to explore the specificity mechanism of heat-reinforcing acupuncture for RA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 40 clean purple-blue rabbits were randomly allocated to a normal group, a model group, a mild reinforcing-reducing needling (MRRN) group, a twirling-reinforcing needling (TRN) group and a heat-reinforcing needling (HRN) group, 8 rabbits in each one. Except the normal group, the rabbits in the remaining groups were treated with ovalbumin and freezing to establish RA model. The rabbits in the MRRN group, TRN group and HRN group were treated with MRRN, TRN and HRN at "Zusanli" (ST 36), respectively, 30 min per treatment, once a day for seven days. After treatment, 24-h urine was collected. The rabbits were sacrificed to collect synovial tissues of knee to perform morphology observation; the liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS) was applied to measure urine metabolites. All the data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal group, the leucine-related metabolites, as main urine metabolites, were decreased in the model group (<0.05), while the purine-related metabolites and tryptophane-related metabolites were increased (<0.05). Compared with the model group, the leucine-related metabolites, as main urine metabolites, were increased in the three needling groups after treatment (<0.05), while the tryptophan-related metabolites andpurine-related metabolites were decreased (<0.05), moreover, the leucine-related metabolites in the HRN group were obviously higher than those in the MRRN group and TRN gruop (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MRRN, TRN and HRN can regulate the pathway of leucine metabolism (energy metabolism), purine metabolism (oxidative damage) and tryptophane metabolism (immune regulation) for RA, The specificity of HRN for RA focuses on regulation of leucine metabolism (energy metabolism).</p>

Effect of Heat Reinforcing Acupuncture Manipulation on Articular Synovium LDH, SDH and CCO in Rheumatoid Arthritis ;Rabbits / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the regulating effect of heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation on body energy metabolism enzymes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and preliminarily explain the mechanism of heat-producing action of heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation. Method Forty chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal, model, equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups. A model of cold syndrome-type RA was made by ovalbumin induction and exposure to low temperature in the other four groups not including the normal group. From two days after successful model making, the normal and model groups were grabbed and fastened (bound) by the same way as for the acupuncture groups, 30 min once daily. The equal reinforcement and reduction group received even reinforcing-reducing method;the twirling reinforcement group, twirling reinforcement method;the heat reinforcing group, heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation. The needle was manipulated for 1 min and retained for 30 min once daily, for a total of seven days. The RA rabbit knee joint circumference was measured and the inflammation score was recorded according to synovial histopathological sections before and after treatment. After the completion of intervention, the rabbits were sacrificed and the articular synovium was rapidly separated for frozen sections. Articular synovium lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome oxidase (CCO) activities were measured by histochemical staining. Result After acupuncture intervention, the RA rabbit knee joint circumference was shortened in all the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups, but the shortening effect on the RA rabbit knee joint circumference was better in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05);the inflammation score recorded according to the RA rabbit synovial histopathological sections was also decreased more in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Synovial LDH integral optical density, total positive area and area percentage were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05), and significantly lower in the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups than in the model group(P<0.05) and also in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Rabbit synovial SDH and CCO activities were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group (P<0.05). Rabbit synovial SDH and CCO integral optical density, total positive area and area percentage were significantly higher in the equal reinforcement and reduction, twirling reinforcement, and heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation groups than in the model group (P<0.05) and also in the heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation group than in the equal reinforcement and reduction and twirling reinforcement method groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation has a definite therapeutic effect on RA and can increase SDH and CCO activities to enhance aerobic metabolism and produce more local energy in a rabbit model of RA. That may be the mechanism by which heat reinforcing acupuncture manipulation produces heat.

Comparative study on the effects between manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture for hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke were randomized into a MA group (34 cases) and an EA group (34 cases). The routine western medication and bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian (MS 6) were adopted in the two groups. The needles were retained for 30 min. In the MA group, the even-needling technique was used for 3 times during the needle retaining, 1 min each time. In the EA group, on the basis of manual stimulation, EA therapy was added, with disperse-dense wave, 5 Hz/20 Hz. The treatment was given once every day, 6 treatments a week, totally for 2 weeks. US National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, the simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function (FMA) score and Barthel index (BI) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NIHSS score was reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both<0.01). The score in the EA group was lower than that in the MA group (<0.05). After treatment, FMA score and BI score were all increased apparently in the two groups (all<0.01) and the scores in the EA group were higher than those in the MA group (both<0.01). The total effective rate was 94.1% (32/34) in the EA group and was 85.3% (29/34) in the MA group. The efficacy in the EA group was better than that in the MA group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA acts on the rehabilitative effect on nerve defect function in the patients of hemiplegia after acute ischemic stroke. It improves limb motor function and the ability ofdaily life activity. The efficacy is better than that of MA.</p>

Immediate effects of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe differences of immediate effect of twirling reinforcing-reducing manipulation at head acupoints on muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 126 patients who met the inclusive criteria were randomly divided into a twirling reinforcing group, a mild reinforcing-reducing group and a twirling reducing group, 42 cases in each one. The lines between Baihui (GV 20) and bilateral Taiyang (EX-HN 5) were selected and treated with successive insertion of three needles. The twirling reinforcing method was used in the twirling reinforcing group, and mild reinforcing-reducing method was used in the mild reinforcing- reducing group, and twirling reducing method was used in the twirling reducing group. Each needle was manipulated for 1 min, which was repeated once every 10 min. The needles were retained for 30 min. Muscle force was evaluated immediately after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Muscle force of upper limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends were all improved significantly in three groups (all P < 0.05), which was more obvious in proximal end (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end in the twirling reinforcing group was superior to those in the mild reinforcing-reducing group and twirling reducing group (both P < 0.05); the differences of the muscle force of remote end were not significant among three groups (all P > 0.05). (2) Muscle force of lower limb: after acupuncture, the muscle force of proximal and remote ends was all improved significantly in the three groups (all P < 0.05). The improvement of the muscle force of proximal end was superior to that of remote end in the twirling reinforcing group and mild reinforcing-reducing group (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The twirling reinforcing manipulation at head acupoints is superior to mild reinforcing-reducing and twirling reducing manipulation for muscle force in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which is more significant in proximal end of limbs.</p>

Effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on Hemiplegia after Ischemic Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods 146 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into trial group (n=73) and control group (n=73). The trial group accepted Three-in-one Acupuncture, while the control group accepted rehabilitation, for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment. They were followed up for a year. Results The NDS decreased since 7 days after treatment in the trial group (P<0.05), while it decreased since 21 days in the control group (P<0.05). The NDS was less in the trial group than in the control group 7 and 14 days after treatment (P<0.05). The FCA score increased since 21 days after treatment in both groups, and the BI score increased since 14 days after treatment in both groups (P< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the trial group and the control group (P>0.05). The rate of improvement was 87.9% in the trial group, similar with 84.1% in the control group (P>0.05). The recurrence rate was 11.54% in the trial group, less than 25.49% in the control group in a year (P<0.05). Conclusion Three-in-one Acupuncture is as effective as rehabilitation on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, more quickly and with less recurrence.

Effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on Hemiplegia after Ischemic Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To observe the effects of Three-in-one Acupuncture on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke. Methods 146 patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into trial group (n=73) and control group (n=73). The trial group accepted Three-in-one Acupuncture, while the control group accepted rehabilitation, for 4 weeks. They were assessed with Neurological Deficit Score (NDS), Functional Comprehensive Assessment (FCA) and Barthel Index (BI) before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment. They were followed up for a year. Results The NDS decreased since 7 days after treatment in the trial group (P0.05). The rate of improvement was 87.9%in the trial group, similar with 84.1%in the control group (P>0.05). The recurrence rate was 11.54%in the trial group, less than 25.49%in the control group in a year (P<0.05). Conclusion Three-in-one Acupuncture is as effective as rehabilitation on hemiplegia after ischemic stroke, more quickly and with less recurrence.

Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) treated with moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With stratified block randomization, 72 patients accorded with inclusive criteria were divided into a moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) group (moxibustion group) and an acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, Gaohuang (BL 43) was treated with big moxa cones as the main acupoint, 10 cones a time; Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were added with big moxa cones, 7 cones a time. In the acupuncture group, acupoints were the same as those in the moxibustion group, and twirling reinforcing method was used after qi arriving, 60 times one minute and 360° with range. In the two groups, 10-day treatment was made into one course and there were two days between courses. The treatment was given once a day for 3 courses. Changes of fatigue assessment index (FAI) before and after treatment and clinical effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.9% (32/36) in the moxibustion group, which was better than 72.2% (26/36) in the acupuncture group apparently (P < 0.05). After treatment in the two groups, FAI scores were obviously declined compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01) and FAI score in the moxibustion group was apparently lower than that in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) can improve the FAI score of patients with CFS and the clinical efficacy is definite.</p>

Research Advance on Moxa Smoke / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

The purpose was to investigate the research achievements over the past two decades on moxa smoke produced in the process of moxibustion, in terms of its clinical studies, chemical compositions, safety assessment as well as the mild smoke or smoke-free moxibustion, for revealing the recent dynamic and developing orientation, and promoting its further application, succession and innovation.