Effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 on the cerebral metabolic kinetics of rheumatoid arthritis rats.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to enhance the recovery of symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Both the pathogenesis of RA and the therapeutic effects of EA are closely associated with the metabolic activity of the brain. In this study, we investigated the effect of EA at the "Zusanli" acupoint (ST36) on a rat model of collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA). The results demonstrated that EA effectively alleviated joint swelling, synovial hyperplasia, cartilage erosion, and bone destruction in CIA rats. Additionally, the metabolic kinetics study revealed a significant increase in the 13C enrichment of GABA2 and Glu4 in the midbrain of CIA rats treated with EA. Correlation network analysis showed that changes in Gln4 levels in the hippocampus were strongly associated with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Immunofluorescence staining of c-Fos in the midbrain's periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and hippocampus demonstrated increased c-Fos expression in these regions following EA treatment. These findings suggest that GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons in the midbrain, along with astrocytes in the hippocampus, may play vital roles in the beneficial effects of EA on RA. Furthermore, the PAG and hippocampus brain regions hold potential as critical targets for future RA treatments. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the specific mechanism of EA in treating RA by elucidating the perspective of cerebral metabolism.

Nuclear Factor kB and Inhibitor of kB: Acupuncture Protection Against Acute Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rodents.

Context • Acute, focal, cerebral ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acupuncture is an emerging alternative therapy for treatment of acute brain ischemia. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture has not been elucidated. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cell inhibitor alpha (IκB-α) are involved in cerebral inflammation. However, the involvement of NF-κB and IκB-α in the protective effects of acupuncture on ischemic tolerance remains unknown. Objective • The study evaluated the hypothesis that acupuncture can exert a neuroprotective action in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Design • The rats were randomly divided into a normal group (N), a sham model group (SM), an MCAO model group (M), a sham acupuncture group (SA), and an acupuncture group (A). Setting • All of processes of this study were conducted at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine (Hubei Shang, China). Animals • The animals were 100 Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 mo. Intervention • Craniotomy and electrocoagulation of the middle cerebral artery were conducted to generate acute, focal, cerebral ischemic models in 3 groups, excluding the N and SM groups. The SM group received a surgical fenestration similar to the M group, but the procedure did not include the coagulation of the exposed artery. In the A group, acupuncture was administered at the acupoints Baihui (GV-20) and Renzhong (GV-26). In the SA group, sham acupuncture was performed at a depth of 5 mm at a position close to the left side of the GV-20 and GV-26 points. The N, M, and SM groups received neither the acupuncture nor the sham acupuncture treatment. Outcome Measures • The study (1) evaluated neurological function using the modified neurological severity score; (2) examined the ultrastructure; (3) assessed the infarct volume; (4) determined levels of serum inflammatory cytokines; and (5) measured protein expression in the hippocampus 24 h after MCAO using a Western blot analysis. Results • Acupuncture significantly decreased infarct size and improved neurological function. The levels of the target protein NF-κB and of serum inflammatory cytokines significantly decreased in group A compared with those in groups M and SM. The IκB-α level was generally higher in group A than in groups M and SM. Conclusions • Acupuncture can significantly enhance the expression of IκB-α, which is the inhibitory protein of NF-κB, and it can inhibit the expression of various inflammatory cytokines induced by NF-κB, thereby alleviating acute, focal, cerebral ischemic injury.

[Influence of electroacupuncture with penetration needling method on comprehensive pain score in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy differences among electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and to explore the best therapeutic method. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with CSR were randomly divided into 3 groups. Sixty patients in electroacupuncture with penetration needling method group (group A) were treated by electroacupuncture with penetration needling method, and C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, Jianwaishu (SI 14)-to-Quyuan (SI 13), Tianzong (SI 11)-to-Naoshu (SI 10), Shousanli (LI 10)-to-Xialian (LI 8) were selected, once a day. Sixty patients in Jiaji electroacupuncture group (group B) were treated by Jiaji electroacupuncture at C4 Jiaji-to-C7 Jiaji, once a day. Fourty patients in Jing fukang granule group (group C) were treated by oral administration of Jing fukang granule, 1 bag each time, twice each day. Six days as a course, the 3 groups were all treated for two courses. The simplified MPQ (SF-MPQ) scale which was internationally accepted was adopt to evaluate the improving situations in pain. RESULTS: After treatment, pain rating idex (PRI), visual analogue scale (VAS), present pain intensity (PPI) and the total pain score were significantly improved in the group A and B compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.01), which was also improved in the group C (all P < 0.05). Compared with the group C, all the scores were significantly improved in the group A (all P < 0.01), the improvement of PRI, VAS, PPI and total pain score in the group B was superior to those in the group C (all P < 0.05), and all the improvements in the group A were superior to those in the group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture with penetration needling method can relive pain rapaidly in patients with CSR, which is superior to Jiaji electroacupuncture and Jing fukang granule in improving the comprehensive pain scores.