[Developing process and term analysis of WFAS standard: General Requirements for the Risk Control in the Safe Use of Acupuncture].

In order to promote the application of WFAS standard, General Requirements for the Risk Control in the Safe Use of Acupuncture and the safe practice of acupuncture technology worldwide, the paper introduces the developing process and main contents of this standard, explains the developing purpose, scope, ideas, methods and basis, and analyzes the definition of the relevant terms. Through strictly complied with the development procedure of standard, the terms related to acupuncture risk in this standard are defined. The connotations of 5 special terms are clarified, i.e. "acupuncture risks" "adverse events of acupuncture" "adverse reactions of acupuncture" "acupuncture accidents" and "acupuncture negligence". The range, rank, control flow and source of risk, as well as the control measures are determined. The standard extracts the underlying common problems and basic requirement of the safe practice of acupuncture so as to lay a framework for the development of the relevant technical standards of acupuncture.

Photoallosteric Polymersomes toward On-Demand Drug Delivery and Multimodal Cancer Immunotherapy.

Allosteric transitions can modulate the self-assembly and biological function of proteins. It remains, however, tremendously challenging to design synthetic allosteric polymeric assemblies with spatiotemporally switchable hierarchical structures and functionalities. Here, a photoallosteric polymersome is constructed that undergoes a rapid conformational transition from ß-sheet to α-helix upon exposure to near-infrared light irradiation. In addition to improving nanoparticle cell penetration and lysosome escape, photoinduced allosteric behavior reconstructs the vesicular membrane structure, which stimulates the release of hydrophilic cytolytic peptide melittin and hydrophobic kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Combining on-demand delivery of multiple therapeutics with phototherapy results in apoptosis and immunogenic death of tumor cells, remold the immune microenvironment and achieve an excellent synergistic anticancer efficacy in vivo without tumor recurrence and metastasis. Such a light-modulated allosteric transition in non-photosensitive polymers provides new insight into the development of smart nanomaterials for biosensing and drug delivery applications.

[ZHU Lian's medical practice mode and development orientation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Hospital].

In 1951, ZHU Lian set up Acupuncture Experimental Institute, the predecessor of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Hospital (AMH) of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Being the founder of AMH, ZHU Lian had paved a road to ensure the correct academic growth and hospital development of AMH because of her outstanding clinical medical thinking and achievements in acupuncture-moxibustion. ZHU Lian's medical practice mode is reviewed and analyzed from 5 aspects, i.e. emphasis on clinical practice, inheritance and development, medical capacity, research orientation and self-growth. Based on this medical practice mode, the development orientation of AMH has been explored.

[Moxa-stick moxibustion activates mast cells of small intestine tissue in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats. METHODS: Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control, joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups (n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion, the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group (P<0.05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats, some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control, joss-stick and moxa-stick groups were 9.2±3.6, 10.8±5.3 and 17.1±6.3, respectively, being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups (P<0.05). In addition, calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: Moxa-stick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats, suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.

[Strategy programming for acupuncture development along One-Belt-One-Road countries].

Acupuncture has been applied in 183 countries and regions and gradually become a name card as TCM spreads across the world. The international influence of which plays a significant role in enhancing TCM development. The laws and regulations of TCM acupuncture along One-Belt-One-Road countries were compared and analyzed in this article. With comprehensive research and analysis, the international development strategy of acupuncture was rationally proposed. Combined with the historical background of China's national initiative One-Belt-One-Road, the acupuncture was taken as a breakthrough to lead the global spreading of TCM culture and Chinese herbs, so as to enhance China's soft strength, which could further create a fine cultural environment for the economic prosperity of One-Belt-One-Road countries. In addition, the strategy selection for China regarding TCM acupuncture development along One-Belt-One-Road countries was proposed, and the suggestive solution and implementation strategy for the essential missions and significant issues were provided.

[Clinical study of fire acupuncture with centro-square needles for knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy difference between fire acupuncture with centro-square needles (FACSN) and filiform needling (FN) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned into an FACSN group and an FN group, 36 cases in each one. Ashi points, Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) were selected in the two groups. The FACSN group was treated with FACSN, and three acupoints were selected for each treatment; the FN group was treated with FN, and all the acupoints were selected for each treatment. The cupping treatment was given after acupuncture in the two groups. The treatment was given once every other day, without treatment on Sundays. The treatment was given three times a week, 6 times as one course; totally 2 courses were provided. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) were observed in the two groups before treatment, two weeks, four weeks into treatment and at one-month follow-up visit. In addition, the comprehensive efficacy was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the score of VAS and the total score of WOMAC were improved in the two groups at each time point after treatment (all P<0.01); the scores of VAS at each time point after treatment in FACSN group were lower than those in the FN group (all P<0.05); four weeks into treatment and at one-month follow-up visit, the total score of WOMAC in the FACSN group was lower than that in the FN group (both P<0.05). Two weeks into treatment, the total effective rate was 88.9% (32/36) in the FACSN group, which was higher than 61.1% (22/36) in the FN group (P<0.01); four weeks into treatment and at one-month follow-up visit, the cured and remarkable effective rates were 66.7% (24/36) and 83.3% (30/36) in the FACSN group, which were higher than 41.7% (15/36) and 44.4% (16/36) in the FN group (P<0.05, P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fire acupuncture with centro-square needles has relatively high cured and remarkable effective rate for KOA, with rapid onset; as for pain relief, the efficacy is superior to filiform needling.

[Explanation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Adult Bronchial Asthma].

The development and compilation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Adult Bronchial Asthma are introduced from three aspects, named the guideline methodology, the guideline structure and the guideline content. Based on the acupuncture-moxibustion practice and clinical research, the evidence-based medicine method is adopted. During the development and compilation of the guideline, the characteristics and advantages of acupuncture and moxibustion are specially considered in the treatment of this disease; the latest optimum evidences at home and abroad, experts' experience and patients' value are closely integrated with each other. Additionally, the worldwide accepted assessments of evidence quality and the recommendation (GRADE system) are combined with the clinical evidences of the ancient and modern famous acupuncture-moxibustion experts, and the clinical research evidences are with the experts' consensus to the large extent. The purpose of the guideline is to provide the maximal guidance to the clinical physicians.

[Interpretation of Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine of the version 2014].

Evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion:Migraine (Guideline) was updated in 2014 on the basis of the version 2011. In Guideline of the updated version, the evidence quality grade and GRADE were adopted for the evidence evaluation and recommendation grading in methodology, and the clinical feasibility was stressed. In text, the recognition of modern medicine was updated, the sta-ging treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion was emphasized, the inclusive articles were expanded and the important indexes of efficacy evaluation were increased and highlighted. The paper aims to provide the instruction for the application of Guideline of the version 2014.

[Impacts on physical and mental health of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with electroacupuncture:a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impacts on physical and mental health of the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with electroacupuncture (EA) or Diane 35. METHODS: Seventy-two patients of PCOS were randomized into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 36 cases in each group. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to relieving liver stagnation and regulating qi activity at Ganshu (BL 18), Danzhong (CV 17), Qimen (LR 14), Zhongwan (CV 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3). After qi arrival, the electric stimulation was added for 30 min. Acupuncture treatment was given 3 times a week. In the western medication group, Diane 35 was taken since the 5th day of menstruation and lasted for 21 days. The cycle of treatment was 3 months in the two groups. Before treatment and at the end of treatment, the symptom scores were evaluated and the self-report symptom inventory, symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) was used for the mental health evaluation and the comparison was made between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment in the same group, the symptom scores were reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01). After treatment, the symptom scores in the acupuncture group were reduced significantly as compared with those in the western medicationgroup (P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety and hostility were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the acupuncture group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility and phobic factor were lower significantly than those in the western medication group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA with relieving liver stagnation and regulating qi activity reduces the symptom scores of PCOS and SCL-90 scores, acting on regulating both physical and mental conditions. The effects achieved with acupuncture are better than those with Diane 35.

Comparison of Body, Auricular, and Abdominal Acupuncture Treatments for Insomnia Differentiated as Internal Harassment of Phlegm-Heat Syndrome: An Orthogonal Design.

Objective. To identify the optimum treatment protocol for insomnia among auricular, body, and abdominal needling methods. Methods. A three-factor (3 needling protocols) and three-level experimental scheme was designed based on orthogonal method. 54 patients of insomnia differentiated as internal harassment of phlegm-heat syndrome were given two courses of acupuncture treatment (each with 20 times of acupuncture). The therapeutic effects were evaluated by comparing the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores of patients before treatment, after one course of treatment, and after two courses of treatment as well as one month after treatment. Results. Body, auricular, and abdominal acupuncture treatments all alleviated symptoms of insomnia, depression, and anxiety, but body and auricular acupuncture had stronger therapeutic effects. Conclusions. Body acupuncture at basic points shall be given priority in protocol selection for insomnia. The second-best choice is auricular acupuncture with basic points combined with points based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories. Abdominal needling with very quick effect can be an alternative protocol with basic points combined with syndrome differentiation points.

[Clinical rules for acupoint selection and prescription composition in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze rules for acupoint selection and prescription composition in clinical literature regarding acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: CHKD, VIP and Wan-fang databases were retrieved. The clinical literature data included in the study was collected. The descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the main acupoints, main meridians of main acupoints, distribution of main acupoints, application of special points and rules for acupoint composition. RESULTS: Fifty-two articles were included, involving 55 main acupoints with a total frequency of 375. The most frequent acupoints of acupuncture for PCOS were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zhongji (CV 3) and Qihai (CV 6). The meridians of main acupoitns were conception vessel, spleen meridian of foot-taiyin and stomach meridian of foot-yangming. The main acupoints were distributed in the lower abdomen, lower limbs and back. In the special points, the use of front-mu points, five-shu points and back-shu points was more frequent. The prescription was usually consisted of 5 to 7 acupoints, (6. 9 ± 3. 6) acupoints in average. CONCLUSION: In the modern treatment of acupuncture for PCOS, Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zhongii (CV 3) and Qihai (CV 6) are most used. With the theories of meridian and zang-fu as essential references, the acupoint selection is based on disease differentiation and meridian circulation. Additionally, the methods for selecting the adjacent points and the distant points are adopted.

[Questionnaire investigation on cost-effectiveness analysis of acupuncture for migraine].

OBJECTIVE: By using questionnaire method to understand the evaluation regarding cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for migraine in both doctors and patients. METHODS: By using questionnaire method, questionnaires for doctors and patients were made respectively; by using network platform, two sets of questionnaires were publicly released, which were filled in online. The results were real-time background collected and then analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 696 effective questionnaires for patients and 114 questionnaires for doctors were collected. The results indicated that (1)the direct cost (including treatment fee and material fee) for preventive treatment of migraine was 109 yuan per time in regular acupuncture, 152 yuan per time in regular acupuncture + electroacupuncture (EA) and 238 yuan per time in acupoint catgut embedding. The travelling expense was 42 yuan per time within the city and 193 yuan per time between cities. The indirect cost included cost for loss of working time (208 yuan per time), cost for treatment time (acupoint catgut embedding: 10 to 30 min per time, once one to three weeks; the remaining two treatments: 20 to 50 min per time, once to 5 times every week), time cost for arriving and departing hospital (1 to 3 hours per time within the city and 4 hours per time between cities). From the angle of treatment course, acupoint catgut embedding reduced the treatment frequency, leading to a lower total cost. (2)A mong the reasons to select different acupuncture methods to treat migraine, the results of patient questionnaire indicated that the focus in the patients who selected acupoint catgut embedding was different from that in the patients who selected two other treatments. The main advantage of acupoint catgut embedding was superior and lasting efficacy with low cost. The results of doctor questionnaire indicated the main reason to select acupoint catgut embedding was "lasting efficacy after single treatment" (87. 5%) and "lower frequency of treatment" (75. 0%). (3) The main reason to obstruct the popularization of acupoint catgut embedding was this method was not widely known. CONCLUSION: The acupoint catgut embedding is one ideal preventive treatment for migraine, which has higher cost-effectiveness, however, currently it is not widely applied. In future advertisement and training program should be strengthened to perform targeted popularization of acupoint catgut embedding for migraine.

[Comparison of the therapeutic effect on skeletal fluorosis and impact on urine fluoride value among fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts on skeletal fluorosis pain, joint motor dysfunction and urine fluoride excretion in the treatment with fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3. METHODS: The randomized controlled trial was adopted. Ninety-five patients were randomized into a fire needle group (31 cases), an electroacupuncture group (33 cases) and a calcium carbonate D3 group (31 cases). In the fire needle group and the electroacupuncture group, Ashi points, Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10) points were selected and stimulated with fire needle and electroacupuncture separately, three times a week. In the calcium carbonate D3 group, calcium carbonate D3 tablets was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months in the electroacupuncture group and calcium carbonate D3 group and 1 month in the fire needle group. VAS score, the range of motion (ROM) and urine fluoride value were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups. RESULTS: After treatment, VAS value and ROM were improved significantly in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05), the difference was not significant in comparison of the three groups (all P > 0.05). After treatment, the urine fluoride value was increased significantly in the fire needle group [(7.89 +/- 3.61) mg/L vs (9.81 +/- 4.17) mg/L, P < 0.01] and was increased in the electroacupuncture group [(7.53 +/- 3.46) mg/L vs (8.97 +/- 4.21) mg/L, P < 0.05]. The difference was not significant in comparison before and after treatment in the calcium carbonate D3 group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3 all have the clinical value in the prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis and the difference in the therapeutic effect has not been discovered among them yet at present. But it has been found that the fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture display the active significance in the promotion of urine fluoride excretion.

Clinical curative effect of electric acupuncture on acute cerebral infarction: a randomized controlled multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether electric acupuncture can improve the daily life of patients with ischemic cerebral apoplexy at acute stage. METHODS: A stratified-block randomized controlled multicenter trial was designed for this study. Totally 340 patients with acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy were randomly divided into an electric acupuncture group and a control group. In the electric acupuncture group, 170 patients were treated with electric acupuncture and routine therapy, and 170 patients in the control group with routine therapy alone. Major indexes for judging curative effect were Barthel index at 3- and 6- months follow-up visits and number of re-hospitalized patients. Minor indexes for judging curative effect were change in the score for nervous dysfunction at 4 and 12 weeks follow-up visits and number of patients persisting in rehabilitation treatment with acupuncture during follow-up visit. RESULTS: Baseline data at the time of case selection between the two groups were similar. The odds ratio (OR) was 0.92, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.49-1.73 in disabled rate and 0.73 and 0.51-1.05 in the number of re-hospitalized patients in the electric acupuncture group at 6-month follow up visit compared with the control group. There was no difference in the score for nervous dysfunction at the end of 12-week follow-up visit between the two groups. The score for nervous dysfunction at the end of 4-week treatment in the electric acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The number of patients discharged from hospital who persisted in rehabilitation treatment with acupuncture in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Using electric acupuncture to treat patients with acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy can effectively improve the nervous dysfunction scores after 4-week treatment and their ability to deal with daily life after 6-month follow-up visit. Systematic treatment with acupuncture may also reduce the number of patients with secondary apoplexy.

[Efficacy comparison between electroacupuncture and dyne-35 in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in clinical efficacy on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) between electroacupuncture (EA) and dyne-35 and to explore the effect mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-five patients were randomized into an EA group (33 cases) and a western medication group (32 cases). In the EA group, the selected acupoints were Danzhong (CV 17), Qimen (LR 14), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3), etc. After the arrival of qi, electric stimulation was attached to the acupoints for 30 min. The treatment was given 3 times a week. In the western medication group, dyne-35 was prescribed on the 5th day of natural menstruation or withdrawal bleeding, one tablet a day, continuously for 21 days. The treatment cycle was 3 months in the two groups. The menstrual condition, body mass, body mass index (BMI), serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was assessed in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 90.6% (29/32) in the EA group and was 93.3% (28/30) in the western medication group. The efficacy was similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH and LH/FSH were all reduced significantly in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment, T level in serum was reduced apparently in the western medication group (P < 0.05). Before and after treatment, the differences in body mass and BMI in the EA group were more significant than those in the western medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA is the effective method for PCOS, similar to that of dyne-35. The effect of it for weight loss is superior to dyne-35 and no apparent adverse reactions happen. The effect mechanism of EA is related to the regulation of serum sexual hormone levels and their ratio, as well as to the regulation of body lipid metabolism.

[Optimized schemes for acupuncture treatment of migraine during attack].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA), auricular acupuncture and bloodletting therapies combined with orthogonal design for migraine patients, so as to select a better scheme for relieving headache. METHODS: total of 76 migraine patients in the stage of attack were recruited in the present study and randomly (stratified random and central random) allocated to 9 groups by means of orthogonal experimental design [L9 (3(4)), 4 factors (F) and three levels (L)] i.e., F1: ody-acupoints combination; F1-L1: regional acupoints [Sizhukong (TE 23), Shuaigu (GB 8), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc.] near the focus, F1-L2:regional +distal acupoints [Hegu (L 4), Taichong (LR 3), etc.] far from the focus, and F1-L3:regional + remote acupoints+ those selected according to syndrome differentiation [for instance, Ganshu (BL 18), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Qiuxu (GB 40) and Taixi (KI 3) for hyperactivity of Liver-yang, etc.]; F2: manual acupuncture or EA of body acupoints; F2-L1:no acupuncture stimulation, F2-L2:manual acupuncture stimulation, and F2-L3:manual + EA stimulation; F3: auricular acupuncture therapy; F3-L1:no acupuncture stimulation, F3-L2: otopoint-manual acupuncture (Shenmen, Jiaogan, etc.), and F3-L3:otopoint-EA; F4: bloodletting; F4-L1 : EX-HN 5 + Ashi point bloodletting, F4-L2:EX-HN5 bloodletting, and F4-L3: no bloodletting. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and analyzed by investigators who did not participate in the treatment course. RESULTS: Within 24 hours after the treatment, the four factors influencing headache relief from bigger to smaller are body-acupoints combination > manual acupuncture or EA stimulation > bloodletting > auricular acupuncture. Among the therapeutic schemes evaluated by orthogonal deduction, the analgesic effect was most stable in the manual acupuncture at regional + distal acupoints group which was recommended to be the ba-sic scheme for migraine. The auricular EA could effectively reduce VAS levels from 10 min to 30 min after stimulation, while bloodletting at Taiyang (EX-HN 5)+ Ashi points was effective in relieving migraine from 4 h to 24 h after the treatment, suggesting a long lasting post-therapeutic analgesic effect. CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture stimulation of the local + distal body acupoints combined with otopoint-EA and bloodletting at Taiyang (EX-HN 5) + Ashi points is the best option for relieving migraine during attack.

[Discussion on the complementation of different effects of acupuncture and Chinese drugs and clinical application].

Complementation of different effects of acupuncture and Chinese drugs generalizes not only the objective interrelations between acupuncture and Chinese drugs with varied actions when the two therapies are applied simultaneously but also the clinical therapeutic efficacy produced either by acupuncture or Chinese drugs singly. This view of complementation has been promoted on the basis of the understanding of the mechanism and efficacy of acupuncture and Chinese drugs as well as their interrelations concerning the different actions complementary most appropriately to one another in treatment of diseases. The presented view will be of theoretical value in working out the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture and Chinese drugs applied at the same time and help the clinical doctors understand further the properties of actions of acupuncture and Chinese drugs so as to strengthen more specifically the integration of acupuncture with Chinese drugs and improve the clinical therapeutic effect.

[Study on the impacts of different time of moxibustion on regulating lipid effects of hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of different time of moxibustion on its regulating lipid effects and safety of hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Seventy-six cases of hyperlipidemia patients were randomly divided into three groups: including moxibustion 10 min group (group A, 25 cases), moxibustion 20 min group (group B, 25 cases) and moxibustion 30 min group (group C, 26 cases). All of these three groups choose the same acupoints, Shenque (CV 8),Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected. These three groups were treated with moxibustion for 10 min, 20 min and 30 min, respectively, three times a week, 12 times constituted one course, two courses were required for each group. All indices of blood lipid and fasting blood glucose were observed before and after treatment, and the preliminary evaluation was made on the safety of hepatic and renal function. RESULTS: There were significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and blood sugar after moxibustion treatment (all P<0.001), there was no significant difference of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) before and after treatment (P>0.05). The group C played more prominent role than group A in regulating the TC (P<0.01) and LDL-C (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between group C and group B (P>0.05). The blood urea nitrogen(BUN) was significantly reduced after moxibustion treatment (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences of other safety indices before and after treatment (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can effectively and safely reduce the blood lipid level of hyperlipidemia patients, the decreasing degree of lipid is different with different time of moxibustion after treatment, and the decreasing degree in moxibustion 30 min group is significantly better than that in moxibustion 10 min group.

[Impacts on biomechanics of senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern treated with acupuncture and Tuina therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism on senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency pattern in the prevention and treatment with acupuncture and Tuina therapy. METHODS: Sixty-four cases were randomized into an acupuncture and Tuina therapy group (group A, 34 cases) and a calcium carbonate group (group B, 30 cases). In group A, the patients were treated with acupuncture at the distal acupoints and Tuina therapy in the local area. Acupuncture was applied to bilateral Weizhong (BL 40) and Taixi (KI 3). Tuina therapy was given in the lumbar region. Totally 30 treatments were required. In group B, the Calcium Carbonate D3 were prescribed for oral administration, continuously for 12 weeks. The changes in lumbar curvature, lumbar lordosis index, sacral inclination angle, lumbosacral angle, L5 vertebral index and L3 vertebral index of lumbar biomechanical indices were observed and compared before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS: In group A, the lumbar lordosis index and sacral inclination angle were increased after treatment, indicating the statistical significant differences before and after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The improvement of lumbar lordosis index in group A was superior to that in group B [(19.59 +/- 19.16)mm vs (14.47 +/- 13.28)mm, P < 0.05]. After treatment, in group B, L5 vertebral index was improved as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). It was required to have a study on the reasons of its lumbar morphological change. CONCLUSION: The acupuncture and Tuina therapy regulate the lumbar biomechanical structure through the positive stress stimulation and reconstruct the mechanical equilibrium of the lumbar vertebra. It plays the active significance in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

[Drinking-water type fluorosis treated with acupuncture of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of acupuncture of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen on the excretion of urinary fluoride and pain of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis. METHODS: The randomized controlled and single-blind trial was adopted. Seventy-two cases were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 36 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. , three treatments a week. In the control group, the Calcium Carbonate D3 tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months. The changes of the content of urinary fluoride and pain score (by VAS) before and after treatment between two groups were compared. RESULTS: The urinary fluoride excretion was increased obviously after treatment in the observation group (P < 0.01), which was superior apparently to that in the control group [(11.06 +/- 4.54) mg/L vs. (8.30 +/- 4.14) mg/L, P < 0.05]. After treatment, VAS score was reduced significantly in either group (both P < 0.01). The result in the observation group was lower remarkably than that in the control group (1.93 +/- 1.30 vs. 3.47 +/- 2.29, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture achieves the significant efficacy on the promotion of urinary fluoride excretion and pain relieving of the patients with drinking-water type fluorosis in light of reinforcing kidney and activating spleen, which is superior to the oral administration of the calcium carbonate D3 tablets.