Alternative splicing analysis showed the splicing factor polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 as a potential target in acute myeloid leukemia therapy.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a universal post-transcriptional regulation process in cells, and increasing evidences have validated its crucial role in tumors. We collected AS event, gene expression, and clinical data of 178 AML patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. More than 1,000 AS events were found associated with overall survival (OS), and alternate promoter (AP) events were the most significant. The expression of the KIAA0930 transcript was the most significantly different AS event selected from AP events and significantly correlated with the expression of the splicing factor (SF) polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1). Then, the roles of PTBP1 on AS of the KIAA0930 and the proliferation of AML cells were confirmed. KIAA0930 variant 1 (KIAA0930-1) was upregulated and variant 2 (KIAA0930-2) downregulated with knockdown PTBP1 expression of AML cells by specific shRNA. A low level of PTBP1 can decrease the proliferation ability of AML cells. In conclusion, the results showed that PTBP1 might be a potential target for AML therapy.

Advance in Exercise and Related Mechanisms for Parkinson's Disease (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Parkinson's disease is a common degenerative disease of central nervous system. Exercise for Parkinson's disease includes Taiji Quan, treadmill, dance and balance training, etc. Taiji Quan exercise is mainly for balance function, and treadmill training for gait obstacles. Dance can improve not only balance and gait, but also cognition and emotion. The possible molecular mechanism may involve to adjust the content of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostatin, increase the content of non-dopaminergic transmitters, increase brain-derived neurotrophic factors, promote the plasticity of nerve cells, reduce oxidative stress, enhance mitochondrial activity, and activate the immune system, etc., to slow the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Quantitative determination of nine furanocoumarins for quality evaluation of Angelica dahurica from different habitats / 中国中药杂志

A UPLC method has been developed for simultaneous determination of nine furanocoumarins of Angelica dahurics,and was used for quality evaluation of A. dahurica from different habitats. ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 chromatographic column was employed,the separation was performed with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water,and the detection wavelength was set at254 nm. This method was used to simultaneously determine the content of xanthotoxol,oxypeucedaninhydrate,byak-angelicin,psoralen,xanthotoxin,bergapten,oxypeucedanin,imperatorin and isoimperatorin in A. dahurica from different habitats. Then,the further quality assessment of the drug was carried out by similarity evaluation,cluster analysis( CA),principal component analysis( PCA),and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis( OPLS-DA). The content order of measured furanocoumarins from high to low was: oxypeucedanin>imperatorin>isoimperatorin>oxypeucedaninhydrate>bergapten>byak-angelicin>xanthotoxin>xanthotoxol>psoralen,with the mean content 2. 844,1. 277,0. 649 2,0. 216 2,0. 129 8,0. 062 68,0. 052 68,0. 019 30,0. 018 19 mg·g-1,respectively. There were difference between the batches of the drug,and the quality was influenced by smouldering sulphur based on the results of chemical pattern recognition and content determination. Finally,six active ingredients were recognized as the quality makers using OPLS-DA method. The validated UPLC fingerprint combined with chemical pattern recognition method can be used in the quality control and evaluation of A. dahurica.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Blood-brain Barrier in SAMP8 Mice / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on blood-brain barrier to promote intake of drugs into brain of SAMP8 mice. Methods:The male SAMP8 mice (30-week-old) were randomly divided into model group (n = 7), drug group (n = 7), acupuncture group (n = 7) and combined group (n = 7). Other SAMR1 mice were as control group (n = 7). The acupuncture group and the combined group accepted electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Yintang (EX-HN3), the drug group and the combined group accepted Donepezil, for four weeks. They were observed hippocampus tight junction (TJ) under transmission electron microscope. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in hippocampus were detected with immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of ZO-1, Claudin-5 and Occludin was detected with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results:TJ and basement membrane in the control group, the acupuncture group and the combined group were better than those in the model group and the drug group. AChE was the most in the combined group, and then the drug group and the control group, the acupuncture group and the model group (P < 0.001). The expression of mRNA of ZO-1, Claudin-5 and Occludin was more in the acupuncture group and the combined group than in the drug group (P < 0.01). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture could ameliorate blood-brain barrier disruption and promote drug to enter the brain in SAMP8 mice, which may relate to the adjustion of ZO-1, Claudin-5 and Occludin.

Combined Effects of Electroacupuncture and Behavioral Training on Learning-Memory Ability and Event-Related Potential P300 in Rats with Mid/Advanced Cerebral Infarction / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>The effectiveness of the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) and behavioral training (BT) for mid/advanced cerebral infarction (M/ACI) and related mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects on the learning-memory ability and event-related potential P300 in rats with M/ACI.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Eighty rats with M/ACI were divided into Group Model (M), Group EA, Group BT, and Group EA-BT (n = 20) according to the random number with five healthy rats in Group Control (CON). On the 6 week after modeling, EA, BT, and EA-BT were given to Group EA, Group BT, and Group EA-BT, respectively, whereas Group M and Group CON were not given any intervention. Y-maze test and P300 were recorded before and after the intervention.</p><p><b>Results</b>After intervention, the P300 latency was lower and the amplitude was higher in the Group EA-BT, Group EA, and Group BT than before (for latency, t = -7.638, -4.334, and -5.916; for amplitude, t = 8.125, 3.846, and 5.238; P < 0.01), with Group EA-BT superior to Group EA (for latency, t = -3.708; for amplitude, t = 3.653; P < 0.01) and Group BT (for latency, t = -2.067; for amplitude, t = 2.816; P < 0.05), with no significant difference between Group BT and EA (for latency, t = -1.439; for amplitude, t = 1.075; P > 0.05). While the performances of Y-maze tests in the Group EA-BT, Group EA, and Group BT were all better than before (t = 10.359, 4.520, and 7.791, P < 0.01), with Group EA-BT better than Group EA (t = 5.627, P < 0.01) and Group BT (t = 2.913, P < 0.01) respectively, and Group BT better than Group EA (t = 2.912, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>EA or BT can affect P300 in rats with M/ACI, and the combination of these two methods can significantly improve the learning-memory ability.</p>

Effect of Small Knife Needle on β-enorpin and Enkehalin Contents of Tansverse Process Syndrome of the Third Vertebra / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the analgesic mechanism of small knife needle for treating transverse process syndrome of the third vertebra (TPSTV) by observing peripheral and central changesof β-endorphin (β-EP) and enkephalin (ENK) contents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 30 Japanese white big-ear rabbits of clean grade were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the small knife needle group, the electroacupunture (EA) group, and the small knife needle plus EA group, 6 in each group. The TPSTV model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the left transverse process of 3rd lumbar vertebrae. Rabbits in the small knife needlegroup were intervened by small knife needle. Those in the EA group were intervened by EA at bilateralWeizhong (BL40). Those in the small knife needle plus EA group were intervened by small knife needleand EA at bilateral Weizhong (BL40). Contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma, muscle, spinal cord, and hypothalamus were determined after sample collection at day 28 after modeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma and muscle increased significantly, and contents of β-EP and ENK in spinal cord and hypothalamus decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of β-EP and ENK approximated normal levels in the three treatment groups after respective treatment. Compared with the model group, the content of β-EP in muscle decreased, and contents of β-EP and ENK in hypothalamus increased in the three treatment groups after respective treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference among the three treatment groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Small knife needle treatment and EA had benign regulation on peripheral and central β-EP and ENK in TPSTV rabbits. Small knife needle treatment showed better effect than that of EA.</p>

Development and evaluation of Chinese medicine fire-heat syndrome scale in oral cavity for measuring Chinese herb toothpaste / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To formulate the standard measuring tool for the evaluations on fire-heat syndrome in oral cavity by means of Chinese medicine (CM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The measuring scale for fire-heat syndrome in the oral cavity by means of CM was investigated by symptom collection, item pool formulation, item selection, pre-investigation, evaluations on the reliability, validity and reactivity of the measuring scale, according to the principles for measuring scale design and under the guidance of CM theories.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The measuring scale was composed of two integrative parts: the self-filling section and the interview section. As far as the reliability was concerned, the total Cronbach α coefficient of the measuring scale was 0.866, the total test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.726 and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.851. As far as the validity was concerned, the scores for the subjects of fire-heat syndrome in oral cavity and healthy people in their oral cavity in the items of symptoms were statistically different (P<0.01); three common divisors were extracted according to the theoretical dimensions, the accumulated contribution rate was 63.468%. As far as the reactivity was concerned, the difference between the symptom scores before and after the test in which 31 subjects used the Chinese herb toothpaste was statistically significant (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This measuring scale has relatively good reliability, validity and reactivity, and it can be used in an objective quantitative evaluation on patients suffering from fire-heat syndrome in oral cavity, and thus lay the foundations for the evaluations on the therapeutic effects of Chinese herb toothpaste on fire-heat syndrome in oral cavity.</p>

Briefing on the 61st academic conference of Japanese Acupuncture Association / 中国针灸

The main content of the 61st Academic Conference of Japanese Acupuncture Association is introduced and summarized in this article. Different from former conferences, it focuses on the academic activity which take patient into the major consideration, and on the feasibility study of aerospace acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, study on Japanese technique of shallow insertion with fine needle and its results are also introduced. The developing tendency of Japanese Acupuncture Association is discussed at the meeting as well.

Correlation between acupoints and zang-fu organs based on clinical trials / 中国针灸

A systematic analysis was made on the correlation between acupoints and pathological changes of the zang-fu organs through reviewing of literatures in the database of CNKI from 1959--2011 and the database of Pubmed of the past 10 years. The result showed that specificity was found on the pathological changes of zang-fu organs when acupoints were stimulated. And the pathological changes of the internal organs can be perceived from acupoints on the correspondent meridians, mainly regarding the heart, the stomach, the intestines, the lung and the liver, etc. And most of the researches focused on the correlation between acupoints of the heat meridian and the heart. It was also discovered that a lot of acupoints on various meridians could manifest the pathological changes of the same organ. Different effects of the same acupoints on different times could be found on the same internal organ. Therefore, it is concluded that there is a relative specificity between acupoints and pathological changes of the zang-fu organs. However, it is worth to study the regularity of specificity further.

Constitution identification and treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion for menopausal women / 中国针灸

According to the theory of constitution and disease prevention of Chinese medicine, kidney deficiency, lack of nourishment of the Thoroughfare Vessel and the Conception Vessel as well as qi sufficiency and blood deficiency are taken as the main features of body constitutions of women during menopausal period. Acupuncture-moxibustion treatment before or in the early stage of menopausal period are discussed initially. Methods of tonifying the kidney and regulate qi and blood are held as the main treating principles. Acupuncture points such as Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Baihui (GV 20) are adopted as the main points. And proper stimulation of needling and moxibustion are applied. Thus, a new way of thinking is provided for disease prevention and health keeping of women during menopausal period in China.

Effect of preventive moxibustion on heat shock proteins and stress hormones in natural menopausal rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of 'Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the stress-related hormones, proteins and genes in natural menopausal rats, and explore its protective mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty eight healthy female SD rats were used in this study, in which 16 rats aged 4 months were used as normal control group, the rest 10-month-old rats with disorder of estrus cycle were randomly divided into 7 groups, including 4 control groups at the age of 10, 12, 14 and 16 months, and 3 preventive moxibustion groups at the age of 12, 14 and 16 months, 16 cases in each group. The 10-month-old rats were treated with preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4), twice a week for 8 weeks consistently, then observed on the following 12, 14 and 16 months. Its effects on the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), heat shock protein 70 mRNA (HSP 70 mRNA), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in the different nuclei of hypothalamus were examined with radio-immunity, immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the control groups, the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA was increased in paraventricular, arcuate and supraoptic nucleus, the level of CRH, beta-EP was showed with declining trend in volatility, while the content of ACTH was increased. In comparison to the same-aged control groups, the preventive moxibustion groups were showed that the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group was lower and the expression of HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly higher in the paraventricular nucleus (all P < 0.05), the expression of HSP 70 in the 12 and 14-month-old groups and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12-month-old group was significantly increased in the arcuate nucleus (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly decreased in the supraoptic nucleus (all P < 0.05), the content of CRH and ACTH decreased significantly in 14-month group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but the content of beta-EP obviously went up in the 12-month-old group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) can regulate the expression of stress proteins, genes and hormones in the hypothalamus for the natural menopausal rats, which might be playing a protective role.</p>

Comparative study on the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture at "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) in dysmenorrhea rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe and compare the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Sanyinjiso" (SP 6), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) in dysmenorrhea rats so as to investigate the functional specificity of acupoint.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred SD female rats aged three-month-old in the diestrus examined by the vaginal smear screening were randomly divided into a saline group, a model group, a Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group, a Hegu (LI 4) group and a Xuehai (SF 10) group, 20 rats in each group. The rats in the last four groups were given Estradiol Benzoate combined with Oxytocin to prepare the models of dysmenorrhea and in the saline group were given the same dose of saline. Last three groups were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at Sanyinjiao" (SF 6), "Hegu" (LI 4) and 'Xuehai" (SF 10) respectively. The writhing behaviors of the rats in each group were observed within 20 min performing electroacupuncture from the start of the pain and the waveforms of uterine contraction were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In terms of the writhing behaviors, the writhing latency in the Hegu (LI 4) group was extended significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the writhing numbers in the Hegu (LI 4) group were decreased significantly (both P < 0.05) as compared with those in the Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group and in the Xuehai (SF 10) group. In terms of the waveforms of uterine contraction, compared with that in the model group, the amplitude and the activity of uterine contraction in both Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group and Hegu (LI 4) group were decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), and with no significant difference between the Xuehai (SF 10) and the model group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For comprehensive assessment of the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture at different acupoints by using the writhing behaviors and the waveforms of uterine contraction, "Hegu" (LI 4) is the best, "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) is the next and "Xuehai" (SP 10) is the third. showing a relatively functional specificity of the acupoint.</p>

Multi-central randomized controlled study on electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) for regulating blood lipids / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Fenglong (ST 40) on blood lipids.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and four patients of hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into a Fenglong group and a Xuezhikang group, 102 cases in each group. The patients in the Fenglong group were treated with electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40). After arrival of qi, the needles were connected with acupoint nerve stimulator (LH 202 H type, HANS). The primary parameters of EA: for high triglycerides (TG) type, AM 50 Hz, intensity 1 mA, needle-retained time 20 min, twice per week; for high cholesterol (CHO) type, AM 100 Hz, intensity 1 mA, needle-retained time 30 min, thrice per week; for high low-density-lipoprotein (LDL-C) type, the same parameters as the high CHO type except the tolerable and comfortable intensity; for the mixing type, corresponding methods were alternatively used. The patients in the Xuezhikang group received Xuezhikang capsule orally, 2 capsules each time and twice daily, for total 11 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rates of the Fenglong group and the Xuezhi-kang group were 83.0% and 85.9%, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), and there was no significant differences in the function of regulating blood lipids between the two groups (all P > 0.05). After one month follow-up survey, the total CHO, TG and LDL-C decreased and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL-C) increased, of which there was a significant difference in TG reduction (P < 0.05). There were no relapses in both groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at Fenglong (ST 40) can effectively regulate blood lipids with a better after-effect, which can be applied as a safe and effective method to replace medication for regulating blood lipids.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) on SOD and MDA in different organs of the hyperlipemia rat / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the target organ of Fenglong (ST 40) and the mechanism in resolving phlegm.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, a blank control group, a model group and a Fenglong group, 10 rats in each group. The hyperlipemia rat model was prepared by feeding high fat forage. The blank control group were fed by basic forage each day, and other 2 groups were fed with high fat forage each day. After the rats were fed for 2 weeks, EA was given at "Fenglong" (ST 40) in the rats of the Fenglong group, twice each week, for 10 times. At the end of EA treatment, SOD activities and MDA contents in the spleen, lung, liver and pancreas were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acupuncture at "Fenglong" (ST 40) significantly increased SOD activities in the spleen and lung, decreased MDA content in the lung, and had a tendency to decrease SOD activity and to increase MDA content in the liver, while it did not significantly influence SOD activity and MDA content in the pancreas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The target organs of "Fenglong" (ST 40) regulating SOD activity and MDA content are spleen, lung and liver, particularly, spleen and lung, with no relation with pancreas. It is indicated that the resolving phlegm function of "Fenglong" (ST 40) is related with promoting metabolism of free radiations in special organs.</p>

Experimental study on changes of expressions of ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA in different hypothalamic nuclei and the effect of "preventive acupuncture and moxibustion" in ovariectomy rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of "preventive acupuncture and moxibustion" for regulating hypothalamic function in ovariectomy rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female SD rats, aged 3.5 months, were randomly divided into normal group, sham operation group, ovariectomy model group, preventive acupuncture group and preventive moxibustion group. After "preventive acupuncture and moxibustion" were previously given to the preventive acupuncture group and the preventive moxibustion group for one month, respectively. At the same time, ovarietomy was made in the preventive acupuncture group, the preventive moxibustion group and the ovariectomy model group. For the sham operation group, only a little fat around the ovary was removed without ovariectomy, and nothing was not applied to the normal group. Immunohistochemical and in situs hybridization methods were used to investigate changes of expressions of ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA in paraventricular nucleus, supraoptic nucleus and arcuate nucleus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the model group the expressions of ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA in paraventricular nucleus and the expression of ER-alpha mRNA in supraoptic nucleus increased significantly (P<0.01), but the expression of ER-alpha dropped significantly in both supraoptic nucleus and arcuate nucleus (P<0.01). After preconditioning with acupuncture or moxibustion, the expression of ER-alpha mRNA in paraventricular nucleus significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the expression of ER-alpha had no significant change (P>0.05); the expression of ER-alpha in supraoptic nucleus and arcuate nucleus significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the expression of ER-alpha mRNA in paraventricular nucleus had no significant change (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>"Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion" at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) have an effect on the expressions of ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA in different hypothalamic nuclei in ovariectomy rats, which possibly is one of the ways for modulating the hypothalamic activity.</p>

Study on optimization parameters of electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) for adjusting blood lipids / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of different parameters (frequency, intensity, needle-retained time and treatment interval) of electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40) for adjusting blood lipids, so as to find out the optimization parameter.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four cases meeting the criteria for hyperlipoidemia were randomly divided into 27 groups with orthogonal design L27 (3(13) ). According to the orthogonal design program they were treated with electroacupuncture at Fenglong (ST 40). Ten sessions constituted one course with a one week's interval between two course. The treatment was given for 2 courses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The parameters of EA at Fenglong (ST 40) for regulating blood lipids in primary and secondary orders are: frequency, needle-retained time, interval of treatment, intensity. (2) The parameters of EA at Fenglong (ST 40) for various programs in regulating various blood lipids are: for TG, frequency AM 50 Hz, needle-retained time 20 ain, intensity 1 mA, twice each week; for TC, frequency AM 100 Hz, needle-retained time 30 min, intensity 1 mA, once every other day; for LDL-C, frequency Am 100 Hz, needle-retained time 30 min, intensity tolerable and comfortable, once every other day.</p>

Effect of Dressing and Moxibustion-pretreatment on Local Feet Swelling and Stress Hormone in Hypothalami of Rats with Adjuvant Arthritis at Early and Secondary Stages / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo observe the effect of dressing and moxibustion-pretreatment on the local joint swelling and stress hormone in hypothalami of rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) at early and secondary stages.MethodsForty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal group, early and secondary model groups, early and secondary pre-dressing and moxibustion (PDM) groups. The dressing with Chinese herb and moxibustion was stuck on Dazhui point (GV14) before the AA model established. The effects of dressing and moxibustion-pretreatment on the feet swelling and corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (β-EP) and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) in hypothalami were observed.ResultsThe right feet swelling rate at early and secondary stages obviously increased after modeling ( P<0.01), and it became lower in early and secondary PDM groups than in model groups at the same phases ( P<0.05～0.01). The level of hypothalamic CRH was higher after modeling ( P<0.05～0.01), compared with early model group, it had a tendency to going down in early PDM group, moreover, in secondary PDM group the level was similar with the normal group. The level of hypothalamic β-EP increased significantly in early model group ( P<0.01), and lightly changed in secondary model group, it decreased in early PDM group but increased in secondary PDM group, compared with model groups at the same stages ( P<0.05). The level of hypothalamic NPY increased significantly after modeling, and it declined in the secondary PDM group ( P<0.05).ConclusionDressing and moxibustion-pretreatment can relief feet swelling of AA rats, which may be related with its regulative effect on the level of hypothalamic CRH, β-EP and NPY.

Effects of electroacupuncture on CRH, IL-2 and beta-EP contents in the hypothalamus in the rat of adjuvant arthritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore Mechanisms of electroacupuncture in anti-inflammation and immunoregulation, and to compare differences among "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Mingmen "(GV 4) and non-acupoint in these actions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adjuvant arthritis rat model was made. The rats were divided into 5 groups: normal group, model group, "Dazhui" (GV 14) electroacupuncture group, "Mingmen" (GV 4) electroacupuncture group and non-acupoint electroacupuncture group. Effects of electroacupuncture on local joint inflammation and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (betaEP) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) contents in the hypothalamus were observed and differences of the actions among different points were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CRH content in the hypothalamus in the "Dazhui" (GV 14) electroacupuncture group decreased as compared with the model group (P < 0.05); there was no significant change in beta-EP and IL-2 contents of the hypothalamus in the 3 electroacupuncture groups as compared with the model group (P > 0.05); there was positive correlation between CRH and IL-2 contents, and between IL-2 and beta-EP contents in the hypothalamus. The swelling rate of the toe in the "Dazhui" (GV 14) group and the "Mingmen" (GV 4) group was lower than that in the non-acupoint group (P < 0 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture exerts anti-inflammation and immunoregulation possibly via regulation of CRH, IL-2 and beta-EP each other, and the anti-inflammation action of "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Mingmen" (GV 4) is stronger than that of non-acupoint.</p>

Effect of panax notoginseng saponin on procoagulant activity and differentiation induction in NB4 cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) on procoagulant activity (PCA) and differentiation induction in NB4 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After NB4 cells were treated with PNS, the recalcification time, PCA and TF-mRNA expression in NB4 cells were tested by RT-PCR. The inhibitory effect of PNS on NB4 cell proliferation was analysed by MTT method, NBT assay, cell morphological observation and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) PNS of all concentrations could significantly prolong the recalcification time and lower the PCA level in NB4 cells in time-concentration-dependent manner. Simultaneously it down-regulated the expression of TF-mRNA. (2) PNS could partially inhibit the NB4 cell proliferation. (3) PNS could raise the NBT reducing capability of NB4 cells (P < 0.05). And morphological examination showed the differentiating tendency of monocyte and macrophage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PNS could reduce the procoagulant activity and TF-mRNA expression in NB4 cells, and partially induce the differentiation of NB4 cells, therefore, it is hopeful to be a new anti-coagulant agent.</p>