Integrated 'omics analysis for the gut microbiota response to moxibustion in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of moxibustion in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and explore the effects on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group (Con), CFS model group (Mod, established by multiple chronic stress for 35 d), MoxA group (CFS model with moxibustion Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4), 10 min/d, 28 d) and MoxB group (CFS model with moxibustion Zusanli (ST36), 10 min/d, 28 d). Open-field test (OFT) and Morris-water-maze test (MWMT) were determined for assessment the CFS model and the therapeutic effects of moxibustion.16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis based gut microbiota integrated untargeted liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) based fecal metabolomics were executed, as well as Spearman correlation analysis, was utilized to uncover the functional relevance between the potential metabolites and gut microbiota. RESULTS: The results of our behavioral tests showed that moxibustion improved the performance of CFS rats in the OFT and the MWMT. Microbiome profiling analysis revealed that the gut microbiomes of CFS rats were less diverse with altered composition, including increases in pro-inflammatory species (such as Proteobacteria) and decreases in anti-inflammatory species (such as Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and Prevotella). Moxibustion partially normalized these changes in the gut microbiota. Furthermore, CFS was associated with metabolic disorders, which were effectively ameliorated by moxibustion. This was demonstrated by the normalization of 33 microbiota-related metabolites, including mannose (P = 0.001), aspartic acid (P = 0.009), alanine (P = 0.007), serine (P = 0.000), threonine (P = 0.027), methionine (P = 0.023), 5-hydroxytryptamine (P = 0.008), alpha-linolenic acid (P = 0.003), eicosapentaenoic acid (P = 0.006), hypoxanthine (P = 0.000), vitamin B6 (P = 0.000), cholic acid (P = 0.013), and taurocholate (P = 0.002). Correlation analysis showed a significant association between the perturbed fecal microbiota and metabolite levels, with a notable negative relationship between LCA and Bacteroides. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated that moxibustion has an antifatigue-like effect. The results from the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analysis suggest that the therapeutic effects of moxibustion on CFS are related to the regulation of gut microorganisms and their metabolites. The increase in Bacteroides and decrease in LCA may be key targets for the moxibustion treatment of CFS.

Effects of electroacupuncture on synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA3 area of rats with chronic stress depression / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavioral function and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA3 area in rats with chronic stress depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the random number table method, 144 SD male rats were assigned into a blank group, a model group, an EA group and a fluoxetine group, then each group was divided into a 7 d subgroup, a 14 d subgroup and a 21 d subgroup, 12 rats in each subgroup. The chronic mild unpredictable stress stimulus combined with lonely breeding were applied to establish the depression model of rats, which was performed simultaneously with intervention treatment. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA (dilatational wave) at "Shenting" (GV 24) and "Baihui" (GV 20), while the rats in fluoxetine group were treated with intragastric administration of fluoxetine, once daily. With open-field test, sugar consumption experiment and transmission electron microscope, the changes of behavior and neuronal synapse inhippocampal CA3 area were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On 7 d, 14 d and 21 d, compared with the blank group, the open-field test score, sugar consumption and body mass were significantly lower in the model group (all<0.01); compared with the model group, the open-field test score, sugar consumption and body mass were significantly higher in the EA group and the fluoxetine group on 14 d and 21 d (<0.01,<0.05). On 14 d and 21 d, compared with the blank group, the synapse in hippocampal CA3 area was significantly lower in the model group (both<0.01); compared with the model group, the synapse in hippocampal CA3 area was significantly higher in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (<0.01,<0.05). The neurons cells in hippocampal CA3 area in the model group showed pyknosis and deformation from 7 d with fusion structure and unclear boundary of synapse, which were significantly improved on 21 d; the neurons cells in hippocampal CA3 area in the EA group and the fluoxetine group were significantly improved from 14 d and restored to normal level on 21 d, in addition, the structure of synapse restored to normal level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA is involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal CA3 area, and promotes the recovery of depression symptoms.</p>

Therapeutic Observation of Reinforcing and Reducing by Acupuncturing at Lower He-sea Points along and against Channel’s Direction for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of reinforcing and reducing by acupuncturing at lower He-sea points along and against channel's direction in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Method Sixty-one GERD patients were randomized into a treatment group of 34 cases and a control group of 27 cases. The treatment group was intervened by reinforcing and reducing by acupuncturing at lower He-sea points along and against channel’s direction, while the control group was treated with oral administration of Omeprazole tablets. The two groups were intervened once a day, 4 weeks in total. The clinical efficacies in the two groups were compared based on the symptoms scores before and after the treatment.Result The total effective rate was 97.1% in the treatment group versus 85.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relapse rate 6 months after the treatment was 16.7% in the treatment group versus 50.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Reinforcing and reducing by acupuncturing at lower He-sea points along and against channel’s direction is an effective approach in treating GERD.

Operation and essence of Toutianliang manipulation by professor ZHANG Jin / 中国针灸

Toutianliang manipulation is the most representative compound needling technique of traditional reinforcing and reducing and has the remarkable efficacy on heat syndrome with muscle and bone involved for example. Professor ZHANG Jin is one of the famous acupuncture master in China and has contributed his lifelong to the research of acupuncture manipulation techniques. He has summarized 24 single-type manipulations and has given the comprehensive explanation of the manipulations for meridian conduction, reinforcing or reducing techniques for the excess or deficiency. In the paper, Toutianliang manipulation was introduced briefly and the key operation steps had been discussed.

Clinical Observation of Skin Needling plus Flash Cupping for Hemifacial Spasm / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of skin needling plus flash cupping for hemifacial spasm. Method Forty patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 20 in each group. For both groups, the following acupoints were selected: Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Cuanzhu (BL2), Yangbai (GB14), Taiyang (EX-HN5), Quanliao (SI18), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Hegu (LI4), and Waiguan (TE5). Skin needling plus flash cupping was used for the treatment group, while even reducing-reinforcing needling method was used for the control group. Seven-day treatments were considered as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacy was analyzed after 3 courses. Result The cure rate was 65.0%in the treatment group versus 45.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Skin needling plus flash cupping can produce a significant efficacy in treating hemifacial spasm, better than ordinary needling method.

Effect of Acupuncture on Serum TNF-?and IL-6 Contents in Cerebral Hemorrhage Rats / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of acupuncture on motor function and serum expressions of TNF-aand IL-6 contents in cerebral hemorrhage rats.MethodSeventy-two male Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. A rat model of cerebral hemorrhage was made by intracerebral injection of autoblood. Baihui-to-Qubin acupuncture was performed after successful model making. The TNF-aand IL-6 contents of rat serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay at three time points: one, three and seven days.ResultBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture markedly increased the neurological function score and reduced neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. At the same time point, serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents were significantly lower in the acupuncture group of rats thanin the model and acupuncture group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.01).ConclusionBaihui-to-Qubin acupuncture can reduce neurologic deficits in cerebral hemorrhage rats. It may be related to decreases in serum TNF-aand IL-6 contents after acupuncture.

Influence on the path of signal transduction of ERK by acupuncture in rats of experimental acute intercere-bral hemorrhage / 中国基层医药

Objective To confirm the influence on the path of signal transduction of ERK by BaiHui-QuBin Scalp-acupuncture in rats of experimental acute intercerebral hemorrhage.Methods 192 healthy Wistar male rats were selected by examination.The rats were assigned into 4 groups randomly:matched blank group,model group,pin-prick group,excitomotor group.The latter three groups contained 60 rats in each;another 12 rats were assigned as the matched blank group.All rats were made to be the intercerebral hemorrage model.The pinprick group was acupunc-tured on the BaihuipenetratingQubin.We observed the change surrounding the hamatoma of the proteinum expression of p-ERK of each group in deferent time phase point with the method of Western blot.Results All of the rats after being made model appeared the phenomenon of the expression of p-ERK of rat's brain tissue surrounding the hematoma and increased to the peak in 7 days.1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 7 d, compare with the model group [(0.10 ±0.04),(0.17 ±0.02),(0.09 ±0.05),(0.10 ±0.06)],the expressions of p-ERK of the pinprick group [(0.19 ±0.04),(0.23 ±0.07),(0.24 ±0.05),(0.25 ±0.06),q=11.45,P0.05).Conclusion The therapy of BaiHui-QuBin Scalp-acupuncture can activate the path of signal transduction of ERK,increase the expression of the proteinum p-ERK and so on,which have the function of protecting the nerve cell.

The influence of acupuncture on the JNK signal transduction pathway in experimental acute intercerebral hemorrhage rats / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the influence on the JNK signal transduction pathway by BaiHui-QuBin Scalp-acupuncture in rats of experimental acute intercerebral hemorrhage. Methods 192 healthy Wistar male rats were assigned into 3groups randomly:model group, model add pinprick group (to abbreviate:pinprick group), model add suppressor group(to abbreviate:suppressor group) ,containing 60 rats in each. All rats were induced be the intercerebral hemorrage model. Another 12 rats were assigned as the matched blank group. The pinprick group were acupunctured on the "Baihui" penetrating "Qubin". The influence surrounding the hamatoma of the proteinum expression of p-JNK of each group in deferent time phase point with the method of Western blot was observed. Results The results of expression of the proteinum p-JNK with the method of Western blot: all the rats after being made model appeared the phenomenon of the expression of p-JNK of rat's brain tissue surrounding the hematoma and increased to the peak in 2 days,but decreased gradually in 7days. In the same time phase point,compared with the model group,the expression of p-JNK of the pinprick group and the suppressor group were lower obviously (P ＜ 0.01). The pinprick group compared with the suppressor group, the expression of p-JNK showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion The therapy of BaiHui-QuBin Scalp-acupuncture could block the JNK signal tranaduction pathway, inhibit the expression of the proteinum p-JNK and so on have the function of protecting the nerve cell and inhibiting apoptosis.