Research progress on the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture on radiation-induced brain injury / 生理学报

Radiation-induced brain injury is a serious complication after cranio-cerebral radiotherapy, which affects the patient's quality of life and survival. A large number of studies have shown that various mechanisms such as neuronal apoptosis, blood-brain barrier damage, and synaptic dysfunction may be related to radiation-induced brain injury. Acupuncture has an important role in clinical rehabilitation of various brain injuries. As a new type of acupuncture, electroacupuncture has the characteristics of strong control ability, uniform and long-lasting stimulation, and is widely used in clinic. This article reviews the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture on radiation-induced brain injury, in order to provide a theoretical basis and experimental support for reasonable clinical application.

Effect of electroacupuncture on proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells in young mice with Alzheimer's disease / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the hippocampus of young mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of AD.@*METHODS@#Forty 1.5-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic male mice were randomly divided into an EA group and a model group, 20 mice in each group, and other 20 C57BL/6J male mice of the same age were used as the normal control group. EA (intermittment wave 10 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) for 20 min, once a day, 6 days a week for 16 weeks. H.E. staining was used to assess histopathological changes of neurons of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Immunohistochemical stain was used to detect the expression of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive in the hippocampus, and immunofluorescence double-labeled technique was used to detect the number of proliferated positive neurons of hippocampal neural stem cells. The expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Nestin mRNA and protein were detected by using real-time PCR and Western blot, separately.@*RESULTS@#The immunoactivity of BrdU, and the expression levels of BDNF and Nestin mRNA and protein in the hippocampus in the model group were significantly lower than in the normal control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and considerably higher in the EA group than in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The number of BrdU/NeuN dual labeled neurons was slightly increased in the model group than in the normal control group (P>0.05), and evidently increased in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.05), suggesting a proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells. After modeling, the neurons of hippocampal dentate gyrus were arranged loosely and irregularly and their structure was fuzzy, with an appearance of different degrees of nuclear pyknosis, whereas in the EA group, the neuronal contour was clear and the nuclear structure was relatively distinct.@*CONCLUSION@#EA can activate the proliferation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus in AD mice, which may contribute to its function in improving the neuronal structure by upregulating the expression of BDNF.

Effects of electroacupuncture with different courses on the synaptic structure and synaptic function-related proteins in mice with radiation-induced brain injury / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different courses of electroacupuncture on synaptic structure and synaptic function-related proteins expression in the hippocampal CA1 region of radiation-induced brain injury mice. Sixty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into control group, radiation-induced brain injury model group, 1-week electroacupuncture group (EA1), 2-week electroacupuncture group (EA2), 3-week electroacupuncture group (EA3), and electroacupuncture-control (EA-Ctrl) group. The mice in model group were exposed to X-ray irradiation (8 Gy, 10 min) to establish radiation-induced brain injury model. The mice in EA groups were acupunctured at electroacupuncture points (Baihui, Fengfu and bilateral Shenshu) for 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively after radiation. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe synaptic structure in hippocampal CA1 region. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synapsin-1 and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampal CA1 region of each group were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that the nuclear gap in model and EA-Ctrl groups was significantly decreased compared to control group, however nucleus to cytoplasm ratio was significantly increased. The synaptic cleft, postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness, the mitochondrial surface density, volume density and specific surface area were significantly reduced. Compared with model group, the nucleus to cytoplasm ratio of EA2 group was significantly decreased, the PSD thickness and mitochondrial volume density were significantly increased; the nuclear gap of EA3 group was significantly increased, nucleus to cytoplasm ratio was significantly decreased, synaptic cleft and PSD thickness were significantly increased, and the mitochondrial surface density and specific surface area were all increased significantly. In addition, compared with the control group, the gene and protein expressions of BDNF, synapsin-1 and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 region of the model group and EA-Ctrl group were significantly decreased. However, compared with the model group, the gene expression of synapsin-1 in EA groups was significantly up-regulated, the gene expression of BDNF in EA1 and EA2 groups was significantly up-regulated, and the gene expression of PSD95 in EA2 group was significantly up-regulated. Moreover, the protein expressions of BDNF, synapsin-1 and PSD95 of EA groups were significantly up-regulated compared with the model group. These results indicate that the synaptic structure and the expression of synaptic function-related proteins in hippocampal CA1 region were injured by radiation exposure, whereas electroacupuncture intervention can significantly improve the synaptic structure and function damage caused by radiation.

Treating primary dysmenorrhea by lingtong capsule: a randomized double-blind clinical observation / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Lingtong Capsule (LC) in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 59 PD patients took LC, while 59 patients in the placebo group took placebo capsule, two pills immediately when they felt dysmenorrhea. Their pain levels were quantitatively classified. The pain score was assessed at an interval of 30 min using visual analogue scale/score (VAS) while taking medicine and within two h after taking medicine. It was assessed as effective when the pain level was reduced by more than or equal to 50% within 2 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 69.49% (41/ 59) in the LC group and 20.34% (12/59) in the placebo group (P < 0.01). The analgesia effect was obviously superior in the LC group 60 min after taking medicine (P < 0.01). LC showed better effect in treating mild, moderate, and severe PD (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LC showed obvious analgesia effect on PD.</p>

Post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome treated with floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome between floating-needle therapy and conventional acupuncture on the basis of rehabilitation training.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred cases of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomized into a floating-needle group and an acupuncture group, 50 cases in each one. The passive and positive rehabilitation training was adopted in the two groups. Additionally, in the floating-needle group, the floating-needle therapy was used. The needle was inserted at the site 5 to 10 cm away from myofasical trigger point (MTrP), manipulated and scattered subcutaneously, for 2 min continuously. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianqian (EX-UE), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, and 14 days of treatment were required. The shoulder hand syndrome scale (SHSS), the short form McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and the modified Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA) were used to evaluate the damage severity, pain and motor function of the upper limbs before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SHSS score, SF-MPQ score and FMA score were improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01), and the improvements in the floating-needle group were superior to those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the floating-needle group, which was better than 90.0% (45/50) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training achieves a satisfactory efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome, which is better than the combined therapy of conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation training.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint application on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and effect on prostaglandins / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effect of acupoint application on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and its effect on prostaglandins.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients with primary dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome were randomly divided into an application group and a medication group. The application group of 31 cases were treated with application of Chinese medicine composed of Zhinanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis), Sanleng (Rhizoma Sparganii), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), etc. at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6); and the medication group of 30 cases were treated with oral administration of Tianqi Tongjing Capsules. The scores for the pain degrees and the duration of dysmenorrhea were observed and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents in peripheral blood were determined before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of 93.5% in the application group was significantly better than 73.3% in the medication group (P < 0.05); after treatment, the scores of the symptoms were significantly decreased in the two groups (both P < 0.01), with more obvious improvement in the application group than the medication group (P < 0.01). The PGE2 content was significantly increased, and the PGF2alpha content and PGF2alpha/PGE2 were significantly decreased in the application group (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint application has a better therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea of excess syndrome and has benign regulative action on synthesis of prostaglandins in the patients with primary dysmenorrhea.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of fire-needle therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of fire-needle therapy on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomly divided into a fire-needle group and an electroacupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. The fire-needle group was treated with fire-needle therapy and routine acupuncture, i.e., the fire-needle was given to the points on the lesion segments, and Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Ashi points above and bellow the segments, and routine acupuncture was given at Shenshu (BL 23), Zhibian (BL 54), Huantiao (GB 30), etc.; the electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at the points as those in the fire-needle group. The scores of McGill Pain Rating Scale, Visual Analogous Scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) were compared before and after treatment for 2 weeks in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, all of the scores of McGill Pain Rating Scale, VAS and PPI were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01); the scores of emotion in the McGill Pain Rating Scale, VAS and PPI in the fire-needle group were significantly decreased as compared with those of the electroacupuncture group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both fire-needle therapy and electroacupuncture can effectively relieve pain in the patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, but the former is better than the latter.</p>

Observation on clinical therapeutic effect of point sticking therapy on hyperplasia of mammary glands / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare therapeutic effects of point sticking therapy and Chinese herbs on hyperplasia of mammary glands. Methods Sixty-three female patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands were randomly divided into an observation group (n=33) and a control group (n=30). The observation group were treated with point sticking therapy, i.e., Sanleng (Rhizoma Spargani), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), Zhi Nanxing (Pedate Pinallia Jackinthepulpit Rhizome) and Bingpian (Borneolum) were made a plaster to apply Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points on breast. The control group were treated with oral administration of Rupixiao.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment of 3 courses, the total effective rate was 97.0% in the observation group, and 83.3% in the control group, the former significantly being better than the latter (P < 0.05). The score of mastalgia improvement was (13.82 +/- 5.90) points in the observation group and (7.00 +/- 3.89) points in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ooint sticking therapy has a definite therapeutic effect n hyperplasia of mammary glands.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking therapy on simple obesity / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into effectiveness and safety of acupoint sticking therapy for simple obesity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eight cases were randomly divided into an acupoint sticking group (n = 58) and an acupuncture group (n = 50). The acupoint sticking group were treated with TCM plaster sticking at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The acupuncture group were treated with simple acupuncture at Zhongji (CV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. Their therapeutic effects were observed after 3 therapeutic courses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 84.5% in the acupoint sticking group, 86.0% in the acupuncture group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); after treatment, the body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference decreased and the cumulative score of clinical symptoms decreased in the two groups with no significant difference between the two groups, but the waist-hip ratio did not significantly change.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM acupoint sticking therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on simple obesity.</p>

Observation on the therapeutic effect of acupoint application on constipation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test the therapeutic effect, safety of acupoint application for treatment of constipation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two cases were randomly divided into a treatment group of 22 cases and a control group of 20 cases. The treatment group were treated with acupoint application, with the cake made by Sanleng (Rhizoma Spargani), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Bingpian (Borneolum), which was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4); the control group were treated with oral administration of Congrong Tongbian Oral Liquid.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 81.8% in the treatment group and 50.0% in the control group, the treatment group being better than the control group (P < 0.05); the first defecation time was (5.1 +/- 2.8) h in the treatment group and (10.1 +/- 7.3) h in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM acupoint application therapy has a definite therapeutic effect on constipation.</p>

Clinical observation on TCM acupoint sticking for treatment of uterine neoplasms / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into clinical therapeutic effect of TCM acupoint sticking on uterine neoplasms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty cases of uterine neoplasms were treated with TCM acupoint sticking at Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongji (CV 3), and Sanleng (Rhizoma Sparganii), E'zhu (Rhizoma Zedoarise) and Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), etc. were used. Changes of uterine neoplasms before and after treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of TCM acupoint sticking on uterine neoplasms was 83. 33õ and it had obvious improving action on such main symptoms as distending pain of the lower abdomen, irregular bleeding, soreness and pain of waist.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCM acupoint sticking is a convenient, safe and effective therapy for uterine neoplasms, with no adverse effect.</p>

Advances of clinical studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of obesity in recent 10 years / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To Sum up advances of studies on acupuncture for treatment of obesity in recent 10 years and to put forward the problems should be paid attention to and the development direction in clinical scientific research.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Review the literature about acupuncture and moxibustion slimming therapy in recent 10 years from characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in selection of acupoints, analysis of various therapeutic methods, problems in clinical research.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of obesity has obvious therapeutic effect and less side-effects with flexible selection of acupoints and more methods.</p>

Advances of studies on treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize advances of studies on treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application in recent 10 years so as to provide references and basis for scientific research and clinical works in future.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The literature about treatment of dysmenorrhea with acupoint application in the recent 10 years are reviewed from treatment based on syndrome types, acupoint selection, selection of excipients, application time, assessment of therapeutic effects, adverse effects and other aspects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupoint application has a definite therapeutic effect on dysmenorrhea, but with some problems in clinical research.</p>