Efficacy and safety of tart cherry supplementary citrate mixture on gout patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Low urine pH, which may be mediated by metabolic syndrome (MetS), is common in gout. Tart cherries are shown to improve MetS symptoms and possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, the efficacy of tart cherry supplements on urine pH has yet to be studied. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of tart cherry supplementary citrate (TaCCi) mixture on urine pH, serum urate (sUA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and gout flares in gout patients initiating urate-lowering therapy (ULT), in comparison to citrate mixture and sodium bicarbonate. METHODS: A prospective, randomized (1:1:1), open-label, parallel-controlled trial was conducted among 282 men with gout and fasting urine pH ≤ 6, who were initiating ULT with febuxostat (initially 20 mg daily, escalating to 40 mg daily if serum urate ≥ 360 µmol/L). Participants were randomized to groups taking either sodium bicarbonate, citrate mixture, or TaCCi mixture. All participants were followed every 4 weeks until week 12. Urine pH and sUA were co-primary outcomes, with various biochemical and clinical secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Urine pH increased to a similar extent in all three groups. SUA levels declined in all three groups as well, with no significant differences observed between the groups. At week 12, the TaCCi mixture group exhibited a greater reduction in the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). Participants taking TaCCi mixture or citrate mixture experienced fewer gout flares than those in the sodium bicarbonate group over the study period (p < 0.05). Additionally, the TaCCi mixture group had a lower CRP level at week 12 relative to the other two groups (p < 0.01). Adverse events were similar across all three groups. CONCLUSION: The TaCCi mixture had similar efficacy and safety on urine alkalization and sUA-lowering as the citrate mixture and sodium bicarbonate in patients with gout. However, the TaCCi mixture resulted in greater improvements in UACR and CRP, which suggests that tart cherry supplements may provide additional benefits for renal protection and reduce inflammation in gout, particularly when starting ULT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This project was registered in ChiCTR ( www.chictr.org.cn ), with the registration number: ChiCTR2100050749.

Inulin supplementation ameliorates hyperuricemia and modulates gut microbiota in Uox-knockout mice.

PURPOSE: Inulin is a type of fermentable dietary fiber, which is non-digestible, and can improve metabolic function by modulating intestinal microbiota. This study aimed to evaluate the role of inulin in hyperuricemia and microbial composition of the gut microbiota in a mouse model of hyperuricemia established through knockout of Uox (urate oxidase) gene. METHODS: KO (Uox-knockout) and WT (wild-type) mice were given inulin or saline by gavage for 7 weeks. The effect of inulin to combat hyperuricemia was determined by assessing the changes in serum UA (uric acid) levels, inflammatory parameters, epithelial barrier integrity, fecal microbiota alterations, and SCFA (short-chain fatty acid) concentrations in KO mice. RESULTS: Inulin supplementation can effectively alleviate hyperuricemia, increase the expressions of ABCG2 in intestine, and downregulate expression and activity of hepatic XOD (xanthine oxidase) in KO mice. It was revealed that the levels of inflammatory cytokines and the LPS (lipopolysaccharide) were remarkably higher in the KO group than those in the WT group, indicating systemic inflammation of hyperuricemic mice, but inulin treatment ameliorated inflammation in KO mice. Besides, inulin treatment repaired the intestinal epithelial barrier as evidenced by increased levels of intestinal TJ (tight junction) proteins [ZO-1 (zonula occludens-1) and occluding] in KO mice. Moreover, serum levels of uremic toxins, including IS (indoxyl sulfate) and PCS (p-cresol sulfate), were reduced in inulin-treated KO mice. Further investigation unveiled that inulin supplementation enhanced microbial diversity and raised the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, involving SCFAs-producing bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Ruminococcus). Additionally, inulin treatment increased the production of gut microbiota-derived SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations) in KO mice, which was positively correlated with the effectiveness of hyperuricemia relief. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that inulin may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia. Moreover, alleviation of hyperuricemia by inulin supplementation was, at least, partially conciliated by modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolites.

[Acupuncture based on meridian diagnosis for chronic atrophic gastritis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy between acupoint selection of meridian diagnosis and regular acupoint selection for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). METHODS: A total of 70 cases of CAG were randomly divided into an observation group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a control group (35 cases, 5 dropped off). In the observation group, according to the hand diagnosis of meridians and the results of 80-channels energy determinator, based on the principle of child-mother relation acupoint combination, the luo-connecting point and back-shu points were added for excess syndrome, and the yuan-primary point, front-mu points and he-sea point of foot meridians were added for deficiency syndrome; in addition, the acupoints of the eight extraordinary meridians were added based on the nature of acupoints. In the control group, Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Gongsun (SP 4) were selected as the primary acupoints, and additional acupoints were added according to syndrome differentiation. The two groups were treated twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday, respectively), totally for 6 months. Six months after treatment, the follow-up was conducted. The clinical symptom score, gastroenteropathy patient reported outcomes (PRO) scale score before treatment, after treatment and during follow-up as well as the score of pathological changes of gastric mucosa before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and during follow-up, the clinical symptom scores and gastroenteropathy PRO scale scores were decreased in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.001); at the follow-up, the gastroenteropathy PRO scale score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of pathological changes of gastric mucosa in the two groups were decreased (P<0.01), and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint selection of meridian diagnosis is superior to regular acupoint selection for CAG, which has better efficacy, more significant improvement on gastric mucosa pathology, and more stable long-term effect.

[Analysis of the clinical effect on post-stroke shoulder hand syndrome stage â treated with the along-meridian trochar acupuncture therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the clinical effect on post-stroke shoulder hand syndrome (SHS) stage Ⅰ between the along-meridian trochar acupuncture therapy and the routine acupuncture therapy with filiform needles. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with post-stroke SHS stage I were divided into a treatment group (41 cases) and a control group (39 cases) according to the random number table. In the control group, the common filiform needles were used to stimulate Jianyu (LI15), Jianliao (TE14), Jianzhen (SI9), Jianzhongshu (SI15), Jianwaishu (SI14), 5 times a week, 3 weeks as 1 course. In the treatment group, along-meridian trochar acupuncture therapy was applied, 3 times a week, 3 weeks as 1 course. The patients in both groups were all treated with basic medications and routine rehabilitation training. Pain degree, edema degree, upper limb motor function and activity of daily living were observed in the two groups before the treatment, at the end of the treatment and in follow-up. At the end of treatment and in follow-up, the therapeutic effect was evaluated respectively in the patients of the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the values before treatment, the VAS score of the upper limb was reduced obviously (P< 0.001), the score of the upper limb motor function and Barthel index were increased obviously (P<0.001, P<0.05) in the patients of the two groups, the score of edema degree of the affected limb was reduced after treatment in the patients of the treatment group (P<0.001). Compared with the control group, VAS score of the upper limb and the score of edema degree of the affected limb were obviously lower (P<0.001), and the score of the upper limb motor function and Barthel index were obviously higher in the treatment group (P<0.001). The total effective rate was 66.7% (26/39) after treatment and was 74.4% (29/39) in follow-up in the treatment group and they were 20.5% (8/39) and 28.2% (11/39) respectively in the control group. The total effective rates after treatment and in follow-up in the treatment group were all obviously higher than those in the control group respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The along-meridian trochar acupuncture therapy remarkably relieves pain and edema and improves the upper limb motor function and the activity of daily living in the patients with post-stroke shoulder hand syndrome and its clinical therapeutic effect is definite.

Synergistic nourishing 'Yin' effect of iridoid and phenylpropanoid glycosides from Radix Scrophulariae in vivo and in vitro.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Radix Scrophulariae (RS), is a renowned traditional Chinese medicine used as nourishing 'Yin'. The iridoid glycosides (IG) and phenylpropanoid glycosides (PG) are main chemical constituents in RS. However, there had been no pharmacological experiment studies of synergy between IG and PG. Due to the constituents interactions, exploring their synergy profile is of great important for explaining the essence of nourishing 'Yin' efficacy of RS. AIM OF STUDY: The present study was undertaken to evaluate synergistic nourishing 'Yin' effect of IG and PG from RS in vivo and in vitro through their immunoregulation and antioxidant activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, IG and PG fractions in RS were isolated and identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem quadrupole time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The synergistic nourishing 'Yin' effect of two fractions were investigated in vivo and in vitro with thyroxine-induced 'Yin' deficiency (YD) mice model and primary splenic lymphocyte, respectively. The exterior syndrome signs and serologic and cellular biomarkers changes were detected. Then, the synergistic coefficient (SC) of IG and PG on every pharmacodynamics index were calculated by Webb method. RESULTS: Compared with model and mono-therapy group (IG or PG group), IG combined with PG group significantly ameliorated YD by exerting immunoregulation and antioxidant effects. Based on the SC, IG and PG possessed a synergistic effect on heart rate, average speed, upright times, spleen index, LPO, SOD, IL-6, Na+-K+-ATP enzyme in vivo, and cAMP/cGMP, IFN-γ/IL-10, and MDA in vitro with SC > 1. CONCLUSIONS: The nourishing 'Yin' benefits were clearly produced when IG and PG were used in combination, which provided the scientific evidence of multiple-components and multiple-approach synergistic effect of Chinese traditional herbal medicine to control and management of diseases.

The natural scorpion peptide, BmK NT1 activates voltage-gated sodium channels and produces neurotoxicity in primary cultured cerebellar granule cells.

The scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat neuronal diseases such as neuropathic pain, paralysis and epilepsy for thousands of years. Studies have demonstrated that scorpion venom is the primary active component. Although scorpion venom can effectively attenuate pain in the clinic, it also produces neurotoxic response. In this study, toxicity guided purification led to identify a mammalian toxin termed BmK NT1 comprising of 65 amino acid residues and an amidated C-terminus, a mature peptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence (GenBank No. AF464898). In contract to the recombinant product of the same nucleotide sequence, BmK AGAP, which displayed analgesic and anti-tumor effect, intravenous injection (i.v.) of BmK NT1 produced acute toxicity in mice with an LD50 value of 1.36 mg/kg. In primary cultured cerebellar granule cells, BmK NT1 produced a concentration-dependent cell death with an IC50 value of 0.65 µM (0.41-1.03 µM, 95% Confidence Intervals, 95% CI) which was abolished by TTX, a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) blocker. We also demonstrated that BmK NT1 produced modest sodium influx in cerebellar granule cell cultures with an EC50 value of 2.19 µM (0.76-6.40 µM, 95% CI), an effect similar to VGSC agonist, veratridine. The sodium influx response was abolished by TTX suggesting that BmK NT1-induced sodium influx is solely through activation of VGSC. Considered these data together, we demonstrated that BmK NT1 activated VGSC and produced neurotoxicity in cerebellar granule cell cultures.

[Clinical study for stroke treated with meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyi].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect difference for stroke between meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyiand conventional acupuncture with syndrome differentiation. METHODS: Totally 148 patients were assigned into an observation group(72 cases) and a control group(76 cases) by random number table,with 10 cases dropping out in the observation group. In the observation group,meridians were examined and differentiated and then the treating meridians and acupoints were defined. Corresponding acupuncture was used according to them. In the control group,acupuncture was applied at acupoints by internal differentiation and experience. Treatment was given once a day and five times a week,with total 20 times. The motion function of limbs and coloboma degree of nerve function were assessed by Fugl-Meyer score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Score(NIHSS) before and after treatment as well as at three-month follow-up. RESULTS: After treatment,the Fugl-Meyer scores increased and the NIHSS scores decreased in the two groups compared with those before treatment(all P<0.05). At follow-up three months after treatment,Fugl-Meyer score upgraded in the observation group (P<0.05) and NIHSS score declined in the two groups (both P<0.01) than those before treatment,and NIHSS scores were statistically different between the two groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyi has better long-term efficacy when it is compared with conventional acupuncture with syndrome differentiation for motion function of limbs and nerve function of stroke.

[Law of the meridian abnormality based on the effectiveness of electroacupuncture for severe functional constipation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the law of the meridian abnormal changes and the correlation with acupuncture efficacy based on the effectiveness study of electroacupuncture (EA) in treatment of severe functional constipation. METHODS: Seventy patients of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a sham-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured deeply and stimulated with EA (dense-disperse wave, 2Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 to 1. 0 mA), and Shangjuxu (ST 37) was needled. In the sham-EA group, the sites lateral to Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured shallowly and stimulated with electricity. The site lateral to Shangjuxu (ST 37) was punctured shallowly. The treatment was given continuously for 8 weeks in the two groups, 5 times weekly in the first 2 weeks and 3 times weekly in the rest 6 weeks. WANG Juyi's meridian examination method was applied to detect the abnormalities of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians before treatment, and in 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks among 70 patients separately. The frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) every two weeks, meridian abnormal value and the relativity with CSBM change rate were compared in the patients between two groups. RESULTS: Regarding the increase of CSBM frequency, the effect started since the 2nd week in the EA group, with the treatment going on, CSBM frequency was increased apparently (all P<0. 05). In the sham-EA group, after 6 and 8-weeks of treatment, CSBM frequency was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment (all P<0. 05). The increase of CSBM frequency in the EA group was remarkably as compared with the sham-EA group at every time point (all P<0. 05). The abnormal value of the large intestine meridian in 2 weeks of treatment and the values of the stomach and spleen meridians and the relevant meridians in 4 weeks of treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those in the baseline in the EA group (all P<0. 05). With the treatment time going on, the abnormal reflections on the large intestine and stomach meridians were reduced gradually (all P<0. 05), and the total change rate of abnormalities on the large intestine, stomach and spleen meridians presented the negative correlation with the total change rate of CSBM frequency (P<0. 01, P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: In the EA group, the efficacy on CSBM frequency in severe functional constipation is advantageous and stable as compared with the sham-EA group. Acupuncture at the relevant acupoints of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians achieves the definite regulation to the meridian abnormalities. It is discovered that the abnormal changes in the spleen, stomach

Effects of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on fat accumulation, blood lipid, and uterus e 2 of menopause rats.

Objective. To observe the effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on blood lipid of menopause rats. Methods. Seventy 10-month-old SD rats with estrous cycle disorders were divided into three control groups and four treatment groups (n = 10/group) and another ten 3.5-month-old female SD rats were chosen as young control group. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion were applied at Guanyuan (CV 4). Body weight growth rate has been recorded. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and uterus E 2 level were measured. Results. Compared to young control group, plasma TC and LDL increased and uterus E 2 reduced significantly in 12-month-old control group. Compared to 12-month-old control group, plasma TC and LDL level and body weight growth rate decreased while HDL level increased remarkably in preventive acupuncture 12-month-old group. Compared to 14-month-old control group, plasma TC level and body weight growth rate decreased remarkably in preventive moxibustion 14-month-old group. Conclusions. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion can significantly decrease the plasma TG and LDL, increase the plasma HDL, and prevent fat accumulation. Our finding suggests that preventive acupuncture and moxibustion have beneficial effects on blood lipid. Different treatment effects were found between preventive acupuncture and preventive moxibustion.

[Effect of preventive moxibustion on heat shock proteins and stress hormones in natural menopausal rats].

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: 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.

[Effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA in spleen and the contents of serum IL-2, TNF-alpha in menopausal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of preventive acupuncture (PA) and preventive moxibustion (PM) at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the immune function in natural climacteric rats. METHODS: A total of 160 female SD rats were randomized into control, PA and PM groups, the former one group was further divided into 10 month (mon), 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, and the later two groups were further divided into 12 mon, 14 mon and 16 mon subgroups, with 16 rats in each. In addition, other 16 female SD rats aged 3.5 mon were used as the young control (YC) group. "Guanyuan" (CV 4) was punctured with an acupuncture needle and the needle was retained for 20 min, or given with one ignited moxa-cone from the age of 10 mon on. The treatment was conducted twice every week, 8 weeks altogether. The expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA of the spleen tissue was detected by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization respectively, and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha contents were assayed by using radio-immunoassay. RESULTS: In comparison with YC group, 1) the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA increased significantly in 10 mon control (mon-C), 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, and 14 mon-PA group (only HSP 70 mRNA) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 2) HSP 70 expression decreased remarkably in 14 mon-C, 16 mon-C and 16 mon-PA groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); 3) IL-2 contents decreased evidently in 12 mon-C and 14 mon-C groups, and TNF-alpha contents increased obviously in 12 mon-PM, 12 mon-PA and 16 mon-C groups (P < 0.05). In comparison with the corresponding same age control groups, HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA expression increased significantly in 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups, 14 mon-PM and 16 mon-PM (HSP 70 only), 14 mon-PA (HSP 70 mRNA only) groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); IL-2 level of 12 mon-PM group, and TNF-alpha contents of 12 mon-PM and 12 mon-PA groups increased markedly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between PM and PA groups in most different age groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both preventive acupuncture and preventive moxibustion can upregulate the expression of spleen HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels, which may contribute to their effects in enhancing the immune function in menopausal rats.

[Observation on the protective effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on uterus in ovariectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) on uterus in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: A total of 80 female SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control, sham-operation (sham), model, preventive acupuncture (PA) and preventive moxibustion (PM) groups, with 16 cases in each. PA (with the needle retained for 20 min after insertion) and PM (one moxa-cone/rat) were applied to "Guanyuan" (CV 4) separately before ovariectomy, two times a week, 4 weeks altogether. Then, ovariectomy was performed on rats of model, PA and PM groups. Uterus tissue was taken under anesthesia for homogenate (10 rats/group) or sectioning (5-6 microm, 6 rats/group). Uterus estradiol (E2), progestone (P) were detected with radioimmunoassay; superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed with immunoturdidimetry. Partial uterus slices were stained with H & E method for observing morphological changes, or stained with immunohistochemical method or with in situ hybridization method for displaying estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA expression separately. RESULTS: After ovariectomy, the rat's uterus presented obvious squamous metaplasia, hyperplasy, and thickening of the endomembrane, decrease in glands and blood vessels and increase in fibrous connective tissue, etc; while the situation was evidently better in PA and PM groups. In comparison with normal control group, E2, P contents and SOD, NOS activities of uterus tissue in model group decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while MDA in model group increased evidently (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, uterus P content in PA and PM groups increased obviously (P < 0.05), while uterus MDA decreased apparently (P < 0.01). Compared with normal control group, the expression of ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA in model group was downregulated markedly (P < 0.01); after PA and PM, both ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA expression increased obviously (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between PA and PM groups in the above mentioned 7 indexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion of CV4 can postpone the structural degeneration of uterus in OVX rats, which may be related to their effects in modulating the secretion of uterus E2 and P, upregulating the expression of ER-a and ER-alpha mRNA, and improving the anti-oxidative ability.

[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].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of "preventive acupuncture and moxibustion" for regulating hypothalamic function in ovariectomy rats. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). CONCLUSION: "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.