Fire acupuncture for anti-LGI1 antibody autoimmune encephalitis: a case report.

Autoimmune encephalitis, a class of encephalitis, is clinically characterized by multifocal or diffuse brain injury, including aberrant mental behavior, convulsions, and near-event memory impairment. In this article, we describe a female patient with autoimmune encephalitis who tested positive for leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibodies and had hippocampal inflammatory edema in the lesion area. During the first 3 months of her illness, the patient primarily experienced memory loss, the onset of rigid twitching in her extremities that lasted for 1 min while in remission, and incontinence. After gamma globulin administration, methylprednisolone shock, and other symptomatic therapies during hospitalization, the patient's psychiatric symptoms and seizures improved considerably; however, she did not fully recover her memory. After receiving fire acupuncture for 6 months, the patient's understanding, orientation, and calculation skills improved considerably. Her memory and mental state were also improved at the follow-up visit. In this case, the use of fire acupuncture for the treatment of autoimmune encephalitis resulted in favorable outcomes with important benefits for conditions affecting the central nervous system; however, more convincing data are required to support the effectiveness of this treatment method.

Acupuncture with twirling reinforcing and reducing manipulation shows a control of hypertension and regulation of blood pressure-related target brain regions in spontaneously hypertensive rat: a preliminary resting-state functional MRI study.

Aim: To observe the effects of acupuncture manipulations on blood pressure and brain function in spontaneously hypertensive rats and elucidate the anti-hypertensive effect of the manipulations' central mechanism. Methods: This study used acupuncture twirling reinforcing, acupuncture twirling reducing, and acupuncture twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulations to act on the bilateral TaiChong point of rats. The depth of acupuncture was 1.5-2 mm, and twisting was performed at a frequency of 60 times/min within ±360° for 3 min, followed by the needle being retained for 17 min. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed at the end of the intervention. Regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations were used to assess the differences in brain regions in each group of rats, and the core brain region (left hypothalamus) among the differential brain regions was selected as the seed for functional connectivity analysis. Results: (1) The anti-hypertensive effect was achieved by acupuncture manipulations, and the anti-hypertensive effect of twirling reducing manipulation on spontaneously hypertensive rats was better than that of twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing and twirling reinforcing manipulations. (2) After regional homogeneity and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations analyses, the hypothalamus, the brain region related to blood pressure, was activated in the twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation group; the corpus callosum and cerebellum were activated in the twirling reinforcing manipulation group; and the hypothalamus, olfactory bulb, corpus callosum, brainstem, globus pallidum, and striatum were activated in the twirling reducing manipulation group. (3) According to the functional connectivity analysis, different acupuncture manipulations increased the functional connections between seed points and the brainstem, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum, etc. Conclusion: These results suggest that acupuncture manipulations achieved the hypotensive effect and the twirling reducing manipulation had a better hypotensive effect on spontaneously hypertensive rats than twirling uniform reinforcing-reducing and twirling reinforcing manipulations; the central mechanism of the anti-hypertensive effect of twirling reinforcing and reducing manipulation may be related to the activation of brain regions associated with blood pressure regulation and the functional connections between them. Furthermore, brain regions involved in motor control, cognition, and hearing were also activated. We hypothesize that activation of these brain regions may help prevent or mitigate the onset and progression of hypertensive brain damage.

Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture at LR3 and ST36 have attenuating effects on hypertension and subsequent cognitive dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats: A preliminary resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Introduction: Chronic hypertension may have a contributory role toward cognitive impairment. Acupuncture exerts protective effects on cognitive functions while controlling the blood pressure. However, the neural mechanism underlying the dual attenuating effect of acupuncture remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) on the functional activity of the brain regions of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) by through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). We also evaluated the differences in these functional activities between the EA and MA groups. Methods: We randomly assigned 30 SHRs into the EA, MA, and model (SHR) groups. Wistar Kyoto rats (n = 10) were used as normal control (WKY). The interventions were administered once every alternate day for 12 weeks. The systolic blood pressure of all rats was recorded every 2 weeks until the end of the intervention. After the intervention, rs-fMRI scanning was performed to access the whole brain data of rats randomly selected from each group evenly. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analysis, regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis, and functional connectivity (FC) analysis were also conducted. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted to evaluate the learning and memory of the rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the key brain regions. Results: We demonstrated that, when compared with the SHR group, the EA and MA groups had significantly lower blood pressure and better performance for behavioral test indices, and that the effect of EA was better than that of MA. ALFF and ReHo analyses revealed enhancement of the neuronal activity of some functionally impaired brain areas in the EA and MA groups. The main callback brain regions included the hypothalamus, entorhinal cortex, brain stem, prelimbic cortex, cingulate cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebellum. The FC analysis demonstrated that EA and MA enhanced the functional connectivity between the seeds and brain regions such as the brain stem, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, prelimbic cortex, and cerebellum. The pathological test of the entorhinal cortex also verified the protective effect of acupuncture on the neuronal functional activity. Discussion: Our findings suggested that EA and MA exhibited attenuating effects on hypertension and cognitive dysfunction by enhancing the functional activities in the corresponding brain regions. Moreover, EA activated more callback brain regions and functional connectivity than MA, which may explain why the effect of EA was better than that of MA.

[Investigation and analysis on the current situation of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion at home and abroad].

To provide directional suggestions for the establishment of international clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion by investigating the current situation of clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion at home and abroad. The clinical practice guidelines were obtained by questionnaire survey, database retrieval and experts consulting. The guidelines were read carefully, and the content was analyzed. A total of 27 acupuncture-moxibustion clinical practice guidelines were retrieved, of which most of the guidelines came from China. The definition and scope of "acupuncture and moxibustion "vary according to different guidelines; and the focus of the content and the method of establishing the guidelines are quite different, so it is very necessary to unify the formulation methods of acupuncture-moxibustion clinical practice guidelines. Chinese clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and moxibustion were characterized by taking the ancient literature as the evidence. Excavating the value of ancient literature and clinical experience of acupuncture-moxibustion experts are the key points and difficulties in the developing of clinical practice guidelines of acupuncture and moxibustion in the future.

A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of acupoint therapy for essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension remains an enormous public health concern, imposing a major burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Relevant studies showed that acupuncture therapy might be effective in treating essential hypertension. However, there is no consistent conclusion so far. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wan-fang databases from inception through November 29, 2019. Randomized controlled trials investigating acupuncture therapy for hypertension were included. We will use Endnote software X8 for studies selection, Review Manager software 5.3 for the data analysis. RESULTS: We will synthesize current studies to evaluate the safeties and effectiveness of acupuncture for essential hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our study will provide the evidence of acupuncture therapy for essential hypertension.

[Origin and relationship of jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11)].

Both the twelve jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are the commonly used first-aid points. These two kinds of acupoints are located closely and similar in function, hence, they are often confused in application. In order to explore the origin of their location and theory as well as their relationship, the relevant data were retrieved. It has been found that the relationship between jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is traced at the earliest time to Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics). It is believed that the jing-well points refer to the starting points or the ending points of the twelve regular meridians and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are located at the crossing sites of yin-yang related meridians of the regular meridians. These two kinds of acupoints are interconnected, share the same source and are also different from each other. Qiduan (EX-LE 12) is also named as foot-Shixuan. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) and Qiduan (EX-LE 12) can be regarded as the same category, just like jing-well points. In clinical practice, the jing-well points are generally selected in treatment of internal diseases, local diseases and those on the running course of meridians. They can be used separately in treatment. Shixuan (EX-UE 11) is the first option, or combined with Qiduan (EX-LE 12) in the emergent treatment of tense syndrome and syncope. The jing-well points and Shixuan (EX-UE 11) are different even though sharing the same origin. They are mutually benefited and supplemented with each other in clinical practice.

[Acupuncture strategy for Bu-yi in Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor].

This article focuses on the Bu-yi (the disease has not been cured after treatment) recorded in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor and discusses four aspects, including acupuncture feasibility, acupuncture treatment transformation, acupuncture point selection and acupuncture treatment principles. We hope to explain the virtual acupuncture in the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor from a deeper level and provide new ideas for clinical acupuncture treatment.

[Exploration into the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture].

Four controversial types of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture and their possible meanings were summarized to explore several key elements of reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture, in addition, the simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture was classified by single factor. It is concluded that the definition of simplex reinforcing-reducing manipulation of acupuncture should try not to include other non-manipulative elements. According to single factor, it can be divided into: needle-oriented reinforcing-reducing manipulation, twisting reinforcing-reducing manipulation, lifting and interpolating reinforcing-reducing manipulation, fast and slow reinforcing-reducing manipulation, breathing reinforcing-reducing manipulation, opening and closing reinforcing-reducing manipulation. In addition, after considering the effect and principle of number reinforcing-reducing manipulation, it can be considered.

[Regulating effect of electroacupuncture on left ventricular function and autophagy-specific proteins in spontaneously hypertension rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cardiac hypertrophy and expression of myocardial autophagy-specific proteins in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Twelve male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were selected as the normal control group, and 24 male SHRs were randomized into model and EA groups (n＝12 in each). EA (2 Hz /15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Taichong" (LR3) and "Baihui" (GV20) for 20 min, once a day for successive 30 days. The other two groups only received the same grasping and fixation procedures. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using a non-invasive blood detector, and the left ventricular function including the left ventricular anterior wall diameter (LVAWd), left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWd) and left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastolic dimension (LVIDd) was detected using a real-time echocardiography imaging system, and the left ventricular mass index (left ventricle weight / body weight, LVMI) was calculated. The expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins in the left ventricle tissue was detected by Western blot. Pathological changes of the myocardial tissue were observed by Masson staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: After the intervention, the elevated SBP was significantly lowered in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.01) and the increased LVAWd, LVPWd and LVMI were markedly decreased in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the reduced LVIDd was significantly ameliorated in the EA group (P<0.01). Masson staining showed that in SHRs, disorder of arrangement of cardiac myofibers, swelling of cardiomyocytes, widened space among myocardial cells with a large number of collagenous fibers were observed, and under TEM, aggregation and unequal size of myocardial mitochondria with vacuolation and rupture, autophagosomes and autophagic lysosomes were seen. These changes were relatively milder in the EA group. Western blot showed that hypertension induced up-regulation of Beclin-1 and LC3-II and ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I, and down-regulation of LC3-I were significantly suppressed in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at LR3 and GV20 may improve the left cardiac function, myocardial morphological changes and the degree of autophagy in SHRs, which is related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of myocardial Beclin-1 and LC3-II and in up-regulating expression of LC3-I.

[Progress of the application of PET technology in acupuncture research].

To further investigate the application of positron emission tomography (PET) technology in acupuncture research field, with "PET" and "acupuncture" as keywords, the related literature published from 1997 to 2018 was searched in PubMed, CNKI and WANFANG database; then the literature was classified and analyzed. The results showed that in clinical and experimental studies, whether in physiological or pathological conditions, PET technology has verified the specificity of acupoints, bidirectional regulation of acupoints, and the clinical effect of qi-arrival from the level of brain functional activity. It has deeply revealed the central mechanism underlying that acupuncture has multi-target, multi-channel and multi-level overall effects. The purpose of this study is to provide objective scientific basis for acupuncture research, and then potentially guide the clinical practice.

[Hypothalamic Transcription Profiles Associated with Twirling-reducing Needling in Rats with Stress-induced Prehypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of twirling-reducing needling on changes of profile of differentially-expressed genes in the hypothalamus in rats with stress-induced prehypertension (SI-PHT), so as to explore its mechanism under-lying improvement of prehypertension. METHODS: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n=12), model group (n=12) and acupuncture group (n=10). The SI-PHT model was established by planta-electric-shock stimulation (30 V, 5 s) plus noise stimulation (80-100 db, 50 ms), twice daily, continuously for 11 days. Manual acupuncture stimulation (twirling-reducing needling) was applied to bilateral "Taichong" (LR 3) and "Quchi" (LI 11) for about 1 min (60 cycles/min), followed by retaining the needles for 20 min during modeling preparation, once daily for 11 days. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) and behavior changes were recorded before intervention and on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th day during modeling. The expression (Fold change,|FC| ≥ 1.5) profile of genes in the hypothalamus was analyzed using Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Gene 2.0 ST Array, followed by analyzing the differentially-expressed genes involving the related biological process,molecular function, and signaling pathways by using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), separately. RESULTS: After modeling, the systolic pressure levels were remarkably increased from the 3rd day to the 11th day in both model and acupuncture groups relatively to their respective baseline levels (P<0.01), and were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01) from the 5th day to the 11th day. Meanwhile, 93 genes were up-regulated and 153 down-regulated in the model group relative to the control group (P<0.05,|FC| ≥ 1.5), while in comparison with the model group, 59 genes were up-regulated and 86 down-regulated in the acupuncture group (P<0.05,|FC| ≥ 1.5). The expression levels of the 40 differen-tially-expressed genes (24 up-regulated and 16 down-regulated) in the model group were evidently reversed after acupuncture stimulation (P<0.05,|FC| ≥ 1.5). After acupuncture stimulation, the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 3 (Acsm 3) gene was down-regulated, and chorionic gonadotropin-alpha (Cgα), crystal (Cry) αB and thyroid stimulating hormone beta (Tshß) genes and the autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) pathway were up-regulated (P<0.05,|FC| ≥ 1.5), suggesting an involvement of fatty acid biosynthetic processing, G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling, and hormone activity, etc. in acupuncture-induced blood-pressure lowering. CONCLUSIONS: Twirling-reducing needling of acupuncture can lower blood pressure in prehypertension rats, which may be related to its effects in regulating expression of Acsm 3, Cgα, CryαB, Tshß genes and in activating AITD pathway.

[Effects of acupotomy intervention on regional pathological changes and expression of carti- lage-mechanics related proteins in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy (needle-knife) therapy on local pathological changes and cartilage-mechanics related protein expression in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) so as to study its mechanisms underlying improving KOA. METHODS: Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, acupotomy group, and electroacupuncture (EA) group (n = 10 in each group). The KOA model was established by immobilization of the left knee-joint (modified Videman method) for 6 weeks. After modeling, acupotomy relaxing was applied to the lateral collateral ligament and patellar ligament of the left knee-joint, once a week for 3 times, and EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to the left "Yanglingquan" (GB 34), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9), "Neixiyan" (EX-LE 4) and "Waixiyan" (ST 35) for 20 min, 3 times a week for three weeks. The expression levels of Integrin ß1, type II collagen (Col-II), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and Aggrecan proteins of the cartilage tissue of the left femoral medial and external condyles were observed by Western blot. Pathological changes of the knee-joint by X-ray scanning and those of the femoral condyle tissue were evaluated by Mankin's scores under light microscope after H. E. staining. RESULTS: X-ray showed successful modeling, and pathological changes of the articular cartilage belonged to the early and moderate lesion of knee osteoarthritis. The Mankin's score was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.01) , and after the treatment, the Mankin's scores were significantly decreased in the acupotomy. group (P < 0.01), rather than in the EA group (P > 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that after modeling, the expression levels of Integrin ß 1, Col-II and Aggrecan proteins of the femoral articular cartilage were considerably decreased (P < 0.01), while that of MMP-3 protein was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the decreased expression levels of Integrin ß 1, Col-II and Aggrecan proteins in the acupotomy group and Integrin ß 1 protein in the EA group were notably up-regulated (P < 0.01 , P < 0.05), and MMP-3 expression in the acupotomy group was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.01). No significant changes were found in the EA group in the expression levels of Col-II , Aggrecan and MMP-3 proteins compared with the model group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupotomy intervention can relieve KOA-induced injury of the knee-joint in KOA rats, which is associated with its actions in raising expression levels of Integrin ß 1, Col-II and Aggrecan proteins and in lowering the expression of MMP-3 proteins in the articular cartilage, probably by adjusting the mechanics-related signal pathway of the articular chondrocytes.

[Effect of twirling-reinforcing-reducing needling manipulations on contents of serum acetylcholine and arterial NOS and cGMP in stress-induced hypertension rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of twirling-reinforcing or reducing needling manipulations on plasma acetylcholine (Ach) content and expression of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in thoracic artery tissue in stress-induced hypertension rats. METHODS: A total of 60 male rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, acupuncture (no-needle-manipulation) , twirling-reinforcing needling and twirling-reducing needling groups (n = 12 in each group). The stress hypertension model was established by giving the animals with noise and electric shock stimulation (paw), twice a day for 15 days. Acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral "Taichong" (LR 3) for 1 min, followed by retaining the needles for 20 min. The treatment was conducted once daily for 7 days. Systolic blood pressure of the rat's tail was detected with non-invasive method and plasma Ach, and NOS and cGMP contents in the thoracic artery tissue were measured using ELISA method. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the model group after 15 days' stress stimulation (P < 0.01), while the contents of plasma Ach, arterial NOS and cGMP were markedly down-regulated (P < 0.01). Following 7 days' acupuncture interventions, the increased blood pressure was down-regulated in the no-needle-manipulation, twirling-reinforcing needling and twirling-reducing needling groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and the decreased Ach and NOS in the 3 treatment groups, and cGMP levels in the twirling-reinforcing and twirling-reducing needling groups were remarkably up-regulated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No significant change of arterial cGMP content was found in the no-needle-manipulation group (P > 0.05). The effect of the twirling-reducing needling was superior to that of no-needle-manipulation and twirling-reinforcing needling in lowering blood pressure and raising plasma Ach content (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The twirling-reducing needling of acupuncture has a significant anti-hypertensive effect in stress hypertension rats, which may be associated with its effects in raising blood Ach, and arterial NOS and cGMP levels.

[Effects of twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique for left ventricular morphology, concentration of ET-1 and expression of type I, III collagen mRNA in spontaneous hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect differences between twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique of acupuncture on cardiac damage in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Sixty male 11-week-old SHR were randomly divided into four groups: a model control group (group A), a twirling-rotating reinforcing technique group (group B), a twirling-rotating reducing technique group (group C) and a needle retaining group (group D), 15 rats in each one. In addition, twelve male 11-week-old Wistar rats were used as a blank control group (group E). Acupuncture was not used in group A and group E, only with grasp, capture and binding stimulation that was also adapted in the rest groups. Rats in the group B were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) by twirling-rotating reinforcing technique for 1 min and then the needles were retained for 9 min; rats in the group C were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) by twirling-rotating reducing technique for 1 min and then the needles were retained for 9 min; rats in the group D were treated with acupuncture at "Taichong" (LR 3) but without any technique and then needles were retained for 10 min. Before and after acupuncture, blood pressure monitor was used to measure the rats' systolic pressure and diastolic pressure every 6 days. Twenty-eight days after the treatment, HE and Masson staining were adopted to observe the status of left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. ELISA method was applied to test the content of endothelin-1 (ET-1). PCR semiquantitative method was used to analyze Type I and III collagen mRNA in the left ventricular. RESULTS: (1) Blood pressure: after the treatment, the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure were both increased in the group A and the group B (P < 0.05); while the two pressures were both lowered in the group C and the group D (P < 0.05), which was more obvious in the group C (P < 0.05). (2) According to HE and Masson staining, except for the group E, the myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis could be found in the rest groups, in which the group C was the modest, followed by the group D, while the group A and the group B were more severe. (3) Concentration of ET-1: there were differences of concentration of ET-1 among 5 groups (P < 0.05), and the concentration value from high to low was the group A, B, C, D and E. (4) Type I collagen mRNA: the difference of level of Type I collagen mRNA between group C and D was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); compared with the group A and B, the level was lower in the group C; the level was the lowest in the group E. Type III collagen mRNA: the difference between the group A and B was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); compared with the group A, B and D, the level was lower in the group C. CONCLUSION: The twirling-rotating reducing could reduce the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in SHR, effectively prohibit the production of ET-1 and expression of Type I and III collagen mRNA, and it has more obvious inhibiting effect on Type III collagen mRNA. There is biological effect difference between twirling-rotating reinforcing and reducing technique.

[Cross-sectional survey of characteristics of reaction point Jingtong in balance acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the performance patterns of reaction point Jingtong in balance acupuncture through multi-center and big-sample clinical investigation. Methods The Jingtong points of balance acupuncture on healthy side and affected side were observed among 230 cases of cervical spondylosis and scores of self-discomfort in reaction point, color of skin, changes of skin, morphology of subcutaneous tissue and abnormal pressing pain were recorded. The software SPSS 15.0 was applied to statistically analyze the recorded scores. RESULTS: Among 230 cases, the reaction point appeared in 226 cases, accounting for 98. 3%. Among the 226 cases who had reaction point, the total score of symptom and sign was (1.08+/-1.09) on the healthy side and (0. 84+/-1. 36) on the affected side, which had statistical significance (P<0. 01); score of self-discomfort in reaction point was (0. 76 +/-0. 83) on the healthy side and (0. 40+/-0.80) on the affected side, which had statistical significance (P<0.01); the score of skin color was (0.10+/-0.36) on the healthy side and (0. 03+/- 0. 19) on the affected side, which had statistical significance (P<0. 05); the score of abnormal pressing pain was (2. 47+/-2. 46) on the healthy side and (1. 39+/-2. 37) on the affected side, which had statistical significance (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: The total score of symptom and sign of reaction point Jingtong on the healthy side is higher than that on the affected side, indicating positive reaction of Jingtong on the healthy side has specificity for cervical spondylosis. When patient has cervical spondylosis on either side of neck, the other side will have anomaly in Jingtong.

[Affection of acupotomy lysis on leu-enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrum of rats with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the analgesia mechanism of needle-knife lysis in spinal cord and other parts of central nervous system by comparing the changes of Leu-Enkephalin (L-ENK) content in different parts of centrium of rats undergone needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture respectively. METHODS: Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly devided into normal control group, model group, needle-knife lysis (NKL) group and electro-acupuncture (EA) group. 4% papain solution mixed with 0.3 mol/L cysteine solutin in the ratio of 1:1, paused for 0.5 h,injected the mixture, 20 microl each time,into the left knee joint cavities of rats in model, NKL, EA groups at the 1st, 4th, 7th day. After 4 weeks in NKL group and EA group were treated with needle-knife lysis and electro-acupuncture, respectively. Three weeks after treatment, samples of spinal cord of the swollen part of rat waists and rat brains were taken from and the content of L-ENK of medulla oblongata, midbrain, pituitary gland, and hippocampus were measured. RESULTS: L-ENK content of model group increased higher than that of normal control group in spinal cord, hippocampus and midbrain (P < 0.01); there were no significant difference between normal control group and modle group on L-ENK in medulla oblongata and thalamus (P > 0.05). After intervening of NKL or EA, L-ENK content of NKL group increased higher in hippocampus than that of model group and EC group (P < 0.05); but L-ENK content of NKL group in midbrain was lower than that of model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle-knife lysis has characteristic of regulation for the L-ENK content in different parts of central nervous system of rats with knee osteoarthritis, and analgesic effect of needle-knife was possibly related with regulation of center L-ENK.

[Effects of reinforcing and reducing methods by twirling and rotating the needle on contents of CGRP and NO in rats with stress-induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the different effects of reinforcing and reducing methods by twirling and rotating the needle on stress-induced hypertension and its mechanism. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a nomal group (group A), a model group (group B), an acupuncture control group (group C), an acupuncture with reinforcing method group (group D)and an acupuncture with reducing method group (group E), 12 rats in each group. The model of stress-induced hypertension was established by foot-shock and noise stimulation in the other groups except group A. Group C was treated by acupuncture at left "Taichong" (LR 3) with no manipulation, group D with twirling reinforcement method and group E with twirling reducing method at the same acupoint, respectively, and group A and B with no acupuncture treatment. The contents of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitrogen monoxidum (NO) in blood plasma and hypothalamus after 7 days were observed. RESULTS: After acupuncture treatment, the contents of CGRP in blood plasma and hypothalamus were (375.9 +/- 36.5) pg/mL and (213.6 +/- 50.1) pg/mg in group A, which were higher than (261.0 +/- 20.1) pg/mL and (156.0 +/- 21.8) pg/mg in group B , and (255.3 +/- 33.6) pg/mL and (154.3 +/- 47.3) pg/mg in group C (all P < 0.05), and (465.9 +/- 53.2) pg/mL and (250.74 +/- 47.7) pg/mg in group E higher than those in group C and (283.3 +/- 29.8) pg/mL and (164.6 +/- 47.4) pg/mg in group D (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference among group B, C and D (all P > 0.05). After acupuncture treatment, the contents of NO in blood plasma and hypothalamus were (43.7 +/- 5.5) micromol/L and (23.3 +/- 2.9) micromol/g in group B, (46.5 +/- 6.4) micromol/L and (23.1 +/- 3.3) micromol/g in group C, (45.8 +/- 6.7) micromol/L and (25.0 +/- 2.7) micromol/g in group D, which were all lower than (64.5 +/- 9.9) micromol/L and (30.7 +/- 1.6) micromol/g in group A (all P < 0.05), (55.9 +/- 4.6) micromol/L and (30.4 +/- 2.1) micromol/g in group E higher than those in group C and group D (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference among group B, C and D either (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture with twirling reducing method can increase the contents of CGRP and NO in rats with stress-induced hypertension, thereby causing a fall in blood pressure, however, no significant influence with twirling reinforcing method. Reinforcing or reducing method by twirling and rotating the needle has different efficacy.

[Debating some issues on the formulation and application of standardized manipulations of acupuncture and moxibustion-part 6: acupoint injection].

Some issues on the formulation of Standardized manipulations of acupuncture and moxibustion-part 6: acupoint injection are debated in this paper, including the definition of acupoint injection, characteristics of the standard and application of technical index etc. In the paper, the authors suggest that the issues on the selecting acupoints and drugs should be paid attention during the standard in use. Finally, the authors propose that the technical description of the acupoint injection in the reported literatures needs to be improved in order to better serve for clinical and scientific research.

[Effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis on serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and MMP-13 contents in osteoarthritis (OA) rabbits. METHODS: A total of 34 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal group (n = 7), model group (n = 7), acupotomy group (n = 10) and electroacupuncture (EA) group (n = 10). OA model was established by left-hindlimb-joint-immobilization method. Acupotomy lysis was applied to the affected joint, once a week for 3 weeks. EA (2/100 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Yinlingquan" (SP 9), "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) and "Liangqiu" (ST 34) on the left hindlimb for 10 min, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: In comparison with model group (grade III: 1 case; grade: 4 cases), the left knee-joint-motion range of rabbits in acupotomy and EA groups (grade I: 1 and 1 case; grade II: 4 and 3 cases; grade III: 2 and 2 cases; grade IV: 1 and 2 cases separately) increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with normal group, serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.05); while compared with model group, both MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels of acupotomy and EA groups reduced considerably (P < 0.05). No obvious difference was found between acupotomy and EA groups in the left knee-joint motion range, and serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupotomy is effective in lowering serum MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels, and in improving OA rabbits' knee-joint motion range.

[Advances of studies on acupuncture reinforcing-reducing of twirling-rotating the needle].

The theories and clinical and experimental studies about reinforcing-reducing manipulation of twirling rotating the needle in recent 15 years are reviewed and a brief account of manipulation methods, mechanisms and effects of reinforcing-reducing manipulation of twirling-rotating the needle is given, and it is indicated that the following several aspects in the studies at present need to be completed. Standardization and establishment of national standard of acupuncture manipulation must be enforced; quantitative parameters of acupuncture manipulation and mechanisms of acupuncture reinforcing-reducing of twirling-rotating the needle need to be further studied.