Electroacupuncture treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A case report.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty in urination. Currently, treatment is mainly carried out using medications and surgery, but all of these methods can lead to certain adverse effects. In this case, a ninety-year-old male elderly patient came to our acupuncture clinic for treatment of urinary tract occlusion due to BPH. According to the patient's condition, we adopted the eletroacupuncture treatment protocol of Prof. Zhanglian Wang, a famous experienced Chinese medicine doctor. After six weeks of acupuncture treatment, the patient's urinary status improved significantly. This case suggests that acupuncture may be an effective complementary alternative therapy for BPH.

Acupuncture treatment for lumbar disc herniation with scoliosis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with scoliosis usually refers to lumbar disc herniation caused by scoliosis, which is a postural compensatory deformity to reduce low back and leg pain, mostly with nonstructural changes. Scoliosis may disappear after the treatment of LDH. PATIENT CONCERNS: At present, this kind of scoliosis is mainly treated with medicine and surgery, but all these methods may have some adverse effects. DIAGNOSIS: A 24-year-old female patient was admitted to the acupuncture department of our hospital due to unbearable pain caused by LDH. INTERVENTIONS: According to the patient condition, the acupuncture treatment plan was adopted by Professor Wang Zhanglian, a famous Chinese medicine practitioner. OUTCOMES: After 12 weeks of acupuncture treatment, the patient low back pain was significantly relieved. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative treatment for LDH.

Modified Simiaowan prevents articular cartilage injury in experimental gouty arthritis by negative regulation of STAT3 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Modified Simiaowan (MSW) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that is composed of six herbs. It has been widely used in the treatment of gouty arthritis. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was designed to investigate the effect of MSW on gouty arthritis and explore the possible mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rat gouty arthritis model was established by intra-articular injection of Monosodium Urate (MSU) crystal, and then treated with MSW for 5 days. The perimeter of the knee joints was measured in a time-dependent manner and serum samples were collected for the detection of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 protein levels by ELISA. The protein expressions of MMP-3, TIMP-3, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in cartilage tissues and C28/I2 cells were detected by Western blot, and the levels of proteoglycan in primary chondrocytes and cartilage tissues were determined by toluidine blue staining. In addition, AG490 and IL-6 were used in vitro to explore the function of IL-6/STAT3 pathway in the protective effect of MSU. RESULTS: MSW reduced the joint swelling rate in gouty arthritis model and inhibited MSU induced up-regulation of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 protein levels in serum and synovial fluid. IL-1ß induced an increase in p-STAT3 and MMP-3 protein expression in C28/I2 cells, as well as a decrease in TIMP-3. MSW serum inhibited the protein expression changes induced by IL-1ß in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of STAT3 signaling negated the effect of MSW serum on p-STAT3, MMP-3, and TIMP-3 protein levels in C28/I2 cells. MSW also increased the content of proteoglycan significantly both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that MSW protected rats from MSU-induced experimental gouty arthritis and IL-1ß/IL-6/STAT3 pathway played an essential role in the protective effect of MSU against GA.

[Therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut embedding on irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type (deficiency of spleen and stomach) treated with acupoint catgut embedding therapy. METHODS: Sixty cases of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding group and a medication group. In acupoint catgut embedding group, acupoint catgut embedding therapy was given at Tianshu (ST 25), Dachang shu (BL 25) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc., once treatment every 10 days and 3 treatments in all. In medication group, Pinaverium Bromide was orally taken for 50 mg, 3 times a day and 30 days in all. The therapeutic effects were compared after 3Q days treatment and the recurrence rates were observed after 3 months in both groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) in acupoint catgut embedding group, superior to that of 56.7% (11/30) in medication group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate was 15.4% (4/26) in acupoint catgut embedding group, which was lower than that of 64. 7% (11/17) in medication group after 3 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The curative effect of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type (deficiency of spleen and stomach) treated by acupoint catgut embedding is superior to that by Pinaverium Bromide, with low recurrence rate.

[Observation on the transient analgesic effect of abdominal acupuncture TENS on pain of neck, shoulder, loin and legs].

OBJECTIVE: To observe on the transient analgesic effect of abdominal points transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with abdominal acupuncture according to the holographic theory on pain of neck, shoulder, loin and legs. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of pain of neck, shoulder, loin and legs were randomly divided into 4 groups: abdominal acupuncture TENS group, acupoints TENS group, electroacupuneture (EA) group, non-abdominal acupuncture TENS group, 30 cases in each group. All the cases were treated by the same stimulation parameters, but different stimulation points. The VAS scores were recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: The VAS scores were significantly different before and after treatment in abdominal acupuncture TENS group (P < 0.01); the total effective rate of the transient analgesic effec t was 96.7% in the abdominal acupuncture TENS group, 93.3% in the acupoints TENS group, 96.7% in the EA group with no significant difference among the 3 groups, but with a very significant difference between the abdominal acupuncture TENS group and the non-abdominal acupunctureTENS group (10.0%), P < 0.01. CONCLUSION: Abdominal acupuncture TENS has a better transient analgesic effect and can use less stimulation points to increase the analgesic effect.

[Effect of acupoint injection by Astragalus injection on local SIgA and pathomorphology changes in rats with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint injection by astragalus injection on local SIgA and pathomorphologial changes in rats with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID). METHOD: 50 female Wistar rats were randomly devided into 6 groups, in which CPID model was made except the normal group and sham operation group. The astragalus injection group and the 0.9% NaCl injection group were treated by acupoint injection in Guanyuan (RN4) and Zusanli (ST36). The group was fed Qianjinpian solution into stomach. The histopathologic changes of rats' uterus of each group were observed and SIgA in vagina flushing was detected. RESULT: The model group showed inflammatory changes, and astragalus injection group and Qianjinpian group showed little histopathologic changes. The levels of SIgA in astragalus injection group were significantly higher than those in other groups, but that in the model group was the lowest. CONCLUSION: The deficiency of local SIgA lead to repeatedly attack of CPID. The treatment of acupoint injection by astragalus injection can improve the excretion of SIgA, reinforce the local immunity, and prevent the repeatedly attack.

[Experimental treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease in rats with acupoint injection of Astragalus parenteral solution].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint injection with astragalus parenteral solution in rat chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID). METHODS: Fifty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: CPID model was induced in 4 groups, in addition to control group and false surgery group. The rats were given acupoint (Guanyuan and Zusanli) injection with astragalus parenteral solution and saline. The drug group was fed with Qianjinpian solutions. The histopathologic changes of uterus were observed and serum IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels detected. RESULT: The rats in the model group showed chronic inflammatory changes, the animals in astragalus parenteral injection group and Qianjinpian group showed little histopathological changes. The serum TNF-alpha levels in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group and the astragalus parenteral injection group; while the IL-2 levels in model group were significantly lower than those of other 5 groups. The TNF-alpha and IL-2 levels in astragalus parenteral injection group were similar to those of normal group. CONCLUSION: The treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease with acupoint injection of astragalus parenteral solution might be effective.