Efficacy of electro-acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: study protocol for a three-armed randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Specific treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is still lacking, and acupuncture may relieve the symptoms. We intend to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) in alleviating symptoms associated with DPN in diabetes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multicentre, three-armed, participant- and assessor-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial will recruit 240 eligible participants from four hospitals in China and will randomly assign (1:1:1) them to EA, sham acupuncture (SA) or usual care (UC) group. Participants in the EA and SA groups willl receive either 24-session EA or SA treatment over 8 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period, while participants in the UC group will be followed up for 16 weeks. The primary outcome of this trial is the change in DPN symptoms from baseline to week 8, as rated by using the Total Symptom Score. The scale assesses four symptoms: pain, burning, paraesthesia and numbness, by evaluating the frequency and severity of each. All results will be analysed with the intention-to-treat population. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Identifier: 2022BZYLL0509). Every participant will be informed of detailed information about the study before signing informed consent. The results of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200061408.

Structural and functional improvement of amygdala sub-regions in postpartum depression after acupuncture.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the changes in structure and function in amygdala sub-regions in patients with postpartum depression (PPD) before and after acupuncture. Methods: A total of 52 patients with PPD (All-PPD group) were included in this trial, 22 of which completed 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment (Acu-PPD group). An age-matched control group of 24 healthy postpartum women (HPW) from the hospital and community were also included. Results from the 17-Hamilton Depression Scale (17-HAMD) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were evaluated, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed at baseline and after the acupuncture treatment. Sub-regions of the amygdala were used as seed regions to measure gray matter volume (GMV) and analyzed for resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) values separately. Finally, correlation analyses were performed on all patients with PPD to evaluate association values between the clinical scale scores, GMV, and RSFC values, while controlling for age and education. Pearson's correlation analyses were conducted to investigate the relevance between GMV and RSFC values of brain regions that differed before and after acupuncture treatment and clinical scale scores in Acu-PPD patients. Results: The HAMD scores for Acu-PPD were reduced after acupuncture treatment (P < 0.05), suggesting the positive effects of acupuncture on depression symptoms. Structurally, the All-PPD group showed significantly decreased GMV in the left lateral part of the amygdala (lAMG.L) and the right lateral part of the amygdala (lAMG.R) compared to the HPW group (P < 0.05). In addition, the GMV of lAMG.R was marginally increased in the Acu-PPD group after acupuncture (P < 0.05). Functionally, the Acu-PPD group showed a significantly enhanced RSFC between the left medial part of the amygdala (mAMG.L) and the left vermis_6, an increased RSFC between the right medial part of the amygdala (mAMG.R) and left vermis_6, and an increased RSFC between the lAMG.R and left cerebelum_crus1 (P < 0.05). Moreover, correlation studies revealed that the GMV in the lAMG.R was significantly related to the EPDS scores in the All-PPD group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that the structure of amygdala sub-regions is impaired in patients with PPD. Acupuncture may improve depressive symptoms in patients with PPD, and the mechanism may be attributed to changes in the amygdala sub-region structure and the functional connections of brain areas linked to the processing of negative emotions. The fMRI-based technique can provide comprehensive neuroimaging evidence to visualize the central mechanism of action of acupuncture in PPD.

Practitioners' perspectives on acupuncture treatment for postpartum depression: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture may become a treatment for postpartum depression (PPD). Currently, little is known about the use of acupuncture in the treatment of PPD from the point of view of practitioners. The aim of this study was to explore practitioners' perspectives on the treatment of PPD with acupuncture and provide suggestions for future improvement. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative descriptive method. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 14 acupuncture practitioners from 7 hospitals via face-to-face or telephone interviews. The data were collected using interview outline from March to May 2022 and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: In general, the use of acupuncture for treating PPD was positively regarded by practitioners. They claimed that acupuncture is both safe and helpful for breastfeeding women who are experiencing emotional discomfort and that it can alleviate a variety of somatic symptoms. The following three themes were extracted: (a) patient acceptance and compliance; (b) acupuncture as a treatment for PPD; and (c) the advantages and drawbacks of acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION: Practitioners' optimistic outlooks demonstrated that acupuncture is a promising treatment option for PPD. However, the time cost was the most significant barrier to compliance. Future development will focus mostly on improving acupuncture equipment and the style of service.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for postpartum depression: an umbrella review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacological treatments for postpartum depression have been investigated in various systematic reviews, and their efficacy has been evaluated. However, the quality of the evidence as a whole has not been quantified. The quality of this evidence may influence the choice of interventions and even cause misleading clinical decisions. This study aims to provide an objective presentation of the methodological bias and identify treatments supported by solid evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: For the purpose of conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, a comprehensive search of the relevant published literature will be conducted in English databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Scopus, as well as in four Chinese databases: the Chinese Biomedical Databases (CBM), Wan fang database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP Database (VIP). The time of publication will be limited from their inception to 31 May 2022. We will extract the following data from the included literature: title, first author, journal type of included literature, number and sample size, intervention/control measures, outcome indicators and main study outcomes. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 will be used to measure the quality of the methods. In addition, we will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement to evaluate the quality of the reporting, as well as the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to evaluate the quality of the evidence. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021285470.

Ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke risk estimation using a machine-learning-based retinal image analysis.

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, causing a considerable disease burden. Ischemic stroke is more frequent, but haemorrhagic stroke is responsible for more deaths. The clinical management and treatment are different, and it is advantageous to classify their risk as early as possible for disease prevention. Furthermore, retinal characteristics have been associated with stroke and can be used for stroke risk estimation. This study investigated machine learning approaches to retinal images for risk estimation and classification of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Study design: A case-control study was conducted in the Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. According to the computerized tomography scan (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, stroke patients were classified as either ischemic or hemorrhage stroke. In addition, a control group was formed using non-stroke patients from the hospital and healthy individuals from the community. Baseline demographic and medical information was collected from participants' hospital medical records. Retinal images of both eyes of each participant were taken within 2 weeks of admission. Classification models using a machine-learning approach were developed. A 10-fold cross-validation method was used to validate the results. Results: 711 patients were included, with 145 ischemic stroke patients, 86 haemorrhagic stroke patients, and 480 controls. Based on 10-fold cross-validation, the ischemic stroke risk estimation has a sensitivity and a specificity of 91.0% and 94.8%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for ischemic stroke is 0.929 (95% CI 0.900 to 0.958). The haemorrhagic stroke risk estimation has a sensitivity and a specificity of 93.0% and 97.1%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve is 0.951 (95% CI 0.918 to 0.983). Conclusion: A fast and fully automatic method can be used for stroke subtype risk assessment and classification based on fundus photographs alone.

Risk Assessment of CHD Using Retinal Images with Machine Learning Approaches for People with Cardiometabolic Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, constituting a growing health and social burden. People with cardiometabolic disorders are more likely to develop CHD. Retinal image analysis is a novel and noninvasive method to assess microvascular function. We aim to investigate whether retinal images can be used for CHD risk estimation for people with cardiometabolic disorders. METHODS: We have conducted a case-control study at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, where 188 CHD patients and 128 controls with cardiometabolic disorders were recruited. Retinal images were captured within two weeks of admission. The retinal characteristics were estimated by the automatic retinal imaging analysis (ARIA) algorithm. Risk estimation models were established for CHD patients using machine learning approaches. We divided CHD patients into a diabetes group and a non-diabetes group for sensitivity analysis. A ten-fold cross-validation method was used to validate the results. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% and 88.3%, respectively, with an accuracy of 85.4% for CHD risk estimation. The risk estimation model for CHD with diabetes performed better than the model for CHD without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The ARIA algorithm can be used as a risk assessment tool for CHD for people with cardiometabolic disorders.

Effects of Acupuncture on Endometrium and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Undergoing in vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture on endometrium and pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned to observation group (40 cases) and control group (43 cases) according to the random numbers generated by SPSS software. The patients of the two groups received GnRH agonist long protocol as a routine treatment. In the observation group, acupuncture was given at two acupoint groups for 30 min once every other day. Group 1 included Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), bilateral acupoints Zigong (EX-CA1). Group 2 included Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32). The two groups of acupoints were used alternately. The whole needling process was performed at the time of ovulation induction until the transplantation day and consisted of 3 courses, while the control group did not receive acupuncture interventions. The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time, endometrial thickness and type (A, B, and C), serum oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), clinical pregnancy rate, as well as live birth rate were observed. Adverse reactions were also be recorded. All patients were followed up for the pregnant rate 14 days after IVF-ET and live birth rate after pregnancy. All adverse reactions (AEs) of acupuncture were recorded during the trial. RESULTS: The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time in the observation group were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). The proportion of type A endometrium in the observation group were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum E2 and P levels on the day of hCG injection was lower and the clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the observation group compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious AEs during this trial. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can improve the proportion of type A endometrium, regulate the levels of serum E2 and P on the day of hCG injection, and improve the pregnancy rate in patients with PCOS infertility undergoing IVF-ET.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies on Acupuncture Therapy in Depression: A Systematic Review.

Accumulating studies had been performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand the neural mechanism of acupuncture therapy for depression. However, inconsistencies remain due to differences in research designs and MRI analytical methods. Therefore, we aim to summarize the current MRI research and provide useful information for further research by identifying papers published in English and Chinese about MRI studies on acupuncture for depression up to November 2020. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 810 depression patients and 416 health controls (HCs). The applied designs of these studies are mainly random control trial and pre-post designs. The MRI analytical methods are mainly (fractional) amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF/ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC), whereas a small subset of studies used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The most consistent functional MRI (fMRI) results showed increased N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratios, increased ALFF in the right precuneus, decreased ALFF in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and increased FC of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In contrast, no significant neurological changes were identified in any of the DTI or VBM studies. However, clear, reliable conclusions cannot be drawn due to the use of different designs, analytical methods, seed points selected, types of depression, acupuncture points, and so on. Improved report specifications, well-designed studies, consistent analytical methods, and larger sample sizes will enable the field to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in depressed patients.

Estimation of stroke severity with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale grading and retinal features: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: To estimate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) grading of stroke patients with retinal characteristics.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Baseline information and retinal photos were collected within 2 weeks of admission. An NIHSS score was measured for each patient by trained doctors. Patients were classified into 0 to 4 score group and 5 to 42 score group for analysis. Three multivariate logistic models, with traditional clinical characteristics alone, with retinal characteristics alone, and with both, were built.For clinical characteristics, hypertension duration is statistically significantly associated with higher NIHSS score (P = .014). Elevated total homocysteine levels had an OR of 0.456 (P = .029). For retinal characteristics, the fractal dimension of the arteriolar network had an OR of 0.245 (P < .001) for the left eyes, and an OR of 0.417 (P = .009) for right eyes. The bifurcation coefficient of the arteriole of the left eyes had an OR of 2.931 (95% CI 1.573-5.46, P = .001), the nipping of the right eyes had an OR of 0.092 (P = .003) showed statistical significance in the model.The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve increased from 0.673, based on the model with clinical characteristics alone, to 0.896 for the model with retinal characteristics alone and increased to 0.931 for the model with both clinical and retinal characteristics combined.Retinal characteristics provided more information than clinical characteristics in estimating NIHSS grading and can provide us with an objective method for stroke severity estimation.

Clinical risk factors associated with recurrence of ischemic stroke within two years: A cohort study.

To identify the clinical risk factors and investigate the efficacy of a classification model based on the identified factors for predicting 2-year recurrence after ischemic stroke.From June 2017 to January 2019, 358 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke were enrolled and followed up in Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded by trained medical staff. The outcome was defined as recurrence within 2 years. A multivariate logistic regression model with risk factors and their interaction effects was established and evaluated.The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 61.6 (12.1) years, and 101 (28.2%) of the 358 patients were female. The common comorbidities included hypertension (286 patients, 79.9%), diabetes (148 patients, 41.3%), and hyperlipidemia (149 patients, 41.6%). The 2-year recurrence rate was 30.7%. Of the 23 potential risk factors, 10 were significantly different between recurrent and non-recurrent subjects in the univariate analysis. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed based on 10 risk factors. The significant variables include diabetes mellitus, smoking status, peripheral artery disease, hypercoagulable state, depression, 24 h minimum systolic blood pressure, 24 h maximum diastolic blood pressure, age, family history of stroke, NIHSS score status. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.726-0.829) with a sensitivity of 0.61 and a specificity of 0.81, indicating a potential predictive ability.Ten risk factors were identified, and an effective classification model was built. This may aid clinicians in identifying high-risk patients who would benefit most from intensive follow-up and aggressive risk factor reduction.The clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR1800019647.

[Pelvic-sacral tendon-regulation needling technique of acupuncture combined with manipulative reduction in treatment of postpartum pelvic girdle pain: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on postpartum pelvic girdle pain treated with the combined therapy of pelvic-sacral tendon-regulation needling technique of acupuncture and manipulative reduction and the simple manipulative therapy. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with postpartum pelvic girdle pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, the manipulative reduction was simply adopted. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the pelvic-sacral tendon-regulation needling technique of acupuncture was applied at Mingmen (GV 4), Dachangshu (BL 25), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33), Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). In either group, the treatment was given once every two days, three times a week and 3 treatments taken as one course. Totally, 3 courses of treatment were required. The clinical therapeutic effect was compared in the patients between the two groups. The changes in the scores of the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), as well as the pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20), the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ-7) and the sex life index (the frequency of intercourse and orgasm) were recorded in the patients of the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 95.0% (38/40) in the observation group, higher than 77.5% (31/40) in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of VAS, ODI, PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were lower than those before treatment respectively in the patients of the two groups (P<0.01). JOA score and the sex life index were increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01). The difference value of each of the above indexes in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of pelvic-sacral tendon-regulation needling technique of acupuncture and manipulative reduction effectively alleviates pain and improves the muscle strength of pelvic floor muscle fibers in the patients with postpartum pelvic girdle pain. Its therapeutic effect is better than that of the simple manipulative therapy.

[Effect on immune factors and serum CA125 in patients of threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma treated with auricular acupuncture combined with dydrogesterone].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of auricular acupuncture combined with dydrogesterone for threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma. METHODS: A total of 80 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, dydrogesterone was taken orally twice a day, 10 mg a time until 12-week into pregnancy. In the observation group，auricular acupuncture was applied at penqiang (TF5), pizhixia (AT4), shen (CO10), xin(CO15), gan (CO12), jiaogan (AH6a) and neifenmi (CO18) on the basis of the control group, the auricular points on both sides were used alternatively. The auricular points were replaced every 3 days with 1 day break, totally 3 weeks (20 days) were required. Before treatment and after 10, 20 days of treatment, the percentage of helper T lymphocyte (Th) and inhibitory T lymphocyte (Ts), ratio of Th and Ts and serum level of CA125 were compared in the two groups. The areas of subchorionic hematoma and gestational sac were evaluated by B ultrasound. The therapeutic effect in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (32/40), which was superior to 65.0% (26/40) in the control group (P<0.05). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the percentage of Th and ratio of Th and Ts were lower than before treatment, the percentage of Ts were increased in the two groups (P<0.01). After 20 days of treatment, the percentage of Th and ratio of Th and Ts in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01), the percentage of Ts was higher than the control group (P<0.01). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the serum levels of CA125 were reduced compared before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01), and the serum levels of CA125 in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). After 10, 20 days of treatment, the ratio of subchorionic hematoma area and gestational sac area in the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture combined with dextroprogesterone can improve the effective rate of patients with threatened abortion in early pregnancy complicated with subchorionic hematoma, regulate immune factors, promote the hematoma absorption, and has a better synergistic effect with dextroprogesterone.

[Adjuvant therapy of acupoint catgut embedding for threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding on miscarriage prevention and pregnancy outcome in patients with threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: Sixty cases of patients with threatened abortion after IVF-ET were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with intramuscular injection of progesterone (40 mg) once every day, while the patients in the observation group, on the basis of the treatment of control group, were treated with catgut embedding at Geshu (BL 17), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Xuehai (SP 10), Diji (SP 8) and Fuliu (KI 7), once every two weeks, six times as a course of treatment. The treatment was given until 12 weeks into pregnancy. The level of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) before and after treatment was recorded; the TCM syndrome score before and after treatment was compared; the successful pregnancy rate and spontaneous abortion rate after treatment were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the scores of TCM syndrome in both groups were reduced after treatment (both P<0.01), and score in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the clinical efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the hormone levels (ß-HCG, E2, P) in both groups were increased steadily; the hormone levels in 6-week pregnancy, 8-week pregnancy and 10-week pregnancy were significantly higher than those in 4-week pregnancy (all P<0.05); except the levels of P and ß-HCG in 10-week pregnancy, the hormone levels in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment, the early abortion rate was 16.7% (5/30) in the observation group, which was lower than 33.3% (10/30) in the control group (P<0.01); the pregnancy rate was 96.0% (24/25) in the observation group, which was higher than 80.0% (16/20) in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupoint catgut embedding is effective for preventing threatened abortion, which could significantly reduce the spontaneous abortion rate, improve the pregnancy success rate, regulate hormone levels in patients after IVF-ET.

[The "regulating conception-governor vessel" acupuncture method for infertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy differences between"regulating conception-governor vessel" acupuncture method and clomiphene for infertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: One hundred patients of PCOS were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Yaoshu (GV 2). The acupuncture treatment started at the end of menstruation, once every other day; after four treatments, the follicle was tested with B ultrasound; when follicle was longer than 18 mm or above, the acupuncture treatment was given once a day until follicle was discharged and acupuncture treatment finished. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of clomiphene from 5 days into menstruation, 50 mg per day for 5 consecutive days. Both groups were treated for three menstruation cycle. The menstrual cycles, endometrial thickness, endometrium types (A, B and C), cervical mucus scores, basal body temperature (BBT), cases of ovulation, cases of pregnancy were observed.The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) in serum were detected before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the menstrual cycles were shortened (both P<0.05),the endometrial thickness and cervical mucus scores were increased in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the improvement of endometrial thickness and cervical mucus score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0.01). The percentages of type-A endometrium in both groups were higher than those before the treatment (both P<0.05); the number of type-A endometrium in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The ovulation rate was 88.0% (44/50) in the observation group, which was superior to 70.0% (35/50) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH were reduced in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was more significant in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method could improve menstrual cycles, increase endomet-rial thickness and promote the development of follicles in PCOS patient; in addition, it could decrease serum LH level, improve the ovarian functions and increase ovulation rate, which is superior to oral administration of clomiphene.

Study strategies for acupuncture treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

By retrospectively reviewing the current status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine treatments of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP), the TCM understanding of its etiologies and pathogenesis, the therapeutic principles and the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment of CNP, the clinical study strategies of acupuncture treatment for CNP were further proposed, which could provide more scientific basis and support for the definite longer-term therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture treatment of CNP. Breakthrough in the treatment of CNP will be achieved with the application of acupuncture therapy both in clinical practice and experimental research.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on differentiation and proliferation of hippocampal nerve stem cells in splenic asthenia pedo-rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the differentiation and proliferation of nerve stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in splenic asthenia pedo-rats so as to study its central mechanism. METHODS: A total of 72 SD male rats were randomly assigned to normal control group (n=24), model group (n=24) and EA group (n=24) which were further divided into 7 d, 14 d, 28 d and 49 d time-points (n=6). Splenic asthenia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of reserpine and gavage of Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) fluid. EA was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 20 min, once daily for 7, 14, 28 and 49 days respectively. Brdu, Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) expression in the DG of hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry double staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the numbers of Brdu, Brdu/GFAP, Brdu/NSE Immunoreactive (IR) positive cells in the DG of hippocampus on day 7 and 14, and that of Brdu/Nestin IR-positive cells on day 7 were decreased considerably in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared to the model group, the numbers of hippocampal Brdu IR-positive cells at the 4 time-points, Brdu/Nestin and Brdu/GFAP on day 7, 14 and 49, and Brdu/NSE on day 7, 14 and 28 were increased significantly in the EA group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the model and control groups in the numbers of hippocampal Brdu and Brdu/NSE IR-positive cells on day 28 and 49, in the number of Brdu/Nestin IR-positive cells on day 14 and 49, in the number of Brdu/GFAP IR-positive cells on day 28; and between the EA and model groups in the numbers of Brdu/Nestin and Brdu/GFAP IR-positive cells on day 28, and in the number of Brdu/NSE IR-positive cells on day 49 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of ST 36 and SP 6 can effectively suppress splenic asthenia syndrome-induced decrease of the numbers of Brdu, Brdu/GFAP, Brdu/Nestin and Brdu/NSE IR-positive cells in the DG of hippocampus at the early stage in the splenic asthenia rats, which may contribute to its effect in improving splenic asthenia symptoms in clinic by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of some nerve stem cells in the hippocampus.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on cellular structure of hippocampus in splenic asthenia pedo-rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on hippocampal structure in splenic asthenia pedo-rats. METHODS: A total of 15 SD male rats were randomly assigned to normal control group (n=5), model group (n=5) and EA group (n=5). Splenic asthenic syndrome model was established by intragastric administration of rhubarb and intraperitoneal injection of Reserpine for 14 d. EA (1 mA, 3 Hz/iS Hz) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 20 mm, once a day for 14 days. The cellular structure of hippocampus was observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Optical microscopic observation showed that in normal control group, the cellular nucleus was distinct, and the granular cell layer well-arranged and tight. In model group, the intracellular space was widened, and the granular cell layer was out of order in the arrangement. In EA group, the celluldr nucleus and the granular cell layer were nearly normal. Results of the electronic microscope showed that cells in model group had a karyopyknosis with irregular appearance and clear incisure, and some of them presented dissolving and necrotic phenomena; and those in EA group were milder in injury, had nearly-normal nucleus with visible nucleoli and relatively-intact nuclear membrane. Regarding the cellular plasma, in comparison with rich normal organelles of control group, the mitochondria in model group were swelling, with vague, dissolved and broken cristae, while in EA group, majority of the organelles were well-kept, and slightly dissolved mitochondrial cristae found. In regard to the synaptic structure, in comparison with control group, synaptic apomorphosis and swelling mitochondria were found in model group While in EA group, milder swelling and hydropic degeneration were seen. Different from the distinct pre- and post-synaptic membrane and synaptic vesicles of control group, while those in EA group were nearly-normal. CONCLUSION: electroacupunture can effectively relieve splenasthenic syndrome induced pathohistological changes of neurons of the hippocampus in the rat.