[Role of macrophage polarization in hypertension and traditional Chinese medicine intervention: a review].

Hypertension is known to be a chronic inflammatory state and a key risk factor for heart failure, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. Macrophages in the circulatory system are the main cell group that constitutes the immune system and participates in the inflammatory response. Depending on the local microenvironment, macrophages can be polarized into pro-inflammatory(M1) and anti-inflammatory(M2) phenotypes. When blood pressure is elevated, M1 macrophages can release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to generate an immune response. However, an excessive immune response can lead to tissue damage, and M2 macrophages release anti-inflammatory cytokines to promote the repair of wounds and tissue damage. It is clear that the dynamic balance between M1 and M2 macrophages resembles the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of Yin and Yang. That is, when Yin and Yang are imbalanced, the human body will exhibit pathological states, e.g., altered blood pressure rhythms. Studies have confirmed that TCM can produce positive therapeutic effects on hypertension by regulating macrophage polarization. Therefore, this study reviews the studies about the TCM regulation of macrophage polarization and summarized the mechanisms of TCM intervention in hypertension, with the aim of providing evidence for clinical treatment and ideas for scientific research design.

[Clinical efficacy of intranasal acupuncture combined with Tiaoshen acupuncture in the treatment of moderate-to-severe persistent allergic rhinitis]. / é¼»å† é’ˆåˆºè”åˆè°ƒç¥žé’ˆæ²»ç–—ä¸­é‡åº¦æŒç»­æ€§å˜åº”æ€§é¼»ç‚Žçš„ä¸´åºŠç–—æ•ˆ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the therapeutic effect of intranasal acupuncture combined with Tiaoshen (spirit-regulation) acupuncture for patients with moderate-to-severe persistent allergic rhinitis (AR), and to explore its mechanism of anti-inflammation. METHODS: 135 patients with persistent AR were randomly divided into western medicine group, intranasal acupuncture group, and combination group, with 45 cases in each group. The western medicine group was treated with budesonide nasal spray, 1 press (32 µg/press) in each nostril, once a day. Patients in the intranasal acupuncture group were treated with intranasal acupuncture at the Neiyingxiang (EX-HN9) and Biqiu (nasal hillock) for 20 min. Patients in the combination group were treated with intranasal acupuncture combined with spirit-regulation acupuncture at Baihui (GV20), Sishencong (EX-HN1), Daling (PC7), Shenmen (HT7), Yintang (GV24+), Shenting (GV24), Anmian, and Yingxiang (LI20) for 20 min. Each group was treated once daily for 2 weeks. Total nasal symptom score (TNSS), total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), self-assessment scale of anxiety (SAS), and self-assessment scale of depression (SDS) were observed before and after treatment respectively. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels were detected before and after treatment using ELISA. The number of eosinophil (EOS) in peripheral venous blood was detected using a blood analyzer. The clincial efficacy of the 3 groups was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with those before treatment, TNSS, TNNSS, RQLQ, SAS, SDS scores, EOS number and serum IgE, SP and VIP contents were decreased (P<0.05), and serum NPY content was increased (P<0.05) after treatment in the 3 groups. After treatment, the observation indexes in the intranasal acupuncture group were significantly improved (P<0.05) than those in the western medication group. The observation indexes of the combination group were better (P<0.05) than those of the other 2 groups. The total effective rate of the combination group (40/45, 88.89%) was higher (P<0.05) than that of the intranasal acupuncture group (35/45, 77.78%) and higher (P<0.05) than that of the western medication group (33/45, 73.33%). CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal acupuncture combined with spirit-regulation acupuncture can improve the nasal clinical symptoms and accompanying symptoms of AR patients, reduce EOS and IgE, as well as regulate the secretion of neuropeptide and relieve the negative emotions of anxiety and depression.