Preoperative electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture for the treatment of postoperative ileus after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in China: a study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative ileus (POI) is a postoperative complication that can cause lingering recovery after colorectal resection and a heavy healthcare system burden. Acupuncture aims to prevent postoperative complications, reduce the duration of POI, help recovery and shorten hospital stays. We hypothesise that preoperative electroacupuncture (EA) can promote POI recovery under the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol after laparoscopic surgery in patients with POI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled trial. A total of 80 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to the EA or sham electroacupuncture (SA) group. The eligible patients will receive EA or SA for one session per day with treatment frequency starting on preoperative day 1 for four consecutive days. The primary outcome is the time to first defecation. The secondary outcomes include the time to first flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, time to tolerability of semiliquid and solid food, postoperative nausea, vomiting, pain and extent of abdominal distention, time to first ambulation, preoperative anxiety, 30-day readmission rate, the usage of anaesthetics and analgesics during operation, length of postanaesthesia care unit stay. A mechanistic study by single-cell RNA sequencing in which postintervention normal intestinal tissue samples will be collected. The results of this study will provide evidence of the effects of acupuncture on POI and promote good clinical decision to millions of patients globally every year. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the ethical application of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (2022BZYLL0401), Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University(2022-P2-368-02), Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Science (23/175-3917), Huanxing Cancer Hospital (2023-002-02). The results will be published in a medical journal. In addition, we plan to present them at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300077633.

The impact of electrical stimulation at the back-shu acupoint with an extrinsic diaphragmatic pacing mode on respiratory function and extubation success rate in tracheostomized stroke patients: An observational study.

To observe of the effect of electrical stimulation at the back-shu acupoint with extrinsic diaphragmatic pacing (EDP) mode on respiratory function and extubation success rate in tracheostomized stroke patients. A total of 200 patients who underwent tracheostomy after a stroke from January 2022 to February 2023 were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups based on whether electroacupuncture was used: the EDP + electroacupuncture group and the EDP group. We assessed the differences in cough reflex scores and clinical lung infection scores between the 2 groups, and measured levels of blood gas analysis indicators, diaphragmatic function, lung function, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure in both groups. The total effective rate in the EDP + electroacupuncture group was 91.00% (91/100), which was higher than the EDP group's 80.00% (80/100) (P < .05). After treatment, both groups showed a decrease in clinical lung infection scores and cough reflex scores compared to before treatment, with the EDP + electroacupuncture group having lower scores than the EDP group (P < .05). After treatment, the pH value, arterial oxygen pressure, and oxygenation index all increased compared to before treatment, with the EDP + electroacupuncture group showing higher values than the EDP group (P < .05). After treatment, both groups showed a decrease in arterial carbon dioxide pressure compared to before treatment, with the EDP + electroacupuncture group having lower PaCO2 levels than the EDP group (P < .05). After treatment, both groups showed an increase in forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted value (FVC%), diaphragm thickness, diaphragm mobility, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%), and diaphragm contraction speed compared to before treatment. Additionally, the EDP + electroacupuncture group had higher values in these parameters compared to the EDP group (P < .05). The EDP + electroacupuncture group had a shorter average extubation time and a higher extubation success rate compared to the EDP group (P < .05). The combination of EDP mode and electroacupuncture at the back-shu acupoint appears to be effective in improving lung function and diaphragmatic function in tracheostomized stroke patients. It also leads to a shorter extubation time and higher extubation success rates.

Electroacupuncture Improves Cardiac Function via Inhibiting Sympathetic Remodeling Mediated by Promoting Macrophage M2 Polarization in Myocardial Infarction Mice.

Electroacupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan acupoint (PC6) has shown significant cardioprotective effects. Sympathetic nerves play an important role in maintaining cardiac function after myocardial infarction (MI). Previous studies have found that EA treatment may improve cardiac function by modulating sympathetic remodeling after MI. However, the mechanism in how EA affects sympathetic remodeling and improves cardiac function remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the cardioprotective mechanism of EA after myocardial ischemic injury by improving sympathetic remodeling and promoting macrophage M2 polarization. We established a mouse model of MI by occluding coronary arteries in male C57/BL6 mice. EA treatment was performed at the PC6 with current intensity (1 mA) and frequency (2/15 Hz). Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. Heart rate variability in mice was assessed via standard electrocardiography. Myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by Sirius red staining. Levels of inflammatory factors were assessed using RT-qPCR. Sympathetic nerve remodeling was assessed through ELISA, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. Macrophage polarization was evaluated using flow cytometry. Our results indicated that cardiac systolic function improved significantly after EA treatment, with an increase in fractional shortening and ejection fraction. Myocardial fibrosis was significantly mitigated in the EA group. The sympathetic nerve marker tyrosine hydroxylase and the nerve sprouting marker growth-associated Protein 43 were significantly reduced in the EA group, indicating that sympathetic remodeling was significantly reduced. EA treatment also promoted macrophage M2 polarization, reduced levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, and decreased macrophage-associated nerve growth factor in myocardial tissue. To sum up, our results suggest that EA at PC6 attenuates sympathetic remodeling after MI to promote macrophage M2 polarization and improve cardiac function.

[Mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating nuclear factor-κB pathway to improve the dedifferentiation of pancreatic ß-cells in rats with T2DM].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of serum interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the pancreatic nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism by which EA improving the dedifferentiation of pancreatic ß-cells in the treatment of T2DM. METHODS: Among 18 SPF-grade male Wistar rats, 6 rats were randomly selected as the control group, and the remaining 12 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozotocin solution (35 mg/kg) to establish T2DM model. After successful modeling, the 12 rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 6 rats in each group. The EA group received EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3), and "Pishu" (BL 20), with continuous wave, frequency of 15 Hz, current intensity of 2 mA, for 20 min each time, once a day, 6 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured before modeling and before and after intervention. After intervention, ELISA was used to detect the serum fasting insulin (FINS), IL-1ß and TNF-α levels, and the ß-cell function index (HOMA-ß) and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated; HE staining was used to observe the morphology of the pancreatic islets; Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of pancreatic forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1), neurogenin 3 (NGN3), and NF-κB p65. RESULTS: After intervention, the FBG in the model group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the FBG in the EA group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group had increased levels of serum FINS, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and HOMA-IR (P<0.01), and decreased HOMA-ß (P<0.01), reduced protein expression of pancreatic FoxO1 and PDX-1 (P<0.01), and increased protein expression of pancreatic NGN3 and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA group had lower serum FINS, IL-1ß, TNF-α levels, and HOMA-IR (P<0.01), higher HOMA-ß (P<0.05), increased protein expression of pancreatic FoxO1 and PDX-1 (P<0.01, P<0.05), and decreased protein expression of pancreatic NGN3 and NF-κB p65 (P<0.01, P<0.05). The control group's pancreatic islets showed no obvious abnormalities; the model group's pancreatic islets were irregular in shape and had unclear boundaries with the surrounding area, with immune cell infiltration, reduced ß-cell nuclei, disordered arrangement of islet cells, and increased intercellular spaces; the EA group showed improvements in islet morphology, immune cell infiltration, ß-cell nuclei count, and the arrangement and spacing of islet cells approaching normal. CONCLUSION: EA could lower the blood glucose levels in T2DM rats, alleviate chronic inflammatory responses in the islets, and improve the dedifferentiation of pancreatic ß-cells, which may be related to the inhibition of pancreatic NF-κB pathway expression.

Electroacupuncture Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Ferroptosis by Activating the mTOR/SREBP1 Pathway in Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to exert a neuroprotective effect in IS. However, its specific anti-IS mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. By constructing a rat IS (middle cerebral artery occlusion, or MCAO) model and performing EA treatment, neurological deficit score, brain water content, and cerebral infarction were evaluated. ELISA was used to measure the levels of oxidative stress-related molecules (MDA, SOD, GSH, and CAT). Ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, SLC7A11, TfR1, L-ferritin, and hepcidin), neurological damage-related proteins (GFAP, Iba-1, and Nestin), α7nAChR, and mTOR pathway-related proteins (mTOR, p-mTOR, and SREBP1) in the rat brain penumbra were assessed by western blotting. Following EA treatment, neurological deficit scores, brain water content, cerebral infarction area, and GFAP, Iba-1, and Nestin expression were reduced. Additionally, EA treatment decreased MDA and increased SOD, GSH, and CAT. Moreover, the rats showed elevated GPX4 and SLC7A11 and lowered TfR1, L-ferritin, and hepcidin. In contrast, a7nAChR, mTOR, p-mTOR, and SREBP1 expression were upregulated. EA treatment inhibited OS and ferroptosis to exert a neuroprotective effect in IS, which might be realized via the activation of mTOR/SREBP1 signaling.

[LIU Zhishun's clinical experience of electroacupuncture for pediatric neurogenic bladder of lower motor neuron type in children].

Professor LIU Zhishun's clinical experience of electroacupuncture (EA) for pediatric neurogenic bladder of lower motor neuron type in children is summarized. Considering the unique physiological and pathological characteristics of children, with the strategy of combining "disease-symptom-location" in the selection of acupoints, professor LIU Zhishun proposes that the main disease location is the bladder and kidney, with the involvement of the conception vessel, governor vessel, kidney meridian of foot-shaoyin and the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang. The primary acupoint prescription-1 (bilateral Zhongliao [BL 33], Ciliao [BL 32] and Huiyang [BL 35]) and primary acupoint prescription-2 (Guanyuan [CV 4], Zhongji [CV 3] and bilateral Sanyinjiao [SP 6]) are selected to promote the yang of the governor vessel, stimulate the yin of the conception vessel, and invigorate the bladder's qi transformation. Before acupuncture, the four-step method is applied to precisely locate Ciliao (BL 32) and Zhongliao (BL 33). During acupuncture, the importance of achieving deqi is emphasized, with deep insertion in the sacral area to reach the disease location. Based on the tolerance characteristics of children, low-frequency EA and gentle moxibustion treatment are applied.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on autophagy of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the autophagy of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and explore the mechanism of EA in improving POI. METHODS: Thirty-two female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (n=8) and a model making group (n=24). The rats in the model making group were injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide for 15 days to establish the POI model (the dosage on the 1st day was 50 mg/kg, and 8 mg/kg from the 2nd day to 15th day). The successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into a model group, an EA group, and an estradiol (E2) group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the EA group received EA at bilateral "Gongsun" (SP 4) with continuous wave, frequency of 2 Hz, and current intensity of 0.1 to 1 mA, 20 min per treatment, once daily for 14 days. Rats in the E2 group were administered with E2 (0.01 mg/mL) by gavage (10 mL/kg), once daily for 14 days. The changes in estrous cycle were observed by rapid Giemsa staining before and after modeling. After intervention, ovarian tissue morphology was observed by HE staining; serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), E2, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin B (INHB) were detected by ELISA; immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression of p62 in ovarian granulosa cells; the ultrastructure of ovarian granulosa cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was compared; Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of p62, Beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) in ovarian tissue. RESULTS: The results of vaginal smears in the blank group showed regular cyclical changes; the rats in the model group showed prolonged estrous cycle or cycle arrest, mostly in proestrus or metestrus, with overall ovarian atrophy, disordered structure, and decreased granulosa cells. Compared with the blank group, rats in the model group showed increased serum FSH level (P<0.01), decreased serum levels of E2, AMH, and INHB (P<0.01), decreased positive expression of p62 in ovarian granulosa cells (P<0.01), with obvious swelling of ovarian granulosa cells, mild to moderate swelling of mitochondria, slight expansion of rough endoplasmic reticulum, and hypertrophy of Golgi apparatus; the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes in the ovaries was increased (P<0.01), the expression of p62 protein and mRNA was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 protein and mRNA in ovarian tissue was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in the EA group and the E2 group showed decreased serum FSH levels (P<0.01), increased levels of E2, AMH, and INHB (P<0.01), increased positive expression of p62 in ovarian granulosa cells (P<0.01), alleviated degree of ovarian granulosa cell damage, with relatively intact organelle morphology, and decreased number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes in the ovaries (P<0.01); the rats also showed increased expression of p62 protein and mRNA (P<0.01), and decreased expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 protein and mRNA (P<0.01) in ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION: EA at "Gongsun" (SP 4) could improve ovarian reserve function in POI rats by reducing the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes, up-regulating p62 expression, and down-regulating Beclin-1 and LC3 expression, thus inhibiting autophagy of ovarian granulosa cells, and regulating the serum levels of FSH, E2, AMH, and INHB.

Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture for urinary retention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) is considered as an effective treatment for urinary retention (UR). METHODS: Up to April 7, 2023, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of EA for UR were extensively searched in 8 databases, including Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Data, and VIP Full-text e-Journals Database. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were utilized to evaluate the quality of all included RCTs. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 23 trials were included, and the meta-analysis results suggested that compared with the control group, EA can effectively treat various types of UR (risk ratio [RR] = 1.22, 95CI%: 1.14, 1.31) and promote bladder function recovery, with a significant reduce in residual urine volume (weighted mean differences [WMD] = -49.60, 95CI%: -64.10, -35.11), an increase in maximum bladder capacity (WMD = 47.00, 95CI%: 12.76, 81.24), a shorten in the first urination time (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.42, 95CI%: -2.08, -0.76), and less adverse reactions (RR = 0.21, 95CI%: 0.07, 0.65). CONCLUSION: EA has significant advantages in treating UR, but the efficacy and safety are still needed to be further verified through large-sample and high-quality RCTs.

Effects of electroacupuncture combined with paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection on withdrawal symptoms and neurotransmitters in methamphetamine addicts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture combined with paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection (PP-LAI) on withdrawal symptoms and neurotransmitters in methamphetamine (MA) addicts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 methamphetamine addicts, who were treated in the hospital from October 2021 to October 2022, were selected. According to the random number table, the patients were divided into the study group (n=54) and the control group (n=55), in which the control group was treated with PP-LAI and the study group was treated with electroacupuncture on the basis of the control group; the methamphetamine withdrawal symptom score scale was used to assess the therapeutic effect before treatment and within 12 months after treatment; the changes of brain neurotransmitters dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, acetylcholine values were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: 1) There was no statistical difference in MA withdrawal symptom scores between the two groups before treatment (p>0.05); 2) MA withdrawal symptom scores have a statistically significant difference between the study group and the control group after 3 and 6 months of treatment; 3) dopamine levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group after 6 months of completion of treatment, and γ-aminobutyric acid values and 5- serotonin values in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture combined with PP-LAI can partially improve the withdrawal symptoms and anxiety of methamphetamine addicts. This is a potential treatment for preventing relapse of withdrawal symptoms.

Electroacupuncture versus exercise in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disorder among middle and older individuals. Electroacupuncture and exercise are present as two popular physical therapies for the management of KOA, and both were demonstrated to produce considerable results. However, the clinical decision-making process between these therapeutic interventions remains challenging due to the limited evidence of distinctions in their respective effects. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect and cost effectiveness of electroacupuncture versus exercise in patients with KOA. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial in which 196 symptomatic KOA patients will be randomly assigned 1:1 either to the electroacupuncture group (n = 98) and the exercise group (n = 98). Patients in the electroacupuncture group will receive acupuncture with electric stimulation 3 times a week for 8 weeks, whereas patients in the exercise group will receive neuromuscular training twice a week for 8 weeks. Education concerning KOA management will be provided in both therapies. Co-primary outcomes include changes in numerical rating scale (NRS) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) subscale from baseline at week 8. Secondary outcomes include KOOS Pain subscale, KOOS knee-related Quality of Life (QOL) subscale, Short Form 6 Dimensions (SF-6D), five-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), Credibility/ Expectancy Questionnaire, Patient's global assessment (PGA), 30-second Chair Stand Test (30s-CST), 40m (4*10m) Fast Paced Walk Test (40m FPWT), and Daily Physical Activity level (DPA). DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide evidence regarding differences between these 2 physical therapies in multiple aspects and will provide specific guidance for the development of treatments based on the needs of individual patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2300070376.

Enhancement of Motor Learning and Corticospinal Excitability: The Role of Electroacupuncture and Motor Training in Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND This study embarked on an innovative exploration to elucidate the effects of integrating electroacupuncture (EA) with motor training (MT) on enhancing corticospinal excitability and motor learning. Central to this investigation is the interplay between homeostatic and non-homeostatic metaplasticity processes, providing insights into how these combined interventions may influence neural plasticity and motor skill acquisition. MATERIAL AND METHODS The investigation enrolled 20 healthy volunteers, subjecting them to 4 distinct interventions to parse out the individual and combined effects of EA and MT. These interventions were EA alone, MT alone, EA-priming followed by MT, and MT-priming followed by EA. The assessment of changes in primary motor cortex (M1) excitability was conducted through motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), while the grooved pegboard test (GPT) was used to evaluate alterations in motor performance. RESULTS The findings revealed that EA and MT independently contributed to enhanced M1 excitability and motor performance. However, the additional priming with EA or MT did not yield further modulation in MEPs amplitudes. Notably, EA-priming was associated with improved GPT completion times, underscoring its potential in facilitating motor learning. CONCLUSIONS The study underscores that while EA and MT individually augment motor cortex excitability and performance, their synergistic application does not further enhance or inhibit cortical excitability. This points to the involvement of non-homeostatic metaplasticity mechanisms. Nonetheless, EA emerges as a critical tool in preventing M1 overstimulation, thereby continuously fostering motor learning. The findings call for further research into the strategic application of EA, whether in isolation or with MT, within clinical settings to optimize rehabilitation outcomes.

Effect of electroacupuncture on myocardial transient receptor potential channels in mice with myocardial hypertrophy. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹å¿ƒè‚Œè‚¥åŽšå°é¼ å¿ƒè‚Œç»„ç»‡çž¬æ—¶å—ä½“ç”µä½é€šé“çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan"(PC6) on cardiac function, cardiac morphology and transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) protein expressions in myocardial tissue of mice with myocardial hypertrophy, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: Forty-five male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (15 mice/group). The myocardial hypertrophy model was established by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol hydrochloride (15 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 14 days. The mice of the control group received subcutaneous injection of same amount of normal saline. The mice of the EA group received EA stimulation (frequency of 2 Hz, intensity of 1 mA) of bilateral PC6 for 20 min each time, once a day for 14 consecutive days. After the intervention, the body weight, tibia length and heart weight were measured. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening index (FS), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVEV), left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVID) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) were measured by using echocardiography for evaluating the cardiac function. The mean number and surface area of myocardial cells was detected by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining, and changes of the cardiac morphology were observed under light microscopy after HE staining. The expression levels of TRPC1, TRPC3, TRPC4 and TRPC6 (TRPC1/3/4/6) in the myocardial tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the heart-body weight ratio(P<0.05) and heart-weight-to-tibia-length ratio (P<0.01), LVEV and LVID levels, the relative surface area, left ventricular area ratio, and the expression levels of cardiac TRPC1/3/4/6 were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the EF, FS, LVPW, number of cardiomyocytes, and the left ventricular posterior wall ratio were obviously decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group. In comparison with the model group, the heart/body weight ratio, heart-weight-to-tibia-length ratio, LVEV and LVID levels, relative surface area, left ventricular area ratio, and the expression levels of cardiac TRPC1/3/4/6 were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the EF, FS, LVPW, number of cardiomyocytes and left ventricular posterior wall ratio were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group. H.E. staining showed disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes and obvious myocardial interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group, and evident reduction of degree of cardiac fibrosis and interstitial edema in the EA group. CONCLUSIONS: EA of PC6 can improve the cardiac function and cardiac morphology in mice with myocardial hypertrophy, which may be related to its functions in down-regulating the expression of transient receptor potential channels.

Mechanism of electroacupuncture in treating uterine endometrial fibrosis in intrauterine adhesions rats based on Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. / 基于Wnt/ß-cateniné€šè·¯ä»‹å¯¼çš„ä¸Šçš®é—´è´¨è½¬åŒ–æŽ¢è®¨ç”µé’ˆæ²»ç–—å®«è ”ç²˜è¿žå¤§é¼ å­å®«å† è†œçº¤ç»´åŒ–çš„ä½œç”¨æœºåˆ¶.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in rats with intrauterine adhesions (IUA), so as to explore the possible mechanisms of EA in repairing endometrial damage in IUA. METHODS: Female SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model, EA, and ICG-001 groups, with 10 rats in each group. The IUA model was established by using mechanical scraping combined with lipopolysaccharide infection for double injury. In the EA group, "Guanyuan" (CV4) was needled and EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 1-2 mA) was applied to "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) on both sides. In the ICG-001 group, ICG-001 (5 mg/kg), the inhibitor of ß-catenin was intraperitoneally injected. After intervention, samples were taken from 5 rats in each group, and uterine endometrium morphology, endometrial thickness, and gland counts were observed using HE staining. Masson staining was used to assess the degree of fibrosis in the endometrial tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin (FN), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), type I collagen (Col- Ⅰ), glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß), ß-catenin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin in the endometrial tissue. Western blot was used to detect the relative expression of GSK-3ß, ß-catenin, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin proteins in the endometrial tissue. Another 5 rats from each group were placed in cages with male rats after intervention to record the number of embryo implantations. RESULTS: Necrosis and loss of endometrial tissue in the model group observed after HE staining were alleviated in the EA group, better than those in the ICG-001 group. Compared with the blank group, the numbers of glands and endometrial thickness in the uterine endometrial tissue, relative expression and positive expression of E-cadherin and GSK-3ß proteins in the uterine endometrial tissue, and embryo implantation numbers were reduced(P<0.000 1, P<0.001, P<0.01) in the model group, while fibrosis area ratio in the uterine endometrial tissue, TGF- ß 1, α -SMA, FN, CTGF, Col- Ⅰ positive expressions, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and ß-catenin proteins expression and positive expression were increased(P<0.000 1, P<0.001, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the number of glands and endometrial thickness, E-cadherin and GSK-3ß proteins expression and positive expression, and embryo implantation numbers were increased (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.01) in the EA and ICG-001 groups, while the fibrosis area ratio in the uterine endometrial tissue, TGF-ß1, α-SMA, FN, CTGF, Col- Ⅰ positive expression, and N-cadherin, Vimentin, and ß-catenin proteins expression and positive expression were decreased(P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the EA group, the differences of the above-mentioned indicators in the ICG-001 group were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: EA may reverse the EMT process and reduce the degree of fibrosis in endometrial tissue by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, thereby promoting the repair of endometrial damage in IUA.

Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on angiogenesis in psoriasis mice. / ç”µé’ˆå¯¹é“¶å±‘ç— å°é¼ è¡€ç®¡ç”Ÿæˆçš„å½±å“åŠæœºåˆ¶ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli"(ST36) and"Xuehai"(SP10) on the angiogenesis of the local injured skin tissue in mice with psoriasis, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of psoriasis-induced skin lesions. METHODS: A total of 24 female BALB/c mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups, with 8 mice in each group. The psoriasis-like skin lesion model was established by application of 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream to the mice's back skin, 62.5 mg/d, for 7 days after local depilation, and the mice of the control group received local application of an equal amount of petroleum jelly once a day for 7 days. EA stimulation (2 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to ST36 and SP10 for 30 min, once daily for 7 consecutive days. Photos of the topical injured skin at the back were taken every day, and the severity of psoriasis lesions (psoriasis area and severity index ï¼»PASIï¼½) was scaled. Following H.E. staining, the morphological changes in the injured skin tissue were observed with epidermal thickness analyzed, and the Masson staining was used to observe the proportion of collagen fibers in the injured skin tissues. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of microvascular markers CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the microvascular density (MVD) was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of CD31, VEGF proteins and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway related proteins p38, phosphorylated p38 (p-p38), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), p-ERK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p-JNK in the injured skin tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the mice in the model group showed an evident increase in the erythema score, scales score, skin thickening score and PASI score, epidermal thickness, proportion of the collagen fibers, MVD value of CD31 and VEGF, and expression levels of CD31 and VEGF proteins, and p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK and p-JNK/JNK ratios in the injured skin tissue (P<0.001, P<0.01). In contrast to the model group, the EA group had a significant decrease in the levels of all the indexes mentioned above (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EA intervention can improve the psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by IMQ in mice, which may be related with its functions in down-regulating the expression of angiogenic related factors CD31 and VEGF proteins and MAPK signaling pathway related proteins in the topical injured skin tissue.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of protein phosphorylation in hippocampus tissues of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome. / ç”µé’ˆå¹²é¢„å¯¹æ ¢æ€§ç–²åŠ³ç»¼åˆå¾å¤§é¼ æµ·é©¬ç»„ç»‡è›‹ç™½è´¨ç£·é ¸åŒ–è¡¨è¾¾çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavior and hippocampal protein phosphorylation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CFS. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (n=12 rats in each group). The CFS model was established by chronic multifactor combined with stress stimulation (treadmill training + restraint stress + sleep disturbance + crowded environment). For rats of the EA group, EA (1 mA, frequency of 10 Hz) was applied to "Shenting" (GV24) (with an acupuncture needle penetrated from GV24 to "Baihui" ï¼»GV20ï¼½) and "Dazhui" (GV14) for 15 min, once daily for 28 days. After treatment, the body weight, food intake and water intake of rats in each group were observed. The fatigue degree of rats was evaluated by Semi-quantitative score observation table of the general condition of experimental rats.The open field test (OFT) was used to assess the rats'anxiety severity by detecting the total number of grid-crossing and the times of the central area entered in 5 min, and Morris water maze test was employed to assess the rats' learning-memory ability by detecting the escape latency in 1 min, and the times of the original platform quadrant crossing in 1 min. The hippocampaus was taken for phosphorylated Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis by using Maxquant technology based on full scan mode to calculate the integral of each peptide signal of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS). The differentially-expressed proteins (>1.5 folds for up-regulation or <0.67 folds for down-regulation) were evaluated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight, food intake, and the times of original-platform quadrant crossing of spatial exploring of Morris water maze test were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) , and the score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and center area-entering of OFT, and the escape latency of navigation task were apparently increased (P<0.01) in rats of the model group. After EA intervention, the decreased original-platform quadrant crossing, and the increased score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and the escape latency of navigation task were all reversed (P<0.01, P<0.05). Outcomes of proteomics analysis indicated that compared with the model group, there were 297 differentially expressed peptide (48 up-regulated and 249 down-regulated) segments in the control group, and there were 245 differentially expressed peptide (185 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated) segments in the EA group, in which, 25 overlapping peptide segments were reversed after EA treatment, corresponding to 24 proteins, mainly involving cytoskeletal structure. GO function annotation analysis showed that the top three differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins involved in the effect of EA intervention were the actin filament polymerization, protein depolymerization and cytoskeletal tissue in the biological process, the actin binding, structural molecular activity and cytoskeletal protein binding in the molecular function, and the cytoskeleton, dendrites and dendritic trees in the cellular component, respectively. The KEGG pathway annotation analysis for differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins showed that theinsulin secretion, axon guidance, phosphatidylinositol signaling system and lysine biosynthesis, etc. were involved in the effect of EA intervention. CONCLUSIONS: EA of GV24-GV20 and GV14 can improve the general state, anxiety and learning-memory ability of CFS model rats, which may be related to its functions in regulating the hippocampal protein phosphorylation level, and repairing the structure and function of synapses in hippocampus.

Clinical efficacy of scalp electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for aphasia after head injury and its effect on patients' language function and quality of life: An observational study.

To explore the clinical efficacy of scalp electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for aphasia after head injury, and analyze its effect on patients' language function and quality of life. Our hospital randomly enrolled 100 aphasia patients caused by head injury treated from March 2020 to March 2022 as the experimental object and divided them into the control group and experimental group, with 50 cases in each group. The general rehabilitation training was performed to the control group and the scalp electroacupuncture combined with rehabilitation training was performed to the experimental group to compare their mini-mental state examination scores, communicative activities in daily living scores, aphasia battery of Chinese scores, quality of life scores, mental status scale in nonpsychiatric settings scores, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, effective rates, satisfaction of patients, and adverse reaction rates. In the between-group comparison, the patients in the experimental group had significantly higher mini-mental state examination scores, communicative activities in daily living scores, aphasia battery of Chinese scores, quality of life scores, effective rates, and satisfaction, and significantly lower mental status scale in nonpsychiatric settings scores, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores and adverse reaction rates, which was statistically significant (P < .05 in all cases). The combination treatment of scalp electroacupuncture and rehabilitation training can effectively improve the language function and quality of life of patients with aphasia after head injury and remarkably enhance the treatment effect.

Electroacupuncture for oculomotor nerve palsy after chemotherapy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is often discovered in the ophthalmology department, manifested as ptosis with the same side, eyeball in the fixed external booth, or accompanied by limited inward, upward, and downward movements. The present case report described the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on a breast cancer patient with ONP after chemotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old breast cancer patient presented with severe ptosis and fixed right eye exotropia. Besides, it is challenging to perform the movement inward, upward, and downward, and with obvious diplopia. DIAGNOSES: The breast cancer patient was diagnosed with ONP, chemotherapy history. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was introduced to acupuncture department to receiving EA treatment. OUTCOMES: After 12 times of EA treatments, the symptom of ptosis was significantly improved, and the right upper eyelid can lift autonomously as same as the left eye. Besides, the patient's right lateral eye could move freely, and the symptoms of double vision disappeared. CONCLUSION: The case suggests that EA may be an effective alternative treatment for ONP.

Electroacupuncture alleviates diabetes-induced mechanical allodynia and downregulates bradykinin B1 receptor expression in spinal cord dorsal horn.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is one of the most prevalent symptoms of diabetes. The alteration of proteins in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) plays a significant role in the genesis and the development of DNP. Our previous study has shown electroacupuncture could effectively relieve DNP. However, the potential mechanism inducing DNP's genesis and development remains unclear and needs further research. METHODS: This study established DNP model rats by intraperitoneally injecting a single high-dose streptozotocin; 2 Hz electroacupuncture was used to stimulate Zusanli (ST36) and Kunlun (BL60) of DNP rats daily from day 15 to day 21 after streptozotocin injection. Behavioral assay, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and western blotting were used to study the analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture. RESULTS: The bradykinin B1 receptor (B1R) mRNA, nuclear factor-κB p65 (p65), substance P, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) protein expression were significantly enhanced in SCDH of DNP rats. The paw withdrawal threshold was increased while body weight and fasting blood glucose did not change in DNP rats after the electroacupuncture treatment. The expression of B1R, p65, substance P, and CGRP in SCDH of DNP rats was also inhibited after the electroacupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION: This work suggests that the potential mechanisms inducing the allodynia of DNP rats were possibly related to the increased expression of B1R, p65, substance P, and CGRP in SCDH. Downregulating B1R, p65, substance P, and CGRP expression levels in SCDH may achieve the analgesic effect of 2 Hz electroacupuncture treatment.

Electroacupuncture enhances cerebral blood perfusion by inhibiting HIF-1α in rat subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral blood perfusion (CBP) reduction is a prevalent complication following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in clinical practice, often associated with long-term cognitive impairment and prognosis. Electroacupuncture (EA), a widely utilized traditional Chinese therapy for central nervous system disorders, has demonstrated promising therapeutic effects. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of EA in restoring CBP in SAH rats and to explore the mechanisms involving HIF-1α in this process. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups, including Sham, SAH, EA, EA + Saline, and EA + dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) groups. EA treatment was administered for 10 min daily, while DMOG were intraperitoneally injected. Behavioral tests, cerebral blood flow monitoring, vascular thickness measurement, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to assess the therapeutic effects of EA on cerebral blood flow. RESULTS: SAH resulted in elevated levels of HIF-1α, endothelin (ET), ICAM-1, P-SELECTIN, E-SELECTIN, and decreased level of eNOS in the brain. This led to cerebral vasospasm, decreased CBF, and cognitive deficits in the rat SAH model. EA intervention downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, ET, ICAM-1, P-SELECTIN, and E-SELECTIN, while increasing eNOS expression. This alleviated cerebral vasospasm, restored CBF, and improved cognitive function. However, the administration of the HIF-1α stabilizer (DMOG) counteracted the therapeutic effects of EA. CONCLUSION: EA promotes the recovery of cerebral blood flow after SAH injury, attenuates cerebral vasospasm, and accelerates the recovery of cognitive dysfunction, and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the HIF-1α signaling pathway.

Gastrodin combined with electroacupuncture prevents the development of cerebral ischemia via rebalance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and interleukin-6 in stroke model rats.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used to treat various diseases, including cerebral ischemia. The specific molecular mechanism of TCM in the treatment of cerebral ischemia, however, is still unclear. This study investigated the effects of gastrodin, electroacupuncture and their combination on cerebral ischemic rats. We used Nissl staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunoblotting to detect the expression changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the frontal cortex. The results showed that the combination therapy of gastrodin and electroacupuncture significantly increased the number of Nissl-positive neurons and improved cell morphology compared with other groups. Mechanistically, we found that the combination of gastrodin and electroacupuncture treatment group can restore the abnormal morphology of neuronal cells caused by cerebral ischemia by rebalancing the expression levels of BDNF and IL-6. Our research indicates that gastrodin combined with electroacupuncture has a significant protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury in rats, possibly by regulating the expression of BDNF and IL-6. This combination therapy is superior to single-drug or electroacupuncture therapy.