[Core in jingjin diagnosis and treatment: yizhi weishu].

Jingjin (muscle region of meridian) is a distal diagnosis and treatment system of the sinew/fascia disorders on the base of the concept of jin in TCM. Jin should be a particular palpable structure rather than a single anatomic structure with a specific distributing course. Yizhi weishu refers to a idea running through the whole process of diagnosis and treatment of sinew/fascia disorders, in which, the results, obtained by the overall observation and palpation of patient's sinew/fascia structure, are taken as the criteria of treatment. Yitong weishu (taking the sites of sensitivity or tenderness as the points) verifies this idea in practice. Under the guidance of yizhi weishu, through identifying the primary from the secondary, and regulating yin and yang, the spasticity and flaccidity of sinews/fascia can be cured and the induced diseases treated. The diagnosis and treatment system of jingjin, based on yizhi weishu, develops the original jingjin theory with vague concept involved, formulates a systematic thinking of treatment for sinew/fascia disorders and provides a new approach to clinical treatment.

[Effect of acupotomy intervention on the expressions of proteoglycans in lumbar intervertebral disc of rabbits with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy intervention on the expressions of biglycan(BGN), decorin(DCN) and Caspase-3 in lumbar intervertebral disc of rabbits with lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LIDD), so as to explore its possible mechanism in relieving LIDD. METHODS: Thirty male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal, model and acupotomy groups, with 10 rabbits in each group. The LIDD model was established by axial compression method, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to judge whether the model was successful or not. After modeling, the acupotomy was applied to lumbar (L)4-L5 spinous process space and bilateral transverse processes for loosening, twice a week for 4 weeks. The structural changes of L4-L5 intervertebral disc were observed by MRI. The morphological changes of lumbar spine were observed by HE staining. The expression of Caspase-3 in nucleus pulposus was observed by immunohistochemistry, and the protein expressions of DCN and BGN in intervertebral disc were detected by Western blot, separatively. RESULTS: After mode-ling, the rabbits showed slow movement, stiff back muscles with cords or nodules, the fibrous ring structure of lumbar intervertebral disc was disordered, the number of nucleus pulposus cells was reduced, and the signal intensity of L4-L5 intervertebral disc was decreased in the model group relevant to the normal group. At the same time, the expression of Caspase-3 in nucleus pulposus was increased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression levels of DCN and BGN in intervertebral disc were decreased significantly (P<0.05). After acupotomy treatment, the modeling induced slow movement, stiff back muscles and disordered structure of lumbar intervertebral disc were significantly improved. The number of nucleus pulposus cells was increased, the signal intensity of L4-L5 intervertebral disc was enhanced, the expression of Caspase-3 in nucleus pulposus was decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression levels of DCN and BGN in intervertebral disc were increased significantly (P<0.05) compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: Acupotomy intervention can inhibit cell apoptosis, reduce the degradation of extracellular matrix in nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc, and restore the normal force balance and dynamic balance of lumbar spine, which may be one of its mechanisms underlying improving LIDD.

Feature-based Quality Assessment of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Using 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography.

In animal experiments, ischemic stroke is usually induced through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and quality assessment of this procedure is crucial. However, an accurate assessment method based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is still lacking. The difficulty lies in the inconsistent preprocessing pipeline, biased intensity normalization, or unclear spatiotemporal uptake of FDG. Here, we propose an image feature-based protocol to assess the quality of the procedure using a 3D scale-invariant feature transform and support vector machine. This feature-based protocol provides a convenient, accurate, and reliable tool to assess the quality of the MCAO procedure in FDG PET studies. Compared with existing approaches, the proposed protocol is fully quantitative, objective, automatic, and bypasses the intensity normalization step. An online interface was constructed to check images and obtain assessment results.

[Effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins in obese mice induced by high-fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins of liver in obese mice induced by high-fat diet. METHODS: A total of 45 male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into a control group (10 mice) and a model established group (35 mice). Mice in the model established group were fed with high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish the obesity model. After model established, 30 mice were randomized into a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupoint group, 10 mice in each one. Acupuncture was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), " Zusanli" (ST 36), "Yishu" (EX-B 3) in the acupoint group and the points of 0.5 cm and 1 cm to the base of tail in the non-acupoint group, 15 min each time, once a day for 8 weeks. Mice in the control group were fed with normal diet, while mice in the other 3 groups were fed with high-fat diet continuously for 8 weeks. The body weight was measured at 0, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th week in each group respectively. After 24-week intervention, the weight of white adipose tissue of epididymis and perirenal and liver was measured; the levels of serum alanine transaminase(ALT) and glutamic oxaloacetic aminotransferase (AST) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer; liver homogenate was used to detect the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD); the liver morphology was observed by HE staining; the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight of mice in the model group, the acupoint group and the non-acupoint group was decreased on 16th week into experiment (before intervention, P<0.05); compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the body weight of mice in the acupoint group were decreased after intervention (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the weight of white adipose tissue and liver, the levels of serum ALT and AST, the level of liver MDA, the expression of liver Bax were increased (P<0.05); the activity of liver SOD and the expression of liver Bcl-2 were decreased in the model group after intervention (P<0.05). Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the weight of white adipose tissue and liver, the levels of serum ALT and AST, the level of liver MDA, the expression of liver Bax were decreased (P<0.05); the activity of liver SOD and the expression of liver Bcl-2 were increased in the acupoint group after intervention (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yishu"(EX-B 3) can improve obesity and obesity related hepatic disorder by regulating oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis in liver.

[Network meta-analysis on the effects of the acupuncture-related therapy on ovulation rate and pregnancy rate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To review systematically the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture-related therapies on ovulation rate and pregnancy rate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: From PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and VIP database, the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on PCOS were retrieved in the period from the date of database establishment to January 8, 2018. Two researchers screened the articles, extracted the data and assessed the bias risk of the eligible trials independently. Using Stata 13.0 and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software, the data were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 39 RCTs were collected, including 4605 cases of PCOS and 14 kinds of acupuncture-related therapies and the comprehensive therapies. The short-term therapeutic effects were observed. The results of mesh meta-analysis showed: regarding the ovulation rate, the effects of the acupuncture-medication therapy were better than western medication. The top 6 therapeutic measures were the treatment with acupoint thread-embedding therapy and medication (93.3%), the treatment with moxibustion and Chinese herbal medicine (91.4%), moxibustion (74.5%), the treatment with acupuncture and medication (65.7%), the treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and auricular point therapy (61.9%) and the treatment with acupuncture and auricular point therapy (49.6%). Regarding the pregnancy rate, the effects of the acupuncture-medication therapy were better than western medication. The top 6 therapeutic measures were the treatment with acupuncture and auricular point therapy (91.5%), the treatment with moxibustion and Chinese herbal medication (86.9%), the treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and auricular point therapy (81.1%), the treatment with acupoint thread-embedding therapy and medication (69.4%), the treatment with acupuncture and medication (66.1%) and the treatment with placebo and western medication (58.7%). CONCLUSION: Among acupuncture-related therapies, the combined treatment is more advantageous than single therapy and its safety is superior to western medication. The combined therapies are various in advantages. Because of the limitation of the present researches, it needs a large scale of RCTs with rational design, high quality and proper methods to verify this research conclusion.

Therapeutic effects of moxibustion simultaneously targeting Nrf2 and NF-κB in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Moxibustion is the main alternative medicine treatment that has been beneficial to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication secondary to diabetic microvascular injury. However, the underlying protective mechanism of moxibustion against neuroinflammation remains unclear. We hypothesized that moxibustion treats DPN by regulating the balance of nuclear factor-2 erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2)-nuclear factor-kappa light chain enhancer of B cells (NF-кB). In vivo, diabetes was induced in rats by injecting streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg; i.p.). Moxibustion was then applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Guanyuan" (BL 26), and "Yishu" (EX-B 3) acupuncture points. Nerve conduction was detected. Serum interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-κB and Nrf2 proteins were examined through immunoblot analysis. The mRNA of NF-κB and Nrf2 was evaluated through RT-PCR. We found that the conduction velocity and amplitude of the action potentials of sciatic nerve conduction were reduced in the DPN model group but were rescued by moxibustion treatment. Moxibustion also improved the effect of DPN on other parameters, including ultrastructural changes, NF-κB and Nrf2 expression in the sciatic nerve, and serum IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 levels. Our data suggested that moxibustion may alleviate neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB and by activating Nrf2. Moxibustion may also provide therapeutic effects for patients with DPN by simultaneously targeting Nrf2 and NF-κB.

Long non-coding RNA Fer-1-like family member 4 is overexpressed in human glioblastoma and regulates the tumorigenicity of glioma cells.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of regulative non-coding RNA that is >200 nucleotides in length. Previous studies have demonstrated that lncRNA Fer-1-like family member 4 (FER1L4) serves regulatory roles in tumor progression; however, its clinical significance in human neuroglioma remains unclear. In the present study, data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was mined in order to investigate the association between FER1L4 expression and prognosis in patients with glioma. A short interfering (si)RNA targeting FER1L4 was transfected into U373-MG and U251 glioma cell lines, and cell viability, invasion and apoptosis were examined using CCK-8, Transwell and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assays, respectively. FER1L4 was significantly upregulated in high-grade glioma compared with low-grade glioma. Additionally, high expression of FER1L4 significantly predicted poor prognosis in patients with glioma. The expression of FER1L4 in glioma cell lines was significantly higher compared with that in normal astrocytes. Furthermore, by downregulating FER1L4 using siRNA, the invasiveness and viability of the glioma cells significantly decreased, while apoptosis significantly increased. The findings from the present study indicate that FER1L4 serves a role in the occurrence and progression of glioma, and could be used as a prognostic biomarker for this disease.

[Effect of acupuncture on macrophage polarization of white adipose tissue in obese mice induced by high-fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at acupoints and non-acupoints on macrophage polarization of white adipose tissue in obese mice induced by high-fat diet(HFD). METHODS: Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group (n=10), and other mice were fed with HFD for 16 weeks to establish model. Thirty model mice, which were successfully established and continuously fed with HFD for 8 weeks, were randomized into a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupuncture group (n=10/group). The mice in the control group were continuously fed with common food for 8 weeks. From the second day after model established, the mice of the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3); the mice of the non-acupoint group were treated with acupuncture at two non-acupoints in tail, 15 min a time, once a day for 8 weeks. After model establishment and on the second day after the last acupuncture treatment, the body weight was recorded. The level of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) in eye socket blood were measured. The morphological structure of epididymis white adipose tissue (eWAT) in mice was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-10, inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS), CD206 in eWAT of mice were determined with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein expressions of iNOS and CD206 in eWAT were determined with immunohistochemistry staining (IHC). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight in the model, non-acupoint and acupuncture groups increased at the 16th and 24th weeks (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the body weight of the acupuncture group at the 24th week decreased (P<0.05). The serum TG and TC in the model group increased compared with those of the control group (both P<0.05). The TC in the non-acupoint group decreased (P<0.05), and the TG and TC in the acupuncture group decreased compared with those in the model group (both P<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in the model and non-acupoint groups increased compared with those in the control group (all P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of IL-10 and CD206 decreased (all P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of IL-10 and CD206 were higher (both P<0.05). HE staining showed alveolate adipose tissue in the control group with numbers of unilocular adipose cells, vacuolar polygon or circle. The adipose cells in the model group were larger and irregular with larger intercellular space. The adipose cells in the acupuncture group were minified with smaller intercellular space. Compared with those in the control group, the protein expressions of iNOS increased (both P<0.05) and those of CD206 decreased (both P<0.05) in the model and non-acupoint groups. Compared with those in the model group, the protein expression of iNOS decreased (P<0.05) and that of CD206 increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can improve inflammation of obese mice through affecting macrophage polarization of white adipose tissue.

Long-term effects of acupuncture treatment on airway smooth muscle in a rat model of smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases. It is a chronic inflammatory process characterised by airway obstruction and progressive lung inflammation, associated with difficulty breathing and insensitivity to corticosteroid therapy. Although there is some preliminary evidence to suggest a beneficial effect of acupuncture on COPD, its mechanism of action has not been investigated. Our aim was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture in a rat model of COPD induced by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to the smoke of 15 cigarettes for 1 h/day, 6 days/week for 3 months to induce COPD and treated with acupuncture at BL13 (Feishu), BL23 (Shenshu) and Dingchuan (COPD+Acupuncture, n=15), sham acupuncture (COPD+Sham, n=15) or left untreated (n=15). Exposed rats were compared with controls not exposed to CS (control, n=15). Pulmonary function was measured, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by ELISA. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) protein and mRNA expression were examined in lung tissue and in bronchus. RESULTS: Acupuncture treatment appeared to protect pulmonary function and reduce the COPD-induced inflammatory response by decreasing cell inflammation and the production of TNF-α and IL-8. Acupuncture also enhanced HDAC2 mRNA and protein expression, suggesting a possible direct effect on protein structure through post-translational modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that acupuncture regulates inflammatory cytokines and contributes to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD by modulating HDAC2.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Inflammatory Reactions and Articular Synovial TNF-α Converting Enzyme Protein/NF-κB Signaling in Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on inflammatory reactions and articular synovial nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) protein expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats, so as to elucidate its anti-inflammatory mechanism. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, EA, and non-acupoint groups, with 10 rats in each group. The RA model was established by intradermal injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant for 21 days. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Xuanzhong" (GB 39) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) for 15 min, once daily for 19 days, starting from the third day on after modeling. The sham acupoints (5 mm lateral to the above-mentioned acupoints) received the same stimulation to EA group. Paw swelling volume was detected using a water-filled glass mug, the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) contents were assayed using velocity scatter turbidimetric method, and the plasma erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was assayed with Westergren method and VES-MATIC 20 ESR auto-analyzer and the expression levels of TACE and NF-κB proteins in the synovial tissue of knee joint were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: After RA modeling, the hind-paw volume was significantly bigger in the RA rats than in the normal rats (P<0.01), and remarkably lower in the EA group (not in the non-acupoint group) than in the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the plasma ESR, serum CRP and RF contents and the expression levels of NF-κB and TACE proteins in the synovial tissues were significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group (P<0.01), and were obviously down-regulated in the EA group (P<0.05), but not in the non-acupoint group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA can effectively improve the severity of articular inflammatory swelling and lo-wer ESR, serum CRP and RF contents and suppress synovial TACE/NF-κB protein signaling in RA rats.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Protein Expressions of Raf-1, ERK 1/2, and p-ERK 1/2 of Rats with Myocardial Hypertrophy].

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) on protein expressions of proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase-1 ( Raf-1 ) , phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK 1/2), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) in rats with myocardial hypertrophy. Methods Totally 40 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of clean grade were divided into 4 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the electroa- cupuncture (EA) group, the sham-EA group, 10 in each group. Rats in the normal group were fed with reg- ular forage. Left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy model was established in rats of the rest 3 groups by subcutaneously injecting isoprinosine hydrochloride (ISO) (at the daily dose of 3 mg/kg) from the nape for a total of 14 days. Rats in the EA group were needed at Neiguan (PC6) using continuous wave (2 Hz, 1 mA, 20-min switching, once per day for 14 days). Rats in the sham-EA group were needled at non-acu- points [5 mm from Neiguan (PC6)] in the same intervention method as the EA group. After intervention ECG was observed and body weight weighed in all rats. Their hearts were removed by open heart surgery and weighed after anesthesia, and then left ventricle were separated and weighed. At last heart weight index (HWI) and left ventricular weight index (LVWI) were calculated. Protein contents of Raf-1 , p-ERK 1/2, and ERK 1/2 in left ventricular myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the normal group, elevated ST-segment amplitude, HWI, LVWI, protein expressions of Raf-1 and p-ERK 1/2 were significantly higher in the model group with statistical significance (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group and the sham-EA group, elevated ST-segment amplitude, HWI, LVWI, protein expressions of Raf-1 and p-ERK 1/2 were significantly lower in the EA group with statistical significance (P <0. 05). Conclusion EA could effectively regulate myocardial ischemia in myocardial hypertrophy rats, reduce heart index, and lower protein expressions of Raf-1 and p-ERK 1/2, which might be one of signal regulating mechanisms for EA improving myocardial hypertrophy through Raf/MEK/ERK pathways.

[Effects of electroacupuncture intervention on expression of hypothalamic PI 3 K and p-PI 3 K Proteins in insulin resistance model rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of "Shuanggu Yitong" (Double-reinforcing and one-unblocking) needling [electroacupuncture (EA) of "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36), "Fenglong" (ST 40) and "Zhongwan" (CV 12)] on expression of hypothalamic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3 K) and p-PI 3 K proteins in insulin resistance rats. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into normal control, model, EA prevention, EA, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and Wortmannin (PI 3 K antagonist) groups (n = 10 rats/group). Insulin resistance model was established by feeding the animal with high fat forage continuously for 8 weeks. For rats of the EA group, EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to ipsilateral "Housanli"(ST 36)-"Fenglong" (ST 40), and "Guanyuan" (CV 4)-"Zhongwan" (CV 12) for 15 min, once daily, 5 times a week and for 8 weeks, beginning after modeling. For rats of the EA prevention group, EA was conducted simultaneously with the modeling. For rats of the Wortmannin group and CSF group, cerebroventricular microinjection of Wortmannin (50 nmol/L, 3 mg/kg) or artificial CSF was given through an implanted steel cannel. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting serum insulin (FINS) contents were assayed using glucose-tested instrument and ELISA respectively, insulin activity index (IAI) was calculated [IAI = Ln (1/FPG x FINS)], and the expres- sion of hypothalamic PI 3 K and p-PI 3 K proteins was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, the body weight (BW), FPG and FINS contents at time-points of 8 and 16 weeks were considerably increased (P < 0.01), and IAI, hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 protein expression levels were obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the FPG and FINS contents at the 8th week after modeling in the EA prevention group, the BW and FPG levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups, FINS levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention and EA groups were remarkably decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), IAI, and hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 protein expression levels were significantly up-regulated in the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). No significant differences were found among the EA prevention, EA and CSF groups, and between the model and Wortmannin groups in the BW, FPG, FINS, IAI and hypothalamic PI 3 Kp 110 and p-PI 3 Kp 110 expression levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can reduce insulin resistance by suppressing the increase of body weight, blood glucose and insulin contents, and increasing hypothalamic PI 3 K expression levels in insulin resistance rats.

Using microPET imaging in quantitative verification of the acupuncture effect in ischemia stroke treatment.

Acupuncture has been indispensable in Chinese medicine. However, its function still remains elusive. This paper studies the effect of acupuncture in ischemia stroke treatment using the Sprague Dawley rat animal model. We induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) procedure. For each rat in the real acupuncture group (n = 63), the sham acupoint treatment group (n = 62), and the blank control group (n = 30), we acquired 3-D fluorodeoxyglucose-microPET images at baseline, after MCAO, and after treatment, respectively. Then, we measured the changes of the injury-volume in the right hemisphere of these rats. The measurements showed that real acupuncture slightly reduced the injury-volume, sham acupoint treatment increased the injury-volume, and blank control had no obvious effect in reducing the injury-volume. Statistical tests also confirmed that acupuncture was more effective than random stimulus in improving the metabolic recovery after stroke.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on spleen lymphocyte apoptosis-related gene expression in aging rats with yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Guanyuan" (GV 4)-"Housanli" (ST 36)-"Baihui" (GV 20,"Shuanggu Yitong" acupoint prescription) on the expression of splenic lymphocyte apoptosis-related genes Fas, Bax, and Bcl-2 in aging rats with yang defiency. METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley aged female rats were randomly and e-ic qually divided into normal control, yang deficiency model (model) and EA groups. The yang deficiency model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (125 mg/kg) and hydrocortisone(1.5 mg/100 g). EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Guanyuan"(GV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 15 min, once daily, 6 times per week for 4 weeks. The expression of pro-apoptotic genes Fas, Bax and anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in the spleen tissues were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, splenic Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression levels were upregulated significantly, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression level was down-regulated considerably in the model group (P < 0. 01). After EA intervention, splenic Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression levels were down-regulated markedly, while Bcl-2 mRNA expression up-regulated remarkably in the EA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA of acupoint prescription ["Guanyuan" (GV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20)] can down-regulate spleen Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression, and up-regulate Bcl-2 mRNA expression in aging rats with yang deficiency, which may contribute to its effect in improving yang deficiency in clinic.

[Regulating effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture with shuanggu yitong prescription methods on immunosenescence in aging rats with yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement effect and the regulating mechanism of electroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription methods on learning memory and immunosenescence in aging rats with yang deficiency. METHODS: Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats, 5-month-old, were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, an aging yang deficiency model (M) group, an electroacupuncture with Shuanggu Yitong prescription methods (EA) group and an electroacupuncture control (EAC) group, 10 rats in each group. The aging model rats with yang deficiency were established by hypodermic injection of D-galactose for 40 days and then intramuscular injection of Hydrocortisone for 7 days in the latter three groups except the NC group The EA group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20), and the EAC group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3), six times per week for 4 weeks. The escape latency was examined by Morris water maze from the first day of the 4th week. After completion of electroacupuncture treatment, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) were examined by flow cytometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique respectively, the differences among all the groups above were compared. RESULTS: In comparison with the NC group, the escape latency [(25.4 +/- 3. 6)s vs. (16.23 +/- 2.3)s], the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis [(27.25 +/- 3.3)% vs. (13.2 +/- 3.1)%] and the serum content of TNF-alpha [(15.54 +/- 3.56) pg/mL vs (7.35 +/- 2.89) pg/mL] in the M group those were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01). In the EA group, the escape latency of (17.42 +/- 3.9)s, the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis of (17.2 +/- 3.25)% and the serum content of TNF-alpha of (9.51 +/- 3.53) pg/mL were all significantly lower than those in the M group (all P < 0.01) and the EAC group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture with "Shuanggu Yitong" prescription can significantly improve the spatial learning and memory. The protective mechanism is related with the action of electroacupuncture in lowering the rate of spleen lymphocyte apoptosis and the serum content of TNF-alpha, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Baihui" (GV 20) is superior to that of electroacupuncture at "Zhongji" (CV 3), "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) and "Yintang" (EX-HN 3).

[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on p38 MAPK signaling pathway in rats with cardiac hypertrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the mechanisms of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on p38 MAPK signaling pathway in rats with cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a normal group, a model group, a model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group, a model plus electroacupuncture group, ten rats in each group. The model rats were established by subcutaneous injection 3 mg/(kg x d) of Isoprenaline Hydrochloride; model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group were injected 0.3 mg/(kg x d) of specific inhibitor SB 203580; model plus electroacupuncture group was treated by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan"(PC 6) with continuous-wave, 2 Hz and 1 mA for 20 minutes, once a day for 14 days. There was no treatment in other two groups. The contents of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in heart tissue were detected by radioimmunoassay and the p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK by western blot. RESULTS: Compared with normal group, the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK were significantly increased in model group (all P < 0.01). The contents of TNFalpha, IL-1beta, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK were significantly decreased in model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group and model plus electroacupuncture group, compared with model group, all P < 0.05; compared with normal group, P < 0.05, P < 0.01; but no significant difference between model plus p38 MAPK inhibitor group and model plus electroacupuncture group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) can prevent the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK of myocardial hypertrophy, and the mechanism maybe adjust p38 MAPK signaling pathway by inhibiting the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

Electroacupuncture at PC6 (Neiguan) Improves Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Pathways Through the Regulation of Neuroendocrine Cytokines in Myocardial Hypertrophic Rats.

Electroacupuncture (EA) therapy has been widely accepted as a useful therapeutic technique with low or no risk in the clinical prevention of cardiac hypertrophy. However, the signaling transduction mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. The current study investigates the effects of EA on the signaling pathways of myocardial hypertrophy (MH) in rats. Up to 40 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal, model, PC6 (Neiguan), and LI4 (Hegu) groups, with ten rats in each group. All the rats except for the normal group received 3 mg/kg·d of isoprinosine hydrochloride (ISO) injection into the back skin. The rats in the PC6 and LI4 groups received EA for 14 days. On the 15th day, electrocardiograms were recorded, and the ultrastructure of the myocardial cells was observed. The myocardial hypertrophy indices (MHIs), electrocardiograph (ECG), ultrastructure observation, levels of plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET), as well as protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphorylation extracellular signal regulating kinase (p-ERK) in the left ventricular myocardial tissue were measured. The results indicated that EA can improve cardiac function in MH rats by modulating upstream neuroendocrine cytokines that regulate the ERK signaling pathways.

[Comparative study on fMRI of the brain based on Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Houxi (SI 3) on human body].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the correlation relationship between acupuncture at Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Houxi (SI 3) on the affected side of peripheral facial paralysis patients and activated areas in brain functional areas and central regulation mechanism of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) treatment. METHODS: Eighteen cases with left peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a Hegu group, a Dicang group and a Houxi group, 6 cases in each group. They were treated with electroacupuncture at left Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4) and Houxi (SI 3), respectively, and were examined with fMRI covering the whole brain at the same time. The fMRI data was analyzed by SPM software. RESULTS: It was found that the left precentral gyrus area and the left postcentral gyrus area were activated when electroacupuncture at left Hegu (LI 4), and the right precentral gyrus area and the bilateral postcentral gyrus area were activated when electroacupuncture at left Dicang (ST 4), and there was no activated area at precentral gyrus area and post central gyrus area when electroacupuncture at left Houxi (SI 3). CONCLUSION: The sensory importation information from Hegu (LI 4) and Dicang (ST 4) can converge and coincide in the brain and may influence each other.

[Influence of electroacupuncture of Guanyuan (GV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the immune function of T cells in aging rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on T cell immunologic function in the aged rats so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in anti-aging effect. METHODS: Fifty SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into normal control (young rats), aging model (model), EA group, immunosuppression (IS), and EA+ IS groups. Aging model (in the late 4 groups) was duplicated by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 days. Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically (2 Hz, 1 mA), 15 min every time, six times a week and for four weeks. IS model was induced by i. p. i. of cytoxan (60 mg/kg) after 26 and 27 days' EA treatment. Splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index was assayed by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) chromatometry. IL-2/IL-2 receptor (R) expression level of T cells was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell subset fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index, IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels, and CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell density in model and IS groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01). In comparison with model group, the abovementioned indexes in EA and EA + IS groups increased significantly (P < 0.01), and those indexes levels of EA + IS group were also significantly higher than those in IS group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparison between EA and EA+ IS groups showed that CD8+ CD2+ T cell expression of the later group was significantly lower than that in EA group (P < 0 05). No significant differences were found between EA and EA + IS groups in T cell proliferation rate and IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: EA of CV 4 and ST 36 induced upregulation of T cell proliferation and IL-2/IL-2R, and CD8+ CD(+)28 -T cell may contribute to its antiaging and immuno-enhancement effects in the aged rats.