Effects of electro-scalp acupuncture on inflammatory response and microglial polarization in the ischemic cortex of rats with ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of electro-scalp acupuncture （ESA） on the expression of microglial markers CD206 and CD32, as well as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 in the ischemic cortex of rats with ischemic stroke, and to explore the mechanisms of ESA on alleviating inflammatory damage of ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#Sixty 7-week-old male SD rats were randomly selected, with 15 rats assigned to a sham surgery group. The remaining rats were treated with suture method to establish rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The rats with successful model were randomly divided into a model group, a VitD3 group, and an ESA group, with 15 rats in each group. In the ESA group, ESA was performed bilaterally at the "top-temporal anterior oblique line" with disperse-dense wave, a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, and an intensity of 1 mA. Each session lasted for 30 min, once daily, for a total of 7 days. The VitD3 group were treated with intragastric administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-VitD3) solution (3 ng/100 g), once daily for 7 days. The neurological deficit scores and neurobehavioral scores were assessed before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the brain infarct volume was evaluated using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Immunofluorescence double staining was performed to detect the protein expression of CD32 and CD206 in the ischemic cortex. Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the protein expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-10 in the ischemic cortex.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham surgery group, the model group showed increased neurological deficit scores and neurobehavioral scores (P<0.01), increased brain infarct volume (P<0.01), increased protein expression of CD32, IL-6, and IL-1β in the ischemic cortex (P<0.01), and decreased protein expression of CD206 and IL-10 in the ischemic cortex (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both the ESA group and the VitD3 group showed decreased neurological deficit scores and neurobehavioral scores (P<0.01), reduced brain infarct volume (P<0.01), decreased protein expression of CD32, IL-6, and IL-1β in the ischemic cortex (P<0.01), and increased protein expression of CD206 and IL-10 in the ischemic cortex (P<0.01). Compared with the VitD3 group, the ESA group had lower neurological deficit score (P<0.05), larger brain infarct volume (P< 0.05), and lower protein expression of CD32, CD206, IL-1β, and IL-10 in the ischemic cortex (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#ESA could improve neurological function in MCAO rats, and its mechanism may be related to promoting microglial M1-to-M2 polarization and alleviating inflammatory damage.

Roles of Notch Signaling Pathway in Acupuncture for Ischemic Stroke (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway in evolution, which would be activated to play a role in apoptosis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, immune inflammation and others after ischemia. After acupuncture for ischemic stroke, the expression of Notch signaling pathways related factors increase, which may play a role in neurogenesis, ischemic tolerance, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and so on.

Advance of Netrin-1 for Protection and Repairment of Injuries after Cerebral Infarction (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

Netrin-1 may protect and repair the damage caused by cerebral infarction, in terms of inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory, and promoting angiogenesis and axon regeneration, etc. Netrin-1 may associate with the pathogenesis and outcome of cerebral infarction. The application of Netrin-1 in clinic needs more researches.

needling technique for diabetic fundus hemorrhage / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of ' -- needling technique for diabetic fundus hemorrhage.@*METHODS@#With before-after study design, 34 patients with diabetic eyeground hemorrhage were treated with basic treatment (oral administration of antidiabetic medication or insulin injections to ensure blood glucose in the normal range); in addition, acupuncture was given at bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Hegu (LI 4). The ' -- needling technique was applied at Fengchi (GB 20); the heat reinforcing needling technique was applied at Taiyang (EX-HN 5); the slow needle insertion technique was applied at Jingming (BL 1); and the - needling technique was applied at Cuanzhu (BL 2); the neutral supplementation and draining method was applied at remaining acupoints. The acupuncture was given once a day, 6 times as one course, and totally 4 courses were given with an interval of 1 day between courses. The follow-up visit was 6 months after treatment. The TCM symptom scores, fundus examination results and vision improvement were observed before and after treatment, and the effect was observed.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the visual acuity, TCM symptom scores, fundus microaneurysm and hemorrhage points in 34 patients (68 eyes) were significantly improved after treatment (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#' -- needling technique could improve symptoms, promote the absorption of fundus hemorrhage, and improve vision in patients with diabetic fundus hemorrhage.

Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) treated with moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With stratified block randomization, 72 patients accorded with inclusive criteria were divided into a moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) group (moxibustion group) and an acupuncture group, 36 cases in each one. In the moxibustion group, Gaohuang (BL 43) was treated with big moxa cones as the main acupoint, 10 cones a time; Qihai (CV 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were added with big moxa cones, 7 cones a time. In the acupuncture group, acupoints were the same as those in the moxibustion group, and twirling reinforcing method was used after qi arriving, 60 times one minute and 360° with range. In the two groups, 10-day treatment was made into one course and there were two days between courses. The treatment was given once a day for 3 courses. Changes of fatigue assessment index (FAI) before and after treatment and clinical effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.9% (32/36) in the moxibustion group, which was better than 72.2% (26/36) in the acupuncture group apparently (P < 0.05). After treatment in the two groups, FAI scores were obviously declined compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01) and FAI score in the moxibustion group was apparently lower than that in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion at Gaohuang (BL 43) can improve the FAI score of patients with CFS and the clinical efficacy is definite.</p>

Observation on therapeutic effect of Tongluo Guben needling method for lumbar disc herniation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECT</b>To explore the better treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, sixty-six cases in each group. In observation group, Baihui (GV 20) penetrating to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jiaji (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied; in control group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) etc. on affect side were applied. Once a day, 6 treatments made one session and one day break between courses. The curative effects after 4 and 8 courses and the recurrence rate that 6 months after treatment were observed; the pain scale evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rate and total effective rate were 44.3% (27/61) and 100.0% (61/61) in observation group, 26.7% (16/60) and 93.3% (56/60) in control group after 4 courses; there were significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). After 8 courses, the cured rate and total effective rate were no significant differences between two groups (all P > 0.05). In observation group, the recurrence rate was 9.4% (5/53) 6 months after treatment, which was lower than that (24.1%,13/54) in control group (P < 0.05). The VAS and ODI scale were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and which in observation group were inferior to those in control group (all P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated with puncture by opening meridian and consolidating origin is rapidly effected with low recurrence rate.</p>