Tuning the Solvation Structure in Water-Based Solution Enables Surface Reconstruction of Layered Oxide Cathodes toward Long Lifespan Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Layered oxides of sodium-ion batteries suffer from severe side reactions on the electrode/electrolyte interface, leading to fast capacity degradation. Although surface reconstruction strategies are widely used to solve the above issues, the utilization of the low-cost wet chemical method is extremely challenging for moisture-sensitive Na-based oxide materials. Here, the solvation tuning strategy is proposed to overcome the deterioration of NaNi1/3Mn1/3Fe1/3O2 in water-based solution and conduct the surface reconstruction. When capturing the water molecules by the solvation structure of cations, here is Li+, the structural collapse and degradation of layered oxides in water-based solvents are greatly mitigated. Furthermore, Li(H2O)3EA+ promotes the profitable Li+/Na+ exchange to build a robust surface, which hampers the decomposition of electrolytes and the structural evolution upon cycling. Accordingly, the lifespan of Li-reinforced materials is prolonged to three times that of the pristine one. This work represents a step forward in understanding the surface reconstruction operated in a water-based solution for high-performance sodium layered oxide cathodes.

Assessment of the Effect of Leonurine Hydrochloride in a Mouse Model of PCOS by Gene Expression Profiling.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disease commonly associated with metabolic disorders in females. Leonurine hydrochloride (Leo) plays an important role in regulating immunity, tumours, uterine smooth muscle, and ovarian function. However, the effect of Leo on PCOS has not been reported. Here, we used dehydroepiandrosterone to establish a mouse model of PCOS, and some mice were then treated with Leo by gavage. We found that Leo could improve the irregular oestros cycle of PCOS mice, reverse the significantly greater serum testosterone (T) and luteinising hormone (LH) levels, significantly reduce the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and significantly increase the LH/FSH ratio of PCOS mice. Leo could also change the phenomenon of ovaries in PCOS mice presented with cystic follicular multiplication and a lacking corpus luteum. Transcriptome analysis identified 177 differentially expressed genes related to follicular development between the model and Leo groups. Notably, the cAMP signalling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, the calcium signalling pathway, the ovarian steroidogenesis pathway, and the Lhcgr, Star, Cyp11a, Hsd17b7, Camk2b, Calml4, and Phkg1 genes may be most related to improvements in hormone levels and the numbers of ovarian cystic follicles and corpora lutea in PCOS mice treated by Leo, which provides a reference for further study of the mechanism of Leo.

[Acupuncture plus moxibustion intervention improves learning-memory ability by suppressing hippocampal JAK2/STAT3 signaling in Alzheimer's rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture plus moxibustion on learning-memory ability and expression of hippocampal Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3)/suppressors of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) signaling in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) rats, so as to reveal their mechanisms underlying improvement of AD. METHODS: A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups：normal control, sham-operation, model and acupuncture-moxibustion (Acu-moxi, n＝15 in each group) groups. The AD model was established by microinjection of ß-amyloid 1-42(Aß1-42，5 µL)into the bilateral hippocampus. Seven days after modeling, Acu-moxi intervention was given. After insertion of acupuncture needles into "Baihui" (GV20) and bilateral "Shenshu" (BL23) and manipulating them for a while, the needles were then retained for 15 min, when, the mild moxibustion was performed at the same time. The treatment was conducted once daily, 5 times a week for consecutive 4 weeks. After the treatment, Morris water maze test was used to detect the animals' learning-memory ability. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were respectively used to detect the number of positive cells and protein expression levels of JAK2, STAT3 and SOCS3 in the hippocampus tissue. RESULTS: Following modeling and compared with the normal control and sham-operation groups, the average escape latency was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), and the number of the original platform crossing and the residence time in the platform quadrant were significantly shortened in the model group (P<0.01). The numbers of hippocampal JAK2- and STAT3-positive cells and expression levels of hippocampal JAK2 and STAT3 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the number of hippocampal SOCS3-positive cells as well as the expression of SOCS3 protein significantly decreased in the model group relevant to the normal control and sham-operation groups (P<0.01). After the intervention, the average escape latency was significantly shortened (P< 0.01), and the number of the original platform crossing and the residence time in the platform quadrant were significantly increased in the Acu-moxi group (P<0.01), and the expression levels of JAK2 and STAT3 were significantly down-regulated and that of SOCS3 was considerably up-regulated in the Acu-moxi group relevant to the model group (P<0.01)．. CONCLUSION: Acu-moxi intervention can improve the learning-memory ability in AD rats, which is associated with its functions in inhibiting hippocampal JAK2/STAT3 signaling and up-regulating SOCS3 (a negative feedback factor) protein level.

[Acupuncture and Moxibustion Improves Learning-memory Ability of Alzheimer's Disease Rats Possibly by Up-regulating Serum Aß Internalization Enzyme Contents].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) on learning-memory ability and expression of amyloid beta (Aß) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of AD. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, sham operation, model and AM groups (n＝10 in each). The AD model was established by bilateral hippocampal injection of Aß1-42(5 µL). The AM was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) for 15 min, once daily for 12 times. Morris water maze tests were used to assess the rats' learning-memory ability. The levels of serum Aß1-42 and Aß internalizing enzymes including transthyretin (TTR), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), alpha 2 macroglobulin (α 2M) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) were detected by ELISA. The expression of Aß1-42 in the hippocampal DG was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the average escape latency of location navigation test was significantly prolonged in the first 5 days and the last 3 days (P<0.01), and the residence time of the target-quadrant and the platform crossing times of special probing task were significantly reduced in the model group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the average escape latency was obviously shortened in the first 5 days and the last 3 days (P<0.01), and both the residence time and the platform crossing times were significantly increased in the AM group relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After modeling, the contents of TTR, LPL, α 2M and ApoE in the serum were significantly lower in the model group than in the sham operation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the levels of serum Aß1-42 and hippocampal Aß1-42 expression were considerably increased relevant to the sham operation group (P<0.01). Following the intervention, the TTR, LPL, α2M and ApoE contents in the serum were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and both serum Aß1-42 and hippocampal Aß1-42 expression were notably down-regulated in comparison with the model group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the normal and sham operation groups in the levels of all the above-mentioned indexes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: AM can improve the learning-memory ability of AD rats, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the contents of serum Aß internalizing enzymes and promoting the clearance of hippocampal Aß. It suggests a protective role of AM on hippocampal neurons.

[Effects and mechanisms of different frequencies of electroacupuncture for learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Shenshu(BL 23)" for the learning and memory ability as well as glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in hippocampal tissue of rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD), so as to explore the mechanism of different frequencies of EA for the prevention and treatment of AD. METHODS: One hundred and twelve healthy Wistar male rats were divided into seven groups by random number table, namely a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 30 Hz EA group, and a 50 Hz EA group, 16 rats in each one. The rats in the normal group were conventionally raised in the laboratory without any treatment. 0.9% NaCl solution was injected into bilateral dentate convolution of hippocampus in rats of the sham operation group. AD model was established by ß-amyloid protein1-42 (Aß1-42) injected into bilateral dentate convolution of hippocampus in the other groups. 15 days after establishment, no treatment was applied in the model and sham operation groups, and EA with corresponding frequencies at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Shenshu (BL 23)" was used in the three EA groups for 2 sessions, once a day and 7 times as one session. There was 1 day between the two sessions. The same acupoints were adopted in the acupuncture group, without electrical connection. The escape latency, the first spanning platform time, and the number of crossing platform were tested in the Morris water maze immediately after treatment. The expressions of GSK-3ß and GAP-43 were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: ①Morris water maze tests showed that the escape latency and the first spanning platform time significantly increased in the model group compared with those in the normal group (both P<0.01), and the number of crossing platform decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency and the first spanning platform times decreased in the acupuncture and three EA groups (all P<0.01), and the numbers of crossing platform increased (P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture and 2 Hz, 30 Hz EA groups, the escape latency decreased in the 50 Hz EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the first spanning platform time reduced (all P<0.01); the number of crossing platform increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). ②The expressions of GSK-3ß and GAP-43 of the model group increased compared with those of the normal group(both P<0.01). The expressions of GSK-3ß in the acupuncture and three EA groups decreased compared with that in the model group (all P<0.01), and the expressions of GAP-43 increased (all P<0.01). The expressions of GSK-3ß decreased and GAP-43 increases in the 50 Hz EA group compared with those in the acupuncture group and 2 Hz, 30 Hz groups (all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA may promote synaptic damage rehabilitation by down regulating GSK-3ß and up regulating GAP-43 to improve learning and memory ability of AD rats. The effect of 50 Hz EA is better than those of 30 Hz and 2 Hz EA and acupuncture.

High-frequency electroacupuncture evidently reinforces hippocampal synaptic transmission in Alzheimer's disease rats.

The frequency range of electroacupuncture in treatment of Alzheimer's disease in rats is commonly 2-5 Hz (low frequency) and 50-100 Hz (high frequency). We established a rat model of Alzheimer's disease by injecting ß-amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42) into the bilateral hippocampal dentate gyrus to verify which frequency may be better suited in treatment. Electroacupuncture at 2 Hz or 50 Hz was used to stimulate Baihui (DU20) and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints. The water maze test and electrophysiological studies demonstrated that spatial memory ability was apparently improved, and the ranges of long-term potentiation and long-term depression were increased in Alzheimer's disease rats after electroacupuncture treatment. Moreover, the effects of electroacupuncture at 50 Hz were better than that at 2 Hz. These findings suggest that high-frequency electroacupuncture may enhance hippocampal synaptic transmission and potentially improve memory disorders in Alzheimer's disease rats.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of related protein mRNA in the striatum in rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each group. PD rat model was duplicated by micro injection of 6-hydroxyl dopamine into right striatum of rats, and the rats in the sham operation group were treated with micro injection of 0. 9% NaCl. Rats in the normal group, model group and the sham operation group received no treatment; rats in the EA group were treated by EA at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity for 30 min. The treatment was given once a day for total 2 weeks. Behavioral test was used to evaluate rotational behavior changes of PD rats. RT-PCR method was applied to detect the expression of GFAP (glial fiber acidic protein) mRNA and Cx43 (connexin 43) mRNA in the striatum. RESULTS: The difference of rotational behavior was not significant before and after treatment in the model group (P>0. 05), while that in the EA group was significant (P<0. 01). The expression of GFAP mRNA and Cx43 mRNA in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group and sham operation group (all P<0. 01); after EA treatment, the expression of GFAP mRNA and Cx43 mRNA in the EA group was lower significantly than that in the model group (both P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: The action mechanism of EA for prevention and treatment of Parkinson' s disease may be associated with inhibiting the activation of astrocytes.

[Effect of "Kidney-reinforcing and Govenor Vessel-regulating" of Acupuncture plus Moxibustion on Mitochondrial Dynamics-related Proteins in Hippocampal Neurons of Rats with Alzheimer's Disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture plus moxibustion on mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (OPA 1, Fis 1) of hippocampal neurons in rat with Alzheimer's disease (AD) , and to explore the potential mechanism underlying acupuncture for the protection of hippocampal neuronal mitochondria. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, sham-operation, model and acu-moxibustion groups. AD model was made by injecting Aß1-42 into the hippocampus. "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) acupoints were stimulated by manual acupuncture (15 min) in combination with moxibustion (15 min) for two sessions of treatment, with seven consecutive treatments for one session and one day break between the two sessions. The expression of hippocampal OPA 1 and Fis 1 was assessed by means of Western blot and immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: The expression level of OPA 1 and Fis 1 of rats in the model group was significantly lower and higher, respectively, than those of the normal and sham-operation groups (P < 0.01). Acupuncture plus moxibustion intervention notably increased OPA 1 and decreased Fis 1 expression levels in the acu-moxibustion group compared to those of the model group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with moxibustion produce benefit to hippocampal neurons in AD rats probably via the regulation of the mitochondrial dynamics (imbalance between fission and fusion proteins) and improvement of the mitochondrial damage of hippocampus.

Association of pre- and post-treatment expectations with improvements after acupuncture in patients with migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether a higher expectation of acupuncture measured at baseline and after acupuncture is associated with better outcome improvements in patients with migraine. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a previous published trial in which 476 patients with migraine were randomly allocated to three real acupuncture groups and one sham acupuncture control group. All the participants received 20 sessions of acupuncture over a 4-week period. The primary outcome was the number of days with a migraine attack (NDMA) assessed at 5-8 weeks after randomisation. The secondary outcomes were visual analogue scale, headache intensity and quality of life assessed at 4, 8 and 16 weeks after randomisation. Expectations of the acupuncture effect were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment and categorised into five levels, with 0% the lowest and 100% the highest. Outcome improvement was first compared among the participants with different expectation levels using an analysis of variance model. The association between expectations of treatment and outcome improvement was then calculated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Patients with 100% baseline expectations did not report significantly fewer NDMA than those with 0% baseline expectations after adjusting for the covariates (at 5-8 weeks, 1.7 vs 3.9 days, p=0.987). High baseline expectations had no significant impact on improvement of the primary outcome (100% vs 0%: OR 8.50, 95% CI 0.89 to 191.65, p=0.682). However, patients with 100% post-treatment expectations reported fewer NDMA than those with 0% expectations (primary outcome: 1.3 vs 5.0 days, p<0.001) and were more likely to have a favourable response (100% vs 0%: OR 68.87, 95% CI 6.26 to 1449.73, p=0.002). Similar results were found when analysing the impact of expectation on the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of expectation after acupuncture treatment rather than at baseline was associated with better long-term outcome improvements in patients with migraine. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT00599586.

Acupuncture and moxibustion reduces neuronal edema in Alzheimer's disease rats.

To examine the possible correlation of aberrant Wnt signaling and pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease, we established a rat model of Alzheimer's disease and measured axin and ß-catenin expression in the hippocampus. Rats were pretreated with moxibustion or electroacupuncture, or both, at Baihui (GV20) and Shenshu (BL23). Axin expression was lower, ß-catenin expression was greater, and neuronal cytoplasmic edema was visibly prevented in the rats that had received the pretreatments. Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of acupuncture and moxibustion in Alzheimer's disease is associated with axin and ß-catenin expression in the Wnt signal transduction pathway.

Moxibustion Activates Macrophage Autophagy and Protects Experimental Mice against Bacterial Infection.

Moxibustion is one of main therapies in traditional Chinese medicine and uses heat stimulation on the body surface from the burning of moxa to release pain or treat diseases. Emerging studies have shown that moxibustion can generate therapeutic effects by activating a series of signaling pathways and neuroendocrine-immune activities. Here we show moxibustion promoted profound macrophage autophagy in experimental Kunming mice, with reduced Akt phosphorylation and activated eIF2α phosphorylation. Consequently, moxibustion promoted bacterial clearance by macrophages and protected mice from mortality due to bacterial infection. These results indicate that moxibustion generates a protective response by activating autophagy against bacterial infections.

[Protective mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion on hippocampal neuron mitochondria in rats with Alzheimer's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on ultrastructure and silent information regulator 1 (SIR1) in hippocampal neuron mitochondria in rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in order to explore its possible effective mechanism during the process of protecting mitochondria. METHODS: Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 20 rats in each one. The AD model was established in the model group and acupuncture group with injection of Amyloid beta Protein Fragment1-14 (Abeta1-42) into the hippocampus. Acupuncture and moxibustion was applied at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) in the acupuncture group, once a day, seven days as a treatment course and totally two course were required. The rest groups were all fed with normal diet, without any treatment. The transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting technique were respectively adapted to measure ultrastructure and level of STR1 in hippocampal neuron mitochondria in AD rats. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the ultrastructure in hippocampal neuron mitochondria in the acupuncture group was effectively improved. The average optical density of SIR1 in hippocampus was 0.21 +/- 0.10 and the gray value was 136.82 +/- 47.42 in the model group, which were obviously lower than 0.47 +/- 0.09 and 281.44 +/- 57.98 in the normal group (both P < 0.01). However, levels of SIR1 in the acupuncture group, they were 0.32 +/- 0.11 and 199.52 +/- 58.12, which were significantly increased compared with those in the model group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The reinforcing-kidney and regulating-Governor Vessel method of acupuncture and moxibustion for AD could improve ultrastructure of mitochondria and increase levels of SIR1 to achieve the aim of recovering injury of mitochondria and protecting function of mitochondria.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on ERK 1/2 signaling and TNF-α and IL-1ß protein levels in the substantia Nigra in rats with Parkinson's Disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on phosphalized extracellular regulated protein kinases(p-ERK) 1/2 signaling pathway and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1ß protein levels in the substantia nigra (SN) in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: 32 male SD rats were randomly and averagely divided into normal control group, sham-operation group, model group and EA group. PD model was established by intra-dermal-injection of rotenone(1 mg/kg, dissolved in DMSO and saline, concentration: 0. 25 mg/mL) at the nape, once daily for 14 days. EA (2 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Fengfu"(GV 16)and "Taichong"(LR 3) for 20 min, once daily for 14 days. For sham-operation group, subcutaneous injection of the same dose of DMSO and saline was given in the same way. The expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), p-ERK 1/2, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1P proteins of the SN tissue were detected using Western blot. The rat's horizontal and vertical movement ability was assessed using open-field tests. RESULTS: The horizontal and vertical movement scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the normal control group, and markedly higher in the EA group than in the model group (P<0. 05). Compared with the normal control group, the expression level of TH protein in the SN was significantly reduced in the model group( P<0. 05 ),while the expression levels of p-ERK 1/2, TNF-α and IL-1ß proteins were significantly increased in the model group(P<0. 05). After EA intervention, the expression level of TH protein was significantly increased(P<0.05),and those of p-ERK 1/2, TNF-α and IL-1ß proteins were significantly down-regulated(P<0. 05) in the EA group compared to the model group. CONCLUSION: EA therapy may improve PD rats' movement ability, which may be associated with its effects in down-regulating the expression levels of p-ERK 1/2, TNF-α and IL-1ß proteins and up-regulating the expression of TH protein in the SN.

[Effect of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on expression of COX-2 and tyrosine hydroxylase in Substantia Nigra in rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) therapy on the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins of Substantia Nigra cells(SNc) in the rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease(PD) rats, so as to explore the mechanism of EA underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into normal, sham-operation (sham), model and EA groups (n = 10/group). The PD model was established by successive subcutaneous injection of rotenone (highly selective lesions of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons) for 28 days. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 20 min, once daily for 14 days. The expression levels of TH and COX-2 proteins in the Substantia Nigra of midbrain were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the expression level of TH protein in the model group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and that of COX-2 protein in the model group was significantly increased (P < 0.01). After the EA treatment, the expression level of TH in the EA group was obviously upregulated (P < 0.01), and that of COX-2 protein in the EA group was considerably down-regulated (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the normal and sham groups in the expression levels of TH and COX-2 proteins (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA therapy can decrease inflammation mediator COX-2 protein expression and upregulate TH protein expression in the Substantia Nigra of midbrain in PD rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving PD in clinic.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on p38-mitogen activated protein kinase in substantia nigra cells of rats with Parkinson disease model].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of inflammatory reaction mediated by p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) signal path on prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) model rats by electroacupuncture (EA). METHODS: Thirty-two healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operation group, a model group and an EA group, eight rats in each one. The PD model was established in the model group and EA group by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in skin-back area (2 mg/kg, dissolved in sunflower oil, 2 mg/mL in density), while the injection of sunflower oil emulsion without rotenone at the same point and quantity as the model group was applied in the sham operation group. The normal group was not given any intervention. The EA treatment (continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity, 20 min) was applied at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in the EA group, once a day for continuously 14 days. No treatment was given in the other groups. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), phosphorylated p38-MAPK, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the substantia nigra were detected with immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: There was typical PD ethology change in the model group. Compared with the normal group and sham operation group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the substantia nigra in the model group was significantly decreased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly increased (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of TH positive neuron in the EA group was apparently increased, while the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK and COX-2 were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The EA therapy could obviously reduce the expression of inflammation mediator COX-2, inhibit the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, reduce the damage of dopaminergic neurons in the rats with PD, and this effect may be related with the impact of p38-MAPK signal path

Pre-moxibustion and moxibustion prevent Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's disease model in Wistar rats was established by injection of amyloid ß-peptide (Aß1-42) into the hippocampal CA1 region. Rats were treated with suspended moxibustion on Baihui (GV20) and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints. Prior to and post Aß1-42 exposure. Results showed no evidence of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons, a significantly reduced apoptosis rate of neurons and improved learning and memory abilities were observed in the Alzheimer's disease model. In particular, moxibustion prior to Aß1-42 exposure was more effective than moxibustion after Aß1-42 exposure in protecting the neuronal structure and lowering the apoptosis rate. Our findings indicate that a combination of preventive and therapeutic moxibustion has a beneficial effect for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease development.

Electroacupuncture-regulated neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease rats.

Acupuncture for the treatment of Parkinson's disease has a precise clinical outcome. This study investigated the effect of electroacupuncture at Fengfu (GV16) and Taichong (LR3) acupoints in rat models of Parkinson's disease induced by subcutaneous injection of rotenone into rat neck and back. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression was significantly increased in the substantia nigra of rat models of Parkinson's disease, and that abnormal behavior of rats was significantly improved following electroacupuncture treatment. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA expression in the substantia nigra of rat models of Parkinson's disease. Thus, electroacupuncture may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

[Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on energy metabolism-related protein of hippocampal neuron mitochondria in Alzheimer's disease rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore action mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion for Alzheimer's disease (AD) to provide evidence for prevention and treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion on AD in clinic. METHODS: Eighty SPF-grade male Wistar rats, (200 +/- 20) g, were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group and a treatment group, 20 cases in each one. The model was duplicated with injection of Abeta1-42 in rats' hippocampus. Expect the treatment group, the rest groups were treated with regular feeding after respective intervention. The treatment group was treated with acupuncture and moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), once a day, seven days as a treatment course and totally for two courses. There was one day of interval between the courses. The immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR methods were applied to test level of Abeta-binding alcohol dehydrogense (ABAD) and cytochrome oxidase IV (COX IV) in hippocampal neurons mitochondria. RESULTS: Acupuncture and moxibustion could reduce effectively level of ABAD and improve activity of COX IV in hippocampal neurons mitochondria in the treatment group, which has statistical significance compared with that in the model group (P < 0.01) and no statistical significance compared with that in the normal group and sham-operation group (P > 0.05). This indicated that acupuncture and moxibustion could effectively suppress overexpression of ABAD, improve activity of COX IV and reduce leak of reactive oxygen species, which could improve metabolic disturbance of mitochondria energy to achieve the goal of prevention and treatment of AD. CONCLUSION: The prevention and treatment of AD with acupuncture and moxibustion could be related with suppressing overexpression of ABAD and improving activity of COX IV in hippocampal neurons mitochondria to improve mitochondria energy metabolism.

Acupuncture for migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is commonly used to treat migraine. We assessed the efficacy of acupuncture at migraine-specific acupuncture points compared with other acupuncture points and sham acupuncture. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, single-blind randomized controlled trial. In total, 480 patients with migraine were randomly assigned to one of four groups (Shaoyang-specific acupuncture, Shaoyang-nonspecific acupuncture, Yangming-specific acupuncture or sham acupuncture [control]). All groups received 20 treatments, which included electrical stimulation, over a period of four weeks. The primary outcome was the number of days with a migraine experienced during weeks 5-8 after randomization. Our secondary outcomes included the frequency of migraine attack, migraine intensity and migraine-specific quality of life. RESULTS: Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the acupuncture groups reported fewer days with a migraine during weeks 5-8, however the differences between treatments were not significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the number of days with a migraine during weeks 13-16 in all acupuncture groups compared with control (Shaoyang-specific acupuncture v. control: difference -1.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.77 to -0.5], p = 0.003; Shaoyang-nonspecific acupuncture v. control: difference -1.22 [95% CI -1.92 to -0.52], p < 0.001; Yangming-specific acupuncture v. control: difference -0.91 [95% CI -1.61 to -0.21], p = 0.011). We found that there was a significant, but not clinically relevant, benefit for almost all secondary outcomes in the three acupuncture groups compared with the control group. We found no relevant differences between the three acupuncture groups. INTERPRETATION: Acupuncture tested appeared to have a clinically minor effect on migraine prophylaxis compared with sham acupuncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00599586.

[Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of scalp-point on cardiac sympathetic discharges, myocardial beta1-adrenoceptor protein expression and plasma norepinephrine concentration in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) of scalp-point in the management of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) by examining its effects on left cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, myocardial beta1-adrenaline receptor (AR) protein expression and plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration in MI/RI rats. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, model and EA groups (n = 6). MI/RI model was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min, followed by release of the ligation for 15 min. EA was applied to bilateral Epangxian I (MS 2) for 15 min. The left cardiac sympathetic nerve activity was recorded with BL-420 E+ biological signal acquisition system. Myocardial beta1-AR protein expression was examined by western blot and plasma NE level detected by enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the left cardiac sympathetic discharges and plasma NE levels and myocardial beta1-AR protein expression were markedly increased in the model group (P < 0.01), whereas in comparison with the model group, the sympathetic discharges, plasma NE level and myocardial beta1-AR protein expression in the EA group were down-regulated significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scalp-point EA intervention can suppress MI/RI induced increase of sympathetic nerve activity and plasma NE level, and beta1-AR protein expression, which may contribute to its effect in relieving myocardial ischemia.