[Herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion of "Shenque" (CV8) has a relative specific effect in relieving abdominal pain and in regulating neuroendocrine-immune network in primary dysmenorrhea rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herbal-cake-partitioned moxibustion (HCPM) of "Shenque" (CV8) and "Daheng" (SP15) on abdominal pain, plasma ß-endorphin (ß-EP), uterine prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels, as well as splenetic natural killer cell (NK cell) activity in primary dysmenorrhea (PD) rats, so as to explore the specificity of acupoint function and the underlying mechanisms of moxibustion in relieving dysmenorrhea. METHODS: A total of 40 female rats were randomized into blank control, model, CV8-direct moxibustion, CV8-HCPM and SP15-HCPM groups (n＝8 rats in each). The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate injection (0.2-0.5 mg/rat) for 10 consecutive days and intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin (2 U) 24 h after the last subcutaneous injection. Moxibustion or herbal-cake (composed of Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Cortex Cinnamomi, etc.)-partitioned moxibustion was applied to CV8, SP15 or umbilicus respectively for 7 moxa-cones every time, once daily for 10 successive days. The rats of the control and model groups were also restrained as those in the moxibustion groups. The writhing times within 30 minutes was recorded and the contents of plasma ß-EP, uterine PGE2 and PGF2α were detected by ELISA, and NK cell activity was detected using MTT. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the writhing times and the content of PGF2α in the uterus tissue were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01), while the contents of plasma ß-EP, uterine PGE2 and splenetic NK cell activity were significantly decreased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the writhing times and uterine PGF2α content were obviously down-regulated in the SP15-HCPM, CV8-direct moxibustion and CV8-HCPM groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the contents of plasma ß-EP and uterine PGE2, and splenetic NK cell activity were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The therapeutic effects of CV8-HCPM group were significantly superior to those of SP15-HCPM and CV8-direct moxibustion groups in lowering writhing times and PGF2α level, and in up-regulating ß-EP, PGE2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The NK cell activity of CV8-HCPM group was significantly increased compared with that in the SP15-HCPM group(P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the SP15-HCPM and CV8-direct moxibustion groups in the levels of writhing times, plasma ß-EP and uterine PGE2, PGF2α contents and splenetic NK cell activity (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion of both CV8 and SP15 can relieve abdominal pain in PD rats, which may be closely associated with its effect in suppressing PD-induced decrease of plasma ß-EP and uterine PGE2 levels and splenetic NK cell activity and increase of uterine PGF2α. The therapeutic effect of CV8-HCPM is obviously better than that of SP15-HCPM and CV8-direct moxibustion.

[Effect of needle-implantation at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on the expression of myocardial TGF-beta3 and its mRNA in the Chinese miniswine with myocardial ischemia injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of needle-implantation (NI) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on the expression of myocardial transforming growth factor-beta 3 Protein(TGF-beta 3) and mRNA in Chinese miniswine with myocardial ischemia (MI) injury. METHODS: A total of 32 Chinese Guizhou miniswine were randomly and equally divided into Sham-operation group, model group, NI-PC 6 group and NI-Geshu (BL17, NI-BL17) group. MI injury model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery. Two acupuncture needles (veterinary use) were separately and subcutaneously implanted into "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Geshu" (BL17) areas for 7 days. TGF-beta 3 protein and mRNA expressions were determined by Western blot and real-time PCR techniques, separately. RESULTS: In comparison with the sham-operation (sham) group, TGF-beta 3 protein and mRNA expressions in model group were upregulated significantly (P < 0.05). While compared with the model group, myocardial TGF-beta3 mRNA expression was upregulated considerably in NI-PC 6 group (P < 0.01), rather than in NI-BL17 group (P > 0.05), and myocardial TGF-beta 3 expression in both NI-PC 6 and NI-BL17 groups was upregulated obviously (P < 0.01). Comparison between NI-PC 6 and NI-BL17 groups showed that the expression levels of myocardial TGF-beta 3 protein and mRNA were significantly higher in NI-PC 6 group than in NI-BL17 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Needle-implantation of "Neiguan" (PC 6) can upregulate myocardial TGF-beta 3 protein and mRNA expression in MI Chinese miniswine, which may contribute to its effect in improving the ischemic myocardial injury by way of enhancing the angiopoiesis.