Effect of acupuncture on HIF-1α/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway in the rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao (regaining consciousness and opening orifices) acupuncture therapy on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats, and to explore the mechanism of acupuncture against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.@*METHODS@#Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a non-point acupuncture group, with 18 rats in each one. Using modified Longa thread embolization method, the rat model of acute focal cerebral ischemia was prepared; and after 2 h ischemia, the reperfusion was performed to prepared the model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Immediately after reperfusion, Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method was applied to bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Shuigou" (GV 26) in the acupuncture group, while in the non-point acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivered at non-points and all of the needles were retained for 30 min in these two groups. The samples were collected 24 h after reperfusion in the rats of each group. Zea-Longa neurological deficit score was used to evaluate the degree of cerebral neurological impairment, TTC staining was adopted to observe the volume percentage of cerebral infarction, HE staining was provided to observe the morphological changes of brain, and Western blot was applied for detecting the expression of HIF-1α and NLRP3 proteins in the cerebral cortex on the right side.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham-operation group, neurological deficit score and volume percentage of cerebral infarction were increased in the model group (P<0.01), and HIF-1α and NLRP3 protein expression was elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, neurological deficit score and volume percentage of cerebral infarction were decreased (P<0.01), and HIF-1α and NLRP3 protein expression was lower (P<0.01) in the acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in above indexes in the non-point acupuncture group compared with the model group (P>0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the brain tissue of the rats in the model group and the non-point acupuncture group was loose and edema, and the nuclei were shriveled. The brain tissue morphology in the acupuncture group was similar to that of the sham-operation group.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture can alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of HIF-1α/NLRP3 signaling pathway to attenuate inflammatory response.

Optimization and implementation of clinical trial of acupuncture: reflection on the successful case of acupuncture for postprandial distress syndrome / 中国针灸

Taking the clinical trial of acupuncture in treatment of postprandial distress syndrome as an example, this paper proposes that the acupuncture clinical trial protocol should be optimized in view of acupuncture prescription, acupuncture frequency and outcomes. Besides, the data quality of acupuncture clinical trial should be improved in consideration of data sharing and electronic data capture so as to provide a reference for the majority of researchers to optimize and implement acupuncture clinical trial.

Effect of different electroacupuncture stimulation parameters on sudden hearing loss / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy of different electroacupuncture (EA) frequencies and wave patterns combined with medication and medication alone for sudden hearing loss (SHL), and to explore better electroacupuncture stimulation parameters.@*METHODS@#All of 118 patients with SHL were randomly divided into an acupuncture and medication group 1 (group 1, 30 cases, 1 case dropped off), an acupuncture and medication group 2 (group 2, 30 cases), an acupuncture and medication group 3 (group 3, 31 cases) and a medication group (27 cases, 1 case dropped off ). The patients in the medication group were treated with conventional medication. On the base of the medication group, the patients in the group 1, 2, and 3 were treated with acupuncture at Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Fengchi (GB 20), etc. on the affected side, and EA at Ermen (TE 21)-Yifeng (TE 17), Tinghui (GB 2)-Yifeng (TE 17) alternately. The 3 groups were given continuous wave with frequency of 2 Hz, continuous wave with frequency of 50 Hz, and disperse-dense wave with frequency of 2 Hz/50 Hz respectively. The treatment was given once a day, 10 days were as one course, with 2 courses in total. Before and after treatment, the pure tone hearing threshold test was performed, and the curative effect of pure tone hearing threshold test and the curative effect of tinnitus, ear fullness and dizziness were compared in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the pure tone hearing threshold test values of each group were lower than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of conventional medication treatment, the addition of electroacupuncture can effectively improve the hearing and ear stuffiness symptoms of patients with SHL, and the disperse-dense wave with frequency of 2 Hz/50 Hz is more effective.

Improvement in dyspepsia related symptoms treated with acupuncture in 278 patients with postprandial distress syndrome: a secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture for the improvements in various dyspeptic symptoms of postprandial distress syndrome.@*METHODS@#The secondary analysis on the data of a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. 278 patients with postprandial distress syndrome were randomized into an acupuncture group (138 cases) and a sham-acupuncture group (140 cases). In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In the sham-acupuncture group, 6 sites, neither located on meridians nor belonged to meridian acupoints, were selected and punctured shallowly. The duration of treatment was 20 min each time, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks totally in the two groups. The follow-up visit lasted for 12 weeks. The scores of dyspeptic symptoms were compared between the two groups before treatment, during treatment (in week 1, 2, 3 and 4) and during follow-up (in week 8, 12 and 16) separately.@*RESULTS@#Besides the scores of early satiety and vomiting in the sham-acupuncture group in week 1, the scores of the other dyspepsia symptoms during treatment and follow-up were all reduced in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture remarkably relieves postprandial fullness, early satiety, upper abdominal bloating and belching in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.

Application and reflection on pilot study in acupuncture clinical research / 中国针灸

Pilot study is essential prerequisite for large-scale research. Acupuncture is a complex intervention measure. The factors of its clinical effect and effect mechanism are complicated. Hence, the resource waste is easily induced in research if the large-scale clinical research is rashly carried out before scientific verification. Currently, there is still a lack of high-quality evidence of clinical research, which affects the promotion and application of the curative effect of acupuncture. The pilot study of acupuncture can evaluate the feasibility and the process coordination of trial, optimize program and process and provide the basis of sample size calculation prior to launching a full-scale trial. Thereby, the methodological quality of acupuncture research and the reliability of trial results can be improved. In the paper, the arguments focus on the definition, design and report of pilot study so as to provide the approaches and references for the design and implementation of pilot study of clinical research of acupuncture.

Effect of acupuncture on knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score in patients with knee osteoarthritis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the clinical effect of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA).@*METHODS@#Forty-two patients with KOA were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a sham acupuncture group (21 cases, 1 case dropped off). The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with routine acupuncture at 5-6 local acupoints [Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Heding (EX-LE 2), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.] and 3-4 distal acupoints [Fengshi (GB 31), Waiqiu (GB 36), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zulinqi (GB 41), etc.]. The patients in the sham acupuncture group were treated with shallow needling technique at non-acupoint. The needles were retained for 30 min in both groups. All the treatment was given three times a week for 8 weeks. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were recorded before and after treatment and 18-week follow-up.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of 5 dimensions of KOOS [pain, symptoms (except pain), daily activities, sports and entertainment, and quality of life] were increased after treatment and during follow-up in the two groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture can reduce the pain symptoms and improve daily activities in patients with KOA.

Study on Regulatory Action of Addition and Subtraction of Therapy of Zidiantang to Mmune Inflammatory Factors of Children with Purpura Nephritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe clinical effect of addition and subtraction therapy of Zidiantang to purpura nephritis in children （syndrome of blood fever） and regulatory action to immune inflammatory factors. Method:One hundred and twenty-five patients were randomly divided into control group （61 cases） and observation group （64 cases） by random number table. A total of 57 patients in control group completed the therapy （2 patients were falling off or missing visit and 2 was eliminated）， 59 patients in observation group completed the therapy （3 patients were falling off or missing visit and 2 was eliminated）. Both groups' patients got comprehensive measures of western medicine. Patients in control group got Xueniaoan capsule， 1 to 4 grains/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation groups got addition and subtraction therapy of Zidiantang， 1 dose/day. The treatment was continued for 2 months and the follow up was recorded for a month. Purpura and urinalysis were recorded for every week. And disappearance of purpura， hematuria and proteinuria were compared for 3 months. Before treatment， and at the first， second and during the follow up， scores of 24 h urine protein quantification （24 hup） and syndrome of blood fever were graded. Levels of microalbuminuria （mAlb）， urinary <italic>β</italic>₂-microglobulin （<italic>β</italic>₂-MG）， cystatin C（CysC）， globulin A1（IgA1）， IgG， complement C3， Th17 cells， Treg cells， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IL-21， IL-10 and transforming growth factor-<italic>β</italic>₁ （TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁） were detected before and after treatment. Result:At the first month of treatment， disappearance rate of purpura in observation group was higher than that in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Before treatment， and at the first， second and during the follow up， disappearance rate of hematuria and albuminuria were higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and scores of 24 h urine protein quantification （24 hup） and syndrome of blood fever were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of mAlb， <italic>β</italic>₂-MG， CysC， IgA1， IgG， Th17， Th17/Treg， IL-17， IL-21 and TGF-<italic>β</italic>₁ were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and levels of C3， CD4⁺， Treg and IL-10 were higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:On the basis of conventional western medicine treatment， addition and subtraction therapy of Zidiantang can promote the purpura to subside， improve the syndrome symptoms of blood fever， regulate the immune inflammatory reaction， reduce the inflammatory damage of kidney， thus reduce the hematuria and proteinuria， and play a role in protecting the renal function.

Mechanisms of Classical Prescriptions and Their Active Components in Immunosenescence Regulation： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

As the body ages， the immune system will undergo a series of changes， which are termed "immunosenescence" and are embodied in immune cells. Previous studies have shown that the immune cells involved in the regulation of immunosenescence include intrinsic immune cells and adaptive immune cells. Intrinsic immune cells are neutrophils， monocytes/macrophages， myeloid-derived suppressor cells， dendritic cells， natural killer cells， etc.， and the underlying mechanisms involve the regulation of cell number， phagocytosis， chemotaxis， adhesion， the function of toll-like receptor （TLR）， antigen presentation， macrophage polarization， cytotoxicity， migration， etc. The adaptive immune cells include T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes， and the underlying mechanisms involve the regulation of cell development， proliferation， differentiation， cell number， telomerase activity， self-reactive antibodies， etc. Immunosenescence is the manifestation of aging in the human body and is also an important target for delaying aging by Chinese medicine and western medicine. In recent years， scholars have found some classical prescriptions and their active components （such as Dushentang and total saponins in Panax ginseng leaves， and Shengmaiyin and anwulignan and total saponins in P. ginseng stems and leaves） can regulate immunosenescence by targeting the immune cells and interfering with their molecular regulatory mechanisms. In addition， the mechanisms of the classical prescriptions in regulating immunosenescence are closely related to autophagy. The representative prescription embodying the therapeutic principles of resolving blood stasis and promoting regeneration， Dahuang Zhechongwan， can delay D-galactose-induced renal aging in mice， and its underlying mechanisms are related to the regulation of the number and activity of thymic immune cells and improvement of the protein expression of autophagy-related markers and inflammatory cytokines in the kidney. Therefore， exploring the effects of the classical prescriptions and their active components by targeting the mechanisms of immunosenescence will become a new direction for investigating and developing anti-aging drugs.

Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture on Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of Animal Studies / 中国结合医学杂志

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main type of dementia affecting elderly people. The medicines used for treating AD have limits in their ability to alleviate cognitive and functional decline. Electroacupuncture (EA), an economical alternative and complementary therapeutic measure used in Chinese medicine, has strong clinical applicability, and its treatment effects are more reliable as its stimulation factors can be standardized. EA has been effectively used for ameliorating spatial learning and memory impairment in AD patients and rodent AD models. Here, we summarized the mechanisms of EA on rodent AD models, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for identifying new targets and research directions, and exploring appropriate EA stimulation parameters, then provide a detailed methodology to optimize the effects of EA, ultimately reducing the heavy burden of treating AD patients on families and countries. Our review showed that 8 acupoints were used when treating AD animals; Baihui (GV 20) was the most frequently used. Four mechanisms of EA were studied: (1) protection of cerebral neurons from oxidative stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity and hormone levels; (2) regulation of metabolism, including glucose metabolism and plasma metabolism; (3) regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor; and (4) regulation of β-amyloid peptide protein deposition.

Professor 's clinical experience in treatment of syndrome with needling technique of acupuncture / 中国针灸

According to the effect of the spirit and in the treatment of syndrome and the theory as "acupoints of meridians especially for treatment of syndrome", professor - proposes the treatment principle of (regaining consciousness/spirit and promoting ). Guided by this treatment principle, the theory of traditional meridians and acupoints is coordinated with the achievement of modern medicine research. Consequently, needling technique of acupuncture is suggested. In the treatment of syndrome, the predominated prescriptions are formed for regaining consciousness/spirit, i.e. Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengfu (GV 16) and Fengchi (GB 20) and for promoting circulation, i.e. Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The acupoint prescriptions are modified align with the individual cases. This treatment regimen effectively relieves the symptoms and delayed the progress of disease.

Reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for vascular dementia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for vascular dementia.@*METHODS@#The RCTs of acupuncture for vascular dementia were systematically retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP and Wanfang databases from the date of establishment to October 31, 2018. The reporting quality of RCT was evaluated based on the internationally-recognized Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA).@*RESULTS@#A total of 33 RCTs were included. According to the CONSORT statement, 12 items had a reporting rate of 0%, including important changes to methods after trial commencement, sample size, blind method, trial registry, etc.; 5 items had a reporting rate of below 10%, including trial design, type of randomization, random allocation sequence, randomization implementation and participant flow. The reporting rate was 36.36% for baseline data and 57.58% for randomization sequence generation. According to the STRICTA statement, the reporting rate was 21.21% for description of acupuncture depth, 60.61% for description of acupuncture response, 27.27% for description of additional intervention details and 0% for qualification of acupuncturists, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#At present, the reporting quality of RCTs of acupuncture for vascular dementia is generally low. In the future, the RCTs of acupuncture for vascular dementia should be normatively reported according to the CONSORT statement and STRICTA statement.

The effects of optical genetic techniques on new neurons through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of optical genetic techniques on new neurons through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.@*METHODS@#Neural stem cells (ESCs)were extracted from the cerebral cortex of fetal rat and transfected by lentivirus carrying DCX-ChR2-EGFP gene and the expression of DCX of newborn neurons differentiated from neural stem cells were observed. All cells were divided into 3 groups(n=9): control group, NSCs+EGFP and NSCs+ChR2 groups. The control group was normal cultured NSCs (NSCs group); the neural stem cells in NSCs+EGFP group were transfected with lentivirus carrying EGFP gene. The neural stem cells in NSCs+ChR2 group were infected with lentivirus carrying DCX-ChR2-EGFP gene. After 48 hours of lentivirus infection, 470 nm blue laser irradiation was performed for 3 consecutive days. NeuN positive cell density(the maturation of neural stem cells)and the ratio of NeuN/Hoechst in each group were observed. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR2. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of β-catenin and TCF4 associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling channel. Verapamil (100 μmol/L, L-type calcium channel blockers) and Dkk1 (50 μg/ml, β-catenin inhibitor) were used to treat stem cells of the NSCs+ChR2 group and then the expressions of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#After 3 days of 470 nm blue laser irradiation, NeuN positive cell density(the maturation of neural stem cells)and the ratio of NeuN/Hoechst, the expression levels of the protein MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1, GluR and the protein β-catenin and TCF4 associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling channel detected by Western blot were significantly increased in the group of NSCs+ChR2, compared with NSCs and NSCs+EGFP groups. The expressions of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR were remarkably decreased after treated by verapamil and Dkk1 in the group of NSCs+ChR2. It was proved that the opening of ChR2 channel producing cationic influx promoted the maturation of neural stem cells and induced by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.@*CONCLUSION@#Optical genetic promoted the maturation of newborn neurons through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Research Advances in Interventions on Subjective Cognitive Decline / 中国医学科学院学报

Subjective cognitive decline(SCD),a clinical condition in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease,manifests as a continuous decrease in the individual's self-conscious cognitive function but with normal objective cognitive indicators. Research on SCD helps to identify individuals at high risk of senile dementia and explore the effective prevention and intervention strategies. This article reviews the recent research advances in SCD,with an attempt to provide evidence for early intervention in patients with SCD.

Effect of preoperative intervention of electroacupuncture at point on postoperative complications of procedure for prolapsed and hemorrhoids / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore effective treatments that can alleviate postoperative complications in patients with procedure for prolapsed and hemorrhoids (PPH).@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with pre-mixed hemorrhoids PPH were randomly divided into a simple operation group and a preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group, 30 cases in each group. PPH routine treatment was given in the simple operation group. Electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at point 30 min before PPH in the preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group, and EA was applied at Ciliao (BL 32) and Xialiao (BL 34) for 30 min. The scores of anus pendant, pain degree and persistent time and first urination time were compared within 24 h after operation between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The scores of anal pendant and pain degree in the 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, the persistent time of anal pendant and pain degree within 24 h and first urination time were better in the preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group than those in the simple operation group, and there were statistically significant differences (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at point 30 min before PPH can not only decrease the degrees of anal pendant and pain in the 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, but also shorten the persistent time of anal pendant and pain within 24 h after surgery and promote the first urination.

The application of "regulate acupuncture" in the treatment of gynecological diseases / 中国针灸

To explore the clinical efficacy of "regulate (triple warmer) acupuncture" in the treatment of gynecological diseases. To discuss the pathogenesis of and gynecological diseases, and to briefly analyze the theory of "regulate acupuncture", the method of selecting acupoints and operating methods. In order to use the "regulate " as the rule, Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), were selected as the main acupoints to cooperate with syndrome differentiation for the treatment of gynecological diseases, such as infertility, perimenopausal syndrome. "Regulate acupuncture" is effective in the treatment of infertility and perimenopausal syndrome, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Effect of Acupuncture Cooperated with Low-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Chronic Insomnia:A Randomized Clinical Trial / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effect of acupuncture cooperated with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on chronic insomnia was explored.Seventy-eight patients with chronic insomnia were randomly allocated into two groups:treatment group and control group.In the treatment group,the patients received acupuncture combined with rTMS treatment,and those in the control group were given acupuncture cooperated with sham rTMS treatment,3 days per week for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,the primary outcomes including the scores on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the secondary outcomes including total sleep time (TST),sleep onset latency (SOL),wake after sleep onset (WASO),sleep efficiency (SE％) recorded by sleeping diary and actigraphy were observed in both groups.Seventy-five participants finished the study (38 in treatment group and 37 in control group respectively).After treatment,the scores in the two groups were improved significantly,more significantly in the treatment group than in the control group.It can be inferred that acupuncture cooperated with rTMS can effectively improve sleep quality,enhance the quality of life of patients and has less side effects.

Effect of Acupuncture Cooperated with Low-frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Chronic Insomnia:A Randomized Clinical Trial / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

The effect of acupuncture cooperated with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on chronic insomnia was explored.Seventy-eight patients with chronic insomnia were randomly allocated into two groups:treatment group and control group.In the treatment group,the patients received acupuncture combined with rTMS treatment,and those in the control group were given acupuncture cooperated with sham rTMS treatment,3 days per week for 4 weeks.Before and after treatment,the primary outcomes including the scores on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the secondary outcomes including total sleep time (TST),sleep onset latency (SOL),wake after sleep onset (WASO),sleep efficiency (SE％) recorded by sleeping diary and actigraphy were observed in both groups.Seventy-five participants finished the study (38 in treatment group and 37 in control group respectively).After treatment,the scores in the two groups were improved significantly,more significantly in the treatment group than in the control group.It can be inferred that acupuncture cooperated with rTMS can effectively improve sleep quality,enhance the quality of life of patients and has less side effects.

Comparative study on sepsis models induced by Escherichia coli subtypes / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the degrees of injury severity of sepsis models made by different kinds of Escherichia coli. Methods The 152 mice were randomly divided into control group, DH5α group, 44102 group, and 25922 group, with 38 rats in each group. DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group were intraperitoneally injected with 300 μL of Escherichia coli DH5α, 44102 and 25922 at the concentration of 1.0 × 109CFU/kg to prepare sepsis models of different kinds of Escherichia coli. Control group was injected intraperitoneally with the same amount of normal saline. (1) After 8 h, four mice were taken from each group for peripheral blood bacterial culture . (2) After 12 h, ten mice in each group were used for measuring serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (3) Western blot assay was used to determine the serum levels of high-mobility group protein (HMGB1) in four mice of each group. (4) Ten mice in each group were used to measure serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) by automatic biochemical analyzer. (5) After liver, lung and kidney tissues were fixed with formaldehyde, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed (n=10 for each group). Results In DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group, bacteria, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and HMGB1 protein, liver and kidney indicators ALT, AST, CR and BUN showed a sequential increasing trend (P＜0.01). The severe degrees of alveolar structure damage, hepatic cell infiltration and renal glomerular atrophy were DH5α group, 44102 group and 25922 group in turn. There were no obvious damages of lung, liver or kidney tissues in control group. Conclusion Escherichia coli 25922 induces severe sepsis injury and can be used to study the animal models of the initial inflammatory phase of sepsis. Escherichia coli 44102 induces moderate damage of sepsis and can be used in animal models that do not require definitive sepsis staging experiments. Escherichia coli DH5α induces less damage of sepsis and can be used to explore immunosuppressive therapy of the animal model of sepsis.

Effect of Acupuncture at Points Neiguan(PC6) and Shuigou(GV26) on Caspase-3 and PARP-1 Expressions in the Cerebral Cortex in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of acupuncture at points Neiguan(PC6) and Shuigou(GV26) on caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Method Forty male SD rats were randomized to normal, sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. A model of middle cerebral artery infarction was made by modified Longa thread occlusion. Neurological function was scored using a 6-grade 5-point Bederson's scale. Caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in rat cerebral cortex were determined using real-time PCR and Western Blot at 24 hrs after cerebral ischemia. Result Neurological deficit was reduced in the acupuncture group of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion compared with the model group (P<0.01). Acupuncture could down-regulate caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01; P<0.05, P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at points Neiguan and Shuigou can down-regulate caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

Effect of Acupuncture plus Rehabilitation Training on Upper Limb Functional Recovery in Stroke Patients / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training on upper limb functional recovery in convalescent stroke patients.Methods One hundred and three convalescent stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction were randomized to a treatment group (54 cases) and a control groups (49 cases). Both group received conventional rehabilitation training. In addition, the treatment group received along-meridian syndrome differentiation-based acupuncture and the control group, sham acupuncture. Upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (U-FMA) score, the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) score, the modified Barthel Index (MBI) score and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score were recorded in the two groups of patients before and at the end of treatment and at the 3-month follow-up.Results In the two groups there were statistically significant differences in the U-FMA score, the WMFT score and the MBI score at the end of treatment and the 3-month follow-up compared with before (P>0.05 orP<0.01). At the end of treatment and the 3-month follow-up there were statistically significant differences in the U-FMA score, the WMFT score and the MBI score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05 orP<0.01). The scores of SF-36 items except social functioning and bodily pain had statistically significant differences within the two groups at the end of treatment and the 3-month follow-up compared with before and between the two groups at the end of treatment and the 3-month follow-up (P<0.01 orP<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture plus rehabilitation training can markedly improve upper limb function in stroke patients.