Impacts of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) on facial EMG in rhesus monkeys under the physiological state / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the specificity relationship between acupuncture at "Hegu" (LI 4) and the facial muscular movement in rhesus monkeys under the physiological state by using neuromuscular electrical measurement technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen rhesus monkeys were randomized into a Hegu group, a Houxi group and a Waiguan group, 6 monkeys in each one. Under the physiological state, EMG was detected on the frontal muscle, zygomatic muscle and orbicular muscle before and after acupuncture at different acupoints. The impacts of acupuncture on the facial EMG were studied and compared among different acupoints.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With acupuncture at "Hegu" (LI 4), the latency was reduced (P < 0.01) and the peak value and area were increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the frontal EMG; the area and the peak value were increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and latency was reduced (P < 0.05) in the zygomatic EMG; the frequency was increased (P < 0.01) and the latency was reduced (P < 0.05) in the orbicular EMG. Before and after acupuncture at "Hegu" (LI 4), the change rates of EMG frequency, peak value, area and latency on the frontal, zygomatic and orbicular muscles were higher than those at "Houxi" (SI 3) and "Waiguan" (TE 5) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) separately.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The relative specificity presents between Hegu (LI 4) and facial muscular movement.</p>

Primary exploring of "dynamic character" of acupoint / 中国针灸

The dynamic character of acupoint has been observed extensively, but it is rarely analyzed systematically. The aim of this paper is to analyze the essence of this unique dynamic character of acupoint based on old and modern research literatures. Modern studies are summarized on qi and blood changes on the same acupoint at different times, in different physiological and pathological conditions and different syndrome types. On the basis of the literatures, the scientific base of dynamic character of acupoint is explored preliminarily. The authors propose that the dynamic character of acupoint should be focus on the modern theory of acupuncture and clinical treatment and modern preventive medicine, and the authors also put forward ideas and prospect on the essence, basis and application direction of dynamic character of acupoint.

Effect of acupuncture at acupoints of the Shaoyang Meridian on cerebral glucose metabolism in the patient of chronic migraine / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe response characteristics of human brain to acupuncture of corresponding channel point selection and probe into the central nervous mechanism of acupuncture at the points selected along channel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six cases of chronic migraine were treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20), Waiguan (TE 5), Yang-lingquan (GB 34) on the Shaoyang Channel. Positron emission computerized tomography (PET-CT) was used for scanning and statistic parameter map (SPM 2) software was used to analyze the data and compare with healthy human brain function imaging and investigate the changes of metabolism of glucose in the brain of the patient of migraine before and after acupuncture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After acupuncture, excitation areas of the pain brain regions such as the brain stem, insula, etc. obviously reduced, and the brain function-reducing area turned from the right temporal lobe as main to bilateral temporal lobes with symmetry.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pons, insula, anterior frontal gyrus, etc. possibly are the target points of analgesic effect of acupuncture at the Shaoyang Channel on chronic migraine, and the change of metabolism reduction on bilateral temporal lobes induced by acupuncture possibly is one of the mechanisms for acu-puncture at points on the Shaoyang Channel for treatment of migraine. Acupuncture achieves whole and beneficial therapeutic effect possibly through coordination and redistribution of energy metabolism in the brain.</p>

Effects of acupuncture at different periods on circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and core body temperature in hamsters / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the time law of electroacupuncture in regulation of circadian rhythms of the organism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Effects of electroacupuncture at "Shenshu" (BL 23) at Zi, Wu, Mao and You periods on circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and core body temperature in hamsters were observed with chronobiological research methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electroacupuncture at Wu period could decrease the amplitude of locomotor activity rhythm (P < 0.05), at Mao period could delay the peak phase of circadian rhythm and at You period could advance the peak phase of circadian rhythm (both P < 0.05); and electroacupuncture at Mao period could delay 22.36 degrees and at You period advance 39.32 degrees for the rhythm peak of the circadian rhythm of core body temperature.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture has a certain effect on circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and core body temperature.</p>