ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of intragastric administration of Clostridium butyricum in regulating serum uric acid, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats with hyperuricemia rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty SD rats were randomized into 4 equal groups, namely the normal control group, hyperuricemia model group, benzbromarone (3 mg/kg daily) intervention group and live Clostridium butyricum group (1.5×10CFU/day). Except for those in the control group, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of yeast extract and oteracil potassium once daily for 12 weeks to induce hyperuricemia with corresponding treatments. The changes in serum uric acid, lipopolysaccharides , IL-6 and TNF-α in each group were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The serum level of uric acid was significantly higher in rats fed with high-purine diet than in the control rats (P<0.01), demonstrating the successful establishment of hyperuricemia models. In rats with hyperuricemia, serum uric acid level was positively correlated with the levels of LPS, IL-6 and TNF-α, and their serum levels decreased significantly and progressively with time in Benzbromarone group and Clostridium butyricum group. Benzbromarone was more effective in decreasing serum uric acid in the rats, while Clostridium butyricum produced a stronger effect in down-regulating the inflammatory mediators.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic inflammatory reaction exists in rats with hyperuricemia. Intragastric administration of Clostridium butyricum can effectively decrease serum uric acid level and inhibit the inflammatory cytokines, and thus contributes to immune homeostasis in the intestines.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the difference in the clinical efficacy on refractory insomnia between the balance needling therapy and the conventional acupuncture and verify the effectiveness and practicality of the balance needling therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were randomized into a balance needling therapy group, a conventional acupuncture group and a placebo group, 20 cases in each one. In the balance needling therapy group, Shi-mian (point for insomnia) was selected with quick needling manipulation. After the arrival of qi, the technique of lifting and thrusting was applied till the radiating numbness presented in the middle or index finnger, thus the needle was removed. In the conventional acupuncture group, Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured with the conventional technique. The treatment was given once every day, 7 treatments made one session, 2 sessions were required totally. In the placebo group, starch capsules were prescribed for oral administration before sleep every night, continuously for 14 days. The efficacy and scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) beforea and after treatment were observed in three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PSQI scores were reduced after treatment in every group (both P < 0.01), the scores in the balance needling therapy group and conventional acupuncture group were reduced apparently as compared with those in the placebo group (both P < 0.01). The total effective rate were 90.0% (18/20), 85.0% (17/20) and 15.0% (3/20) in the balance needling therapy group, conventional acupuncture group and placebo group separately. The efficacy in the balance needling therapy group and the conventional acupuncture group was higher obviously than that in the placebo group (both P < 0.01), and the balance needling therapy group had the same efficacy as conventional acupuncture group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The balance needling therapy is safe and effective in the treatment of refractory insomnia and achieves the same efficacy as the conventional acupuncture, which has more simple operation and less pain for the patients and much more considerable practicality in clinic.</p>