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Objective:To observer the effect of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" acupoints of the Pericardium Meridian and observe the expression of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and apoptosis in the myocardial ischemic rats with reperfused injury.Methods:The Wister rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Acupuncture Neiguan group, Acupuncture Ximen group and Acupuncture Hegu group, with 10 rats in each group. Exceptthe sham operation group, the othergroups were all ligated with the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Before ligating the coronary artery, electroacupuncture was performed at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" points for 20 minutes respectively. After the ligation for 40 minutes, electroacupuncture was performed at the above points for 20 minutes and then restore coronary perfusion for 60 minutes. The ECG changes of rats were recorded. The level of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL. The correlation between the expression rate of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was analyzed according to the pearson correlation.Results:At 20, 40 and 60 min after the ligation of coronary artery and 30 and 60 min after the loosening of coronary artery, compared with the model group and Acupuncture Hegu group, the ST segment difference of Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group was decreased ( P<0.01); The levels of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA (0.483 ± 0.050, 0.432 ± 0.079 vs. 0.935 ± 0.109) in Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group were significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes (10.86% ± 2.17%, 9.66% ± 4.09% vs. 36.22% ± 1.69%) significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusions:There is a positive correlation between CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Acupuncture can effectively reduce CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and protect cardiomyocytes.
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Objective To observe the effects of different quantities of cake-separated moxibustion on blood cells and immunoglobulin in immunosuppressive rabbits; To study the possible mechanism of quantity-effect difference. Methods Immunosuppressive rabbit model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. Rabbits were randomly divided into blank group, model group, cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group, 5 Zhuang group, 7 Zhuang group.Liuwei Dihuang Decoction was used to make herbal-cake, and was put on Shenque (RN8), Guanyuan (RN4), and other acupoints, once for every other day, 10 times in total. Venous blood was taken on the next day after finishing treatment, and the contents of blood cells series and IgG, IgM, complement C3 and complement C4 were detected.Results Compared with blank group, the levels of WBC, NEU, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, IgG, IgM, and complement C3 of model group significantly decreased, while the levels of LYM and MONO significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the increase of HCT and IgM in the cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group was not significant, the levels of WBC, NEU, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, IgG, IgM, and complement C3 in all treatment groups significantly increased, and LYM and MONO significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with cake-separated moxibustion 3 Zhuang group, the levels of WBC, IgG, and complement C3 of cake-separated moxibustion 5 Zhuang group significantly increased, and the levels of WBC, HGB and complement C3 of cake-separated moxibustion 7 Zhuang group significantly increased (P<0.01).Conclusion Cake-separated moxibustion can improve the immune function under immunosuppressive state induced by cyclophosphamide, and different quantities have differences in efficacy.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of different methods of moxibustion on spleen morphology in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 50 rabbits were randomly assigned into a blank group, a model group, a herbal cake-separated moxibustion group, a moxibustion group and a sham cake-separated moxibustion group, 10 rabbits in each group. Except the blank group, the rabbits in each group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg), once a day, for 7 consecutive days to establish immunosuppressive model. After the model establishment, the rabbits in the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group were treated with herbal cake-separated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23); the moxa cone was placed on the herbal cake which was made ofdecoction, three cones for each acupoint. The rabbits in the moxibustion group were treated with moxa stick moxibustion which contained equal moxa of three moxa cones. The rabbits in the sham cake-separated moxibustion group were treated with cake which was made of flour. The acupoint selection in the above three groups was identical, and the intervention was given once every other day for totally 10 times. The rabbits in the blank group and model group were immobilized for identical time without any intervention. After treatment, the rabbits were sacrificed to collect the spleen. With routine HE staining, the morphology changes of spleen were observed under microscope. In addition, the white pulp, splenic corpuscle and the counts of lymphatic cells of lymphatic sheath around the arteries were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank group, the average size of white pulp and the radius of splenic corpuscle were reduced (both<0.01), and the lymphatic cells of lymphatic sheath around the arteries were significantly decreased in the model group (<0.01), but the counts of splenic nodule were increased without significant difference (>0.05). Compared with the model group, the averagesize of white pulp and the radius of splenic corpuscle were significantly increased in the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group and moxibustion group (all<0.01). The lymphatic cells of lymphatic sheath around the arteries were significantly increased in the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group and sham cake-separated moxibustion group (both<0.01). Compared with the moxibustion group, the count of lymphatic cells of lymphatic sheath around the arteries was increased in the herbal cake-separated moxibustion (<0.01). Compared with the sham cake-separated moxibustion group, the radius of splenic corpuscle was significant increased in the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group (<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The improvement of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on immunologic function is superior to moxibustion and sham cake-separated moxibustion in cyclophosphamide-induced rabbits.</p>
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BACKGROUND: CD58 is a glycoprotein, belongs to immune protein superfamily members, widely expresses in various human immunocytes and erythrocytes, and is the key immune substance of regulating T cell immune function by erythrocytes.OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of moxibustion on the acupoints of Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4) on erythrocyte CD58 expression in healthy people.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory, Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March to December 2008.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 40 healthy undergraduates, 20 males and 20 females, aged mean 21.08 years, admitted in Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected. Informed consents were obtained from each participant.METHODS: Putting the medicinal cakes on the acupoints, Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), Pishu (BL20),Shenshu (BL21), and then lighted moxa every other day, totally for 10 times. Different quantities were compared before and after applying moxibustion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemocyte routine examination was performed before and after moxibustion. Positive percentage and mean fluorescent strength of CD58 molecule on erythrocyte surface were determined by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The quantities of erythrocytes and leukocytes were increased significantly following moxibustion (P < 0.01). Positive percentage and mean fluorescent strength of CD58 molecule on erythrocyte surface were significantly greater following moxibustion (P < 0.01), especially fluorescent strength of CD58 molecule on erythrocyte surface following moxibustion.CONCLUSION: There are close relationships between CD58 expression and moxibustion. Moxibustion with medicinal cake plays an important role in the immune function of a body.
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BACKGROUND: Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes is speeded up during ischemic reperfused injury. Acupuncture on the points of hand- Jueyin meridian can inhibit the progression of reperfused injury and reduce apoptosis of cardiomyocytes so as to provide the protection on the heart.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on the points of hand-Jueyin meridian on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes during ischemic reperfused injury.DESIGN: Randomized controlled experiment based on the experimental animals.SETTING: Department of acupuncture and massage in a university of traditional Chinese medicine.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Central Laboratory of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April to December 2001. Forty Wistar male rats were employed, and were randomized into 5 groups, named as blank group, model group, "Neiguan(PC 6)" group,"Ximen(PC 4)" group and "Zhigou(TE 6)" group.METHODS: After electric acupuncture on the points of pericardium meridian for 20 minutes, the ligature was done on the anterior-descending branch of the left coronary artery for 40 minutes. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring was followed. The ligature was released after electric acupuncture on the points for another 20 minutes and perfusion was restored for 60 minutes. Afterward, the heart was extracted, the cellular suspension was prepared and the determination with flow-type cell apparatus was applied.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of acupuncture on the changes in apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes.RESULTS: In the model group, the typical apoptosis peak presented, the apoptosis rate was remarkably increased. The comparison between the points of pericardium meridian groups and the model group indicated very significant difference(P < 0.01) .The apoptosis rates in "Neiguan(PC 6)" group, "Ximen(PC 4)" group and "Zhigou(TE 6)" group as well as the model groupwere(4.29±0.76)%, (5. 17±0.88)%, (13.96 ±2.77)% and (16.01 ± 1.04)% respectively.CONCLUSION: Acupuncture on the points of hand-Jueyin meridian inhibits myocardial apoptosis effectively so as to reduce myocardial injury caused by cell apoptosis.