Design of moxibustion device for experimental rabbits / 中国针灸

An experimental device is designed to solve the problem of fixing rabbits and providing moxibustion treatment at the same time. The device includes a rabbit fixing box and a moxibustion shelf. The rabbit fixing box and the moxibustion shelf are detachable, and could be used for moxibustion at the chest-back and abdomen of rabbits. A moxibustion device is placed on the moxibustion shelf. The moxibustion device can be moved forward, backward, leftward, rightward, upward and downward on the moxibustion shelf. It meets the requirements of moxibustion at multiple meridians or acupoints on the chest-back and abdomen at the same time. The moxibustion device is equipped with moxa cone or stick, which not only ensures the full burning of moxa, but also prevents the falling of moxa from hurting rabbits. In conclusion, the device has novel and unique structure, is safe and reliable, and easy to operate. It is an innovation in the experimental device of moxibustion, which could promote the animal experiment of moxibustion.

Efficacy observation of Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease on the treatment of chronic renal failure / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy between Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease and the conventional western medication in the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the observation group, besides the physician instruction of low protein and low phosphorus diet in the two groups, Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease was applied, including (1) the isolated herbal moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Pishu (BL 21), or Ganshu (BL 18), Zusanli (ST 36) and Guanyuan (CV 4) alternatively; (2) acupuncture at the auricular points such as shen (CO10), jiaogan (AHR6), Shenshangxian (TG2), fei (CO14) and pizhixia (AT4); (3) injection of mixture of astragalus injection and lidocaine injection at Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 21), Shenshu (BL 23) and the others; (4) modified Shenshuai Yihao decoction according to syndrome differentiation. In the control group, the conventional western medication was used. After 6 months of treatment, the differences were observed between the two groups in the clinical efficacy, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), endogenous creatinine (Ccr) and 24 h urine protein quantitation (UPQ).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the observation group, after treatment, the remarkably effective rate was 50.0% (20/40) and the total effective rate was 82.5% (33/40), which were superior to 25.0% (10/40) and 45.0% (18/40) in the control group (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced apparently (all P < 0.05), and the level of Ccr was increased apparently in the two groups (both P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of Scr, BUN and 24 h UPQ were reduced much more apparently in the observation group as compared with those in the control group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Guan's quadruple therapy for kidney disease achieves a better efficacy on CRF compared with the conventional western medication. This therapy improves renal functions, relieves clinical symptoms and physical signs and benefits the life quality of patients.</p>