ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe different efficacies of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic endocrine system in male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency-related dampness.Methods:A total of 80 simple obesity patients were assigned to a male group (n=37) and a female group (n=43). Both groups received a 30-minute low-frequency EA at Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. Patients in both groups were treated for 2 courses. Then the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin level in the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results:After treatment, the BMI, serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.01 orP<0.05); the BMI and serum insulin concentration were more significantly reduced in the male group than those in the female group (bothP<0.01); and the leptin level was more significantly reduced in the female group than that in the male group (P<0.01).Conclusion: EA can significantly regulate BMI and pancreatic endocrine system in both men and women with simple obesity; however, there is a gender difference: better effect for men in reducing BMI and serum insulin and better effect for women in reducing serum leptin level.
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)Bu-Shen Gu-Jin Prescription (BSGJP) on the expression and action mechanism of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rabbit model. A total of 76 8-month healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the control group, model group, TCM BSGJP group and western medicine group, with 19 rabbits in each group. Except the control group, improved Hulth modeling method was used in the animal model establishment. After 8-week consecutive medication, the serum, part of the synovial membrane tissues on the anterior side of the knee joint, articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the medial condyle of the femur were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used in the content determination of IL-1 and TNF-α. The results showed that the narrowing of the joint space of the western medicine group were in between the model group and the TCM BSGJP group with obvious osteophyte formation. The TCM BSGJP group had slight narrowing of the joint space, mild rough of the articular cartilage surface, and slight osteophyte formation. The contents of IL-1 and TNF-α in the model group were higher than than of the control group (P < 0.01). Both medication groups were lower than the model group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two medication groups. It was concluded that BSGJP effectively reduced the secretion of IL-1 and TNF-α, delayed the deterioration of cartilage, which provided scientific experimental evidences for the clinical applications.