Effect of acupuncture on the cognitive function of migraine patients with depression/anxiety disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of five-element acupuncture on the cognitive function repair of migraine patients with depression/anxiety disorder.@*METHODS@#The migraine patients with depression/anxiety disorder (19 cases, 5 cases dropped off) were taken as the observation group, and received five-element acupuncture twice a week for 8 weeks. Healthy subjects (19 cases) were selected by demographic data matching as the control group. The cognitive function was evaluated with the event related potential (ERP) technique, and the latency and amplitude of visual evoked potential P300 were adopted as the observation indexes. The headache days (every 4 weeks), headache intensity [visual analogue scale(VAS) score], and headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score were used as the observation indexes for curative effect.@*RESULTS@#Before the treatment, latency of target stimulus at Fz [ (417.5±34.3) ms] in the observation group was extended compared with the healthy subjects of the control group [(388.6±42.1) ms, @*CONCLUSION@#There are some cognitive impairments in migraine patients with depression/anxiety disorder. Five-element acupuncture not only relieves headache, anxiety and depression effectively, but also improves the activation level of the frontal lobe. It significantly repairs the impaired cognitive function.

Relationship between the intake of salt and salted food and the infection of Helicobacter pylori in 40-69 years old local residents in a county with high gastric cancer risk in Anhui Province / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the intake of salt and salted food and the infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) among 40-69 years old local residents in a county with high gastric cancer risk in Anhui province. Methods From July 2015 to August 2018, we conducted a questionnaire and a serological test for Hp among 40-69 years old local residents in Lujiang county, Anhui province. The questionnaire focused on the consumptions of salt and salted food. The relationship between Hp infection and risk factors was analyzed by gender. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relevant influencing factors. Results The Hp infection rate of total local residents was 50.07%. Among male subjects, age, body mass index(BMI), marital status, educational level, job, labor intensity and income had no link to Hp infection (all P>0.05). But among female subjects, BMI was associated with Hp infection ( 2=13.454,P=0.001). Besides, alcohol consumption was a risk factor for Hp infection in male subjects(OR=1.789，95% CI:1.188-2.694，P=0.003). But, high intake of salt and salted food had no effect on Hp infection after adjustment for alcohol consumption variable in men using multivariate analysis (all P>0.05). After adjusted for BMI variable among female individuals, high salt intake (≥9 g/day) (OR=1.462，95% CI:1.060-2.015，P=0.021) and the high salted food intake (≥1 times /day) were risk factors for Hp infection in women(OR=1.560，95% CI:1.021-2.383，P=0.040). Conclusions In one county with high gastric cancer risk in Anhui province, high salt intake (≥9 g/day) and high salted food intake (≥1 times/day) are risk factors for Hp infection among 40-69 years old female local residents.

Preliminary observation on imbalance degree of impedance in extracellular fluid of cells in the twelve meridians in healthy subjects / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To calculate the imbalance degree (IBD) of left-right meridian (IBD-LRM), IBD of exterior-interior meridian (IBD-EIM) and IBD of hand-foot meridians (IBD-HFM) of impedance in extracellular fluid of cells in twelve meridians of healthy subjects, so as to provide foundation for meridian diagnosis.@*METHODS@#A total of 31 healthy volunteers were enrolled and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) was applied. The constant current (from 1 to 100 kHz, 200 μA) was connected into the bilateral twelve meridians through two excitation electrodes with a distance of 10 cm. Two measuring electrodes, with an interval of 5 cm, were set in between the two excitation electrodes to collect the voltage amplitude and phase. The Cole-Cole curve fitting was used to calculate the impedance of extracellular fluid of cells in the twelve meridians; the IBD-LRM, IBD-EIM and IBD-HFM as well as their absolute values were calculated.@*RESULTS@#The impedance of extracellular fluid in the left side was higher than that in right side in the large intestine meridian, the small intestine meridian and the bladder meridian (<0.05, <0.01). The mean value of IBD-LRM of extracellular fluid was (4.0±1.4) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-LRM was (15.0±1.1) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-LRM was the bladder meridian. The mean value of IBD-EIM was (3.3±1.0) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-EIM was (17.9±1.6) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-EIM was the bladder meridian and the kidney meridian. The impedance of extracellular fluid of hand meridian, hand meridian and hand meridian were lower than those of foot meridians. The mean value of IBD-HFM was (-2.6±1.1) %; the mean value of absolute value of IBD-HFM was (19.7±1.7) %; the maximum absolute value of IBD-HFM was meridian; the imbalance of meridians was greater than meridians. There were significant differences in impedance of extracellular fluid between left and right and between hands and feet (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The extracellular fluid of left-right meridians of healthy subjects is different, but the absolute value of IBD is low; the mean value of exterior meridian and interior meridian is very close, and the absolute value of IBD is medium; the impedance of the foot meridians are greater than the hand meridians, and the absolute value of IBD is relatively high.

Understanding Qi Running in the Meridians as Interstitial Fluid Flowing via Interstitial Space of Low Hydraulic Resistance / 中国结合医学杂志

Qi, blood and the meridians are fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine (CM), which are components of the human body and maintain physiological function. Pathological changes of qi, blood and meridians may lead to discomfort and disease. Treatment with acupuncture or herbal medicine aims to regulate qi and blood so as to recover normal function of the meridians. This paper explores the nature of qi as well as compares and correlates them with the structures of the human body. We propose a conceptualization of qi as being similar to the interstitial fluid, and the meridians as being similar to interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance in the body. Hence, qi running in the meridians can be understood as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.

Low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and traditional moxibustion: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern between electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and moxibustion box therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one cases of low back pain of cold-damp pattern were randomized into an electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy group (group A, 26 cases) and a box moxibustion therapy group (group B, 15 cases). In the group A, the electric-thermal Bian-stone was placed over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The temperature of stone was adjusted in accordance with patient's comfort. In the group B, moxibustion box was used over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given once every day or every two days. Ten treatments made one session. The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were observed before and after treatment in the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were all improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The changing rate of symptom and physical signs and syndrome were (37.04 +/- 32.68)% and (22.85 +/- 29.95)% in the group A, and were (47.29 +/- 22.08)% and (23.89 +/- 22.53)% in the group B, respectively, without significant difference in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with the electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy is similar to that of moxibustion box therapy. This therapy is characterized as more convenient, safer operation and less pollution.</p>

Impacts on skin blood flow under moving cupping along meridians in different directions / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impacts on skin blood flow between moving cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>JLG-2 meridian cupping drainage instru ment was used for moving cupping on the back along the Bladder Meridian running course in either single direction for 20 times. The cupping device was Bian stone cup, 44 mm in inner diameter, negative pressure from -0.03 to -0.04 MPa. PeriScan PIM II laser Doppler perfusion imager was used to observe the changes in skin blood flow on the running course of the Bladder Meridian with cup moved up and down and in the same region on the contralateral Bladder Meridian. Blood flow was measured before cupping, at the immediate time after cupping and 10 min after cupping separately. Fourteen healthy volunteers received the test. The measuring region was subdivided into a moving cupping area, an upstream area, a downstream area, a contralateral moving cupping area, a contralateral upstream area and a contralateral downstream area. The mean blood flow was calculated in each area.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood flow was increased significantly in each area and was more apparently increased in the moving cupping area. In comparison of the changing rate of blood flow between cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction, it was only found that the changing rate in the upstream area of moving cupping against the running direction was significantly higher than that following the running direction (P < 0.05). The differences were not statistically significant in comparison among the other areas. Additionally, the changing rates of blood flow in the upstream and downstream area of the Bladder Meridian were increased significantly as compared with the contralateral Bladder Meridian.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The local effects are similar between moving cupping following the meridian running direction and that against the running direction. The abscopal effect of moving cupping against the running direction is superior to that following the running direction. It is suggested that the dual-directional moving cupping is applicable for the treatment of local disorders and the abscopal effect is better with moving cupping against the meridian running direction.</p>

Study on acupoint laterality: the important supplement to acupoint specificity / 中国针灸

Acupoint laterality is defined as the non-equivalence effect and the diversity of intermediate links resulted from stimulating isonym acupoints on the different side respectively. This kind of study is the important supplement to acupoint specificity and can provide the basis for acupoint selection in clinical practice. On the other side, acupoints relevance deduced by acupoint laterality (symmetry/symmetry breaking) can be reference for acupoint diagnosis and the changes of acupuncture treatment model in clinic.

Influence of mechanical pressure on the change of acupuncture-induced transcutaneous CO2 emission / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate conduction of acupuncture effect and the influence of mechanical pressing meridians on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In twenty healthy volunteers (8 males and 12 females, aged 29 years on average), by using a Frewil Q. F. apparatus, transcutaneous CO2 emission (TCE) was measured before, during and after acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), respectively. The locations being measured were Quze (PC 3) and four points including two non-acupoints along the Pricardium Meridian (Point A and B) and two non-acupoints apart from the Pericardium Meridian (Point C and D). Point A was located at the lower one fourth of the line connecting Tianquan (PC 2) and Quze (PC 3), and Point B located at the middle of the line connecting Ximen (PC 4) and Quze (PC 3). Point C was located 2 cm lateral on the ulnar side to Point A, and Point D located 2 cm lateral on the ulnar side to Point B. The above results were compared with those obtained after mechanical pressure of 1 kg (area 1 cm X 2 cm) applied on Ximen (PC 4) and Daling (PC 7), respectively, to observe their effect on TCE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During and after acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) without mechanical pressure, TCE at Quze (PC 3), point A and B increased significantly (P < 0.05), but not at point C and D (P > 0.05). While applying mechanical pressure at Ximen (PC 4), no significant increase was found on the three points during and after acupuncture. When applying pressure at Daling (PC 7), significant increases of TCE were also found at Quze (PC 3) and point A during acupuncture (P < 0.05), and a significant increase of TCE was found at point B after acupuncture with pressure keeping (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can enhance energy metabolism along meridians, and this effect can be blocked by mechanical pressure.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture at different frequencies on morphological changes of nervous tissues and electromyogram of skeletal muscles in the rat with injury of sciatic nerve / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on morphological changes of nervous tissues and electromyogram (EMG) of skeletal muscles in regeneration,so as to find more proper parameters of electroacupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The nerve regeneration chamber was built after the sciatic nerve was transected, and acupuncture was given at "Huantiao" (GB 30) , "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) at the affected side with different frequencies (5 Hz, 100 Hz), 30 min each time,once every other day, 3 time each week, for 20 weeks and a control group was set up for natural recovery. The nerve fibers were stained by silver dying and ultrastructures of nerve tissues were observed. EMG of gastrocnemius was determined by Biopac physiologic apparatus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electroacupuncture could promote the recovery of form of nerve tissues after the transection of sciatic nerve and functions of de-innervated muscle tissues after lesion of sciatic nerve, and the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture at 5 Hz was the best.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture is an important way of promoting the regeneration of the lessoned peripheral nerve.</p>