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OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy of different electroacupuncture (EA) frequencies and wave patterns combined with medication and medication alone for sudden hearing loss (SHL), and to explore better electroacupuncture stimulation parameters.@*METHODS@#All of 118 patients with SHL were randomly divided into an acupuncture and medication group 1 (group 1, 30 cases, 1 case dropped off), an acupuncture and medication group 2 (group 2, 30 cases), an acupuncture and medication group 3 (group 3, 31 cases) and a medication group (27 cases, 1 case dropped off ). The patients in the medication group were treated with conventional medication. On the base of the medication group, the patients in the group 1, 2, and 3 were treated with acupuncture at Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Fengchi (GB 20), etc. on the affected side, and EA at Ermen (TE 21)-Yifeng (TE 17), Tinghui (GB 2)-Yifeng (TE 17) alternately. The 3 groups were given continuous wave with frequency of 2 Hz, continuous wave with frequency of 50 Hz, and disperse-dense wave with frequency of 2 Hz/50 Hz respectively. The treatment was given once a day, 10 days were as one course, with 2 courses in total. Before and after treatment, the pure tone hearing threshold test was performed, and the curative effect of pure tone hearing threshold test and the curative effect of tinnitus, ear fullness and dizziness were compared in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the pure tone hearing threshold test values of each group were lower than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of conventional medication treatment, the addition of electroacupuncture can effectively improve the hearing and ear stuffiness symptoms of patients with SHL, and the disperse-dense wave with frequency of 2 Hz/50 Hz is more effective.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Electroacupuncture , Hearing Loss, Sudden/therapy , Tinnitus/therapyABSTRACT
As the body ages， the immune system will undergo a series of changes， which are termed "immunosenescence" and are embodied in immune cells. Previous studies have shown that the immune cells involved in the regulation of immunosenescence include intrinsic immune cells and adaptive immune cells. Intrinsic immune cells are neutrophils， monocytes/macrophages， myeloid-derived suppressor cells， dendritic cells， natural killer cells， etc.， and the underlying mechanisms involve the regulation of cell number， phagocytosis， chemotaxis， adhesion， the function of toll-like receptor （TLR）， antigen presentation， macrophage polarization， cytotoxicity， migration， etc. The adaptive immune cells include T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes， and the underlying mechanisms involve the regulation of cell development， proliferation， differentiation， cell number， telomerase activity， self-reactive antibodies， etc. Immunosenescence is the manifestation of aging in the human body and is also an important target for delaying aging by Chinese medicine and western medicine. In recent years， scholars have found some classical prescriptions and their active components （such as Dushentang and total saponins in Panax ginseng leaves， and Shengmaiyin and anwulignan and total saponins in P. ginseng stems and leaves） can regulate immunosenescence by targeting the immune cells and interfering with their molecular regulatory mechanisms. In addition， the mechanisms of the classical prescriptions in regulating immunosenescence are closely related to autophagy. The representative prescription embodying the therapeutic principles of resolving blood stasis and promoting regeneration， Dahuang Zhechongwan， can delay D-galactose-induced renal aging in mice， and its underlying mechanisms are related to the regulation of the number and activity of thymic immune cells and improvement of the protein expression of autophagy-related markers and inflammatory cytokines in the kidney. Therefore， exploring the effects of the classical prescriptions and their active components by targeting the mechanisms of immunosenescence will become a new direction for investigating and developing anti-aging drugs.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main type of dementia affecting elderly people. The medicines used for treating AD have limits in their ability to alleviate cognitive and functional decline. Electroacupuncture (EA), an economical alternative and complementary therapeutic measure used in Chinese medicine, has strong clinical applicability, and its treatment effects are more reliable as its stimulation factors can be standardized. EA has been effectively used for ameliorating spatial learning and memory impairment in AD patients and rodent AD models. Here, we summarized the mechanisms of EA on rodent AD models, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for identifying new targets and research directions, and exploring appropriate EA stimulation parameters, then provide a detailed methodology to optimize the effects of EA, ultimately reducing the heavy burden of treating AD patients on families and countries. Our review showed that 8 acupoints were used when treating AD animals; Baihui (GV 20) was the most frequently used. Four mechanisms of EA were studied: (1) protection of cerebral neurons from oxidative stress, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity and hormone levels; (2) regulation of metabolism, including glucose metabolism and plasma metabolism; (3) regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor; and (4) regulation of β-amyloid peptide protein deposition.
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According to the effect of the spirit and in the treatment of syndrome and the theory as "acupoints of meridians especially for treatment of syndrome", professor - proposes the treatment principle of (regaining consciousness/spirit and promoting ). Guided by this treatment principle, the theory of traditional meridians and acupoints is coordinated with the achievement of modern medicine research. Consequently, needling technique of acupuncture is suggested. In the treatment of syndrome, the predominated prescriptions are formed for regaining consciousness/spirit, i.e. Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengfu (GV 16) and Fengchi (GB 20) and for promoting circulation, i.e. Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36). The acupoint prescriptions are modified align with the individual cases. This treatment regimen effectively relieves the symptoms and delayed the progress of disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Methods , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Meridians , Muscle Hypotonia , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore effective treatments that can alleviate postoperative complications in patients with procedure for prolapsed and hemorrhoids (PPH).@*METHODS@#Sixty patients with pre-mixed hemorrhoids PPH were randomly divided into a simple operation group and a preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group, 30 cases in each group. PPH routine treatment was given in the simple operation group. Electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at point 30 min before PPH in the preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group, and EA was applied at Ciliao (BL 32) and Xialiao (BL 34) for 30 min. The scores of anus pendant, pain degree and persistent time and first urination time were compared within 24 h after operation between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The scores of anal pendant and pain degree in the 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, the persistent time of anal pendant and pain degree within 24 h and first urination time were better in the preoperative electroacupuncture intervention group than those in the simple operation group, and there were statistically significant differences (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at point 30 min before PPH can not only decrease the degrees of anal pendant and pain in the 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, but also shorten the persistent time of anal pendant and pain within 24 h after surgery and promote the first urination.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acupuncture Points , Electroacupuncture , Hemorrhoids , Therapeutics , Postoperative Complications , Preoperative CareABSTRACT
To explore the clinical efficacy of "regulate (triple warmer) acupuncture" in the treatment of gynecological diseases. To discuss the pathogenesis of and gynecological diseases, and to briefly analyze the theory of "regulate acupuncture", the method of selecting acupoints and operating methods. In order to use the "regulate " as the rule, Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), were selected as the main acupoints to cooperate with syndrome differentiation for the treatment of gynecological diseases, such as infertility, perimenopausal syndrome. "Regulate acupuncture" is effective in the treatment of infertility and perimenopausal syndrome, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Genital Diseases, Female , Therapeutics , Moxibustion , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of acupuncture at points Neiguan(PC6) and Shuigou(GV26) on caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Method Forty male SD rats were randomized to normal, sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. A model of middle cerebral artery infarction was made by modified Longa thread occlusion. Neurological function was scored using a 6-grade 5-point Bederson's scale. Caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in rat cerebral cortex were determined using real-time PCR and Western Blot at 24 hrs after cerebral ischemia. Result Neurological deficit was reduced in the acupuncture group of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion compared with the model group (P<0.01). Acupuncture could down-regulate caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01; P<0.05, P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at points Neiguan and Shuigou can down-regulate caspase-3, and PARP-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the cerebral cortex in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.
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OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of acupuncture and moxibustion on humoral immunity and cellular immunity related indexes in patients with bra-chiocephalic Takayasu arteritis (BCTA), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in the treatment of Takayasu arteritis (TA). METHODS: A total of 31 BCTA patients (9 men and 22 women at age of 16-70 years) were treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of main acupoint Renying(ST 9)and auxillary acupoints as Jiquan (HT 1), Chize (LU 5), Fengchi (GB 20), bilateral Xinshu (BL15), Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), Jingming (BL 1), etc. according to clinical symptoms, with the needles retained for 20 min. Additionally, moxibustion was applied to Taiyuan (LU 9), BL 15, BL 13 and BL 17. The treatment was conducted twice daily for 4 weeks. Serum IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, C3 , C4 contents, and CD 3＋， CD 4＋， CD 8＋ T lymphocytes contents were assayed by using immue turbidimetry and cell counting. RESULTS: Before the treatment and in these 31 BCTA patients, an abnormal increase was found in serum IgG content in 10 cases, IgM in 3 cases, IgE in 3 cases, C3 in 11 cases, CD 4＋ in 6 cases, and CD 8＋ in 9 cases, and an abnormal decrease was found in serum CD 3＋ level in 11 cases, CD 4＋ in 7 cases, as well as CD 8＋ in 4 cases. After the treatment, the increased levels of IgG, IgM, C3, CD 4＋ and CD 8＋ in patients with abnormally higher values were considerably down-regulated (P0.05). The CD 4＋ level in patients with normal value was significantly deun-regulated after the treatment (P<0.05), but still in the range of normal value. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture plus moxibustion can regulate some of the abnormally elevated and lowered humoral immunity and cellular immunity related indexes in BCTA patients, possibly having a favorable role in the treatment of BCTA.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the intervention timing of acupuncture in treatment of cerebral infarction and the relationship of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury with inflammatory cytokine receptor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ten male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10), a sham operation group (n=10), a model group (n=10), an acupuncture at non-acupoint group (non-acupoint group, n=40), an acupuncture with regaining consciousness method group (regaining consciousness group, n=40). Four subgroups were set up 1 h ischemia reperfusion in 1 h group, 3 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group in the two acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each subgroup. Two acupuncture groups were treated with acupuncture at four time points (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after ischemia reperfusion), and "Shuigou" (GV 26) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) were selected in regaining consciousness group, and the non-acupoints below the bilateral costal region were selected in non-acupoint group. At the corresponding time point, the tissues of the brain were removed and interleukin1 receptor (IL-1RI) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR-I) mRNA and protein changes were detected by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in the model group were significantly higher than that in normal group, sham operation group, regaining consciousness group and non-acupoint group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in regaining consciousness group was weakest at 3 h after reperfusion followed successively by 6 h, 1 h, 12 h, and there was no significantly change of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein expression in non-acupoint group among different timing points, but which was decreased as compared with those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can reduce the expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion, inhibit the excessive expression of proinflammatory cytokine receptor, block apoptosis signal transduction and extend time window for treatment of cerebral ischemia, so as to play the protective effect for brain. Within 3 h of ischemia is the best time for intervention of acupuncture treatment.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Acupuncture Therapy , Brain Ischemia , Genetics , Metabolism , General Surgery , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Interleukin-1 , Genetics , Metabolism , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor , Genetics , Metabolism , Reperfusion , Reperfusion Injury , Genetics , Metabolism , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-one cases were treated by acupuncture and moxibustion at main acupoint Renying (ST 9) and adjuvant acupoints selected according to the symptoms. The therapeutic effect and changes of color Doppler's ultrasonic flow image (CDFI) of relevant arteries in patients before and after treatment were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical total effective rate was 90.3%. Of the 31 cases, 5 cases were clinically cured, 16 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases improved and 3 cases were ineffective; and it was showed that acupuncture and moxibustion could enlarge the inner diameter of the injured blood vessel, increase the volume of blood flow and the elastic index of the injured blood vessel, and improve the abnormal velocity and the abnormal crest form of blood flow.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion has a good therapeutic effect on takayasu arteritis of brachiocephalic artery type; acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the stenotic degree of the injured blood vessel and abnormal hemodynamics of blood flow in the limb and brain.</p>