Effect of moxibustion on immune function homeostasis in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome based on SCF/c-kit signaling pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion on the stem cell factor (SCF)/tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) signaling pathway and immune function in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for IBS-D.@*METHODS@#Among 52 young rats born from 6 healthy pregnant SPF rats, 12 rats were randomly selected into the normal group, and the remaining 40 rats were treated with the three-factor combination method of maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D rat model. Thirty-six rats with successful IBS-D model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a medication group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspension moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of rifaximin suspension (150 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body mass, loose stool rate (LSR), the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were measured before acetic acid enema (35 days old), after modeling (45 days old), and after intervention (53 days old). After intervention (53 days old), HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue, and spleen and thymus coefficients were measured; ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-a], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-8), T-lymphocyte subsets (CD+4, CD+8, CD+45), value of CD+4/CD+8 and immune globulin (IgA, IgG, IgM); real-time PCR method and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of SCF, c-kit mRNA and protein in colon tissue; immunofluorescence staining method were used to detect positive expression of SCF and c-kit.@*RESULTS@#After intervention, compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were decreased (P<0.01), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were decreased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group and the medication group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+8, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were increased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, in the moxibustion group, the level of serum CD+4 was decreased (P<0.05), the value of CD+4/CD+8 was increased (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). The expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA was positively correlated with the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 and IL-10 (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with remaining indexes (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could reduce visceral hypersensitivity, improve symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway and improvement of IBS-D immune function.

Anti-inflammation effect of moxibustion for rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome based on multiple miRNAs regulating NF-κB signal pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion on the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inflammatory factors by multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion on IBS-D.@*METHODS@#Twelve of 52 newborn rats were randomly selected into a normal group. The remaining rats were made into IBS-D model. A total of 36 rats with successful model were randomly divided into a model group, a medication group and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the medication group were intraperitoneally injected with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for 20 min each time. All the intervention was given once a day for 7 days. Before and after modeling as well as after intervention, the body mass, loose stool rate and the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) were measured. After intervention, the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were detected by ELISA method; the morphology of colon tissues was observed by HE staining, and the expressions of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues were detected by real-time PCR. The expressions of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 protein in colon tissues were detected by immunofluorescence.@*RESULTS@#After modeling, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the model group were lower than those in the normal group (P<0.01); the rates of loose stool in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01); after intervention, in the model group, the inflammatory infiltration of colon tissues was obvious, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-8 were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05); the expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in colon tissues was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05); the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 was also higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). After intervention, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold of AWR in the medication group and the moxibustion group were both higher than those in the model group (P<0.05); the loose stool rate in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in model group (P<0.05); the inflammatory cells infiltration in the colon tissues was less, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 as well as the protein expression of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 in the colon tissues in the medication group and the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of miR-125b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the medication group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). The miR-155, miR-125b, miR-29b, miR-31, miR-18a were positively correlated with NF-κB p65 mRNA (0<r<1, P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37) for IBS-D rats may be related to regulating multiple miRNAs to inhibit NF-κB signal pathway and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors.

CHU Hao-ran's experience in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

Professor CHU Hao-ran believes that the clinical diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion should concentrate on the integration of disease and syndrome differentiation. According to the evolution of pathogenesis, this disease is divided into 4 stages, i.e. invasion of exogenous pathogens, liver stagnation and spleen deficiency, spleen and kidney yang deficiency and interaction of cold and heat. Hence, the treatment should be provided by stages. Focusing on regulating the spleen and stomach, a specific acupuncture-moxibustion prescription is proposed, including Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). Additionally, the combination of distal and nearby acupoints is considered and an unique needling manipulation, named the fight between dragon and tiger, is exerted. On the base of syndrome and meridian differentiation, the modern medicine is combined, stressing on the mind regulation and the mutual application of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment. Eventually, a distinctive treatment system with acupuncture and moxibustion is formed for "regulating the spleen and stomach and differentiating meridians".

Protective effects on hippocampal neurons and the influence on hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters with acupuncture for promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the mental state in rats with post-stroke depression / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects on hippocampal neuronal structure and hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) with acupuncture for promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the mental state ( acupuncture) in rats with post-stroke depression and explore the underlying effect mechanism of acupuncture on post-stroke depression.@*METHODS@#A total of 48 clean-grade SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group and a non-meridian-non-acupoint group, 12 rats in each one. In the model group, the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group and the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the compound method of cerebral medial arterial occlusion and the chronic unpredictable mild stress was adopted to prepare the model of post-stroke depression. In the sham-operation group, skin was opened and the fascia muscle was separated, after artery exposed, no ligation was operated and the incision was sutured directly. In the sham-operation group and the model group, no any intervention was performed. In the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shuigou" (GV 26), "Shenting" (CV 24) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) for 40 min in each treatment and the needles were manipulated at the acupoints once in 20 min. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks consecutively. In the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the depression between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones on the dorsum of the forelimb was selected in intervention and the needling technique was same as the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group. The behavioral changes were observed after intervention in each group. Using transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was observed in the rats of each group. Using high performance liquid chromatography, the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham-operation group, the Zea-longa neurobehavioral score was increased (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was reduced (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were reduced (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was aggravated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were reduced in the model group (<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Zea-Longa neurobehavioral score was reduced (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was increased (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were increased (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was alleviated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were increased in the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (<0.01, <0.05). Compared with the non-meridian-non-acupoint group, the Zea-Longa neurobehavioral score was reduced (<0.01), the sucrose water consumption was increased (<0.01), the number of times of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were increased (both <0.01), the damage of the ultrastructure of hippocampal CA 1 neurons was alleviated and the contents of NE, 5-HT and DA were increased in the Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture group (<0.01, <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupuncture improves the behavior of the model rats with post-stroke depression, repairs hippocampal neuronal damage, which is probably related to the contents of hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters (NE, 5-HT and DA).

Professor 's experience of acupuncture and moxibustion of regulating spleen-stomach and differentiating meridians-collaterals / 中国针灸

Professor - successively followed famous doctors of acupuncture and spleen-stomach disease, such as -, inherited their academic thoughts and clinical experience, and studied the classics to summarize and propose the clinical academic proposition regulating spleen-stomach differentiating meridians-collaterals. In clinical practice, professor focuses on individual differences of patients, carefully examines syndrome and refines acupoint selection; he pays attention to regulating spleen-stomach, and actively uses Zusanli (ST 36); he simultaneously uses acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoints with efficacy; he inherits traditional reinforcing and reducing methods, and extends the scope of acupoint diagnosis and treatment, while he emphasizes keeping spirit and treating spirit, and the combination of mind and , in order to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment effect.

On acupuncture-moxibustion research needing dependence on clinical practice / 中国针灸

In this present paper, the current situation and the main features in acupuncture-moxibustion clinic are analyzed. The preliminary conclusion is that acupuncture-moxibustion research should proceed from the actual situation, take the treatment as the carrier, be scientifically designed and study in a deep-going way according to the methods of medical science for the acupuncture-moxibustion treatment with obvious clinical effect and specific action, then can get the scientific data and conclusion to illustrate the clinical problem and increase the therapeutic effect with important instruction significance for clinical practice. Clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion is the basis of all acupuncture-moxibustion research.

Debating on the formulation of standardized manipulation of acupuncture and moxibustion, Part I: Moxibustion / 中国针灸

Main difficulties and solutions in working out the national standard Standardized Manipulation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Part I: Moxibustion are explained in this paper so as to promote the implementation and application of this national standard, including the definition of moxibustion, selection of pertinent literature, expiration date of moxa stick, quantification of moxibustion amount and the problems needing attention.

Analysis on therapeutic effect of bird-pecking moxibustion combined with western medicine for treatment of infantile hand, foot and mouth disease / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effects of bird-pecking moxibustion in children of hand, foot and mouth disease, and to analyze the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-five children of hand, foot and mouth disease were randomly divided into 3 groups, a combined moxibustion and medicine group (n = 22), a Chinese medicine group (n = 29), and a western medicine group (n = 24). The combined moxibustion and medicine group was treated with bird-pecking moxibustion combined with routine western medicine, the Chinese medicine group with oral administration of Chinese medicine and routine western medical therapy, and the western medicine group with routine western medicine. After treatment of 7 days, the therapeutic effects on skin rash, oral herpes, constipation or loose stool, dyspepsia and anorexia, etc. were comprehensively assessed, and their therapeutic effects were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 95.5% in the combined moxibustion and medicine group, 86.2% in the Chinese medicine group, and 83.3% in the western medicine group, the former being significantly better than those of the other two groups (both P < 0.05). The combined moxibustion and medicine group was significantly better than the other two groups in the relieving time of skin rash, oral herpes, constipation or loose stool, dyspepsia and anorexia, etc. (all P < 0.05)</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined moxibustion and medication can effectively improve symptoms of the digestive tract, shorten duration of disease, reduce pain in the patient with hand, foot and mouth disease.</p>