Observation on therapeutic effect and mechanism research of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the clinical therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 97 patients with headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke were randomized into an acupuncture group (57 cases) and a western medication group (40 cases). In the western medication group, flunarizine hydrochloride capsule was taken orally 5 mg each time, once a day. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at Qiuxu (GB 40), Zulinqi (GB 41), Xuanli (GB 6), Shuaigu (GB 8), Fengchi (GB 20) and Baihui (GV 20) for migraine; Chongyang (ST 42), Neiting (ST 44), Jiexi (ST 41), Zusanli (ST 36), Hegu (LI 4), Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Baihui (GV 20) for forehead pain; Jinggu (BL 64), Kunlun (BL 60), Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for occipital headache; Taichong (LR 3), Yongquan (KI 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fengchi (GB 20), Baihui (GV 20) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) for parietal headache. The needles were retained for 30 min each time, once a day and 5 times a week. Both of the two groups were given consecutive treatment for 14 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the headache scores before and after treatment and the recurrence rate 1 month after treatment were observed to evaluate the therapeutic effect, before and after treatment, the contents of substance P (SP), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), alpha-endorphin (α-EP) and beta-endorphin (β-EP) in plasma were determined by ELISA in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, the headache scores and the contents of SP, DA and 5-HT in plasma were reduced and the contents ofα-EP andβ-EP in plasma were increased in the two groups (all <0.01). After treatment, the changes of the VAS score, the headache score and the contents of pain-related factors and endogenous opioid peptides in plasma in the acupuncture group were larger than the western medication group (all <0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture group was 84.2% (48/57), which was superior to 62.5% (25/40) in the western medication group, and the recurrence rate in the acupuncture group was lower than the western medication group (both <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke is superior to flunarizine hydrochloride capsule, and the mechanism may relate to down-regulate the pain-related factors and up-regulate endogenous opioid peptides in plasma.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Behavioral Function in Rats with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of aerobic exercise on behavioral function in rats with cerebral small vessel disease and its mechanism. Methods:Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n = 16), model group (n = 16) and swimming group (n = 16). The model was developed with bilateral common carotid artery ligation. They were assessed with burrowing test after four weeks of swimming exercise. The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) protein in hippocampus were detected with Western blotting. The development of dendrites and synaptic spines in hippocampal neurons was observed with Golgi staining. The expression of Ki67, doublecortin (DCX) and Neun in hippocampal dentate gyrus was detected with immunofluorescence. Results:Compared with the model group, the burrowing ability improved in the swimming group (P < 0.05), with increase of levels of BDNF and TrkB in hippocampus (P < 0.05), Ki67/DCX and Neun positive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus (P < 0.05), and extension of dendrites and length of synaptic spine in hippocampal neurons (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Aerobic exercise may promote the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neurons through BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, expression of Ki67/DCX and Neun and development of hippocampal neurons, to improve behavioral function in rats with cerebral small vessel disease.

Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Blood-brain Barrier in Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the influence of sleep deprivation (SD) on blood-brain barrier in adult male rats. Methods:A total of 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into SD group, SD and recovery (SDR) group and control (K) group. SD group and SDR group were continuously deprived of sleep for five days by horizontal table, and then, SDR group were fed normally for two days after SD. K group accepted no intervention. The leakage of Evens Blue (EB) in brain was observed after EB perfusion. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occluding, Claudin-5, Bax/BCL-2, P53 and caspase-3 in the cortex was detected with Western blotting. The apoptosis of neurons and endothelial cells in cortex was observed with immunofluorescence staining. Results:In SD group, EB was observed in multiple cerebral lobe and extensive cortex, and it was also observed in SDR group in a milder way, but not observed in K group. The expression of P53, Caspase-3, Bax/BCL-2 in the cerebral cortex was the most in SD group, and the least in K group; while the expression of ZO-1, Occluding and Claudin-5 was the least in SD group, and the most in K group, and it was in-between in SDR group (F > 39.915, P < 0.001). The CD31 and NeuN positive cells decreased in cortex were the least in SD group, and the most in K group, while the TUNEL positive cells were the most in SD group, and the least in K group, and the levels of CD31, NeuN and TUNEL positive cells were in-between in SDR group (F > 142.056, P < 0.001). Conclusion:SD may lead to dysfunction of permeability of blood-brain barrier, while decrease expression of tight junction protein, and increase apoptosis of neurons in rats to reduce the neurons and endothelial cells in cerebral cortex. Sleep recovery may partly alleviate these impacts.

Effect of Shensong Yangxin on the Progression of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation is Correlated with Regulation of Autonomic Nerve Activity / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Shensong Yangxin (SSYX), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has long been used clinically to treat arrhythmias in China. However, the mechanism of SSYX on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the effect of SSYX on the progression of paroxysmal AF is correlated with the regulation of autonomic nerve activity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen mongrel dogs were randomly divided into control group (n = 6), pacing group (n = 6), and pacing + SSYX group (n = 6). The control group was implanted with pacemakers without pacing; the pacing group was implanted with pacemakers with long-term intermittent atrial pacing; the pacing + SSYX group underwent long-term intermittent atrial pacing and SSYX oral administration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the pacing group, the parameters of heart rate variability were lower after 8 weeks in the pacing + SSYX group (low-frequency [LF] component: 20.85 ± 3.14 vs. 15.3 ± 1.89 ms 2 , P = 0.004; LF component/high-frequency component: 1.34 ± 0.33 vs. 0.77 ± 0.15, P < 0.001). The atrial effective refractory period (AERP) was shorter and the dispersion of the AERP was higher after 8 weeks in the pacing group, while the changes were suppressed by SSYX intake. The dogs in the pacing group had more episodes and longer durations of AF than that in the pacing + SSYX group. SSYX markedly inhibited the increase in sympathetic nerves and upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 expression in the pacing + SSYX group. Furthermore, SSYX suppressed the decrease of acetylcholine and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor protein induced by long-term intermittent atrial pacing.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SSYX substantially prevents atrial electrical remodeling and the progression of AF. These effects of SSYX may have association with regulating the imbalance of autonomic nerve activity and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.</p>

Application of auricle posterior flap with two subcutaneous pedicles on mastoidea for repairing of big defect of auricled / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a satisfied and applicable repairing method for big auricle defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>an auricular posterior flap with has two subcutaneous pedicles on mastoidea, was applied for repairing of big auricle defect. A framework of rib cartilage was embedding into the flap to shape auricle.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Satisfied result was abtained in all 12 cs-es.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using auricular posterior flap with two subcutaneous pedicles to repair big auricular defect is a satisfied and applicable method.</p>