ABSTRACT
Objective:To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for essential hypertension.Methods:A computerized literature search of the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database(Wanfang),China Biology Medicine Disc(CBM),PubMed,Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE),and Cochrane Library was conducted to retrieve randomized controlled clinical trials on acupuncture as the main intervention for the treatment of essential hypertension published from the inception of the database to 30 January 2021.The risk-of-bias assessment was carried out for each included study according to the Cochrane Handbook.Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 and Stata 15.0.Results:After the screening,46 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 3 859 subjects were included.Primary outcomes included changes in the diastolic blood pressure after intervention[eight studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[mean difference(MD)=1.45,95%confidence interval(CI)(0.48,2.43),P=0.004,fixed effects model;I2=39%]and changes in the systolic blood pressure after intervention{11 studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[MD=8.60,95%CI(7.12,10.07),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=26%]}.The secondary outcome was antihypertensive efficacy,12 studies of acupuncture monotherapy group[risk ratio(RR)=1.20,95%CI(1.12,1.28),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=36%]and 15 studies of acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drug group[RR=1.27,95%CI(1.20,1.34),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=6%]showed better results than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group in antihypertensive efficacy.In terms of the adverse events,four studies showed that the acupuncture monotherapy group had fewer adverse events than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[RR=0.10,95%CI(0.04,0.25),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=0%].Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drugs is superior to antihypertensive drugs alone in reducing blood pressure,and acupuncture therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of essential hypertension with fewer side effects.However,there is still a lack of high-quality multicenter randomized double-blinded controlled trials in this field.Rigorous large-sample clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on behaviors and related products of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in the colon of mice with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the IBS treatment.Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a probiotic group, with 6 mice in each group. The visceral pain model of IBS was established by enema with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution. Mice in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), and those in the probiotic group were treated with probiotics such as Bifidobacterium by gavage. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) test, elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, and forced swimming test (FST) were performed after treatment. The expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in the colon were detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression levels of Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), and indole-2,3-oxygenase (IDO) in the colon were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the normal group, the AWR scores were increased significantly in the model group under different pressure values (P<0.01), the open-arm staying time and open-arm entries in the EPM test were decreased significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05), the motionless time in the FST was increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression levels of colonic Trp, TPH1, IDO, 5-HT, and Kyn were increased significantly (P<0.01) in the models. Compared with the model group, the AWR scores were differently decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the open-arm entries in the EPM test were increased (P<0.05), the motionless times in the FST were decreased (P<0.05), and the colonic expression levels of Trp, TPH1, IDO, and 5-HT were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in the moxibustion and probiotic groups; the open-arm staying time was significantly increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01), and the colonic expression level of Kyn was significantly decreased in the probiotic group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) improves visceral pain and pain mood and down-regulates the expression levels of colonic TPH1, IDO, Trp, 5-HT, and Kyn in IBS mice.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effects of early-life (intrauterine and breastfeeding period) exposure to angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT 1-AA) on lipid metabolism in offspring rats. Methods:Thirty-two AT 1-AA negative healthy nonpregnant specific pathogen free female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 150-170 g were randomly divided into two groups. Those in the immune group ( n=16) were subcutaneously injected with the mixture of an equal volume of Freund's adjuvant and the second extracellular loop of human-derived angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1 (AT1R-ECⅡ) repeatedly to establish the AT 1-AA-positive rat model by active immunization and those in the control group ( n=16) with normal saline solution. Before each immunization, blood samples were collected from the tail of rats to detect serum AT 1-AA levels of those rats in both groups, and the AT 1-AA-positive rat model was successfully established when the serum AT 1-AA was positive and its level reached a plateau. After eight weeks of immunization, the female rats in the two groups were mated with healthy AT 1-AA-negative male rats to conceive. Serum samples were collected from the maternal and offspring rats at the gestation of 18 days (G18), postnatal 21 days (P21), and from the normally fed offspring rats from the time of weaning to 12 weeks old (W12). Active immunization was not performed on the offspring throughout the experiment. The serum AT 1-AA levels of maternal and offspring rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum AT1-AA was positive when the ratio of AT1-AA level of the immune group over the control group ≥2.1. The blood lipid levels of maternal and offspring rats were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Serum AT 1-AA levels, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [instead of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels of the offspring and maternal rats were determined for correlation analysis. Two independent sample t-test, linear regression analysis, and analysis of variance were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in maternal rats at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (G18: 1.170±0.190 vs 0.114±0.016, t=14.64; P21: 0.988±0.283 vs 0.084±0.006, t=9.57; both P<0.001). (2) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in the offspring at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (offspring at G18: 0.948±0.220 vs 0.105±0.010, t=10.10; male offspring at P21: 0.758±0.273 vs 0.080±0.002, t=7.46; female offspring at P21: 0.774±0.274 vs 0.084±0.005, t=7.55; all P<0.001), which showed a positive correlation with those in maternal rats at the same period (offspring at G18: R=0.78; male offspring at P21: R=0.82; female offspring at P21: R=0.82; all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the serum AT 1-AA level in offspring at W12 between the immune and control group ( P>0.05). (3) The serum levels of TC at G18 and P21, and HDL at P21 in maternal rats in the immune group were all higher than those in the control group [TC at G18: (2.36±0.32) vs (1.95±0.24) mmol/L, t=2.70; P21: (2.82±0.50) vs (2.18±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.41; HDL at P21: (1.94±0.33) vs (1.57±0.23) mmol/L, t=2.80; all P<0.05]. (4) Compared with the offspring in the control group, there was no significant change in lipid metabolism at G18 and W12 in the offspring in the immune group (both P>0.05). The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group were higher than their counterparts in the control[TC in male offspring: (2.38±0.52) vs (1.83±0.30) mmol/L, t=2.73; HDL in male offspring: (1.44±0.32) vs (1.07±0.18) mmol/L, t=2.98; TC in female offspring: (2.50±0.72) vs (1.70±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.16; HDL in female offspring: (1.41±0.33) vs (1.00±0.14) mmol/L, t=3.41; all P<0.05]. (5) The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group showed no correlation with those in maternal rats at P21 (all R<0.5, all P>0.05). The serum levels of HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their own serum TC levels (male offspring: R=0.98; female offspring: R=0.97; both P<0.001) and also with their own serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.74, P=0.023; female offspring: R=0.91, P=0.001). The serum levels of TC in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.72, P=0.030; female offspring: R=0.90, P=0.001). Conclusion:The early-life exposure to AT 1-AA may cause abnormal expression of TC and HDL in offspring rats.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the effect on the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) and Beclin-1 of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group. The EAT rat model was prepared by a combination of antigen immunization plus iodine agent induction. After the model was prepared, rats in the modeling group were randomly and equally divided into a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group. In the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, moxibustion was alternately applied to two groups of points [Dazhui (GV14)-Mingmen (GV4) and Tiantu (CV22)-Guanyuan (CV4)], and the treatment continued for 30 d. Rats in the normal and model groups were only fixed identically without intervention. Histopathological manifestations of thyroid glands were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue. Results: There were massive follicular destruction, lymphocytic infiltration, and interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia of the thyroid glands in the model group. Some follicles of the thyroid glands were destroyed with few lymphocyte infiltrations and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the moxibustion group. Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased in the model rats (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were reduced in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were increased in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue was negatively correlated with the serum levels of TPOAb and TGAb.Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion reduces the inflammatory response in the thyroid glands of EAT rats and lowers the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb. This may be related to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression of the autophagy-associated factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rat thyroid tissue.
ABSTRACT
A new type of multi-acupoints moxibustion instrument was developed to effectively solve the issue of simultaneously performing moxibustion at multiple acupoints. The moxibustion instrument consisted of a bracket and a moxibustion cartridge mounted on the bracket. The upper end of the bracket was equipped with gooseneck tubes. The free end of the gooseneck tubes was equipped with moxibustion cartridge used for moxibustion. The moxibustion cartridge consisted of the cartridge body, the moxa needle and the ash net. This current instrument with novel and unique structure was simple and reasonable, safe and reliable, and had the advantages of convenient operation, time and labor saving, and high moxibustion efficiency, and was an innovation of moxibustion instrument.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Points , Moxibustion , NeedlesABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of herb-partition moxibustion on colonic inflammation in UC rats, and participate in the regulation of immune regulation via NF-κB pathway and STAT3 phosphorylation. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into normal group, the ulcerative colitis group (UC) group and herb-partition moxibustion group, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of UC was induced by 4％ DSS. After successful modeling, the rats were treated with moxibustion on bilateral Tianshu acupoints (ST25) . Each acupoint was used with 2 Zhuang moxa, 1 time a day, for 7 times. The effect of the herb-partition moxibustion on UC rats was observed by comparing the histopathological and protein concentrations of serum proinflammatory cytokine. Western Blot was used to detect NF-κB pathway and STAT3 activity in colon tissue. Results: Colonic histopathology in the UC group showed that the mucosal epithelium with ulcer formation and obvious inflammatory response. The herb-partition moxibustion could repair colonic epithelial damage and reduce the inflammatory response of colon tissue in UC rats. Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and IL-6 protein concentrations were significantly increased in the UC group (P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01), and the STAT3 phosphorylation level and protein expression levels of pIκB-α and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased. The protein expression level of IκB-α was significantly decreased. Compared with the UC group, the serum protein concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly lower in the herb-partition moxibustion group (P ＜ 0.05), and protein expression level of NF-κB p65 was decreased in the colon tissue. The phosphorylation level of pIκB-α was decreased, while the protein expression level of IκB-α was increased. Conclusion: Herb-partition moxibustion reduced colonic inflammatory response in UC rats by DSS-induced, the underlying mechanism may related to decrease release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 via dual inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 activation.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of anti-inflammatory by preventative moxibustion at Tianshu Acupoint (ST25) on UC rats, and to investigate the protective mechanism of preventative moxibustion at Tianshu Acupoint (ST25) onintestinal mucosal barrier in UC rats. Methods: A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into thenormal group (NC), the ulcerative colitis group (UC), the herb-partitioned moxibustion pretreatment group (HM+P), thewarming moxibustion pretreatment group (WM+P), with 7 in each group. The HM+P and the WM+P were treated withherb-partitioned moxibustion and warming moxibustion for 7 days before the model was established. After pretreatment, the UC, the HM+P and the WM+P were given 4％ dextran sodium sulfate solution for 7 days. Observe the rat pathologicalchanges of colon tissue by HE staining, detect the protein expression in rat colon tissue by immunohistochemistry andwestern blot. Results: compared with the NC group, the pathological scores were increased, the expression of occludin, JAM1, MUC2, ZO-1 were decreased and the expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1βincreased in UC group (P ＜ 0.05);compared with the UC group, the pathological score decreased, the protein expression of occludin, JAM1, MUC2, ZO-1 increased, the protein expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1βdecreased in HM + P group (P ＜ 0.05), the Pathological scoredecreased, the Protein expression of occludin, MUC2, ZO-1 increased, the Protein expression of IL-1β decreased inWM + P group (P ＜ 0.05) . Conclusion: The herb-partitioned moxibustion pretreatment and the warming moxibustionpretreatment could increase the expression of intestinal barrier related proteins in UC rats, it may be one of themechanisms of moxibustion to relieve colonic inflammation of UC.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, with the widespread clinical application of moxibustion, the clinical trials on moxibustion research are also increasing. However, the establishment of negative control of moxibustion, also called as mimicking moxibustion, has become a major challenge in the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) . In this review, we summarized the establishment methods of mimicking moxibustion in RCTs at home and abroad, and evaluated and elaborated the design and application methods of mimicking moxibustion models from thermal effect, light radiation effect and smoke effect that generated by moxibustion, in order to provide insights for the establishment of an ideal and feasible mimicking moxibustion model in future RCTs of moxibustion.
ABSTRACT
The types of moxibustion are various and its therapeutic effect could be influenced by many factors. The clinical manipulation of moxibustion usually involves sequential order, indicating the significance of direction in moxibustion. From the relationship between moxibustion direction and propagated sensation along channel, moxibustion direction and directional supplementation and reducing and others, this article proposes moxibustion direction could be one of the key factors to influence the clinical efficacy of moxibustion. It is hoped to improve moxibustion and increase clinical efficacy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Moxibustion , Sensation , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Results: Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. Conclusion: The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the clinical effect and syndrome scores improvements of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) and ginger-partitioned moxibustion (GPM) in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods:A total of 65 eligible cases were randomly divided into a HPM group (n=32) and a GPM group (n=33) according to their visiting order. Bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25) were selected for the HPM or the GPM treatment once daily, 12 d as a treatment course with a 3-day interval, 6 courses in all. The clinical effect, syndrome scale and Mayo scale were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results:Of the 65 cases enrolled, 2 cases dropped out in the HPM group and 3 cases dropped out in the GPM group, 30 cases of each group finished the treatment courses. The total effective rate is 93.3% in HPM group and 86.7% in the GPM group, there was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05); there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in score evaluation of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea, HPM is prior to GPM (P=0.032,P=0.044). There are no statistical significant differences between the two groups in scores evaluation of general symptom, three main symptoms, quality of life (QOL), frequency and severity of abdominal pain, times, and pattern of diarrhea (allP>0.05). There was a statistical significant difference in the improvement of Mayo score between the two groups, and HPM was superior to GPM (P=0.048). Conclusion:HPM and GPM are both promising ways to treat UC, and the total effect is quite similar. HPM is superior to GPM in the improvement of lasting time of abdominal pain and frequency of diarrhea, and also the Mayo score.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on learning and memory abilities, corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in subacute aging rats. Methods:Twenty four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were subcutaneously injected with 25% D-galactose [125 mg/(kg·bw)] for 40 d continuous; rats in the normal group were injected with saline at the same position for 40 d continuous. Rats in the moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) at the same time of modeling; rats in the normal group and the model group were only identically grabbed without moxibustion for 40 d. The learning and memory abilities of rats were observed using the Morris water maze at the end of the experiment. Abdominal aorta blood and thymus were collected after water maze experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone level, and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of thymus GR. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed that a significantly longer escape latency time (P<0.01) on the third and the fourth days; number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly reduced (P<0.01); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly decreased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels increased (P<0.01); thymus GR expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the moxibustion group showed that the escape latency times were significantly shorter on the third, the fourth and the fifth days (P<0.01,P<0.05); number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly increased (P<0.05); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly increased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels decreased (P<0.05); thymus GR expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the learning and memory abilities of subacute aging rats, down-regulate serum corticosterone levels, and increase thymus GR content.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion therapy on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3) protein expressions in the colonic mucosa of rats with Crohn's disease (CD), and to explore the intestinal mucosal immune mechanism of moxibustion therapy in treating CD. Methods:The CD rat model was established using the internationally accepted Morris method. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a mild moxibustion group, a cigarette moxibustion group and a hot compress group, which were compared with the normal group. Except the normal group and the model group, rats in the other groups accepted different moxibustion therapies on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted and the pathological changes of the colon were observed under light microscope; the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in rat’s colonic mucosa were determined by immunohisto-chemistry. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed mucosal defect, villus destruction or loss, submucosal congestion and edema, glandular destruction or disappearance, reduced goblet cells, ulcer formation, significantly increased positive target area and positive target integral optical density of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expression (allP<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, colonic mucosa was significantly improved in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group, which mainly showed that the intestinal glands were arranged regularly, ulcer surfaces were covered by the neoformative epitheliums, or intestinal ulcers were replaced by the nascent granulation tissue, and submucosal edema was alleviated, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. The total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were decreased (allP<0.01). Compared with the cigarette moxibustion group and the hot compress group, the total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were significantly decreased (allP<0.01) in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group. Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response of colonic mucosa in CD rats. It can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 proteins in the colonic mucosa of CD rats, which may be one of the mechanism in intestinal mucosal immunity caused by moxibustion therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the influence of moxibustion products on mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and mRNA expression of Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells, and to further explore influence of moxibustion products on the oxidative damage of A549 cells. Methods:Smoke and particles generated by moxibustion were collected using the filter box for gas sampling. The moxa smoke extract (MSE) was diluted sequentially to the final concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL using the cell culture medium, and A549 cells were then intervened by the above MSE solution. Cell MTP was detected by JC-1 staining. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression of A549 cells. Results: Compared with cells in the normal control group, MTP was significantly decreased in cells of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P0.05); compared with cells in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.05 ); compared with cells in 0.1 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.01). Bax mRNA expression of cells in each concentration of MSE intervention group all showed no significant difference compared to that in the normal control group; Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells was reduced with the increase of MSE intervention concentration. Wherein, Bcl-2 mRNA expressions of cells in 0.4 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL MSE intervention groups were significantly reduced compared with that of cells in the normal control group (P<0.05); Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells in 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group was significantly reduced compared to that in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Certain higher concentration of moxa smoke could reduce MTP and mRNA expression of the anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells. Oxidative damage may be the important mechanism of apoptosis caused by the high concentration of moxa smoke solution, and further studies are necessary on the specific mechanisms.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To assess the effects of direct moxibustion on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and clinical symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in elderly patients with essential hypertension, and to explore the antihypertensive effect and influencing factors of moxibustion. Methods:A total of 101 elderly hypertension patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a direct moxibustion I group (n=33), a direct moxibustion II group (n=34), and a control group (n=34). The treatment of calcium antagonist (CCB) orangiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB) was adopted in the control group. The treatment of direct moxibustion I plus the same medicine as the control group were adopted in the direct moxibustion I group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The treatment of direct moxibustion II plus the same medicine as the control groupwere adopted in the direct moxibustion II group, five cones per acupoint and three times per week, for 5 weeks in total. The changes of 24-hour ABP and clinical symptoms of TCM after treatment were compared in the three groups. Results: The mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (mean 24 h ASBP), night ASBP, percentage of mean 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (mean 24 h ADBP)>90 mmHg, and percentage of day ADBP>90 mmHg in the control group were elevated after treatment (P80 mmHg in the direct moxibustion I group was reduced by treatment (P140 mmHg, percentage of day ASBP>140 mmHg, percentage of night ASBP>120 mmHg , mean 24 h ADBP, day ADBP, night ADBP, 24 h ambulatory pulse pressure (APP), after treatment in all groups (P>0.05). The degree of improvement of the clinical symptoms of TCM showed significant differences among the three groups of patients (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the direct moxibustion I group was 73.3%, which was superior to those in the direct moxibustion II group and control group (13.3% and 10.0%, respectively). Conclusion:The direct moxibustion has benign regulative effect on blood pressure of elderly patients with essential hypertension, and improves their clinical symptoms. The direct moxibustion method I (burning the next moxa cone after the previous one had totally burnt out) was superior to method II (burning the next moxa cone when the previous one had not totally burnt out ) in lowering blood pressure and improving symptoms of elderly patients with essential hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on anxiety and depression in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in remission. Methods:Sixty CD cases were randomly allocated into an EA group (n=30) and an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (n=30) using the random number table by the ratio of 1:1. In addition, 30 healthy subjects were included in a control group. Bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongwan (CV 12) were used in the EA and herbal cake- partitioned moxibustion groups. The treatment was done 3 times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated using self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores. Results:Before treatment, the SAS and SDS scores in CD patients were remarkably higher than those in healthy subjects. After EA or herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment, the SAS and SDS scores were significantly decreased in both groups, showing significant intra-group differences (P0.05). Conclusion:Both EA and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can significantly decrease abnormally high SAS and SDS scores in CD patients as well as TCM symptom scores. The two therapies share similar effects in alleviating common symptoms and improving anxiety and depression.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects and safety of clinical common symptoms of active Crohn's disease at the mild and moderate stages treated with acupuncture and moxibustion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 51 cases in each one. Herb-partition moxibustion and acupuncture were used in the observation group. Herbal cakes with(),(),(),(),(),() and() as the main ingredients were used on Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongwan (CV 12); acupuncture was used at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Gongsun (SP 4) and Taichong (LR 3). Bran-partition moxibustion and shallow acupuncture were applied in the control group. Wheat bran-partition moxibustion in the shape of cake was implemented on the same acupoints as the observation group; shallow acupuncture was used 1~2 cm next to the acupoints. Treatment was given three times a week for 12 weeks, 36 times totally. Clinical effects of eight symptoms were evaluated by TCM symptom score, and the symptoms included abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (number, shape and frequency), fatigue, anorexia, borborygmus andflatus, fear of cold, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, tenesmus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12-week treatment, the eight symptoms were improved apparently (all<0.05), with the scores of abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (shape and frequency), fatigue and anorexia in the observation group decreasing more obviously (all<0.01). There was no statistical significance about the other symptom scores between the two groups (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Herb-partition moxibustion combined with acupuncture achieve safety and efficacy for mild and moderate Crohn's disease, and can improve the clinical common symptoms. Furthermore, their effects on abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (shape and frequency), fatigue and anorexia are better than those of bran-partition moxibustion and shallow acupuncture.</p>
ABSTRACT
METHODS:A computer-based online research of PubMed, CNKI and VIP databases was performed with the key words of “epigenetic; inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis; DNA methylation; histone modification; miRNA; moxibustion” in Chinese and English. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The correlation of epigenetic modification with inflammatory bowel disease occurrence and development is elaborated. The mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease have been related from DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA targets. The mechanism of moxibustion on inflammatory bowel disease is primarily associated with immune regulation, and its anti-inflammatory mechanism may be affected by epigenetic regulation of inflammatory cytokines.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Warm acup-moxibustion is an effective treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, which combines acupuncture with moxibustion. With an immediate analgesia or/and long-term effect, warm acup-moxibustion has been used clinicaly for acute and chronic pain. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the progress in the studies about clinical application of warm acup-moxibustion as analgesic therapy for acute and chronic pain and to discuss the influential factors. METHODS: CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases were searched for relevant articles published between January 1995 and July 2015 using the keywords of “warm needling; warm acup-moxibustion; pain; analgesic” in Chinese. According to the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 51 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with ordinary acupuncture, medicine and other treatment methods, warm acup-moxibustion can play an analgesic role in multiple systems, which is better than ordinary acupuncture and Western medicine. Warm acup-moxibustion combined with drugs and acupuncture techniques can increase the analgesic effect and improve joint function activity. Warm acup-moxibustion with the overal regulatory role plays an effective analgesic pain role in the multiple systems and shortens the duration of treatment, which is an effective method for treating pain and worthy of further promotion and application.