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.

Clinical research of primary trigeminal neuralgia treated with electroacupuncture at qi streets acupoints combined with spinal regulation therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) between the comprehensive therapy of electroacupuncture (EA) at qi streets acupoints combined with spinal regulation method and medication with carbamazepine (CBZ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group (30 cases) and a medication group (30 cases). In the comprehensive therapy group, the acupoints at qi streets on the head such as Taiyang (EX-HN 5) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1) and those at qi streets on the chest and abdomen such as Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Guanyuan (CV 4), etc. were selected. After arrival of qi, EA was attached on 2 to 4 groups of acupoints. After acupuncture, the spinal regulation method was applied. This comprehensive therapy was given once a day. In the medication group, CBZ was used for oral administration, 100 mg at the first time, twice a day, and 400 to 600 mg each day as the maintenance dose. Separately, before and after treatment, in 2 and 6 months in follow-up, pain rating index (PRI), life satisfaction index B (LSI-B) and hamilton depression scale (HAMD) were adopted to evaluate comprehensively the clinical efficacy in the two groups and compare the adverse reaction during the treatment between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the curative and markedly effective rate in the comprehensive therapy group was 76.7% (23/30), which was better than 63.3% (19/30) in the medication group (P < 0.01). The difference in PRI was not significant after treatment between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In 2 and 6 months follow-up, PRI grade in the comprehensive therapy group was superior to that of the medication group (both P<0. 05). After treatment and in follow-up, HAMD score was all reduced in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and the result in follow-up in the comprehensive therapy group was significant as compared with that in the medication group (all P<0. 05). After treatment, LSI-B score was increased obviously in the two groups (all P < 0.05) and the result in the comprehensive therapy group was better than that in the medication group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction in the comprehensive therapy group was 16.7% (5/30), which was lower than 30.0% (9/30, P < 0.01) in the medication group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The comprehensive therapy of EA at qi streets acpoints combined with spinal regulation method achieves the long-term efficacy on PTN as compared with oral administration of CBZ in terms of the improvement of psychological condition, analgesia and life quality. It is the safe, effective and stable therapy.</p>

Clinical research of electroacupuncture at acupoints of qijie area combined with spine balance-regulating massage on posterior circulation ischemia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical efficacy difference between electroacupuncture (EA) at qijie area combined with spine balance-regulating massage and medication for posterior circulation ischemia (PCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred cases of PCI were randomly divided into a treatment group (50 cases) and a medication group (50 cases). The treatment group was treated with EA at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Fengchi (GB 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Danzhong (CV 17), etc. in qijie area combined with spine muscle-relieving massage and comprehensive chiropractic. The medication group was treated with oral administration of nimodipine (30 mg per time, three treatments per day) and vinpocetine injection with 500 mL of glucose injection or intravenous drip of 500 mL 0.9% sodium chloride injection, once a day. Ten treatments were taken as one course in both groups, and two courses were given. The symptom score, mean resistance index (RI) of vertebral artery (VA) and basilar artery (BA), mean velocity of blood flow (Vm) and comprehensive clinical efficacy were compared before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured and markedly effective rate was 79.6% (39/49) in the treatment group, which was superior to 54.7% (23/42) in the medication group (P<0.05). The symptom score was both significantly improved after treatment in two groups (both P<0.05), which was more obvious in the treatment group (P<0.05). The RI of VA and BA, Vm of VA and BA were significantly improved after treatment in two groups (all P<0.05), which were more obvious in the treatment group (all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture combined with spine balance-regulating massage has superior effect on improving mean velocity of blood flow and resistance index of vertebral artery and basilar artery as well as symptom score to medication, and is believed to be a safe and effective treatment for posterior circulation ischemia.</p>

Effect of acupuncture on transmembrane signal pathway in AD mice: an analysis based on lipid-raft proteomics / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the transmembrane signal pathway participating in regulating neuron functions of treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SAMP8 mice was used for AD animal model. The effect of acupuncture method for qi benefiting, blood regulating, health supporting, and root strengthening on the amount and varieties of transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice was detected using HPLC MS/MS proteomics method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, acupuncture increased 39 transmembrane signal proteins from hippocampal lipid rafts in SAMP8 mice, of them, 14 belonged to ionophorous protein, 8 to G protein, 8 to transmembrane signal receptor, and 9 to kinase protein. Totally 3 main cell signal pathways were involved, including G-protein-coupled receptors signal, enzyme linked receptor signal, and ion-channel mediated signal. Compared with the sham-acupuncture group, acupuncture resulted in significant increase of kinase signal protein amount. From the aspect of functions, they were dominant in regulating synapse functions relevant to cytoskeleton and secreting neurotransmitters.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cell biological mechanism for treating AD by acupuncture might be achieved by improving synapse functions and promoting the secretion of neurotransmitters through transmembrane signal transduction, thus improving cognitive function of AD patients.</p>

Lumbar disc herniation treated with qi pathway intervention and spinal adjustment: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) between the comprehensive therapy of qi pathway intervention and the spinal adjustment and the conventional therapy of acupuncture and Tuina and explore the analgesic mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-one cases were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group (36 cases) and a conventional therapy group (35 cases). In the comprehensive therapy group, the acupoints in the region of abdominal qi pathway were selected and stimulated manually with both hands. In combination, the spinal adjustment therapy was applied. In the conventional therapy group, Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30) and Chengfu (BL 36) on the affected side were selected and stimulated with the conventional needling technique. Additionally, the routine Tuina therapy was applied. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaire, the health related quality of life (SF-36) questionnaire and the level of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) were adopted to determine analgesic effect and clinical efficacy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the comprehensive therapy group, the curative and effective rate was 91.7% (33/36), which was apparently superior to 77.1% (27/35) in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). The analgesic effect in the first 10 treatments in the comprehensive therapy group was apparently superior to that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). ODI after treatment was improved significantly in both groups (both P < 0.05), in which the result in the comprehensive therapy group was superior to that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the SF-36 values of gener al health, bodily pain, physiological functioning, social functioning and emotional functioning in the comprehensive therapy group were superior to that in the conventional therapy group (all P < 0.05). After 15 treatments, the level of serum TNF-alpha in the comprehensive therapy group was lowered as compared with that before treatment and lower apparently than that in the conventional therapy group (P < 0.05); after 30 treatments, it was also lower than that in conventional therapy group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In the guide of the theory of qi pathway, the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture and spinal adjustment intervention achieves the quick and good efficacy on LDH as compared with the conventional acupuncture and Tuina and improves the quality of life for the patients to certain extent. The analgesic effect of this therapy is relevant with the decrease of serum TNF-alpha.</p>

Treatment of cervical spondylosis by spinal balancing combined with intervention of pathway of qi: a randomized controlled study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the efficacy of cervical spondylosis between the combined therapy of spinal balancing and the intervention of pathway of qi and the conventional acupuncture and massage therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and seventy-four cases of cervical spondylosis were randomized into a spinal balancing group and a conventional acupuncture group, 137 cases in each one. In the spinal balancing group, the points on the pathway of qi on the head and on the abdomen were selected [the pathway of qi on the head: Baihui (GV 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Wangu (GB 12) and the others; the pathway of qi on the abdomen: Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and the others]. The bimanual needling technique was applied in combination with spinal balancing therapy. In the conventional acupuncture group, the points were Jiaji (EX-B 2) (C3-C7), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Baihui (GV 20), etc. The conventional acupuncture technique and massage therapy were adopted. The neck pain questionnaire (NPQ) was adopted to assess the clinical efficacy of the two groups before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NPQ score was all improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). The result in the spinal balancing group was superior to the conventional acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The curative and effective rate was 83.2% (114/137) in the spinal balancing group, which was better than 69.3% (95/137) in the conventional acupuncture group (P < 0.05). In terms of the types of cervical spondylosis, from high to low, the efficacy sequence was cervical type, nerve root type, vertebral artery type, sympathetic nerve type and spinal cord type.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of spinal balancing and the intervention of pathway of qi achieves the superior efficacy on various types of cervical spondylosis as compared with the conventional acupuncture and massage therapy. It apparently relieves the symptoms and improves the life quality of the patients.</p>

Combination of acupoints based on the theory of qi tonification, blood regulation and strengthening the primary source / 中国针灸

The acupuncture technique of tonifying qi, regulating blood and strengthening the primary source of human life is established on the base of the new pathology of dementia due to dysfunction of sanjiao by Prof. HAN Jing-xian. It is held that Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli(ST 36) and Waiguan (TE 5) were the basic points for treatment of dementia. There are 3 characteristics of the point combination. Firstly, emphasis should be put on regulation of the stomach and the spleen so as to promote transportation, transformation and distribution; secondly, monarch, minister, assistant and guide points should be selected on the base of meridians, and more attention should be paid to the entity and connections among organs; and thirdly, treatment should be given according to physiological functions of the viscera.

Effects of acupuncture on nervous function in the patient of extensive cerebral infarction after operation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a better therapy for extensive cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases with extensive cerebral infarction were treated by surgical decompression. After operation, they were randomly divided into an acupuncture plus medication group and a medication group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the medication group were treated by routine western medicine, and the patients in the acupuncture plus medication group by the routine western medicine plus acupuncture 2 days after operation with Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10) and Shuigou (GV 26) selected. They were treated for 10 days. The nervous functions were assessed by Chinese Stroke Nerve-function Rating Scale and criteria for clinical therapeutic effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After surgical decompression, the death rate was 20.0%; after operation, acupuncture could significantly improve the neurological functional deficit degree of the patient. The total effective rate of 40.0% in the acupuncture plus medication group was better than 13.3% in the medication group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The surgical decompression is able to decrease the death rate of extensive cerebral infarction; after the operation, acupuncture and western medicine have cooperative effect on extensive cerebral infarction with a good therapeutic effect.</p>

Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on blood vessels and the blood flow rate in patients with takayasu arteritis / 中国针灸

<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>

Effects of acupuncture on expressions of transcription factors NF-E2, YB-1, LRG47 in the SAMP10 mouse / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in delaying aging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using SAMP10 mice and normal control SAMR1 as model and applying RT-PCR and DIG probed Northern blot techniques to observe expression of NF-E2, YB-1, LRG47 genes in whole brain, cortex and hippocampus in the 8-month SAMR1 control group, 8-month SAMP10 control group, 8-month SAMP10 acupuncture group and 8-month SAMP10 non-point acupuncture group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the SAMP10 control group, the expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 were down-regulated in the whole brain, cortex and hippocampus, and after acupuncture they were up-regulated and tended to normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aging of the SAMP10 mouse brain is related with expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes, and acupuncture can regulate the expression of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes, improving the functions of erythrocyte series, increasing proliferation of cells and immune function of cells in anti-bacteria, hence anti-aging.</p>

Effects of acupuncture on expression CuZnSOD mRNA and protein in hippocampus of the rat with multi-infarct dementia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in treatment of multi-infarct dementia (MID).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The multi-infarct dementia model was made by injection of emboli into the internal carotid artery. The dementia rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: model group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group, and a normal group and a sham operation group were set up. The expression of CuZnSOD in the hippocampus of the rats were detected by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical assay, and effects of acupuncture were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of mRNA and protein of CuZnSOD in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly attenuated as compared with that in the normal control group. Both the parameters above were significantly increased in the acupuncture group as compared with the model control group, but with no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the normal control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can up-regulate the expressions of mRNA and protein of CuZnSOD in the rat with MID, so as to strengthen activity of antioxidase and effectively remove free radicals and improve intelligence of MID rats.</p>

Study on expression of brain aging-relative genes HSP86 and HSP84 and effects of acupuncture in the SAMP10 mouse / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe the mechanism of acupuncture for anti-aging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the senescence accelerated mouse the SAMP10 and the SAMR1, by using RT-PCR and DIG-labeled Northern blot technique, the expression differences of HSP84 and HSP86 genes in whole brain, cortex and hippocampus in the 4 groups,8-month SAMR1 control group, 8-month SAMP10 control group, 8-month SAMP10 acupuncture group and 8-month SAMP10 non-point acupuncture group were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the SAMP10 control group, the expression of HSP84 and HSP86 were down-regulated in the whole brain, the cortex and the hippocampus, and they were up-regulated after acupuncture, tending to the normal group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Brain aging of the SAMP10 mouse is related with abnormal expression of HSP84 and HSP86 genes, and acupuncture can strengthen the protection of cells, inhibit apoptosis and anti-oxidative stress through regulating expression of HSP84 and HSP86, hence anti-aging.</p>

Effects of acupuncture on blood-lipid levels in the patient of cerebral infarction with hyperlipidemia / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture method for consciousness-restoring resuscitation on cerebral infarction with hyperlipidemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of apoplexy with hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into a consciousness-restoring resuscitation acupuncture group (treatment group) and a Chinese medicine control group (control group), 30 cases in each group. TCM symptomatic scores and indexes of blood lipids were detected before and after treatment in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate for improvement of blood lipids was 72.4% in the treatment group, which was not different from that (65.5%) in the control group (P> 0.05); the total effective rate for clinical symptoms was 89.7% in the treatment group, which was better than that (62.1%) in the control group (P < 0.05). The treatment group was superior to the control group in improvement of numbness and twinge in extremities, dizziness, distention and oppressed feeling in chest and hypochondrium, anorexia, sleepy and weakness (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture method for consciousness-restoring resuscitation can regulate metabolic disorder of lipids and improve main clinical symptoms in the patient of cerebral infarction with hyperlipidemia.</p>