The Effect of Body Mass Index on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcome Scores after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in an Asian Population: A 2-Year Study

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.PurposeThis study aims to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) subjective patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Overview of LiteratureThe prevalence of cervical spondylosis and ACDF in expected to continue rising among the aging population of Asia. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is also increasing. However, limited information is available about the mechanism by which BMI affects PRO after ACDF.MethodsTotal 878 patients underwent ACDF between 2000 and 2015. After excluding patients with previous cervical instrumentation, >2 levels fused, missing BMI measurement, or neoplastic/trauma indication for surgery, 535 patients were included. The PRO measures of the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Neck Pain, NPRS for Limb Pain, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons–Neurogenic Symptom Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score were used. Patients were grouped based on their preoperative BMI, as per the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations. PRO scores were collected preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship of BMI category with the individual score, accounting for several factors that are likely to affect the outcomes.ResultsTotal 19 (3.4%) were underweight, 155 (28.0%) were normal weight, 112 (20.3%) were overweight, and 267 (48.3%) were obese. Patients across all BMI categories experienced significant and similar improvements in their postoperative PRO scores. There were no significant differences in the preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 2-year postoperative PRO scores of the groups. Rate of reoperation was highest in patients with grade II obesity at 8.07%; however, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions Irrespective of the BMI, all patients exhibited similar satisfactory outcomes following ACDF. The results support surgery in all subgroups of patients with symptomatic nerve compression in the cervical spine.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcome Scores after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in an Asian Population: A 2-Year Study

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.PurposeThis study aims to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) subjective patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 1- and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Overview of LiteratureThe prevalence of cervical spondylosis and ACDF in expected to continue rising among the aging population of Asia. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity is also increasing. However, limited information is available about the mechanism by which BMI affects PRO after ACDF.MethodsTotal 878 patients underwent ACDF between 2000 and 2015. After excluding patients with previous cervical instrumentation, >2 levels fused, missing BMI measurement, or neoplastic/trauma indication for surgery, 535 patients were included. The PRO measures of the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for Neck Pain, NPRS for Limb Pain, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons–Neurogenic Symptom Score, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association myelopathy score were used. Patients were grouped based on their preoperative BMI, as per the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations. PRO scores were collected preoperatively, at 6 months postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the relationship of BMI category with the individual score, accounting for several factors that are likely to affect the outcomes.ResultsTotal 19 (3.4%) were underweight, 155 (28.0%) were normal weight, 112 (20.3%) were overweight, and 267 (48.3%) were obese. Patients across all BMI categories experienced significant and similar improvements in their postoperative PRO scores. There were no significant differences in the preoperative, 6-month postoperative, and 2-year postoperative PRO scores of the groups. Rate of reoperation was highest in patients with grade II obesity at 8.07%; however, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions Irrespective of the BMI, all patients exhibited similar satisfactory outcomes following ACDF. The results support surgery in all subgroups of patients with symptomatic nerve compression in the cervical spine.

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in treating osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP), a common systemic metabolic bone disease, is characterized by low bone mass, increasing bone fragility and a high risk of fracture. At present, the clinical treatment of OP mainly involves anti-bone resorption drugs and anabolic agents for bone, but their long-term use can cause serious side effects. The development of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine has provided a new approach to the clinical treatment of various diseases, even with a hope for cure. Recently, the therapeutic advantages of the therapy have been shown for a variety of orthopedic diseases. However, these stem cell-based researches are currently limited to animal models; the uncertainty regarding the post-transplantation fate of stem cells and their safety in recipients has largely restricted the development of human clinical trials. Nevertheless, the feasibility of mesenchymal stem cells to treat osteoporotic mice has drawn a growing amount of intriguing attention from clinicians to its potential of applying the stem cell-based therapy as a new therapeutic approach to OP in the future clinic. In the current review, therefore, we explored the potential use of mesenchymal stem cells in human OP treatment.

Efficacy comparison of different forms of dog-days acupoint application for prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To analyze the clinical effect of traditionaldog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch (Manji) in the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis (CB) in remission stage in the past five years, and explore the principle of action and effective stimulation, to provide the evidence for treating CB by acupoint application. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 405 patients with CB who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with dog-days acupoint application or Magic Acupuncture Patch between 2013 and 2017. The clinical data of 405 patients were statistically analyzed to compare the prevention and treatment effects of dog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch, and different degrees of stimulation of dog-days acupoint application. Results: Among the dog-days acupoint application groups, the total effective rate was 63.6％ in the light stimulation group, 93.1％ in the moderate stimulation group, and 94.8％ in the strong stimulation group. The differences in the total effective rate between the light stimulation group and the moderate stimulation group, as well as the strong stimulation group, were statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the moderate stimulation group and the strong stimulation group (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 83.9％ in the dog-days acupoint application group, versus 45.4％ in the Magic Acupuncture Patch group, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of dog-days acupoint application in the prevention and treatment of CB is better than that of Magic Acupuncture Patch; the degree of stimulation is the basis for the effect of dog-days acupoint application on prevention and treatment of CB, and the moderate and strong stimulations are more appropriate.

Effect of ERRα in silencing DKK1 and SOST recombinant adenovirus vector-transfected MG63 Cells and bone-related proteins / 医学研究生学报

Objective WNT signaling pathway plays an important role in the formation, differentiation and maturation of bone cells, it is a classical intracellular signaling pathway involved in bone metabolism. DKK1 and Sost play a negative regulatory role in regulating bone mass and osteoblast differentiation, and are negative regulators of WNT signaling pathway. Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα) regulates the functional activity of osteoblasts. The aim of study was to investigate the effect of ERRα on the transfection of MG63 cells and related proteins by the WNT signaling pathway inhibitor Dickkopf (DKK)1 and sclerostin (SOST) adenovirus vectors.Methods The cultured MG63 cells were divided into blank control group, silencing DKK1 group, silencing SOST group, silencing (DKK1+SOST) group, ERRα intervention empty adenovirus group, ERRα intervention silencing DKK1 group, ERRα intervention silencing SOST group, ERRα intervention silencing (DKK1+SOST) group. MG63 cells were transfected with packaged silencing DKK1 and SOST adenovirus vectors according to different groups. The activity of MG63 cells was detected by MTT assay, the activity of ALP was detected by alkaline phosphatase kit, and the concentration of calcium ion was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of low density lipoprotein associated protein 5 (LRP5), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin(OPG).Results (1) Compared with blank control group, silencing DKK1, SOST, DKK1+SOST group and ERRα overexpression in the empty adenovirus group could increase cell activity, ALP activity, and decrease calcium ion concentration and increase the expressions of LRP5, BMP2, OPN, and OPG. Differences between groups were statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion ERRα Overexpression can increase the activity of MG63 cells, ALP activity, LRP5, BMP2, OPN, and OPG proteins, and decrease the calcium ion concentration in silencing DKK1 and SOST adenovirus-transfected cells.

Bushen Jianpi Huoxue decoction increases the proliferation of Sost-overexpressed adenovirus transfected osteoblasts and alkaline phosphatase activity / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Chinese herbs have been shown to affect osteoblasts through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Sclerostin (Sost) is an inhibitor of Wnt signaling pathway and an inhibitor of osteogenesis, and it is also an antagonistic factor that regulates the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue decoction (BJHD) is the empirical formula in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis at the Affiliated Orthopedics Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. BJHD can promote osteogenesis and effectively treat osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of BJHD on the cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and expression levels of related proteins in Sost-overexpressed adenovirus transfected osteoblasts. METHODS: The osteoblasts were divided into two groups: blank control group (empty adenovirus transfection) and Sost overexpressed group (Sost overexpression and adenovirus transfection). Two groups were cultured with blank serum and medicine serum. The cell proliferation was tested by cell counting kit-8 assay, and alkaline phosphatase activity was tested by alkaline phosphatase kit. Expression levels of bone regulation-related proteins were tested by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the blank serum, medicine serum could increase the cell viability at 24, 48 and 72 hours in both groups (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with the blank serum, medicine serum increased the alkaline phosphatase activity (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with the blank serum, medicine serum in the blank control group decreased the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 and osteoprotegerin (P ＜ 0.01), but showed no effect on the expression of osteopontin and tumor necrosis factor α. Medicine serum in the Sost-overexpressed group decreased the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, osteoprotegerin and osteopontin, increased the expression of tumor necrosis factor α (P ＜ 0.01). These results indicate that BJHD can increase the proliferation of recombinant adenovirus transfected Sost-overexpressed osteoblasts and alkaline phosphatase activity, and regulate the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, and tumor necrosis factor α.

Using mesenchymal stem cells as a therapy for bone regeneration and repairing

Bone is a unique tissue which could regenerate completely after injury rather than heal itself with a scar. Compared with other tissues the difference is that, during bone repairing and regeneration, after the inflammatory phase the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited to the injury site and differentiate into either chondroblasts or osteoblasts precursors, leading to bone repairing and regeneration. Besides these two precursors, the MSCs can also differentiate into adipocyte precursors, skeletal muscle precursors and some other mesodermal cells. With this multiline-age potentiality, the MSCs are probably used to cure bone injury and other woundings in the near future. Here we will introduce the recent developments in understanding the mechanism of MSCs action in bone regeneration and repairing.

Biomechanical characteristics of hip prosthesis in hip arthroplasty treating elderly patients with Evans I-III intertrochanteric fracture of femur / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of hip arthroplasty in the treatment of elderly patients with Evans I-III intertrochanteric fracture of femur by analyzing its biomechanics characters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We solved the CT digital image files with the graphics processing software Mimics at DICOM 3.0 standard, and reconstructed the three-dimensional entity of femur with CAD modeling software Unigraphics. Then the fracture line was defined in the model as the line between the tip of greater trochanter and inferior margin of small trochanter, above which the upper bone was removed. Afterwards the two prosthesises with different stem lengths (120 mm and 170 mm) were implanted into the fracture model respectively as hip arthroplasty with 3 mm bone cement layer between prosthesis and femur, and the bone defect was repatched with 5 mm bone cement layer. A three-dimensional finite element model was established with finite element analysis software ABAQUS 6.5. We formulated different material parameters under the stress condition standing with single leg to build the stress distribution map of the femur prosthesis, and took 5 loci of region of stress concentration to calculate the mean value of stress.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The stress distribution maps of the short and long stem length prothesises were similar. And there were two areas of stress concentration, including the upper portion and the lower portion close to the joint of the prosthesis stem, and the stress concentration in the junction part was obviously between the lower portion and the upper area of the small trachanter. The stress reached the first concentration area at the junction and then gradually reached the second concentration area at the interior terminal of the stem. While the stress gradually increased along the lateral prosthesis stem, and reached the stress concentration area at the end.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The stress distribution maps in the femur prosthesises are similar between hip arthroplasty in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur and the traditional hip arthroplasty surgery. The peak stress values are higher in the long stem prosthesis in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of femur than the short type, while they are under the rupture value of the metal.</p>

Transfect bone marrow stromal cells with pcDNA3.1-VEGF to construct tissue engineered bone in defect repair / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>We previously showed that nano-hydroxyapatite/carboxymethyl chitosan (n-Ha/CMCS) displayed excellent mechanical properties, good degradation rates and exceptional biocompatibility, with negligible toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the same composite with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- transfected bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit radial defect model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The nano-hydroxyapatite was produced through co-precipitation. The n-HA/CMCS scaffold was produced by particle filtration and lyophilization followed by genipin crosslinking. Total RNA from rabbit bone was reverse-transcribed to synthesize VEGF165-pcDNA3.1 that was transfected into the BMSCs. The composite was implanted into a rabbit radial defect model, and the osteogenic activity examined by gross morphology, X-ray examination and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microstructure and mechanical property of the n-HA/CMCS scaffold resembled natural cancellous bone. Compared with glutaric dialdehyde crosslinked scaffolds, the genipin crosslinked scaffold was less toxic, and displayed a higher capacity to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. Spontaneous fluorescence of the composite permitted visualization of the composite-bone interface and the adhesion behavior of cells on the scaffold under laser scanning confocal microscopy. The scaffold with VEGF-transfected BMSCs bridged the bony defect and promoted healing, with most of the implanted material being replaced by natural bone over time with little residual implant. Using X-ray, we noted obvious callus formation and recanalization of the bone marrow cavity. Furthermore, HE stained sections showed new cortical bone formation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The n-HA/CMCS scaffold composite with VEGF-trasnfected BMSCs is biocompatible, nontoxic, promotes the infiltration and formation of the microcirculation, and stimulates bone defect repair. Furthermore, the degradation rate of the composite matched that of growing bone. Overall, this composite material is potentially useful for bone defect repair.</p>

Therapeutic effect of an injectable sustained-release sinomenine hydrochloride and sodium hyaluronate compound in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>While intra-articular injection of sinomenine hydrochloride has a therapeutic effect on osteoarthritis, it has a short half-life, and is thermolabile and photolabile. The aim of this research was to evaluate the sustained-release of sinomenine hydrochloride from an injectable sinomenine hydrochloride and sodium hyaluronate compound (CSSSI) and its therapeutic effect in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis following intra-articular injection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An injectable compound consisting of 1% sodium hyaluronate and 2.5% sinomenine hydrochloride was prepared and kept as the experiment group, and 2.5% sinomenine hydrochloride was prepared and kept as the control group. The cumulative mass release was measured at different time points in each group in vitro. Sixty-five male Zelanian rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: 15 (30 knees) each for the control, sodium hyaluronate, sinomenine hydrochloride, and CSSSI groups respectively, and five (10 knees) for the modeling group. Papain was injected into both knees of each rabbit for model establishment. Subsequently, 0.2 ml of the corresponding drugs was injected into the articular cavities of the remaining experiment groups, while the control group was treated with 0.2 ml normal saline. All groups were treated once a week for 4 weeks. Seven days after the last treatment, knees were anatomized to perform pathological observations and Mankin's evaluation of the synovium. Four groups were compared using the SPSS 13.0 software package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the in vitro sustained-release experiments, 90% of the drug was released in the experiment group 360 minutes following the injection. Comparison of the Mankin's evaluations of the four groups illustrated statistical discrepancies (P < 0.05). In further paired comparisons of the CSSSI group vs. modeling control/sodium hyaluronate/sinomenine hydrochloride groups, statistical significance was uniformly obtained. Moreover, sodium hyaluronate and sinomenine hydrochloride treatments showed significant improvement over the modeling control (P < 0.05), whereas sodium hyaluronate vs. sinomenine hydrochloride comparison failed to reach significance (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CSSSI has a sustained-release effect on sinomenine hydrochloride. Intra-articular injection of CSSSI was significantly better than the sole sodium hyaluronate or sinomenine hydrochloride for the treatment of osteoarthritis in a rabbit model.</p>

Biomechanical supporting effect of tantalum rods for the femoral head with various sized lesions: a finite-element analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Features of necrotic lesions and various interventions could affect the biomechanics of the femoral head. A three-dimensional finite-element analysis was designed to demonstrate necrotic femoral head stress changes with various sizes of necrotic lesions, and evaluate the effect of tantalum rods on preventing femoral head cracking.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Femoral computed tomography scans were used to build a normal three-dimensional finite-element femoral head model in a computer. Based on the normal model, necrotic models of different lesion diameters (15 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm) were created, as were the repaired models with tantalum rods for each diameter. After a series of meshing and force loading, the von Mises stress distributions, simulating single-legged stance, and stresses on specific points under loaded conditions were determined for each model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Deep exploration into the burdened area of the femoral head indicated that higher stresses to the femoral head were observed with a larger necrotic lesion; the largest stress concentration, 91.3 MPa, was found on the femoral head with a lesion diameter of 30 mm. By contrast, topical stress on the surface of the necrotic regions was lowered following implantation of a tantalum rod, and the changes in stress were significant in models with lesions of 15 mm and 30 mm in diameter, with the best biomechanical benefit from the tantalum rod found with a lesion diameter of 15 mm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Femoral heads with larger necrotic lesions usually have a higher stress concentration and a higher risk of collapse. Various sized lesions on the femoral head can benefit from the mechanical support offered by the implantation of a tantalum rod; however, femoral heads with smaller sized lesions may benefit more. A thorough evaluation of the lesion size should be conducted prior to the use of tantalum rod implants in the treatment of femoral head necrosis.</p>

Effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise on weight and waist-hip ratio in simple obesity patients / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise and simple diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise for treatment of simple obesity, in order to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise for simple obesity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-one cases were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was treated with diet adjustment combined with aerobic exercise, on the basis of this, the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) etc., once a day, 15 days constituting one course. After three course of treatment, the changes of body weight and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in both groups were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After one course of treatment, both the body weight and WHR in the observation group were obviously lower than those of control group (both P < 0.05); after two courses of treatment, there were no significant differences of body weight and WHR between two groups (both P > 0.05); after three courses of treatment, the body weight of observation group was obviously lower than that of control group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference of WHR between two groups (P > 0.05); the body weight and WHR of both groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.01); the difference comparison of the body weight in observation group was obviously higher than that of control group before and after treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both two treatments can decrease the body weight and WHR of patients with simple obesity, while the effect of acupuncture combined with diet adjustment and aerobic exercise is more obvious in the early stage of the treatment for body weight and WHR.</p>

Effect of electroacupuncture on lipid metabolism in metabolic syndrome / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention for lipid metabolism of metabolic syndrome patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases of metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture combined with western medicine group (observation group) and a simple western medicine group (control group), 40 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Back shu points, Zusanli (ST 36),Zhongwan (CV 12),Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. as main combined with oral administration of Simvastatin, Glipizide XL, and Felodipine sustained-release tablets for lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering and antihypertensive treatment; the control group was treated with oral administration of western medicine only (the medicine was the same with observation group). The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the blood lipid of the patients were detected respectively before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BMI, Three Acids Glyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol(TC), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared respectively before and after treatment, there were significant differences between them in observation group (all P < 0.01); while in control group, there were significant differences of TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C before and after treatment (all P < 0.01), and with no significant difference in BMI before and after treatment. There were significant differences of BMI,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C between two groups after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The electroacupuncture has an obvious effect to reduce body mass, and acupuncture combined with medication has a better effect of improving the lipid metabolism than simple medication.</p>

Comparison and analysis of therapeutic effects of different therapies on simple obesity / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for the best therapy for simple obesity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty cases were randomly divided into 3 groups. The body acupuncture group were treated based on the syndrome of heat of stomach and intestine, syndrome of spleen deficiency and stagnation of dampness, and syndrome of spleen and kidney yang-deficiency; the auricular and body acupuncture group were treated by the syndrome treatment of body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking; the observation group were treated by the combined auricular and body acupuncture treatment plus moving cupping on back-shu points. Body weight, BMI, body fatd, blood lipids and clinically main symptoms before and after treatment were investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 69.6% in the body acupuncture group, 76.0%. in the auricular and body acupuncture group, and 90.6% treated in the observation group, with significant differences in the therapeutic effect, clinically main symptoms, external indexes of obesity and kidney ang-blood lipid metabolism between the observation group and the body acupuncture group. The various indexes in the auricular and body acupuncture group were superior to those iwere tthe body acupuncture group, with no significant differences in most indexes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Auricular and body acupuncture combined with moving cupping at back-shu points has obvious therapeutic effect on simple obesity and this is a better therapy for simple obesity.</p>

Effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on slimming effect in the rat of experimental obesity / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the slimming effects of electroacupuncture of different frequencies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an acupuncture group I (30 Hz), and an acupuncture group II (100 Hz). Acupoints selected were "Housanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zhongwan" (CV 12). The changes of Lee's index, fat weight around the left kidney and the volume of the fat cell, blood lipids, insulin and leptin before and after treatment were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, Lee's index, fat weight around the left kidney and the volume of the fat cell, blood lipids significantly changed in the two acupuncture groups (P<0.01), with the acupuncture group II being more change than that of the acupuncture group I (P<0.05); and compared with the model group, the leptin level decreased in the two acupuncture group (P<0.01) and the serum insulin level decreased (P<0.05) , with no significant difference between the acupuncture group I and the acupuncture group II (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture of different frequencies has different effects on fat metabolism in fat rats, and electroacupuncture of 100 Hz has a better effect than 30 Hz on obesity.</p>

The Effect of Combination Treatment of Fosinopril and Losartan on Microalbuminuria in Patients with Essential Hypertension / 中华高血压杂志

Objective To evaluate the the effect of microalbuminuria of combined treatment with fosinopril and losartan,or fosinopril,losartan monotherapy in patients with hypertension.Methods In this double-blind, intention to treat study,136 patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to receive fosinopril 10 mg/d(n= 50),losartan 50 mg/d(n=41),or a combination of fosinopril 5 mg and losartan 25 mg (n=45) qd for 4 weeks, followed by titrating to the maximum recommended doses for another 4 weeks.The primary endpoint was the difference of mean sitting blood pressure and microalbuminuria excretion at baseline and week 8.Results At week 8,the combination of fosinopril and losartan therapy lowered mean mieroalbuminuria from baseline by 26.1?10~(-8) mol/L,significantly more than either monotherapy approaches (fosinopril 20 mg,18.3?10~(-8)mol/L,P

Acupuncture for treatment of simple obesity and its effect on serum leptin level of the patient / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of acupuncture in reducing body weight.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty cases of simple obesity were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a drug control group, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated with body acupuncture at Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), etc, electroacupuncture and ear point tapping and pressing therapy (Shenmen, Endocrine, etc. were selected); the patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of sibutramine. The serum leptin level before and after treatment were determined and the therapeutic effect in reducing body weight was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.0% in the acupuncture group and 80. 0% in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05); after treatment, the serum leptin level in both the two groups decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the decreasing amplitude in the acupuncture group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture therapy has a definite therapeutic effect in reducing body weight, and the improvement of serum leptin level of the patient is possibly one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in reducing body weight.</p>

Effect of electroacupuncture on metabolism of lipids in rats of obesity induced by sodium glutamate / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore mechanisms of acupuncture for reducing of body weight.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat obesity model was developed by subcutaneous injection of sodium glutamate solution, and the experimental rats were divided into a blank control group, a model group, an electroacupuncture group and a sibutramine group; blood TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C contents and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and serum leptin and insulin levels were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The body weight and Lee's index, and TG, TC and LDL-C contents in the electroacupuncture group decreased significantly as compared with those in the model group (all P<0.01), the actions in the electroacupuncture group being superior to those in the sibutramine group; the HDL-C contents in both the electroacupuncture and the sibutramine groups were higher than that of the model group (P<0.01) with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group; LPL activity in the electroacupuncture group increased significantly as compared with that in the model group (P<0.01); serum leptin and insulin levels in both the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group were lower than that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), with no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the sibutramine group in the effect on insulin content, and the decrease of leptin level in the electroacupuncture group was more as compared with the sibutramine group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture can improve the status of high blood lipids, increase lipoprotein lipase activity, and regulate serum leptin and insulin levels in the obestic rat.</p>