ABSTRACT
Meridian theory plays an important role in the guidance of clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion. Since the publication of(), the meridian theory has been developed. In the paper, in view of complex science, the topological properties of acupoint-symptom network were analyzed quantitatively by taking acupoint as node and indication as the connection, such as high clustering coefficient and the small world effect. It was the first time to give the abstraction for the topological proof of the high efficiency information transmission property of acupoint-symptom network meridian system at different times. Its quantitative and digitalized significance was analyzed on the development of meridian theory under the complex scientific background so as to provide a new thought and method for the study of meridian theory and acupuncture modernization.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a scald-induced pain model using a constant-temperature electrical scald instrument in rats.Methods Thirty-six pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =9 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), scald for 5 s group (group S5), scald for 10 s group (group S10), and scald for 15 s group (group S15).The rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate.In S5, S10 and S15 groups, the plantar surface of the left hindpaw of rats were exposed to a constant-temperature electrical scald instrument (85 ℃) for 5, 10 and 15 s, respectively.The plantar surface of the left hindpaw of rats was exposed to an electrical scald instrument (room temperature) for 10 s in group C.At 1 day before treatment (T0),and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after treatment (T1-5), the mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured.Immediately after treatment, and at 24 h after treatment, the total body condition, wound color, and shape of the margin of the wound were observed and recorded.At 24 h after treatment, 3 rats were randomly sacrificed, and the skin from the plantar surface of the left hindpaw was removed for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group C, the thermal pain threshold at T1-2, and the mechanical pain threshold at T1-3 were significantly decreased in group S5, and the thermal pain threshold,and mechanical pain threshold were significantly decreased at T1-4 in group S10 (P＜0.05).The thermal pain threshold ＞ 25 s, and the mechanical pain threshold ＞30 g at T1-5 in group S15.The swelling in foot was bovious, burn blister appeared, and the degree of damage was aggravated in group S10 compared with S5 and S15 groups.Conclusion The scald-induced pain model is successfully established using a constant-temperature electrical scald instrument in rats.