Preliminary study on the existing problems in health economic evaluation study of acupuncture in China / 中国针灸

The literature of health economic evaluation study in the field of acupuncture in China was systematically summarized and analyzed, and the existing problems in the current research were discussed from the aspects of research perspective, cost calculation scope, data analysis method selection. Moreover, the key points of the health economic evaluation research were summarized, and the research objectives, the relationship between the expected research results and data analysis methods and the process of thinking were sorted out, and several suggestions for research report writing were proposed, aiming to provide a reference for the quality improvement of the acupuncture health economic evaluation research in China.

Quality control in the implementation of multi-center acupuncture clinical trial / 中国针灸

The paper introduced the experiences of quality management in the implementation of multi-center acupuncture clinical trials and the keys in training acupuncture operators. The process management was explained in view of the division of labor for researchers, protocol learning and the communication among sub-centers. Besides, specificity links of acupuncture research were summarized, i.e. meaning implementation brief of acupuncture operation training, control for quantity of stimulus in acupuncture and doctor-patient communication. It is anticipated to provide a valuable reference for the quality control and improvement of multi-center acupuncture clinical trial in future.

Application and thinking of cohort study in clinical research of acupuncture and moxibustion / 中国针灸

Cohort study has been greatly considered and widely used in clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine in China, but it is seldom applied in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion. This paper introduces the development background, basic concepts, advantages and limitations of cohort study, analyzes the existing problems in the evaluation of acupuncture and moxibustion curative effect and development status of cohort study in the cycle of acupuncture and moxibustion, explores the feasibility and value of such method in clinical research of acupuncture and moxibustion and proposes the methodological suggestions on rigorous design, control of selective bias, control of cohort migration and reduction of loss to follow

Pivotal issue of acupuncture-moxibustion academical inheritance based on the present situation of the clinical application of / 中国针灸

The present situation of clinical application of

Effects of acupuncture on carotid intima-media thickness and cerebral blood flow velocity in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the characteristics of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and cerebral blood flow velocity in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, and to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on carotid IMT and blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery and vertebral-basilar artery.@*METHODS@#A total of 240 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension who met the inclusion criteria were treated with acupuncture method proposed by academician . The acupoints of Renying (ST 9), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, five times a week for 3 months. The carotid ultrasonography and transcranial color Doppler were performed before treatment and 3 months after treatment to evaluate the improvements of carotid IMT and brain blood flow velocity.@*RESULTS@#Among 175 patients, 94.3% suffered from impaired carotid IMT. After acupuncture intervention, 7.7%-10.9% patients had improved IMT but 4.6%-6.3% had aggravated carotid IMT. There was no significant difference of carotid IMT before and after treatment (>0.05). About 50% patients had abnormal intracranial blood flow velocity; after acupuncture intervention, 27.4%-33.3% patients who had the abnormal blood flow velocity had normal one, but 27.0%-52.5% patients who had normal blood flow velocity had abnormal one. After acupuncture intervention, the low-speed blood flow of MCA, VA and BA in female patients aged 41-60 years and the low-speed blood flow of MCA and VA in female patients aged 61-70 years were significantly improved (all <0.05); the high-speed blood flow of MCA and VA in male patients aged 61-70 years and the high-speed blood flow of VA and BA in female patients aged 41-60 years were significantly decreased (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Nearly 95% of patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension had carotid IMT, and about 50% had abnormal blood flow velocity of intracranial artery. The present study failed to found significant effects of acupuncture on carotid IMT, but it shows acupuncture can generally improve the low blood flow velocity in women with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Effect of acupuncture on left ventricular configuration and cardiac function in patients with hypertension / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the related factors of left ventricular configuration in patients with mild to moderate hypertension, and to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on left ventricular configuration and cardiac function.@*METHODS@# acupuncture regime formulated by academician - was applied to 200 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week for 3 months. Blood pressure and blood lipid levels were measured before treatment. Before treatment and 3 months after treatment, the echocardiography was used to measured end-diastolic left ventricular diameter (LVIDd), end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWTd), and end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness (IVSTd), ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), etc.; the relevant influencing factors of different left ventricular configurations were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The patients with mild to moderate hypertension had left ventricular dysplasia (left ventricular remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy) reached 60%, and compared with the normal configuration group and the left ventricular remodeling group, there were significant differences in nighttime mean pulse pressure, total cholesterol, BMI and waist circumference in the eccentric hypertrophy group (0.05). The systolic function in the concentric hypertrophy group and the eccentric hypertrophy group was significantly lower than that in the normal configuration group and the left ventricular remodeling group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Sixty percents of patients with mild to moderate hypertension have abnormal left ventricular configuration and are associated with total cholesterol, BMI, waist circumference and nighttime mean pulse pressure. Studies have not found that acupuncture can significantly improve the left ventricular configuration and left cardiac function.

Idea of -brain-orifice in the acupuncture system of / 中国针灸

Academician - innovatively proposed that "closed minds and don't guide the " is the general pathogenesis of stroke, and created the acupuncture therapy, which is based on the theory of "brain" and the idea of "treating " is the core connotation. It is based on "" "" and "adjust ". The clinical application has also extended to different types of diseases. Despite the differences in the allocation of acupoints, the therapeutic principles are always related to the , brain and orifice. In this paper, the author explains the meaning and interrelationship of , brain, and orifice by quoting ancient literature and the views of modern scholars, which is helpful to understand and inherit the academic thought of academician -.

Different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) for central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke, and explore dose-effect relationship among different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) as well as its optimal treatment plan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to different acupuncture stimulation intensities which were based on treatment time and needle insertion direction, fifty patients were randomly divided into a Hegu 1 group, a Hegu 2 group, a Hegu 3 group, a Hegu 4 group and a control group, ten cases in each one. Different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) combined with facial paralysis acupoints, including Yingxiang (LI 20), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6) and Quanliao (SI 18), were applied in Hegu 1 to 4 groups; meanwhile acupuncture at stroke acupoints, including Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and medication treatment were adopted. Except acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), the treatment of the control group was identical as Hegu groups. The treatment duration lasted for 14 days. The House-Brackmann facial never grading systems (H-B), Toronto facial grading system (TFGS), degrees of facial never paralysis (DFNP), facial disability index (FDI) and clinical efficacy were compared among groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared before the treatment, H-B, TFGS, DFNP and physical function score in FDI were all improved significantly in the Hegu 1 to 4 groups (all P < 0.05), but social function score in FDI was not obviously improved (all P > 0.05); all the scores in the control group were not evidently changed (all P > 0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, differences of H-B before and after treatment in the Hegu 1 to 4 groups, differences of TFGS in the Hegu 2 group and differences of DFNP in the Hegu 1 and Hegu 2 group were significantly improved (all P < 0.05). The differences of any scale among Hegu 1 to 4 groups were not significant (all P > 0.05), in which the most evident change was found in Hegu 2 group. (3) The total effective rate was 90.0% (9/10), 100.0% (10/10), 90.0% (9/10) and 80.0% (8/10) in Hegu 1 to 4 groups, which were significantly higher than 60.0% (6/10) in the control group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) has affirmative clinical efficacy on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke, in which oblique insertion along the opposite direction of meridian for 5 s of twirling manipulation has the best clinical effect.</p>

Contribution of Professor SHI Xue-min's academic thoughts to treatment of stroke / 中国针灸

Based on the thought of Zhishen (a kind of mind regulation), Professor SHI Xue-min, academician of the China Academy of Engineering, found the Xingnao Kaiqiao (to refresh the mind and to cause resuscitation) acupuncture method, which still plays an important role in the acupuncture treatment of wind stroke nowadays. Meanwhile, great importance is attached to the comprehensive treatment of wind stroke. Danqi Piantan capsule (see text) is developed and "wind stroke unit" is set up. In recent years, Professor SHI shifts the center of research to the treatment of hypertension, the risk factor of wind stroke. Taking Renying (ST 9) as the major acupoint, acupuncture with standard measurement and manipulations is established. And good clinical effect has been obtained as well. Therefore, this article focuses on the introduction of Professor SHI Xue-min's contribution to wind stroke treatment.

Study on acupuncture parameters impacting on the acupuncture effect using cluster analysis in a rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of acupuncture parameters on the acupuncture effect through the cluster analysis in Wistar rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Duplicated MCAO models by Zea-longa's thread ligation and chose rats with 1-3 scores assessed by Zausinger's six-score method to be grouped. The rats were divided into 6 basic control groups [(including a normal group, a sham group, a model control group, a model group without intervention, a Nimodipine group, a lateral-to-Renzhong (DU6) group] and 6 acupuncture groups [a Neiguan (PC6) group, a Weizhong (BL40) group, a Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, a Chize (LU5) group, a Renzhong (DU6) group and a Feixue (non-acupoint) group]. In the acupuncture groups, for every acupoint or needling site, 9 different parameters [2 factors (frequency and time) and 3 levels (180, 120, and 60 cpm of the frequency and 5, 60, and 180 s of the time)] were set respectively by the orthogonal intersection method, in total 54 groups. The rats were treated by acupuncture with a lifting-thrusting manipulation once every 12 h, in total 6 times. Neurobehavioral scores, cerebral blood flow, infarction rate, microcirculation, light microscopy, etc. were measured. The factor analysis was first applied to get the comprehensive effect scores of the samples in the acupuncture groups and then by which the cluster analysis was made with the statistical software of SPSS17.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the Neiguan (PC6) group, the exceptional results of acupuncture comprehensive effect were parameters 7, 8, 9, 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 4, and the invalid were parameters 5, 6. For the Weizhong (BL40) group, the exceptional results were parameters 2, 4; the valid results were parameters 3, 5, 6, 7, and the invalid were parameters 8, 9, 10. For the Chize (LU5) group, the exceptional results were parameters 7, 8; the valid results were parameters 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10; and the invalid was parameter 2. For the Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, the exceptional results were parameters 4, 6; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 5; and the invalid were parameters 7, 8, 9,10. For the Renzhong (DU6) group, the exceptional results were parameters 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 5; and the invalid was parameter 8. For the Non-acupoint group, the exceptional result was parameter 10; the valid results were parameters 2, 3, 4, 7, 9; and the invalid were parameters 5, 6, 8.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For each meridian acupoint, different acupuncture parameters could consequently get a different acupuncture effect; each meridian acupoint had the most suitable or optimal acupuncture parameters; acupuncture parameters might be the main factors impacting on acupuncture effect.</p>

Cluster analysis for acupoint specificity of acupuncture effect based on cerebral infarction rat model / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To study the acupoint specificity through the comprehensive evaluation of the acupuncture effect on rat model with the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Duplicated MCAO model by Zea-longa's thread ligation was assessed by Zausinger's six-point method, and rats with 1-3 scores were chosen to be grouped. According to the randomized and controlled principle, rats were divided into 6 basic control groups (including normal group, sham group, model control group, model group without intervention, Nimodipine group, lateral-to-Renzhong group) and 6 acupuncture groups [including Neiguan (PC6) group, Weizhong (BL40) group, Chize (LU5) group, Sanyinjiao (SP6) group, Renzhong (DU6) group and non-acupoint group]; in each acupoint or non-acupoint 9 different parameter combinations were respectively set by orthogonal intersection method. There were in total 60 groups, and each group had 12 rats. The rats were treated by acupuncture with the lifting-thrusting manipulation every 12 h, in total 6 times. Indices of neurobehavioral scores, cerebral blood flow, infarction rate, microcirculation, and light microscope, etc. were measured. In order to comprehensively evaluate the acupuncture effect to research the specificity of acupoint, a cluster analysis was made with SPSS17.0 for the comprehensive effect scores of the samples computed according to the comprehensive evaluation models, and then sorting and classification were made for the comprehensive effect scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the acupuncture groups every acupoint had different therapeutic effect due to different acupuncture parameter combinations; among the acupuncture groups the orders of curative effect were as followings: Neiguan group was of exceptional result, Weizhong group and Sanyinjiao group were of valid results in upper level, Chize group and Renzhong group were of valid results in lower level, and non-acupoint group was of invalid result; the therapeutic result of acupoint group was superior to non-acupoint group; and the curative effect of acupuncture group was also superior to basic control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint has the specificity of acupuncture effect, and the acupoint specificity is relative.</p>

Efficacy judgment for treating ischemic stroke by acupuncturing at Neiguan (PC6) and the screening for optimal parameters / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To select optimal parameters and judge the comprehensive effect of acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was duplicated. Nine acupuncture parameters groups were set up by the frequency of acupuncture (slow, medium, and fast: 60, 120, and 180 times/min) and the acupuncture duration (short, medium, and long: 5, 60, and 180 s). Twisting technique was used in needling at Neiguan (PC6). By taking neurological impairment scoring, leptomeningeal cerebral blood flow, microcirculation (input branch diameter, output branch diameter, input/output), and cerebral infarction rate as effect indicators, the comprehensive effects of different acupuncture parameters at Neiguan (PC6) on MCAO were determined by factor analysis, thus screening the optimal parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By factor analysis, the highest score for comprehensive effect could be achieved with the acupuncture parameters of 180 times/min and 60 s. That is to say, fast frequency and middle time duration could achieve the optimal acupuncture effects, suggesting that appropriate acupuncture time duration should be used under the condition of guaranteeing fast frequency when treating ischemic stroke by needling at Neiguan (PC6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 180 times/min and 60 s were the optimal parameter group when needling at Neiguan (PC6) by twisting technique for treating ischemic stroke.</p>

Thinking on acupuncture finger force in the acupuncture quantity study / 中国针灸

As an important link during the whole operation process of acupuncture, it is very necessary to launch quantity study closely related to acupuncture finger force in the acupuncture quantity study. After retrieval of related literatures on finger force during acupuncture in recent 20 years, it was found out that although some exploration on acupuncture finger force had been made, it was scattered and had no deep research, which pointed out it was a weak link in the acupuncture quantity study. So study of finger force should be paid attention to in acupuncture-moxibustion field, the level of theoretical and experimental research and development of measuring instrument on acupuncture finger force should be strengthened, the application of instrument should be expanded in teaching and scientific research areas, which could promote the modernization and internationalization of acupuncture and moxibustion better and faster.

Study progression on the specificity of meridian points effectiveness / 中国针灸

The present situation of the study on the specificity of meridian points effectiveness through checking up the relevant literatures on the study of this subject published in recent 10 years from the databases such as CNKI and SCI are summarized in the paper. It is indicated in the summarization that the effectiveness of meridian points is specific and the meridian points bring their role into play probably through the biological mechanism in the body. But, it is still limitative in systematic, complete and scientific study on such conclusion. In future, the relevant study is required by adopting adequately modern scientific technology and facility, strict and scientific experiment designs as well as assessment method and taking extensive diseases or disease models as the carriers.

Dynamic observation on therapeutic features of thalamic pain by mind calming, blood activating and pain relief acupuncture and carbamazepine / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic features of thalamic pain by mind Calming, blood activating and pain relief acupuncture and Carbamazepine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Crossover trial design was adopted. Eleven patients with confirmed diagnosis of thalamic pain were randomly assigned to two groups according to the minimal unbalance index method, i.e., Group I (Six patients received acupuncture first and then Western medicine.) and Group II (Five patients received Western medicine first and then acupuncture). The therapeutic course for each group was ten days. There was a ten-day elution phase between the two therapeutic methods. The total therapeutic course was thirty days. Eleven patients were enrolled in the two groups for statistical analysis. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain assessment scale of Anderson Cancer Center in the USA (MD Pain Evaluation value) respectively. The VAS and MD values of the two groups were recorded every day to get the dynamic curve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS and MD values obviously decreased in the two groups after treatment (P<0.05). The pain curves of the two groups showed a declining trend during the treatment. A gradual and stable descending process was shown in the acupuncture group. But a greater decrease first appeared in the Western medicine group, then a comparatively greater decrease occurred after one platform stage, showing ladder-shaped curve.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cumulative potency may be the main analgesic effects of acupuncture. Western medicine may possibly play a role by rapid initiate effect.</p>

Specificity effect of acupuncture at "Shuigou" (GV 26) on brain infarction area in MCAO rats and the influence of acupuncture parameter / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the specificity of the acupoints and related factors on acupuncture effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat model of cerebral median artery occlusion (MCAO) was established with thread ligation according to Zea-Longa method. The acupoint group and the non-acupoint group were stimulated by acupuncture with 9 different parameters (marked group No. I - VI) combined by frequency (60 Hz, 120 Hz, 180 Hz) and time (5 s, 60 s, 180 s). The acupoint of "shuigou" (GV 26) was selected for the acupoint group, the fixed point which was at a distance of 10 mm from the iliac crest below the ribs in the affected side. The acupuncture effect was evaluated with the percentage of brain infarct area after TTC dyeing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Acupoint groups could obviously reduce the brain infarction area in MCAO rats. Under 9 intervention parameters, acupoint groups had much more effectiveness tendency than that of the non-acupoint groups. (2) Acupoint group VI was the most effective in reducing the brain infarction area among 9 acupuncture parameter groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Acupoint has specificity effect on reduction of brain infarct area in MCAO rats. (2) Acupoint group VI (180 Hz; 5 s) could significantly reduce the percentage of cerebral infarction area by TTC dyeing.</p>

Acupuncture treatment of regulating spirit, activating blood and relieving pain for thalamic pain / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical effect of acupuncture treatment and western medicine Carbamazepine for thalamic pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Crossover trial design was used, 11 cases diagnosed as thalamic pain were randomly divided into two groups according to the mini-unbalance-index method, group I (with 6 cases received acupuncture first and then western medicine) and group II (with 5 cases received western medicine first and then acupuncture). When the effects were evaluated, the two groups were named as acupuncture group and western medicine group, 11 cases in each group. The method of clearing away the heart fire, regulating the spirit, activating blood and relieving pain was adopted in acupuncture treatment, Ximen (PC 4), Yinxi (HT 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zhaohai (KI 6) were selected; the western medicine group was treated with oral administration of Carbamazepine, and one course as well as the eluting period were both 10 days. The effects were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS) and evaluation scale of Anderson Cancer Center pain in US (MD Pain Evaluation value) respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS and MD value in two groups were obviously decreased after treatment (both P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between two groups; the markedly effective rate of pain relieving in acupuncture group was 63.6% (7/11), which was higher than that of 36.4% (4/11) in western medicine group, but there was no significant difference between two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture treatment of regulating spirit, activating blood and relieving pain has a better therapeutic effect for thalamic pain, and can reach to the same therapeutic effect with western medicine Carbamazepine.</p>

Dynamic physiologic and pathologic changes in brain of rat with middle cerebral artery obstruction and effects of acupuncture in different frequencies on them / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the dynamic changes of capillaries and inflammatory cells in different regions of brain in rat with middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO), and the effects of acupuncture in different frequencies on them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In reference to Zea-Longa's method, rat model of MCAO was established by thread-ligation. Shuigou point (DU26), the main acupoint for "awakening brain and opening apertures", was stimulated by high (180 times/s) or low (60 times/s) frequency puncturing 5 s every 12 h for 6 times totally. The amount of capillaries (AC) and inflammatory cells (AIC) in brain cortex (BC), hippocampus (Hp) and corpus striatum (CS) was counted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Changes in AC and AIC of all brain regions (except for CS) in rats immediately after modeling were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). But 72 h later, AC in CS decreased, AC in Hp, AIC in BC and AIC in Hp increased significantly in the modeled rats, showing significant difference to the normal level, but AIC reduced to approach the normal. As compared with the rats un-intervened, AIC in BC and Hp was decreased in rats intervened with high frequency puncturing, AC and AIC in CS were increased in rats intervened by slow frequency puncturing (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Amount of capillaries and inflammation cells are changed dynamically in MCAO rats after brain ischemia, showing evident brain regional specificity; the ischemic improving effects of acupuncture in different frequencies are various in their action rings, also showing brain regional specificity.</p>

Experimental study on Shuigou (GV 26) of inhibiting effect for neuronal necrosis in rats: morphological evidence of the specificity of acupoint / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of acupoint Shuigou (GV 26) and non-acupoint on inhibiting the neuronal necrosis induced by the middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO) in rats through the morphological observation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty two healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, false-ope ration group, model control group, non-acupuncture group, Shuigou-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group, 7 rats in each group. Besides the normal and false-operation groups, the experimental modal of MCAO was established in the other groups by using the Zea-Longa thread method. Acupoint Shuigou (GV 26) and non-acupoint (below the costal region) were selected respectively in the Shuigou-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group for puncturing at 180 times/min for 5 seconds. Its effect was estimated by measuring the rate of the neuronal necrosis at the level of the light microscope and the degree of the neuronal necrosis at the level of the electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) At the level of the light microscope, comparing with the model control group (0.66 +/- 0.18), of the neuronal necrosis there were no significant differences in the rate of neuronal necrosis in the non-acupuncture group (0.67 +/- 0.34) and non-acupoint acupuncture group (0.59 +/- 0.11) (both P > 0.05), while it was significantly decreased in the Shuigou-acupuncture group (0.200 +/- 12) (P < 0.05). It indicates that no intervention and wrong (non-acupoint) intervention could light the damage of the neurons, however, only right intervention (Shuigou, GV 26) can obviously decrease the rate of the neuronal necrosis, showing with the specificity of acupoint. (2) At the level of the electron microscope, the ultrastructure of the involved neurons in the non-acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group is similar to that of the model control group, showing with the serious edema and structure damage. In contrast, the ultrastructure of the involved neurons in the Shuigou-acupuncture group is similar to that of the normal group and false-operation group, showing with light neuronal damage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncturing Shuigou (GV 26) could protect the involved neurons and inhibit the neuronal necrosis induced by the MCAO in rats, but acupuncturing the non-acupoint couldn't, which imply that there is the specificity of acupoint in the acupuncture.</p>