ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for an effective therapy for depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group (60 cases) was treated with acupuncture at Zhong wan (CV 12) and Si-guan points [Taichong (LR 3) and Hegu (LI 4)] selected as main acupoints, combined with Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), etc. , meanwhile, the reinforcing-reducing manipulation of respiration was adopted. The western medicine group (60 cases) was treated with oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride at the dosage of 20 mg every day. These treatments lasted for 8 weeks in both groups. The depression severities were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) before treatment and at the 8th week of the treatment and adverse reactions were appraised respectively with Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 95.0% in the acupuncture group and 91.7% in the western medicine group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the HAMD score had very significant changes in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, there was a significant difference between two groups in TESS score (P < 0.01). There was almost no adverse reaction in the acupuncture group, while the main clinical manifestations in the western medicine group were nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, etc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12) and Si-guan points combined with reinforcing-reducing manipulation of respiration can significantly improve symptoms of depression patients with a similar therapeutic effect to oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride and it is a safe method for depression without adverse reactions.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Depression , Therapeutics , Respiration , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (PCB), a Chinese aromatic herbal medicine, on serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and membrane fluidity of intestinal epithelial cells (IMC) in rats undergoing lower limbs ischemic reperfusion (I/R), for exploring its action in protecting intestinal barrier and the possible mechanisms, and to seek a new way, viewing from Chinese medicine, for providing the experimental bases of gastrointestinal protection against trauma or surgical operation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty adult Wistar rats were induced into lower limb I/R model and randomized equally into the model group, the three PCB water extract groups treated respectively with high- (4 g x kg(-1) x d(-10), middle- (3 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and low-dose (2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) of PCB water extract, and three PCB volatile oil groups treated respectively with high- (4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), middle- (3 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), low-dose (2 g x kg(-1) d(-1) of PCB volatile oil. Besides, 10 healthy rats was allocated in a normal control group. PCB preparation was given via gastric infusion for 5 successive days just before modeling. The serum levels of NO and TNF-alpha were monitored, and the membranous fluidity of IMC at I/R region was determined by fluorescence polarization technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, both serum NO and TNF-alpha levels in model rats were significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the fluorescence polarization value (P) of IMC obviously increased at the same time (P < 0.05). As compared with the model group, the serum level of NO and TNF-alpha significantly reduced in all the PCB treated groups (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). As for the membrane fluidity, significant difference was shown between the model group with low-dose of PCB water extract and middle-dose of PCB volatile oil (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PCB could effectively protect the intestinal barrier function by way of maintaining the membrane fluidity of IMC through regulating the level of NO and TNF-alpha in serum.</p>