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Objective:To observe the effects of sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)on the writhing reaction and score,the temperature and blood flow perfusion of moxibustion point area and uterus,the serum levels of arginine vasopressin(AVP),prostaglandin(PG)F2α,and thromboxane(TX)B2 in rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)due to cold-dampness stagnation,and to explore the possible mechanism of sparrow-pecking moxibustion in treating PD.Methods:Thirty-two healthy non-pregnant female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,an ibuprofen group,and a sparrow-pecking moxibustion group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the other three groups were subjected to modeling with cold water bath combined with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin injection.Rats in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group were treated with sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)on the 8th day of modeling,30 min/time,once a day for 3 d;those in the ibuprofen group were treated with 0.8 mL ibuprofen solution(a specification of 125 mg in 10 mL)on the 8th day of modeling,once a day for 3 d;those in the normal group and the model group were given 0.8 mL normal saline,once a day for 3 d.On the 11th day,rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with oxytocin(2 U/rat),and the writhing incubation period and writhing score in 20 min were observed;the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus in vivo were detected;the serum levels of AVP,PGF2α,and TXB2 were determined.Results:The writhing incubation period was significantly longer(P<0.01)and the writhing score was significantly lower(P<0.01)in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group and the ibuprofen group than in the model group;compared with the ibuprofen group,the writhing incubation period was prolonged(P<0.01)and the writhing score was decreased(P<0.01)in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group;compared with the normal group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly decreased,while the serum PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 levels were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group;compared with the model group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly increased,and the serum levels of PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 were significantly decreased in the ibuprofen group and the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with the ibuprofen group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly increased(P<0.05),the serum AVP and TXB2 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the serum PGF2α level had no statistical difference in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Sparrow-pecking moxibustion had a remarkable analgesic effect on the rats with PD due to cold-dampness stagnation,and the mechanism may be related to the increased temperature and blood perfusion of the moxibustion point area and uterus,as well as the decreased serum PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 levels.
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Objective:To observe whether the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on improving sex hormone disorders and follicle development is by decreasing the expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in rats with experimental polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Methods:Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups,a normal group (NG),a model group (MG),an EA at acupoints group (EAAG),and an EA at non-acupoints group (EANAG),with 10 rats in each group.The rats in the EAAG and EANAG were intervened by EA treatment for consecutive 14 d.Zhongji (CV 3) and Guanyuan (CV 4) were selected as the acupoints in the EAAG,and the tip of the tail and 1 cm up from the tail tip were selected as the non-acupoints in the EANAG.After treatment,the histomorphological changes of the ovary,the levels of aromatase P450 (P450arom),testosterone and estradiol in the ovarian tissues,and the expressions of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and AMH were observed.Results:After treatment,compared with the MG and EANAG,the expression of AMH decreased (P＜0.05),the levels of P450arom and estradiol increased significantly,and the level of testosterone decreased significantly (all P＜0.01) in the EAAG.Additionally,several normal follicles were present and the number of cystically dilated follicles decreased in the EAAG.Compared with the MG and EANAG,the EAAG obviously had more follicular granulosa cells.Conclusion:EA can down-regulate the abnormally increased expression of AMH to improve sex hormone disorders and follicle development in PCOS rats.
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OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats. METHODS: Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control, joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups (n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion, the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group (P<0.05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats, some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control, joss-stick and moxa-stick groups were 9.2±3.6, 10.8±5.3 and 17.1±6.3, respectively, being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups (P<0.05). In addition, calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: Moxa-stick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats, suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.
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Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different times on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), in the uterine tissues of rats with dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention, and to explore the differences and possible mechanisms of moxibustion at different times in easing pain in dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention. Methods: Forty-three female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7), a model group (n=9), a pre-moxibustion group (n=9), an immediate-moxibustion group (n=9) and a pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (n=9). Rat models of primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention were established using (0±1) ℃ ice water immersion method combined with injection of estradiol benzoate for 10 d, followed by injection of oxytocin on the 11th day. Rats in the 3 intervention groups received moxibustion to Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 10 min for each acupoint, once a day. Rats in pre-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling, for 3 continuous days; rats in immediate-moxibustion group were given one time mild moxibustion, immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling; rats in pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling till immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling, for 4 continuous days. The level of PGF2α in the rat uterine tissues was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the levels of PGE2 and AVP in rat uterine tissues were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the levels of PGF2α and AVP, the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the rat uterine tissues in the model group. Compared with the model group, the writhing latency was significantly prolonged, the writhing number and the total writhing score were all decreased in the pre-moxibustion group, the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (all P<0.01); the levels of PGF2α and AVP, and the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were all significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the rat uterine tissues of the 3 treatment groups. Compared with the pre-moxibustion group, the writhing number and the total writhing score were all decreased in the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (all P<0.01), the writhing latency was significantly prolonged in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group(P<0.01); the levels of PGF2α and PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in rat uterine tissues in the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group. Compared with the immediate-moxibustion group, the writhing latency was significantly prolonged and the writhing number was decreased (all P<0.05), and the total writhing score was decreased (P<0.01) in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group; the PGF2α level and the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in rat uterine tissues in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group. Conclusion: Moxibustion at different times all can produce obvious analgesic effects on dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention in rats, and pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion ranks the top. The mechanism of this analgesic effect may be via the regulation of abnormal PGF2α, PGE2 and AVP levels, to effectively inhibit the spastic contraction of uterine smooth muscle in dysmenorrhea rat, thereby improving the ischemia and hypoxia in uterus.
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Objective: To discuss the acupoints selection pattern in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) from 2007 to 2016. Methods: Clinical literatures related to PMS treated with acupuncture-moxibustion published from 2007 to 2016 were collected from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang). The retrieved data underwent descriptive analysis, cluster analysis and association pattern analysis to determine the acupoints selection principle in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS. Results: The top five acupoints used in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Baihui (GV 20), and Shenmen (HT 7). The leading 4 meridians were Bladder Meridian, Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian, and Governor Vessel. The clustering analysis showed that the 5 core acupoint groups were: ① Sanyinjiao (SP 6); ② Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4); ③ Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Ganshu (BL 18) and Taichong (LR 3); ④ Taixi (KI 3), Pishu (BL 20), Xinshu (BL 15), Qihai (CV 6) and Neiguan (PC 6); ⑤ Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Zhongwan (CV 12), Hegu (LI 4), Yintang (GV 29), Fengchi (GB 20), Zhongji (CV 3) and Feishu (BL 13). The three most significant acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4). Acupoint groups based on syndrome differentiation included: ① Hegu (LI 4), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1); ② Feishu (BL 13), Zhongji (CV 3), Fengchi (GB 20) and Yintang (GV 29); ③ Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6) and Taixi (KI 3);④ Ganshu (BL 18), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenmen (HT 7), Taichong (LR 3) and Baihui (GV 20). The analysis of association pattern elaborated that Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) won the highest support rate in the paired groups; Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) had the highest support rate among the acupoint groups. Conclusion: The data mining results of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS substantially conform to the general principle in traditional acupuncture-moxibustion theories, able to reflect the acupoints selection and grouping pattern and provide references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS.
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Objective To observe the curative effect of abdominal acupuncture on postoperative pain of patients with mixed hemorrhoid after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.Methods A total of 100 mixed hemorrhoid patients with postoperative pain after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy under spinal anaesthesia from September of 2014 to December of 2015 were included into the study.The patients were evenly randomized into trial group and control group.The trial group was treated with abdominal acupuncture at acupoints of Shuifen,Guanyuan,Qihai,Sanxing needles under Qihai,lower Fengshi,Tianshu for 15-30 min.The control group was treated with intramuscular injection of Tramadol Injection 0.1 g.Before treatment and 0.5,1,2,3 hours after treatment,the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and body activity scores were recorded.Results (1) After treatment,pain VAS scores of the two groups at different time points were obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05 compared with those before treatment),and the decrease of pain VAS scores of the treatment group 0.5 hours after treatment was superior to that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points (P ＞ 0.05).(2) After treatment,body activity scores of the two groups at different time points were obviously decreased(P ＜ 0.05 compared with those before treatment),but the difference was insignificant between the two groups(P＞ 0.05).(3) The average dose of Tramadol Injection used in the trial group was 0.013 ± 0.034 1 g,while was 0.103 ± 0.017 7 g in the control group,the difference being significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The analgesic effect of abdominal acupuncture is similar to that of Tramadol Injection.For its safety,and being cheap,practical and painless,abdominal acupuncture can be expected to be another option of effective analgesic method for the postoperative pain of patients with mixed hemorrhoid after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.
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Objective: To seek the optimal acupuncture time for primary dysmenorrhea and provide clinical basis for optimal acupuncture treatment protocol. Methods:A total of 90 eligible cases were randomly allocated into three groups, 30 cases in each group. Points Guanyuan (CV 4), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected for patients in all three groups, with a different treatment duration: 15 min in group A, 30 min in group B and 45 min in group C. Then the clinical efficacy in each group was evaluated by pain symptom scoring. Results:As for the pain symptom scores, there were statistically significant intra-group differences between before and after treatment in three groups (allP<0.05); coupled with statistically significant inter-group differences between group B and the other two groups (bothP<0.05). As for clinical efficacy, there were statistical differences between group B and the other two groups (bothP<0.05), indicating that 30 min of acupuncture is the optimal duration in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion:With the same needling manipulation, 30 min of acupuncture treatment achieves a better efficacy for primary dysmenorrhea.
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Objective To observe the analgesic effect of acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV4) and its effect on vasomotor substances in rats with dysmenorrhea due to coagulated cold syndrome. Method The coagulated-cold dysmenorrhea rat model was developed by Estrodiol benzoate and Oxytocin injectin plus physical freezing. The writhing response (writhing latency, writhing frequency, and writhing score) was observed, and the contents of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result Compared with the saline water group, the writhing latency was significantly shortened, the writhing frequency was significantly increased, and the writhing score was more significantly increased in the model group (P0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the content of plasma 6-keto-PGF1a showed an increasing tendency (P>0.05) and the content of plasma TXB2 showed a decreasing tendency (P>0.05) in the acupuncture group. Conclusion The vasomotor substances are obviously disordered in the blood of cold-coagulated dysmenorrhea rat models. Acupuncture at Guanyuan can improve the writhing response and release pain, and meanwhile positively regulate the vasomotor substances such as TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a. The vasomotor substances are plausibly one of the major substances in the action of acupuncture in preventing and treating dysmenorrhea.
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ObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture at Diji (SP8) versus acupuncture at Dijiand Guanyuan (CV4) in treating primary dysmenorrhea, for exploring the combination relation of the commonly-used acupoints in acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.MethodForty patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into a single acupoint group and a double acupoint group, 20 in each group. The single acupoint group was intervened by acupuncture at Diji, while the double acupoint group was by acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan. The change of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was observed and compared between the two groups.ResultThe changes of VAS score in the double acupoint group were more significant than that in the single acupoint group at each different time point.ConclusionAcupuncture at Diji alone and acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan both can effectively treat primary dysmenorrhea; however, acupuncture at Diji and Guanyuan tends to produce a more significant effect than acupuncture at Diji alone; Diji and Guanyuan may work synergistically in acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea.
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ObjectiveTo compare the real-time analgesic effects between two different groups of acupoints in treating primary dysmenorrhea, for providing objective evidences for optimizing the treatment protocol for primary dysmenorrhea.MethodSixty eligible patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into 3 groups: group A received acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP6), group B received acupuncture at Sanyinjiao and Guanyuan (CV4), and group C as a blank control group, 20 cases in each group. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was observed prior to the acupuncture treatment, after the insertion of the needles, and after removal of the needles in the three groups.ResultThe VAS scores changed significantly in group A and B after intervention (P0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Sanyinjiao alone and acupuncture at Sanyinjiao and Guanyuan both can produce analgesic effect at the attackof primary dysmenorrhea. However, for optimizing the treatment protocol, selecting Sanyinjiao alone will be enough.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion in treating primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent female undergraduates. Method Sixty patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4), while the control group was by moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The symptom score was observed before intervention and after 3 menstrual cycles, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Result The symptom score was changed significantly in both groups after intervention (P0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion is an effective approach in treating primary dysmenorrhea, and moxibustion at different points will produce different effects.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating peri-menopausal depression. Method Patients diagnosed with peri-menopausal depression were randomized into a Guanyuan (CV4) group (n=30) and a Neiguan (PC6) group (n=30). After 1-month treatment, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), modified Kupperman index, plasm ACTH and serum CORT levels were observed and compared. Result After intervention, the observed indexes were decreased to different extents, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively regulate the endocrine function of peri-menopausal depression patients, improve symptoms, and thus enhance the compensatory function and the quality of life, and the Guanyuan group shows a more significant effect.
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Objective: To compare moxibustion sensation and infrared thermography by the assessment of heat-sensitization on Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea, and to prove the possibility of adopting infrared thermography as an objective demonstration of acupoints heat-sensitization. Methods: Seventy-one patients with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled to receive moxibustion and infrared to detect the heat-sensitization of Guanyuan (CV 4). The results were then analyzed and compared. Results: The infrared radiation showed a lower temperature when the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) was sensitized in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Compared with moxibustion sensation, its sensitivity rate (real positive rate) was 76.6%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 70.1%, and the accuracy rate was 74.6%. After giving moxibustion to Guanyuan (CV 4), the infrared radiation area was significantly expanded longitudinally and transversely. Compared with moxibustion test, the sensitivity rate (real positive rate) of infrared test was 78.7%, divergence rate (real negative rate) was 83.3%, and the accuracy rate was 80.3%. Conclusion: To a certain extent, the heat-sensitization of the acupoint Guanyuan (CV 4) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea can be revealed by infrared thermography. The acupoint heat-sensitization phenomena (heat extension or transmission) after giving moxibustion to the heat-sensitized acupoints can also be demonstratedobjectively by infrared thermography, besides experienced subjectively by the receivers.
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Objective:To observe the effect of postoperative urinary retention treated with tuina therapy.Methods:Tuina therapy was applied on 37 cases of postoperative urinary retention;Qihai(CV 6),Guanyuan(CV 4),Zhongji(CV 3)and bilateral Sanyinjiao(SP 6)were selected.Results:Thirty-six cases were cured and 1 case was not surveyed after 1 to 3 treatments.Conclusion:Point tuina is an effective method in treating postoperative urinary retention.