ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence and mechanism of acupuncture at the points in Heel Vessel for the circadian clock genes of Period (Per) 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in insomnia rats. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model, acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each group. Insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of PCPA (suspension, 1 mL/100 g). Acupuncture at "Shenmai" (BL 62) and "Zhaohai" (KI 6) was used in the acupuncture group for continuous 7 days, 15 min/day and once daily. The circadian rhythm was observed; the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in SCN were examined with real time-PCR. RESULTS: The activity in the model group in rest period everyday increased compared with that in the blank group, and the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in SCN decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the activity in the acupuncture group in rest period decreased and the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the SCN increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at BL 62 and KI 6 can increase the expressions of Per 1 and Per 2 mRNAs in the SCN, so as to decrease the activity in rest period, and improve the quality of sleep in insomnia rats.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the Foot Shaoyang Meridian and Yin Heel Vessel in treating post-stroke strephenopodia. Method Forty-two eligible subjects were divided into a treatment group of 21 cases and a control group of 21 cases by the random number table. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB34) and Zulinqi (GB41) from the Foot Shaoyang Meridian and Zhaohai (KI6) from the Yin Heel Vessel, while the control group was by acupuncture at conventional acupoints, once a day, 6 d as a treatment course, 5 courses in total. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were adopted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Result The treatment group was superior to the control group in improving strephenopodia, and recovering the lower-limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL), and the intra-group and inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared to the conventional acupuncture, acupuncture by selecting acupoints from the Foot Shaoyang Meridian and Yin Heel Vessel has significant advantages in treating post-stroke strephenopodia.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of warming-unblocking Yin Heel Vessel plus rehabilitation training in treating post-stroke strephenopodia, for seeking the optimal treatment protocol.MethodNinety eligible subjects withpost-stroke strephenopodia were randomized into an acupuncture group, a rehabilitation group, and a united group, to respectively receive warming-unblocking Yin Heel Vessel, rehabilitation treatment, and warming-unblocking Yin Heel Vessel plus rehabilitation training. ResultTwo treatment courses later, there was no significant difference in comparing the strephenopodia score between the acupuncture group and rehabilitation group (P>0.05); the strephenopodia score in the united group was significantly different from that in the acupuncture group and rehabilitation group (P<0.05), and the improvement in strephenopodia in the united group was superior to that in both acupuncture group and rehabilitation group.ConclusionWarming-unblocking Yin Heel Vessel plus rehabilitation can produce a content efficacy in treating post-stroke strephenopodia.