Effects of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) combined with neurodynamic mobilization on gastrocnemius muscle atrophy and expression of NF-κB and MuRF1 in rabbits after sciatic nerve injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) combined with neurodynamic mobilization (NM) on the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers after sciatic nerve injury in rabbits, and the expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and muscle-specific ring-finger protein 1 (MuRF1).@*METHODS@#A total of 180 common-grade New Zealand rabbits (half male and half female) were randomly divided into five groups, i.e. a normal control group, a model control group, a NM group, an EA group and a combined intervention group, 36 rabbits in each group. Except in the normal control group, clipping method was used to prepare the model of sciatic nerve injury in the rest groups. On the 3rd day of successful modeling, NM was delivered in the NM group. In the EA group, EA was exerted at bilateral "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) of L4 to L6, stimulated with disperse-dense wave and the frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz. In the combined intervention group, after EA delivered at bilateral "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) of L4 to L6 , NM was operated. The intervention in each group was delivered once daily, for 6 days a week, and lasted 1, 2 or 4 weeks according to the collection time of sample tissue. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks of intervention, in each group, the toe tension reflex score and the modified Tarlov test score were observed; the morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle was observed by HE staining and the cross-sectional area of muscular fiber was measured; using Western blot method, the expression of NF-κB and MuRF1 of the gastrocnemius muscle was detected.@*RESULTS@#After 1, 2 and 4 weeks of intervention, the toe tension reflex scores and the modified Tarlov scores in the model control group were lower than those of the normal control group (P<0.05), and these two scores in the NM group, the EA group and the combined intervention group were all higher than those of the model control group (P<0.05); the scores in the combined intervention group were higher than those in the EA group and the NM group (P<0.05). The gastrocnemius fibers were well arranged and the myocyte morphology was normal in the normal control group. In the model control group, the gastrocnemius fibers were disarranged, the myocytes were irregular in morphology and the inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the local. In the NM group, the EA group and the combined intervention group, the muscle fibers were regularly arranged when compared with the model control group. After 1, 2 and 4 weeks of intervention, the cross-sectional areas of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the model control group were smaller than those of the normal control group (P<0.05). The cross-sectional areas in the NM group, the EA group and the combined intervention group were larger than those of the model control group (P<0.05), and the cross-sectional areas in the combined intervention group were larger than those in the NM group and the EA group (P<0.05). After intervention for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, the protein expressions of NF-κB and MuRF1 in the gastrocnemius muscle were higher in the model control group in comparison of those in the normal control group (P<0.05). In the NM group, the EA group and the combined intervention group, the expressions of NF-κB after intervention for 1, 2 and 4 weeks and the expressions of MuRF1 after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention were lower when compared with those in the model control group (P<0.05). In the combined intervention group, the protein expressions of NF-κB after intervention for 1, 2 and 4 weeks and the expressions of MuRF1 after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention were decreased when compared with those in the NM group and the EA group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) combined with NM may increase the muscle strength and sciatic function and alleviate gastrocnemius muscle atrophy in the rabbits with sciatic nerve injury. The underlying mechanism is related to the inhibition of NF-κB and MuRF1 expression.

Effect of panlong needling at Jiaji (EX-B 2) on motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease of liver and kidney deficiency: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the curative effect of panlong needling at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with western medication and western medication alone on motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) of liver and kidney deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 98 patients with PD were randomly divided into an acupuncture and medication group (49 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a western medication group (49 cases,1 case was removed). The patients in the western medication group were given oral of levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets, 125 mg each time, three times a day in the 1st week, and the dose was increased according to the needs of the patients' condition from the 2nd week until 250 mg each time, three times a day, for 16 consecutive weeks. On the basis of the same western medication treatment as the western medication group, panlong needling was applied at Jiaji (EX-B 2) from C2 to L5 in the acupuncture and medication group, once a day, 20 times as a course of treatment, for 4 consecutive courses. The scores of unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS-Ⅲ, UPDRS-Ⅳ), TCM symptoms score, and 39-item Parkinson's disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) score were evaluated before treatment, after treatment and during follow-up of 1 month after treatment, respectively. The safety of the two groups was compared.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and during follow-up, except the PDQ-39 score of the western medication group, the scores of UPDRS-Ⅲ, UPDRS-Ⅳ, TCM syndrome and PDQ-39 were lower than those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores of above indexes in the acupuncture and medication group were lower than those of the western medication group (P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions in the acupuncture and medication group was 10.4% (5/48), which was lower than 29.2% (14/48) in the western medication group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Panlong needling at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with western medication could significantly improve the motor dysfunction and clinical symptoms, improve the quality of life and has high safety, and the efficacy is superior to western medication alone.

Effect of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points on the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in rats with acute spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points on the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in rats with acute incomplete spinal cord injury, and to explore the mechanism of EA on improving motor function of spinal cord injury.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA group and a medication group, 18 rats in each group. Each group was further divided into 1-day subgroup, 7-day subgroup and 14-day subgroup, 6 rats in each subgroup. The T acute incomplete spinal cord injury model was established by modified Allen's method in the model group, EA group and medication group. The rats in each group received intraperitoneal injection of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, 50 mg/kg), once a day, and each subgroup received continuous injection for 1, 7, 14 times for cell proliferation labeling. The rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points 3-4 mm next the spinous process of the upper and lower segments of the injured spinal cord (T, T) with a frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and intensity of 1-2 mA. The muscle twitch at the treatment site was taken as the degree. The treatment was given 20 min each time, once a day. In the medication group, monosialogangliosides (GM1) was injected intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg), once a day. The subgroups of EA group and medication group were treated for 1, 7, 14 times. The score of Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) was used to evaluate the motor function of hind limbs. The co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 was detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham operation group, the BBB score was decreased 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation in the model group (<0.05), the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 was increased (<0.05), and the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells was increased 7 days and 14 days after operation (<0.05). Seven days and 14 days after operation, the BBB score in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05), and the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 in the medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05). Fourteen days after operation, the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 in the EA group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05); 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation, the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 in the EA group and medication group was higher than that in the model group (<0.05). Compared with the medication group, the co-expression of BrdU/NG2 positive cells in the EA group 14 days after operation was decreased (<0.05); 1 day, 7 days and 14 days after operation, the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 in the EA group was decreased (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points could promote the expression of Olig2 and Sox10 after spinal cord injury, which has similar effects with GM1. It could promote the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells into oligodendrocytes, so as to promote the recovery of motor function of rats.

Effects on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effects on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points as compared with the conventional acupuncture.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. In the observation group, the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points was adopted. The positive reaction points were selected in the neck, shoulder and back regions. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was provided. The main acupoints were Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C to C and points. The supplementary acupoints were Yinxi (HT 6) and Geshu (BL 17). The treatment was given once every two days, 10 treatments as one course in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, after the 1st treatment and at the end of one course of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and the scores of visual analogous scale (VAS) were observed in the two groups. The comprehensive clinical effects were compared between the two groups at the end of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After the 1st treatment and at the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all 0.05). At the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores in the observation group were reduced more obviously as compared with the control group (both <0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 84.1% (37/44) in the observation group, better than 65.1% (28/43) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Either the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points or the conventional acupuncture is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type. The combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points achieves the superior effects as compared with the conventional acupuncture.

Effect of Acupuncture on Neurofunction,Hemorheology and Inflammatory Factors in Radiculitis Rats / 广州中医药大学学报

【Objective】To observe the effect of acupuncture mainly on cleft points on chemical radiculitis rats and to explore the therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture on lumbar disc prolapse.【Methods】Twenty-four rats with chemical radiculitis were equally randomized into acupuncture group and model group,and another 12 normal rats were in the blank control group.Acupuncture group received acupuncture on acupoints of Jiaji(EX-B2)and Weizhong(BL40)and cleft points of Foot-Shaoyang Meridian and Foot-Taiyang Meridian for 28 days.After treatment,rat behavioral changes and morphological features of nerve cells were observed,the weight of inflammation filter paper was detected,and hemorheologic parameters,nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 6(IL-6) were assayed.【Results】Acupuncture improved the motor function of affected limb,recovered the senses of pain and tough,improved hemorheologic parameters,reduced the inflammatory reaction,relieved degeneration of nerve root,and decreased the contents of inflammatory factors(P

Therapeutic Effect of External Application of Herbal Medicine for Ankylosing Spondylitis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of external application of herbal medicine for ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods Two hundred and seventy-nine AS patients were randomized into group A(N=175)and group B(N=104).The two groups received oral use of sulfasalazine,and group A additionally received external application of herbal medical ointment(mainly composed of Pheretima,Squama Manis,Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae,Radix Rehmanniae Preparata,Rhizoma Cibotii,Cortex Eucommiae,Radix Dipsaci)on 3~4 pairs of bilateral acupoints of Jiaji,dressing change once every three days,for continuous 6 months.After treatment,the therapeutic effect was evaluated.The primary outcome measures of health general score(BAS-G),disease activity index(BASDAI),function index(BASFI),Likert four-grade scores of general pain and rachialgia,duration of morning stiffness,general assessment by physician were observed before and after treatment.The secondary outcome measures of occiput to wall distance,finger to floor distance,chest expansion,Schober's test,spinal movement,"4"shape test were compared.The changes of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),complements 3 and 4(C3 and C4)as well as the adverse actions were also observed.Results After treatment,46 patients were clinically relieved,65 markedly effective,52 effective,12 ineffective,and the total effective rate was 93.14% in group A;11 patients were clinically relieved,27 markedly effective,48 effective,18 ineffective,and the total effective rate was 82.61% in group B.The difference of the therapeutic effect was significant between the two groups(P

Clinical Observation on Subcutaneous Catgut Embedding Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis / 广州中医药大学学报

0.05) . However, The differences of the cure rate and scoring of symptoms and signs between the two groups were significant after treatment ( P