ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the analgesic mechanism of Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) by observing the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B)/postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) pathway on the dendritic structure of spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Tuina group, a blocker agent group, and a blocker agent + Tuina group. The sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was prepared by the sciatic nerve ligation method. From the 4th day after modeling, rats in the Tuina group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were subject to daily Tuina intervention, and those in the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group were daily intrathecally injected with NR2B blocker agent (MK-801). The spontaneous pain score was used to observe the pain behavior of all rats. The expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the dendritic structure changes were observed by Golgi staining for rat spinal cord dorsal horn after 14 d of continuous intervention. Results: Compared with the blank group, the degree of rat spontaneous pain after CCI was elevated in both the model and the Tuina groups (P<0.01) and was reduced in the Tuina group after the Tuina intervention compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the rat spontaneous pain level after blocking NR2B was reduced in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group (P<0.05). The NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly higher in the model group compared with the blank group (P<0.01); the total number of dendritic branches was increased (P<0.01), and the total dendritic length became longer (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. The rat NR2B and PSD-95 protein levels were significantly decreased in the Tuina group compared with the model group (P<0.01); the total dendritic branch number was reduced (P<0.01) and the total length was shortened (P<0.01) in the spinal cord dorsal horn. After blocking NR2B, the expression levels of NR2B and downstream PSD-95 protein were significantly lower in both the blocker agent group and the blocker agent + Tuina group compared to the model group (P<0.01). The total branch number was significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the total length was significantly shortened (P<0.01) of the dendrites in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Conclusion: Tuina may exert an analgesic effect by remodeling the dendritic structure in the spinal cord dorsal horn in rats with lumbar disc herniation, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NR2B/PSD-95 signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Weizhong" (BL40) on histopathological changes and expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) component Collagen Ⅰ， matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2), MyoD and Pax7 proteins of lumbar muscle tissues in rats with lumbar multifidus muscle injury (LMMI), so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improving muscular injury. METHODS: A total of 24 male SD rats were equally randomized into blank control, model and EA groups. The LMMI model was established by injection of 0.5% Bupivacaine (100 µL/ point) into bilateral multifidus muscles of lumbar 4 and 5 (4 points). EA (2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 1－2 mA) was applied to BL40 for 20 min, once a day for 3 days. The morphological changes of the left lumbar multifidus muscle were observed under microscope after H．E. and Masson staining, and the expression of Collagen Ⅰ， MMP2, MyoD and Pax7 of the right lumbar multifidus muscle was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: H．E. staining showed large areas of degeneration and necrosis of muscle fibers, and vacuolar structure formed by degradation of muscle fibers in the model group, and newborn juvenile muscle fibers with different diameters in the EA group. Masson staining showed a large number of morphologically damaged muscle fibers and blue stained collagen fibers in the model group, and significantly reduced collagen fibers as well as new muscle fibers with uneven diameters in the EA group. The expression levels of Collagen Ⅰ， MMP2 and MyoD proteins were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05), and that of Pax7 was considerably down-regulated in the model group relative to the control group (P<0.01). After EA intervention, the expression levels of Collagen Ⅰ was significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), and those of MMP2, MyoD and Pax7 proteins were obviously or further obviously up-regulated in the EA group compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at BL40 can reduce the degree of skeletal muscle fibrosis to promote the regeneration of the injured multifidus at the early phase, which may be related to its effect in regulating the expression of Collagen Ⅰ and MMP2 proteins.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) on thigmesthesia, gait function, and expression levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in rabbits with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH). Methods: Forty healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an EA at acupoint group and an EA at non-acupoint group, with 10 rabbits in each group. The LIDH pathological model of rabbit was established using the self-made LIDH model maker. The thigmesthesia and gait function of rabbits were recorded by Siegal method. The serum IgG and IgM expression levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) could improve the clinical symptoms of thigmesthesia and gait function, and inhibit the expressions of serum IgG and IgM in the LIDH rabbits, which were significantly different compared with those in the model group and EA at non-acupoint group. Conclusion: EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) can improve the clinical symptoms of LIDH rabbits, which is associated with inhibition of the serum IgG and IgM expressions and reduction of the immunoinflammatory factor release. This may be one of the mechanisms of EA at Huantiao (GB 30) and Weizhong (BL 40) in the treatment of LIDH.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical improving effect on the symptoms of acupuncture at point Weizhong(BL40) plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Method Sixty patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomized to a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The treatment group received acupuncture at point Weizhong plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training and the control group, oral administration of celecoxib capsules. After treatment, the clinical improving effect on the symptoms was evaluated in the patients using the NRS, JOA Lumbar Scoring and ODI. Result The total efficacy rate was 100% in the treatment group and 53.3%in the control group. Post-treatment NRS, JOA and ODI scores were better in the treatment group than in the control group; there were statistically significant differences (P<0.001). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Weizhong plus following lumbar vertebra-stabilizing core muscle group training can effectively treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of immediate-effect moxibustion combined with massage for the treatment of knee stiffness after knee ligament reconstruction surgery.Methods A total of 138 patients after knee ligament reconstruction surgery were randomly divided into control group and observation group,69 cases in each group.The control group received joint rehabilitation therapy,which included TDP light radiation,joint exercise by continuous passive motion apparatus,contraction and relaxation of quadriceps femoris muscle and ankle pump.The treatment group was given immediate-effect moxibustion combined with massage based on the treatment for the control group.The treatment lasted from postoperative day 3 to 14.Before and after treatment,Lysholm knee joint scores,joint activity scores and activities of daily living(ADL) scores of the two groups were observed.Results After treatment,the Lysholm knee joint scores,joint activity scores and ADL scores of the two group were obviously increased (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the increase in the observation groups was superior to that in the control group,the differences of the alove indexes except for joint activity scores being statistically significant between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Immediate-effect moxibustion combined with massage is effective on preventing knee from postoperative ankylosis after knee ligament reconstruction surgery.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Qihuang needle therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis.Methods Sixty knee osteoarthritis patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,30 cases in each group.The treatment group was given Qihuang needle therapy and the control group was given conventional acupuncture therapy.After treatment for 10 days,we evaluated the curative effect of the two groups by the scores of the simplified McGill pain scale (MPQ) and the Lysholm knee scoring criteria.Results (1) After treatment for 10 days,the symptoms of pain,swelling,stiffness,and inhibited bending and stretching of knee joints of the two groups were relieved.Pain rating index (PRI),visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and present pain intensity (PPI)of MPQ in the two groups were obviously decreased,while Lysholm knee scores were markedly increased(P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the effect of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The total effective rate of the treatment group was 86.67％,and that of the control group was 66.67％,the difference between the two groups being significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Qihuang needle therapy is effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,with the advantages of shorter treatment course,better therapeutic effect and being more practical.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at “Weizhong” (BL40) on expressions of Fas and FasL in rat models with lumbar disc degeneration; To discuss its mechanism of action.MethodsThirty SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operationgroup, model group and EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The sham-operation group was treated with sham operation to incide local skin; the model and EA groups established rat model of lumbar disc degeneration by puncturing the annulus fibrosus. Four weeks after modeling, rats in the sham-operation and model groups received fixed treatment under identical condition, and rats in the EA group were treated with EA at “Weizhong” (BL40) in 20 minutes, once a day, for 4 weeks. After treatment, Western blot and RT-PCR technology were used to test the protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL.ResultsThe expressions of Fas and FasL in the model group were higher than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.05); protein and mRNA expression levels of Fas and FasL in the EA group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). ConclusionEA at “Weizhong” (BL40) can reduce the expressions of Fas and FasL to inhibit the development of lumbar disc degeneration.