Effects of umbilical moxibustion on phobic behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters in stress-model rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of umbilical moxibustion therapy on phobic behavior and the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in different brain regions of the stress-model rats and explore the potential mechanism of umbilical moxibustion on phobic behavior.@*METHODS@#Among 50 Wistar male rats, 45 rates were selected and randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an umbilical moxibustion group, 15 rats in each one; and the rest 5 rats were used for preparing the model of electric shock. The bystander electroshock method was adopted to prepare phobic stress model in the model group and the umbilical moxibustion group. After modeling, the intervention with umbilical moxibustion started in the umbilical moxibustion group, in which, the ginger-isolated moxibustion was applied at "Shenque" (CV 8), once daily, 2 cones for 20 min each time, for consecutively 21 days. After modeling and intervention completed, the rats in each group were subjected to the open field test to evaluate the state of fear. After intervention, the Morris water maze test and fear conditioning test were performed to evaluate the changes in learning and memory ability and the state of fear. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were determined.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the horizontal and vertical activity scores were lower (P<0.01), the number of stool particles was increased (P<0.01), the escape latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the times of target quadrant were reduced (P<0.01), and the freezing time was prolonged (P<0.05) in the rats of the model group. The horizontal and vertical activity scores were increased (P<0.05), the number of stool particles was reduced (P<0.05), the escape latency was shortened (P<0.05, P<0.01), the times of target quadrant were increased (P<0.05), and the freezing time was shortened (P<0.05) in the rats of the umbilical moxibustion group when compared with the model group. The trend search strategy was adopted in the control group and the umbilical moxibustion group, while the random search strategy was used in rats of the model group. Compared with the control group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. In the umbilical moxibustion group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) when compared with the model group.@*CONCLUSION@#Umbilical moxibustion can effectively relieve the state of fear and learning and memory impairment of phobic stress model rats, which may be related to the up-regulation of contents of brain neurotransmitters, i.e. NE, DA, and 5-HT.

Effect of umbilical moxibustion on phlegm damp constitution and intestinal flora / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of umbilical moxibustion on phlegm damp constitution and intestinal flora, and explore the mechanism of umbilical moxibustion in improving phlegm damp constitution.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 subjects with phlegm damp constitution were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The control group was given TCM health guidance, such as diet and exercise; on the basis of the control group, umbilical moxibustion was applied in the observation group, 7 moxa cones each time, 2 times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, the indexes (transformation score of phlegm damp constitution, body mass, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, hip circumference, heart rate and blood pressure) related to phlegm damp constitution were recorded in the two groups. The intestinal flora was detected with 16S rDNA sequencing technology in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After intervention, the transformation score of phlegm damp constitution, body mass, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference were decreased compared before intervention in the observation group (@*CONCLUSION@#Umbilical moxibustion may reshape the intestinal flora by up-regulating the relative abundance of

Umbilical moxibustion for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis complicated with gastroesophageal reflux of lung-spleen deficiency / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of umbilical moxibustion in the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis complicated with gastroesophageal reflux of lung-spleen deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 116 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis complicated with gastroesophageal reflux of lung spleen-deficiency were randomized into an observation group (58 cases) and a control group (58 cases). In the control group, the routine treatment was applied; in the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the umbilical moxibustion was used. The treatment was given 2 times a week, 2 h each time for 12 weeks, and followed up for 12 weeks after treatment. The composite physiological indicators (CPI), TCM syndrome scores, the St. George respiratory questionnaire score (SGRQ) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The improvement of the TCM syndrome scores (cough, post-activity shortness of breath, fatigue, heartburn, acid reflux), CPI score and 6MWT in the observation group was better than those in the control group (all 0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores of CPI scores and syndromes (cough and fatigue) between the two groups at 12 weeks after treatment (all >0.05). The 6MWT, SGRQ scale scores and syndrome scores (post-activity shortness of breath, acid reflux, heartburn) were better than those in the control group in the follow up (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Umbilical moxibustion can improve the ventilation and diffusion function of lung in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and gastroesophageal reflux of lung-spleen deficiency, reduce clinical symptoms and improve patients' quality of life and activity endurance. And it has long-term effect.

Therapeutic Observation of Electroacupuncture plus Umbilical Moxibustion for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction after Gynecological Abdominal Operation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus umbilical moxibustion in treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological abdominal operation.Method Totally 112 eligible patients undergone gynecological operation were randomized into group A of 37 cases, group B of 38 cases, and group C of 37 cases. Group A was intervened by electroacupuncture, group B was by umbilical moxibustion, while group C was by electroacupuncture plus umbilical moxibustion. After a treatment course, the symptom scores, restored time of bowel sounds, anal exhaust time, motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) contents were observed and compared, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The symptom scores of the three groups were significantly changed after the intervention (P<0.05). After the treatment, the symptom score of group C was significantly different from that of group A and B (P<0.05). The restored time of bowel sounds and anal exhaust time in group C were significantly different from that of group A and B (P<0.05). The MTL, GAS, and VIP contents of the three groups were significantly changed after the intervention (P<0.05). The MTL, GAS, and VIP contents of group C were markedly different from that of group A and B (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 86.5% in group A, versus 81.6% in group B and 97.3% in group C. The total effective rate of group C was significantly different from that of group A and B (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus umbilical moxibustion is effective in treating gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological abdominal operation.

Effect of Umbilical Moxibustion on Constipation after Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To observe the clinical effect of umbilical moxibustion on constipation after stroke. Methods 60 patients were ran-domly divided into observation group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with rehabilitation training once a day, and the observation group received umbilical moxibustion treatment in addition, 1 hour every day, once in 2 days for 2 weeks. Total integral of clinical symptoms was collected and compared. Results The integrals decreased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001), and it was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical effect was better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Umbilical moxibustion can further improve the symptom of post-stroke constipation.