Effects of moxibustion on serum levels of β-EP, SP and expression of IL-1β and COX-2 protein in brainstem in rats with migraine / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) at different time points on the serum level of β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP) and expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in brainstem in rats with migraine, and to explore the effect and mechanism of moxibustion in preventing and treating migraine.@*METHODS@#Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prevention+treatment (PT) group and a treatment group, 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were injected with nitroglycerin subcutaneously to prepare migraine model. The rats in the PT group were treated with moxibustion 7 days before modeling (once a day) and 30 min after modeling, while the rats in the treatment group were treated with moxibustion 30 min after modeling. The "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) were taken for 30 minutes each time. The behavioral scores in each group were observed before and after modeling. After intervention, ELISA method was used to detect the serum level of β-EP and SP; the immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem; the Western blot method was used to detect the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the behavioral scores in the model group were increased 0-30 min, 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01); compared with the model group, in the treatment group and the PT group, the behavioral scores were decreased 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the serum level of β-EP was decreased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem and the expression of COX-2 protein were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the PT group and and the treatment group, the serum level of β-EP was increased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β and the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the treatment group, in the PT group, the serum level of β-EP was increased and COX-2 protein expression was decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could effectively relieve migraine. The mechanism may be related to reduce the serum level of SP, IL-1β and COX-2 protein expression in brainstem, and increase the serum level of β-EP, and the optimal effect is observed in the PT group.

Effect of electroacupuncture at governor vessel on learning-memory ability and serum level of APP, Aβ in patients with Alzheimer's disease / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with donepezil hydrochloride and donepezil hydrochloride alone on improving learning-memory ability in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to explore its action mechanism.@*METHODS@#Sixty patients of AD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with EA at governor vessel (GV) combined with donepezil hydrochloride. EA was applied at Baihui (GV 20) and Fengfu (GV 16) with dilatational wave (10 Hz/50 Hz of frequency, 0.5 to 5.0 mA of intensity), and the needles were kept for 40 min, EA was given once a day; the donepezil hydrochloride tablet was taken orally, 5 mg, once a day, and after 4 weeks the dosage might be increased to 10 mg per day according to the specific situation. All the treatment was given for 8 weeks. The patients in the control group were only treated with donepezil hydrochloride with the identical procedure as the observation group. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Alzheimer's disease assessment scale cognitive part (ADAS-Cog) were evaluated before and after treatment; P300 (latency and amplitude of N2 and P3) was detected by EEG/ERP system brain event related potential instrument, and amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-amyloid protein 1-42 (Aβ) were detected by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the MoCA scores were increased after treatment in the two groups (<0.05), and the MoCA score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the ADAS-Cog scores were decreased after treatment in the two groups (<0.05), and the ADAS-Cog score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the latency of N2 and P3 was shortened and the amplitude was increased after treatment in the two groups (<0.05); after treatment, the latency of N2 and P3 in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group and the amplitude was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the serum levels of APP and Aβ were lower after treatment in the two groups (<0.05), and the serum levels of APP and Aβ in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA at Baihui (GV 20) and Fengfu (GV 6) combined with donepezil hydrochloride can effectively reduce the serum levels of APP and Aβ and improve the scores of MoCA and ADAS-Cog and the levels of N2 and P3 of P300 in AD patients, which has superior effect to donepezil hydrochloride alone in improving the learning-memory of AD patients.

Clinical observation of long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) on post-stroke cognitive disorder of deficiency and blood stasis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) on post-stroke cognitive disorder of deficiency and blood stasis.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients (3 cases dropping) with post-stroke cognitive disorder of deficiency and blood stasis were randomized into an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (33 cases). Neurological routine treatment and western medicine rehabilitation therapy were given in the control group as the basic treatment, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) was applied in the observation group. The treatment was given once every other day, 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. The National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and deficiency blood stasis syndrome scale score were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After 4 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS scores of the two groups were lower than those before treatment (both 0.05). The total effective rate was 94.1% (32/34) in the observation group, which was higher than 75.8% (25/33) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Long-time needle retaining at Baihui (GV 20) is safe and effective in treating with post-stroke cognitive disorder of deficiency and blood stasis.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive function in vascular cognitive impairment rats / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the cognitive function and the oxidation protective mechanism of cortex in vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) rats, providing experimental evidence for the clinical treatment of VCI. Methods The VCI model was established by fluorescent microemboli injection through internal carotid artery. Randomly divided into the control group (n=12), the model group (n=12), the positive drug group (n=12), the acupuncture treatment group (n=12). Two weeks after modeling, the rats in the acupuncture treatment group were stimulated for 30 minutes with daily electroacupuncture at Baihui and Zusanli acupoints. The positive drug group was treated with donepezil hydrochloride 0.5206 mg/kg orally daily for 30 days. After the treatment, the water maze test was used to test the cognitive learning ability of rats. The content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the cortex of rats were detected by biochemical methods. Results Compared with the model group, the number of passing through the platform (7.5 ± 1.9, 6.8 ± 2.2 vs. 3.7 ± 1.0) of acupuncture treatment group and positive drug group were significantly higher (P<0.05), and the total distance in target quadrant (495.4 ± 89.4 cm, 487.6 ± 96.2 cm vs. 341.4 ± 67.3 cm) were significantly longer (P<0.05). In acupuncture treatment group and the positive drug group, the activity of SOD in the cortex (17.3 ± 3.3 U/mg, 15.1 ± 2.5 U/mg vs. 9.7 ± 4.9 U/mg) was significantly higher (P<0.05), but the MDA (9.1 ± 2.2 μmol/L, 8.4 ± 3.7 μmol/L vs. 15.2 ± 4.4μmol/L), and H2O2 (85.2 ± 16.2 μmol/L, 82.1 ± 13.2 μmol/L vs. 114.7 ± 24.8 μmol/L) were significantly lower (P<0.05). In acupuncture group, the activity of GSH-Px (14.5 ± 3.7 U/mg vs. 9.0 ± 2.5 U/mg) was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between acupuncture group and positive drug (P>0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture at Baihui and Zusanli acupoints can improve the behavior scores of rats with VCI, increase the contents of total SOD and GSH-Px,decrease the content of MDA and H2O2 in brain,and enhance antioxidant effects, while inhibiting peroxidation, improve free radical metabolism.

Effect of moxibustion on prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cisplatin in lung cancer / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effects between moxibustion combined with 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonist and simple 5-HT receptor antagonist in the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-eight patients with lung cancer who were treated with cisplatin chemotherapy were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 29 cases in each one. The patients in the two groups were applied by 5-HT receptor antagonist to prevent nausea and vomiting on the 1st through 3rd days of chemotherapy. Moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) and Zhongwan (CV 12) was used in the observation group 1-3 days before chemotherapy for 1 course, 3 days as 1 course, 5 cones each acupoint and once a day. Rhodes's index of nausea and vomiting and retching (INVR) was recorded in 0-24 h, 24-48 h, 48-72 h and 72-96 h of chemotherapy. The rates of nausea and vomiting, as well as fatigue degree were observed in the above 4 time periods. The safety was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of nausea and vomiting in 0-24 h, 24-48 h, 48-72 h and 72-96 h of chemotherapy in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all <0.01). The nausea rates in the above 4 time periods in the observation group were 37.9% (11/29), 62.1% (18/29), 60.7% (17/28) and 17.4% (4/23), which were lower than 93.1% (27/29), 89.7% (26/29), 89.3% (25/28), 52.0% (13/25) in the control group respectively (all <0.05). The vomiting rates in the above 4 time periods in the observation group were 10.3% (3/29), 31.0% (9/29), 32.1% (9/28) and 13.0% (3/23), which were better than 37.9% (11/29), 79.3% (23/29), 82.1% (23/28) and 44.0% (11/25) in the control group (all <0.05). The fatigue scores in the observation group in 0-24 h, 24-48 h, 48-72 h and 72-96 h of chemotherapy were lower than those in the control group (all <0.01). There was no adverse reactions in the two groups during chemotherapy, such as skin toxicity, diarrhea, fever, allergy, etc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion combined with 5-HT receptor antagonist can obviously reduce the rates and degrees of nausea and vomiting caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer, which are better than simple 5-HT receptor antagonist, without apparent adverse reactions.</p>

Acupuncture at Baihui(GV 20) and Shenting(GV 24) combined with basic treatment and regular rehabilitation for post-stroke cognitive impairment:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture at Baihui(GV 20) and Shenting(GV 24) combined with rehabilitation for post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty patients with PSCI were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group,25 cases in each one. In the control group,basic treatment and regular rehabilitation were applied. In the observation group,acupuncture at Baihui(GV 20) and Shenting(GV 24) and the same therapies as the control group were used for continuous four weeks,once a day and five times a week. Mini-mental state examination(MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment,the scores of MMSE and MoCA were improved apparently(both<0.05),with better results in the observation group(both<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture at Baihui(GV 20) and Shenting(GV 24) combined with basic treatment and regular rehabilitation can obviously improve the cognitive function of PSCI,and the effect is superior to that of basic treatment and regular rehabilitation.</p>

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Depressive Disorder Recovery and Serum Cytokines / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Zusanli(ST36) of patients with depression.Methods90 patients were randomly divided into group A electroacupunctured at Baihui(GV20) and Zusanli(ST36), group B electroacupunctured at Taichong(LR3), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Neiguan(PC6), and Shenmen(H7) and group C treated with Fluoxetine (20 mg/d, 6 weeks). The therapeutic effect was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) before and after treatment. Serum cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ) were measured by ELISA assay at admission and after treatment (6 weeks).ResultsCompared to pre-treatment, the mean levels of HAMD ( P<0.01)and IL-4 (P <0.01) decreased significantly in all groups after treatment. Rank distribution of HAMD scores had obvious difference between all groups. The mean levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ had no significant difference in group C after treatment (P>0.05). And the mean levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ increased significantly in groups A and B after treatment(P<0.01, P<0.05).ConclusionElectroacupuncture takes effect earlier than fluoxetine for depression. Electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20) and Zusanli(ST36) was more effective than the other two methods. The three types of treatments can restore three types of cytokines and improve depressive syndrome.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Learning and Memory and Heme Oxygenase in Rats with Vascular Dementia / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the disorder of learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia (VD) and to explore its molecular mechanism. [Methods] Among 60 male SD rats, 10 rats were in sham-operation group and the other 50 rats were used to establish models of global ischemia and reperfusion by four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. Then the survival model rats were randomized into EA group (n = 14) , model group (n = 13) and nimotop group (n = 13). EA group was treated with EA at points of Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) , nimotop group with nimotop 12 mg/kg, and sham-operation group and model group did not receive any treatment. After a 20-day treatment, the changes of learning and memory behavior in rats were detected by Morris water maze, as well as the protein expression and mRNA expression of heme oxygenase (HO) . [Results] The escape latent period, HO-1 protein expression and HO-1 mRNA-expression were increased obviously in model rats ( P 0.05). [Conclusion] EA can improve the learning and memory behavior in rats with VD and this may be related to the decrease of HO-1 protein expression and HO-1 mRNA-expression in cortex and hippocampal neurons.

Research of Intervention with Electroacupuncture Through Regulating MAPK/ERK Pathway for Cerebral Ischemia Rats / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the intervention with electroacupuncture(EA) through regulating protein kinase(MAPK/ERK) pathway for cerebral ischemia rats.Methods SD rats were randomized into pseudo-operation group,model group and EA group.And the three groups were divided into 2-hour,one-day and 3-day subgroups according to the observation time.Focal cerebral ischemia(FCI) rat models were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with heat-coagulation method.EA group received EA on Baihui(GV20) and Dazhui(GV14),qd,for 2 hours,one day and 3 days respectively.The learning and memory abilities of the rats in Y maze test and their neuroethological score were observed.Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK) after ischemia in CA1 area and CA3 area.Results In the model group,the neuroethological score was markedly increased,time for arriving the safe area in Y maze was prolonged(P

Changes of Protein Calbindin-D28k Expression in Hippocampus of Cerebral Ischemic Rats and the Influence of Acupuncture / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on protein Calbindin-D28k expression in hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia,and to investigate its influence on rats neurological behavior.Methods Male SD rats were randomized into blank control group,model group and acupuncture group,10 rats in each group.The rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by chemical-stimulation-induced occlusion of the unilateral middle cerebral artery.Acupuncture group received acupuncture of acupoints of Baihui and Shuigou,one time per day for 7 days.The changes of protein Calbindin-D28k expression in hippocampus of rats were observed before and after treatment,and the score of rats neurological behavior was observed after the modeling for 1~2 hour(s)and after treatment.Results Calbindin-D28k expression was decreased in the hippocampus of model group(P

Effect of Acupuncture at Different Doses on Synaptic Plasticity of Rats After Cerebral Ischemia / 广州中医药大学学报

0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture has an effect on I/O curve amplitude of EPSP and PS,and on LTP induction of PS of dentate gyrus(DG) in rats after cerebral ischemia.However,the difference of effect of acupuncture at different doses on LTP induction is insignificant.

Effect of Catgut-embedding Therapy for Depressive Neurosis: An Observation of 47 Cases / 广州中医药大学学报

0.05).HAMD total score and the score of seven HAMD factors were lowered in the two groups after treatment(P0.05),but CET group had a higher efficacy index(P

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Nerve Growth Factor Expression in Ischemic Cortex of Rats with Focal Cerebral Ischemia / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the protective effect of acupuncture on ischemic cerebral damage. [Methods] SD rats were randomized into 2-week sham-operation (2W-SO) group (n=6) , 5-week sham-operation (5W-SO) group (n =6) , 2-week cerebral-ischemia (2W-CI) group (n-6) , 5-week cerebral-ischemia (5W-CI) group ( n = 6), 2W-CI + electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=6) and 5W-CI + EA group (n=6) . Except the sham-operation groups, cerebral ischemia was induced by heat-occlusion of middle cerebral artery in other groups. Changes of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression were monitored in ischemic cortex of rats with 2-week and 5-week ischemia by immunohistochemical method, and the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) was observed. [Results] Few NGF-positive cells were found in the ischemic cortex of sham-operation groups and the expression of NGF were obvious in cerebral ischemia groups as compared with the sham-operation groups ( P

Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Synaptic Number Density and Surface Density in the Cerebral Ischemic Areas of Rats with Focal Cerebral Ischemia at Different Time / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)in improving the reconstruction of synapse after cerebral ischemia.Methods Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:sham-operated group,ischemia group and EA group.The number density(Nv)of synapses and the surface density(Sv)of synaptic joint band were observed 1 hour,1 day,3 days,1 week and 3 weeks after ischemia and EA, respectively.Heat-coagulation-induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed to establish the model of focal cerebral ischemia.EA group received EA on the acupoints of Baihui and Dazhui.The changes of synaptie structure,Nv and Sv as well as the influence of EA on the above indexes were observed in different time.Results There existed significant decrease of Nv and Sv 1 hour,1 day and 3 days after establishment of models in the isehemia group(P0.05).Conclusion EA can reduce the cerebral ischemic injury by increasing the synaptic amount and area in the cortex of rat model of cerebral isehemia at early stage,promoting the cerebral recovery after ischemia,which will provide substantial morphological basis for the improvement of synaptic reconstruction and recovery from cerebral isehemia by EA at different time after ischemic cerebral injury.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Long-term Potentiation,Calmodulin and Calmodulin Protein Kinase Ⅱ mRNA Expression in Vascular Dementia Rats / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on long-term potentiation(LTP),calmodulin(CaM) and calmodulin protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMPKⅡ) mRNA expression in vascular dementia rats.Methods Seventy SD rats,half in male and aged 2 months,were randomized into 5 groups: normal group(N =14),pseudo-operation group(N = 14),EA group(N = 12),western medicine group(N = 12),and model group(N =12).EA group were given acup uncture on Baihui(GV20),Dazhui(GV14) and Shenshu(BL23),and western medicine group were given nimoldipine 12 mg.kg-1.d-1.The normal group,model group and pseudo-operation group were fed routinely without any medication.Escape latency and frequency of rats crossing the quadrant of the platform in Morris water maze,in-vivo hippocampal LTP,and neuronal CaM and CaMPKⅡ mRNA expression were observed.Results Compared with the model group,escape latency was shortened,frequency of rats crossing the original and left quadrants of the platform rised,LTP amplitude and duration increased,and neuronal CaM and CaMPKⅡ mRNA expression enhanced in EA group and western medicine group(P

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Learning and Cerebral Heme Oxygenase Activity in Rats with Vascular Dementia / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning and cerebral heme oxygenase (HO) activity in rats with vascular dementia (VD). [Methods] Sixty rats were randomly allocated to mimic group (Group A), EA group (Group B), nimotone group (Group C) and model group (Group D) . Rat models of VD were established by 4 - vessel occulusion (4 - VO) method. Ten days after modeling, Group B was trested with EA on Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14), one time per day; Group C with nimotone, 20ml/kg body weight, ig, qd. The treatment course lasted 15 days. And then the learning was estimated with Morris water maze and HO activity in cortex and hippocampus (HC) of rats was also measured. [Results] Mean escape latency within 6 days in EA group was shorter than that in model group ( P 0.05). In EA group, the swimming times in the original platform quadrant were more than that in the right, left or opposite quadrant and also more than that in the original platform quadrant in the model group (P

Effects of pretreatment with repeated electroacupuncture on heat shock protein 70 expression after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion Injury In rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate if pretreatment with repeated electroacupuncture (EA) at Baihui acupoint could increase HSP 70 expression after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods Twenty male SD rats weighing 280-320 g were randomly divided into 2 equal groups of ten : control group received no pretreatment and EA group received pretreatment with EA at Baihui acupoint 30 min a day for 5 days. The animals in both groups were anesthetized with isoflurane. Right common carotid artery (CCA) , external and internal carotid artery (EGA, 1C A) were exposed through a longitudinal incision in the neck. EGA was ligated and a 3-0 nylon monofilament (Ethicon) with rounded tip was inserted into ICA and threaded cephalad until resistance was felt. In this way middle-cerebral artery was occluded for 120 min in both groups. The nylon filament was then withdrawn to allow reperfusion. The animals were allowed to recover. At the end of 24 h reperfusion, the animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital 40 mg?kg-1 and killed. Brain was immediately removed. Two pieces of brain tissue were obtained from right parietal lobe for microscopic examination (HE staining) and determination of expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 using immuno-histochemistry technique.Results In EA group the levels of HSP 70 expression were significantly increased (1.94?0.57) compared with those in control group (0.86?0.35) ( P