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Objective:To investigate the effects and the possible mechanisms of Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD),thus to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of the Eight Confluent Points.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,and a Western medicine group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Rats in the blank group did not receive modeling or intervention.Rats in the other three groups were subjected to the FD with mood disorder model using the compound etiology modeling method.After the successful modeling,rats in the model group did not receive any interventions,rats in the Western medicine group received deanxit and mosaprid intervention,and those in the EA group received EA intervention on the ipsilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)for 21 d.The sugar-water consumption rate was measured before the experiment and before and after interventions to assess the emotional status.The gastric emptying rate was measured after interventions to assess the gastrointestinal dynamics.The expression levels of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),and adrenal corticosterone(CORT)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared with the blank group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were decreased(P<0.01),and the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT expression levels were increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression levels of hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT were significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the EA group and the Western medicine group.The differences between the EA group and the Western medicine group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:The Eight Confluent Points Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)can improve the mood and gastrointestinal dynamics in FD rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT,as well as by correcting the HPA axis hyperfunction.
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Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) on arrhythmia during acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in rats. Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. Ten rats were randomly selected as the blank group, and the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 15 rats in each group. Before modeling, rats in the EA group received one session of EA intervention at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min; the other groups were treated with the same grasping and anesthesia for 30 min without intervention. PowerLab physiological recorder was used to record electrocardiograph within 30 min of infarction. After the experiment, cardiac tissue and serum were collected from rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myocardial tissue in the ventricular infarction area of rats in each group. The expression of Cx43 protein in the myocardium of each group was detected by Western blotting (WB). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue and the serum content of endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF) in rats. Results: There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia score between the EA group and the model group, but the total duration and average duration of arrhythmia in the EA group were decreased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that compared with the blank group, myocardial cells in the model group were disorganized and seriously damaged. The pathological changes in the EA group were similar to those in the model group, but the damage was relatively minor. The results of WB showed that compared with the blank group, the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue of the model group was decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Cx43 expression in the EA group was increased (P<0.01); compared with the blank group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in myocardial tissue of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the EA group was increased (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum EDLF content in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the EDLF content in the EA group was decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA at Neiguan (PC6) can delay and reduce the onset of arrhythmia during myocardial infarction in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue, improvement of the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue, and increase in the content of serum EDLF.
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Objective:To compare and explore the effects of needling acupoints at different nerve segmentson the oxytocin (OT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and the intragastric pressure, and discuss the possible mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-two healthy adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were numbered and divided into 4 groups according to the random number table, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, a Neiguan (PC 6) group, a Weishu (BL 21) group and a control group, with 8 rats in each group. Except the control group, rats in the other three groups received acupuncture at the corresponding acupoints. To observe the differences in double-labeled OT neurons and c-fos neurons of the hypothalamic PVN and the intragastric pressure after acupuncture among the three groups of needling acupoints at different nerve segments. Results:Compared with the control group, the numbers of double-labeled cells in the PVN of the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Neiguan (PC 6) group decreased significantly, while the intragastric pressure increased significantly (allP<0.05), and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The intragastric pressure in the Weishu (BL 21) group decreased significantly, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the Weishu (BL 21) group, the numbers of OT/c-fos double-labeled cells in PVN of the Zusanli (ST 36) group and the Neiguan (PC 6) group decreased significantly, and the intragastric pressure increased significantly, the inter-group differences were statistically significant (allP<0.01). Conclusion:Acupoints at different nerve segments have different regulation effects on intragastric pressure. The difference may be related to the different nerve conduction pathways by acupoints at different nerve segments in regulating the intragastric pressure. The PVN may be one common integration center for the regulation of gastric function in the three acupoints [Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6) and Weishu (BL 21)] at different nerve segments.
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Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen concentration in the brain of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS),thus to reveal the mechanisms of acupuncture in intervening the brain function of PTSD rats.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except the blank group,rats in the other groups all received incarceration plus electric shock for 7 d to prepare the PTSD animal model.One hour before the stress model was established,rats in each group received the designated intervention:rats in the blank group and the model group did not receive any intervention;rats in the grasping group received grasping and fixation;rats in the paroxetine group received paroxetine hydrochloride solution by intragastric administration;and rats in the acupuncture group received acupuncture.Six-day treatment was a course,with 2 courses of treatment conducted for a total of 12 d.After the modeling,rats in each treatment group received intervention for 5 d,and the fNIRS system was used to collect and record the changes in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2),deoxygenated hemoglobin (d-Hb) and total hemoglobin (t-Hb) of the involved rat's brain regions,and also to assess the brain function.Results:Compared with the blank group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly increased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly decreased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly increased in the model group and the grasping group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb in the grasping group did not change significantly (all P＞0.05).Compared with the grasping group,the concentration of HbO2 was significantly decreased,the concentration of d-Hb was significantly increased,and the concentration of t-Hb was significantly decreased in the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the concentrations of HbO2,d-Hb and t-Hb between the paroxetine group and the acupuncture group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture can regulate the blood oxygen concentration in the brain of PTSD model rats,which may be an important mechanism of acupuncture in intervening the brain function in PTSD rats.
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Objective:To compare the antihypertensive effects of tuina at Taichong (LR 3),Neiguan (PC 6) and Qiaogong (Extra) to screen the best tuina protocol for primary hypertension due to liver-fire flaming-up.Methods:A total of 102 patients with primary hypertension due to liver-fire flaming-up were randomly divided into a Taichong (LR 3) group,a Neiguan (PC 6) group and a Qiaogong (Extra) group according to the random number table,with 34 cases in each group.Patients in the three groups received 4-week tuina treatment with the corresponding acupoint respectively.The blood pressure was recorded by benchtop mercury sphygmomanometer before tuina,immediately after tuina treatment,30 min and 60 min after tuina treatment with the patient in a supine position in a quiet treatment room.The total effective rate was observed.Results:The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the three groups all decreased after treatment (all P＜0.05).The decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure at different time points after treatment in the Qiaogong (Extra) group and the Taichong (LR 3) group were better than those in the Neiguan (PC 6) group (all P＜0.05).Qiaogong (Extra) group had the highest total effective rate though there was no statistical difference in the total effective rate among the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion:Treating primary hypertension due to liver-fire flaming-up with tuina at Taichong (LR 3),Neiguan (PC 6) and Qiaogong (Extra) can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively,among which Qiaogong (Extra) has the highest total effective rate.
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Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on the characteristics of neuro-electrophysiological activity in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas of rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a grasping group,a Western medicine group and an acupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,rats in the other 4 groups all received the combined stress modeling method.Rats in the Western medicine group were intragastrically administrated with paroxetine hydrochloride,those in the acupuncture group received acupuncture intervention,those in the grasping group received grasping fixation,and those in the model group and the blank group did not receive any interventions.After 14 d of intervention,the interspike interval (ISI) and power spectral densities (PSD) were analyzed and mapped by in vivo multiple channels to record the neuron clusters discharge in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas.Results:Compared with the blank group,ISI was prolonged in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the model group and the grasping group,and the concentrated PSD distribution area moved down (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the grasping group,the ISI of the CA1 and CA3 areas in the Western medicine group and the acupuncture group was shortened,and the concentrated PSD distribution area moved up (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The ISI and PSD distributions in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the acupuncture group were not statistically different from those in the Western medicine group (both P＞0.05).Conclusion:Both acupuncture and paroxetine hydrochloride can significantly regulate the neuro-electrophysiology activity of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas in PTSD rats,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture intervention to promote PTSD recovery.
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Acupuncture anesthesia is a technique by partially or completely replacing anesthetics with acupuncture in surgery based on the traditional acupuncture analgesia mechanism.It emerged in the 1950s,went viral in the 1970s and then gradually fell into decline.In the recent years,this technique has regained attention and further research.Acupuncture anesthesia can be classified as either pure acupuncture anesthesia or acupuncture-medication combined anesthesia.To expand the application of this technique,a patient with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome in urgent need of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) received pure acupuncture anesthesia because of an allergy to lidocaine,and the operation went successfully.This is the first time that pure acupuncture anesthesia and coronary arteriography were combined,which is of great significance in further study and development of acupuncture anesthesia.
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Objective:To observe the effect of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method on the resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in rats with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),and to provide evidence for the effect mechanism study and clinical application of acupuncture intervention for PTSD.Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a model group,a grasping group,a paroxetine group and an acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for rats in the blank control group,rats in the other groups were subjected to preparing the PTSD models using 'incarceration plus electric shock' method.After interventions,changes in rat behavior of each group were observed;changes in resting-state EEG were collected and analyzed with multichannel EEG acquisition and analysis system,and image analysis and statistical processing were performed.Results:Compared with the blank control group,the average escape latency in the model group was significantly longer (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly reduced (P＜0.01).Compared with the grasping group,the average escape latencies in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly shortened (P＜0.05),and the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas were all significantly increased (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in the average escape latency,the times of crossing the platform and the effective areas between the acupuncture group and paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the α-wave power spectrum value in the model group was significantly decreased,and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were significantly increased (all P＜0.01);compared with the grasping group,α-wave power spectrum values in the paroxetine group and acupuncture group were significantly increased (both P＜0.01),and the power spectrum values of β-wave,δ-wave and a-wave were decreased significantly (all P＜0.01).The power spectrum values of α-wave,β-wave,δ-wave and (e)-wave of rats in the acupuncture group were not significantly different from those in the paroxetine group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method can significantly improve the abnormal EEG activity in PTSD rats,which may be one mechanism of liver-soothing and mind-regulating acupuncture method in effectively affecting the brain function in PTSD rats.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) by observing the changes of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein(C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12 gene expressions in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and explore whether the apoptosis pathway of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is involved in the protective mechanisms of EA. Methods:Sixty rats were randomly assigned to five groups (12 in each group): a normal control group (group A), a sham-operation group (group B), an operation group (group C), an Edaravone group (group D) and an EA group (group E). The cerebral IRI rat model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using intraluminal monofilament. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was adopted in the measurement of cerebral infarction volume. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expressions of CHOP and caspase-12. Results: Compared with group A and group B, the volume of cerebral infarction and mRNA expressions of CHOP and caspase-12 in group C, group D and group E were increased, with statistical significances (P0.05). Conclusion:EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) can effectively suppress the volume of cerebral infarction. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Baihui (GV 20) is possibly related to the down-regulation of CHOP and caspase-12 mRNA expressions, so as to decrease cell apoptosis.
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Objective To discuss whether acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) inhibits myocardial hypertrophy via monoamine neurotransmitters.Method Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, a sham electroacupuncture (EA) group, and an EA group, 15 cases in each group. The rat models of myocardial hypertrophy were developed by subcutaneous injection of Isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) for 14 d. The EA group was intervened by EA at Neiguan (PC 6), and the sham EA group was by EA at a sham acupoint [5 mm away lateral to Neiguan (PC 6). The Electrocardiogram (ECG) of each group was recorded, electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the rats’ myocardial tissues, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was adopted to detect the contents of catecholamines in myocardial tissues.Result The heart rate, R-R interval, ST-elevation, and the contents of catecholamines in rats’ myocardial tissues (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) in the model group and sham EA group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). The heart rate, R-R interval, ST-elevation, and the contents of catecholamines in rats’ myocardial tissues (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) of the EA group were significantly different from that of the model group (P<0.05).Conclusion EA at Neiguan (PC 6) can improve myocardial hypertrophy, which is related to the regulation of the topical neurotransmitters; it has provided laboratory evidences for the relationship between Neiguan (PC 6) and heart, i.e. the relationship between acupoints and internal organs.
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Objective To observe the changes of cardiovascular function after acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) respectively with slowly twirling needling and tube needling in healthy subjects, and to objectively evaluate the pain intensity of the two needling methods.Method A hundred healthy young subjects were randomized into group A and group B, 50 cases in each group. Neiguan (PC 6) point was selected for acupuncture in both groups. In the first stage, group A received acupuncture by slowly twirling needling, while group B received acupuncture with tube needling; in the second stage (a week later), group A received acupuncture with tube needling, while group B by slowly twirling needling. The Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was observed after acupuncture for each subject, and ZXG-E automatic cardiovascular function detector was adopted to evaluate the cardiovascular function before puncturing, 5 min after puncturing, and 30 min after puncturing.Result The Sensory Pain Rating Index (S-PRI) and total SF-MPQ scores of slowly twirling needling were significantly different from that of tube needling (P<0.01). The Affective Pain Rating Index (A-PRI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) of slowly twirling needling method were significantly different from that of tube needling (P<0.01). At 5 min after needle insertion, the FEK and VER values of twirling needling were significantly different from that of tube needling (P<0.01).Conclusion The pain produced by slowly twirling needling is more variant and stronger than that by tube needling, and this pain variation can produce a positive effect on cardiovascular function.
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Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on gastric motility, plasma motilin and serum gastrin in patients with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) and evaluate its clinical efficacy. Methods:A total of 100 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an acupuncture group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). Patients in the acupuncture group were treated by needling Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6), whereas patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of Domperidone. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared; and changes in gastric motility, plasma motilin and serum gastrin in both groups were observed before and after treatment. Results:After treatment, the symptom scores, gastric motility and contents of plasma motilin and serum gastrin were significantly improved in both groups (P Conclusion:Acupuncture is effective for DGP and can reduce the levels of plasma motilin and serum gastrin.
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Objective To explore the association between precordial skin temperature and coronary heart disease and effect of moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) on precordial skin temperature in patients with coronary heart disease. Method Thirty healthy volunteers (control group) and thirty patients with coronary heart disease (treatment group) received infrared thermal imaging examination on region A (precordial region) and region B on chest. Afterwards, all subjects were given moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) and then received infrared thermal imaging examination again. The temperatures of before and after moxibustion were compared. Result In the treatment group, there was a significant difference in comparing the average temperature in region A and B before moxibustion (P<0.05), and the difference was statistically significant after moxibustion (P<0.05). After moxibustion, there was a significant difference in comparing the average temperature in region A between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion To some extent, the precordial skin temperature reflects the blood supply condition of coronary artery. Moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) can change the temperature and improve the coronary blood supply.
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ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) and Shenmen (HT7) on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with post-cerebral-infarction sequelae.MethodEighty patients were randomized into two groups, 40 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by anti-platelet aggregation and other ordinary symptomatic treatment based on Western medicine, while the treatment group was by electroacupuncture at Neiguan and Shenmen in addition to the treatments given to the control group.ResultThere were no significant differences in comparing the HRV indexes between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05); while the HRV indexes in the treatment group were superior to that in the control group after intervention (P0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Neiguan and Shenmen can significantly reduce HRV in patients with post-cerebral infarction sequelae.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in treating peri-menopausal depression. Method Patients diagnosed with peri-menopausal depression were randomized into a Guanyuan (CV4) group (n=30) and a Neiguan (PC6) group (n=30). After 1-month treatment, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), modified Kupperman index, plasm ACTH and serum CORT levels were observed and compared. Result After intervention, the observed indexes were decreased to different extents, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can effectively regulate the endocrine function of peri-menopausal depression patients, improve symptoms, and thus enhance the compensatory function and the quality of life, and the Guanyuan group shows a more significant effect.
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Objective To investigate the effect of pretreatment with electroacupuncture at point Neiguan(PC6) on CK and myocardial cell activity in rabbit myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and provide an experimental basis for a relatively specific relationship between pericardium meridian points and the heart. Methods Forty New Zealand big ear rabbits were randomly allocated to groups A, B, C, D and E, eight rabbits each. Group A was a sham operation group. Group B was an ischemia-reperfusion model group, in which the left anterior descending coronary artery was occlude for 30 min and reperfused for 60 min. In groups C, D and E, points Neiguan(PC6), Lieque(LU7) and Hegu(LI4) were separately given electroacupuncture stimulation, 20 min every day, at seven days before model making. Creatine kinase (CK) and myocardial formazan contents were compared between the groups. Results There were statistically significant differences in serum CK and myocardial formazan contents between group B, C, D or E and group A (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant differences in serum CK content between group C, D or E and group B (P＜0.01). There was a statistically significant differences in myocardial formazan content between groups C and B (P＜0.05). There were statistically significant differences in serum CK and myocardial formazan contents between group D or E and group C (P＜0.01, P＜0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at point Neiguan(PC6) can reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced injury to myocardial cells to produce a protective effect on the heart.
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Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6) plus acupuncture in treating insomnia due to heart-kidney disharmony. Methods: A hundred patients with insomnia due to heart-kidney disharmony were randomized into an observation group and a control group. Fifty-three cases in the observation group were intervened by acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6) plus acupuncture; while 54 cases in the control group were intervened by acupuncture alone. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was evaluated before and after intervention, and the therapeutic efficacies of the two groups were compared. Results: Acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6) plus acupuncture produced significantly higher efficacies in improving sleep quality, shortening sleep latency, and enhancing sleep efficiency than acupuncture alone (P Conclusion: The two groups both can improve the condition of insomnia; acupoint injection at Neiguan (PC 6) has significant advantages, manifested by a higher therapeutic efficacy for insomnia due to heart-kidney disharmony, higher safety evaluation, efficiency, and less adverse events, thus proper for clinical application.