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Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) in the hippocampus of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats, and to explore the analgesic mechanisms of moxibustion in RA treatment. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, a moxibustion + NMDA receptor antagonist (AP-5) group, and a moxibustion + NMDA receptor agonist (NMDA) group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, rats in the other four groups were treated with complete Freund's adjuvant in a windy, cold, and damp environment to replicate RA models. Rats in the moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion with moxa sticks at Shenshu (BL23) and Zusanli (ST36), and the two points were used alternately. After intraperitoneal injection of AP-5 or NMDA, rats in the moxibustion + AP-5 group and the moxibustion + NMDA group received the same moxibustion intervention as in the moxibustion group, once a day for 15 d. The thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of rats in each group was detected before and after modeling and after the 15-day intervention. After the 15-day intervention, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in knee joints. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the mRNA expression of NR2B in the hippocampus; Western blotting assay was used to detect the protein and the phosphorylated protein expression of hippocampal NR2B. Results: The synovial tissue was proliferated, the synovial lining was significantly thickened, the pannus was formed, and the cartilage and bone tissues were significantly damaged in the model group. After intervention, the pathological morphology of the knee joints in the moxibustion group, the moxibustion + AP-5 group, and the moxibustion + NMDA group was significantly improved, and the improvement in the moxibustion + AP-5 group was more notable than that in the moxibustion + NMDA group. Compared with the normal group, the TWL was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the mRNA, protein, and phosphorylated protein expression levels of hippocampal NR2B were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the TWL of each intervention group was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the mRNA, protein, and phosphorylated protein expression levels of hippocampal NR2B were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the moxibustion group, the TWL was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the mRNA, protein, and phosphorylated protein expression levels of hippocampal NR2B were significantly decreased in the moxibustion + AP-5 group (P<0.01); the TWL was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the mRNA, protein, and phosphorylated protein expression levels of hippocampal NR2B were significantly increased in the moxibustion + NMDA group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion reduces hyperalgesia in RA inflammatory rats. The analgesic effect may be related to the decrease in the expression and phosphorylation levels of NR2B in the hippocampus.
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Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) on the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism indicators of rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming, and to explore the differences between moxibustion at different points in the effects on anti-exercise fatigue. Methods: Forty-eight male SPF rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a non-meridian and non-acupoint group, a Shenshu (BL 23) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, and a Shenque (CV 8) group using random number table method, with eight rats in each group. Except for the blank group, rats in the other groups were subjected to replicating the one-time exhaustive model using the weight-bearing swimming experiment. Except for the model group, the other model rats received mild moxibustion immediately after swimming. Rats in the non-meridian and non-acupoint group received mild moxibustion at bilateral subcostal non-meridian and non-acupoint points, those in the Shenshu (BL 23) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), those in the Zusanli (ST 36) group received mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), and those in the Shenque (CV 8) group received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min. Four hours after the exhaustive swimming, femoral artery blood was collected to detect blood lactate (BLA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels, and calculate the T/C ratio. Results: Compared with the blank group, rat's serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group were increased, and serum levels of CRE and T, and T/C ratios were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05); compared with the model group and the non-meridian and non-acupoint group, the serum levels of BLA, LDH, CK, BUN and C in the Shenshu (BL 23) group, Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group were decreased, and the serum CRE and T levels, and the T/C ratios were increased (all P<0.01); compared with the Shenshu (BL 23) group, the serum CK level was decreased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01), the serum levels of T and C were decreased in the Zusanli (ST 36) group and Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.01); compared with the Zusanli (ST 36) group, the serum CK and BUN levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the T/C ratio was increased in the Shenque (CV 8) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenque (CV 8) shows different anti-fatigue effects by regulating the energy metabolism and endocrine metabolism in rats undergoing one-time exhaustive swimming. Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) is better in promoting energy synthesis. Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) is more effective in regulating synthesis and decomposition of the skeletal muscle proteins.
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Objective:To observe the effects of moxibustion on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and to explore the effects of moxibustion on inflammatory damaging factors in experimental rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model rats; the relationship between the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on RA and the change in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway was analyzed using Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonists and agonists. Methods:Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, a moxibustion plus TLR4 agonist group (agonist group) and a moxibustion plus TLR4 antagonist group (antagonist group) according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other four groups were subjected to model preparation with the wind, cold and wet environmental factors plus Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated; rats in the moxibustion, agonist and antagonist groups started to be treated with the moxibustion (cigarette-type moxa) at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) from the 4th day after the successful modeling, for 20 min each time with a total of 10 d. Rats in the agonist and the antagonist groups were injected with TLR4 agonist or antagonist [0.1 mg/(kg·bw)] via the tail vein 30 min before moxibustion. The concentrations of serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Compared with the normal group, in the model group, the rat's right hind paw swelling was significantly obvious (P<0.01), there was a lot of inflammatory infiltration in the synovial tissues, the surface of the synovial membrane was unsmooth, the synovial membrane was hyperplasia and thicker, and the serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α concentrations increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the paw swelling degrees of the rats in the moxibustion, the agonist and the antagonist groups reduced significantly (allP<0.01); the swelling degree in the antagonist group was milder than that in the agonist group, but the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); inflammatory infiltration and synovial membrane hyperplasia in the synovial tissues of the moxibustion group and the antagonist group were all relieved differently; the decrease of synovial layer number in the moxibustion group was more obvious, and there were no obvious improvements in inflammatory infiltration and synovial thickness in the agonist group; the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the moxibustion group were decreased, and the differences in the IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations were statistically significant (allP<0.01); there was no significant between-group difference in the IL-8 concentration (P>0.05); the concentrations of serum IL-8 and TNF-α in the agonist group increased significantly (both P<0.01), while the IL-6 concentration decreased without significant difference (P>0.05); the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in the antagonist group decreased but the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (bothP>0.05), and the TNF-α concentration significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the moxibustion group, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α concentrations increased in the agonist group, and the differences in the IL-8 and TNF-α concentrations were statistically significant (both P<0.01); the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α increased in the antagonist group, and the differences in the IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations were statistically significant (bothP<0.01); there was no significant difference in the IL-8 concentration between the groups (P>0.05). The serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the antagonist group were lower than those in the agonist group (allP<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) can reduce the joint swelling degree and inflammation in synovial tissue of RA model rats, decrease the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in RA model rats; the decreases of IL-6 and TNF-α are more significant than the decrease of IL-8; TLR4 agonist and antagonist can significantly attenuate the effect of moxibustion in inhibiting releases of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, so that the change in TLR signaling pathway affects the effect of moxibustion in inhibiting the releases of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α.
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Objective: To discuss the acupoints selection pattern in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) from 2007 to 2016. Methods: Clinical literatures related to PMS treated with acupuncture-moxibustion published from 2007 to 2016 were collected from Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang). The retrieved data underwent descriptive analysis, cluster analysis and association pattern analysis to determine the acupoints selection principle in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS. Results: The top five acupoints used in acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Baihui (GV 20), and Shenmen (HT 7). The leading 4 meridians were Bladder Meridian, Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian, and Governor Vessel. The clustering analysis showed that the 5 core acupoint groups were: ① Sanyinjiao (SP 6); ② Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4); ③ Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Ganshu (BL 18) and Taichong (LR 3); ④ Taixi (KI 3), Pishu (BL 20), Xinshu (BL 15), Qihai (CV 6) and Neiguan (PC 6); ⑤ Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Zhongwan (CV 12), Hegu (LI 4), Yintang (GV 29), Fengchi (GB 20), Zhongji (CV 3) and Feishu (BL 13). The three most significant acupoints were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenshu (BL 23) and Guanyuan (CV 4). Acupoint groups based on syndrome differentiation included: ① Hegu (LI 4), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Sishencong (EX-HN 1); ② Feishu (BL 13), Zhongji (CV 3), Fengchi (GB 20) and Yintang (GV 29); ③ Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6) and Taixi (KI 3);④ Ganshu (BL 18), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenmen (HT 7), Taichong (LR 3) and Baihui (GV 20). The analysis of association pattern elaborated that Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) won the highest support rate in the paired groups; Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) had the highest support rate among the acupoint groups. Conclusion: The data mining results of acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS substantially conform to the general principle in traditional acupuncture-moxibustion theories, able to reflect the acupoints selection and grouping pattern and provide references for acupuncture-moxibustion treatment of PMS.
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Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of erythropoie-tin-producing hepatocyte receptor B2 (EphB2) in the cortex around the infracted area of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats at different timing, and to reveal the possible mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Methods:A total of 180 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an acupoint group and a non-acupoint group, with 45 rats in each group. Rats in each group were further divided into three subgroups: postoperative 3 d, postoperative 14 d and postoperative 21 d groups, with 15 rats in each subgroup. The MCAO model was made by the modified occlusion method. The neurological function score, 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, immunohistochemistry assay, immunofluorescence double labeling method and Western blot were used to detect the corresponding indicators. Results:The neurological impairment of rats was most obvious at postoperative 3 d, and then gradually improved with time, which was more significant in the acupoint group (P Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Ganshu (BL 18) and Shenshu (BL 23) can significantly improve the neurological function and cerebral infarcted volume ratio of MCAO rats, which may be related to the activation of EphB2 expression in cortex around the infracted area and the promotion of synaptic remodeling.
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Objective:To observe the effect of moxibustion on learning and memory abilities, corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in subacute aging rats. Methods:Twenty four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and a moxibustion group, 8 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the moxibustion group were subcutaneously injected with 25% D-galactose [125 mg/(kg·bw)] for 40 d continuous; rats in the normal group were injected with saline at the same position for 40 d continuous. Rats in the moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion at bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) at the same time of modeling; rats in the normal group and the model group were only identically grabbed without moxibustion for 40 d. The learning and memory abilities of rats were observed using the Morris water maze at the end of the experiment. Abdominal aorta blood and thymus were collected after water maze experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum corticosterone level, and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of thymus GR. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed that a significantly longer escape latency time (P<0.01) on the third and the fourth days; number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly reduced (P<0.01); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly decreased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels increased (P<0.01); thymus GR expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the moxibustion group showed that the escape latency times were significantly shorter on the third, the fourth and the fifth days (P<0.01,P<0.05); number of times crossing the platform in 70 s significantly increased (P<0.05); activity times in the fourth quadrant significantly increased (P<0.05); serum corticosterone levels decreased (P<0.05); thymus GR expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion could improve the learning and memory abilities of subacute aging rats, down-regulate serum corticosterone levels, and increase thymus GR content.
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Objective:To study the clinical effect and the endocrine mechanism of acupuncture therapy on menopause syndrome.Method:There were 47 cases with menopause syndrome,which were divided into two groups,32 cases in the acupuncture group,treated by acupuncture with main acupoins of Shenshu (BL 23),Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6),and 15 cases in the control group,treated by orally taking the Oryzanol.The Kupperman index of the two groups was observed before and after treatment for evaluating the therapeutic effect.The changes of blood-serum F2,T,FSH,LH of the 25 cases in the acupuncture group were tested by radioimmunoassay before and after the treatment.Results:The acupuncture therapy can relieve the clinical symptoms of menopause syndrome,and its therapeutic effect was better than Oryzanol.After being treated by acupuncture therapy,the content of blood-serum E2 obviously increased,while the contents of LH and T declined,and the FSH also had a tendency to lower,but it was not statistically significant.Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of acupuncture therapy for menopause is confirmed.The acupuncture therapy can improve the function of hypophysial-gonadal axis of the patient with menopause syndrome,which may be the main mechanism of the acupuncture therapy for treating menopause syndrome.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of acupuncture of Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang (BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)on the main symptoms of unstable bladder (USB)and explore the specificity of different points in treating USB through a clinical randomized controlled trial.Methods:Eighty-nine USB patients were allocated to three groups:Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35).I-PSS was used as an observation index.The effects were evaluated and a comparison was made between the groups after three and six treatments.Resuits:I-PSS significantly improved in all Shenshu (BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups of USB patients (P＜0.05).The effect was significantly beaer in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).The efficacy rate was 50.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)group,82.8% in the Huiyang(BL 35)group and 90.0% in the Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)group.It was significantly higher in the Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)groups than in the Shenshu(BL 23)group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Points Shenshu(BL 23),Huiyang(BL 35)and Shenshu(BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)can all regulate voiding dysfunction and improve quality of life in USB patients.Shenshu (BL 23)plus Huiyang(BL 35)has the most marked therapeutic effect.