ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Lower He-Sea points on the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the serum and gallbladder tissues, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in gallbladder tissues of the guinea pigs with acute cholecystitis (AC), and to explore whether Yanglingquan (GB 34), the Lower He-Sea point pertaining to Dan Fu (gallbladder), is relatively specific for the Dan Fu (gallbladder) disorders. Methods: Eighty-two healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, a blank group, a model group, a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, a Shangjuxu (ST 37) group, and a Xiajuxu (ST 39) group, with 12 guinea pigs in the blank group while 14 in the other groups, respectively, half males and half females in each group. Except for the blank group, guinea pigs in the other groups were injected with E. coli into the gallbladder to establish AC models. Guinea pigs in the blank group were fed routinely without special treatment; those in the model group were daily tied up for 30 min without EA treatment; those in the 4 groups receiving EA treatment were acupunctured at the corresponding Lower He-Sea points after daily binding and stimulated with the SDZ-V EA instrument. After successful modeling and treatment for 5 d, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta of the guinea pigs, and the gallbladder tissues in each group were isolated for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the morphological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum IL-1β level, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in gallbladder. Results: On the 3rd day after modeling, the guinea pigs in the five groups with modeling were mentally depressed with decreased appetite, significantly reduced activities, slouch, lassitude, slack and matted fur, and loose stools; two guinea pigs were selected from each group (one male and one female, not included in the final statistics) to isolate the gallbladder after sacrifice; macroscopic observation showed that the gallbladder wall was differently thickened; the bile color was dark green and opaque with particles suspended or accumulated; light microscope observation showed that the submucosal blood vessels of the gallbladder were congested, along with mucosal edema, ulceration, necrosis, shedding, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating in the lamina propria, indicating that the AC model was successfully prepared. Compared with the model group, the gallbladder tissue injuries of the four groups receiving EA treatment were all differently repaired, the serum IL-1β levels were reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the IL-1β levels in the gallbladder tissues were reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the NF-κB expression level in the Yanglingquan (GB 34) group was significantly reduced (P<0.01), but was not statistical different in the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Shangjuxu (ST 37) group and Xiajuxu (ST 39) group (all P>0.05). Compared with the Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, the gallbladder tissues of the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Shangjuxu (ST 37) group and Xiajuxu (ST 39) group were more severely damaged, and the expression levels of serum IL-1β, the NF-κB and IL-1β in the gallbladder tissues were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Intervention effect of Yanglingquan (GB 34) on AC guinea pigs was superior to that of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). Conclusion: EA at the Lower He-Sea points of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine and gallbladder can produce curative effects on AC guinea pigs and reduced the inflammatory symptoms. Intervention effect of Yanglingquan (GB 34) on AC guinea pigs is superior to that of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). The mechanism of EA at Yanglingquan (GB 34) in treating AC may be regulating IL-1β and NF-κB to control the inflammatory response and improve the gallbladder tissue damage.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at lower He-Sea point in promoting functional recovery after stomach cancer surgery.Methods Sixty patients who had undergone stomach cancer surgery were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups by using random number table method according to registration order, 30 cases each. The control group received general treatment and the treatment group, acupuncture in addition. Post-treatment gastric tube removal time, borborygmus recovery time and first fart time, the average hospitalization days, and the total cost were observed and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score was recorded in the two groups of patients. Post-treatment incidence of adverse reactions, peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and plateletcrits (PCT) were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistically significant differences in post-treatment gastric tube removal time, borborygmus recovery time, first fart time and hospitalization days, and the total hospitalization expenses between the two groups of patients (P<0.01). There were also statistically significant differences in post-treatment incidences of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal distension between the two groups (P<0.05). Post-treatment QLQ-C30 score was (38.35±15.25) in treatment group and (76.23±10.67) in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in WBC and CRP levels at the end of operation and 24 hrs after treatment between the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture can be used for early treatment after stomach cancer surgery. It can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the overall quality of life in the patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at lower He-Sea point in promoting functional recovery after stomach cancer surgery.Methods Sixty patients who had undergone stomach cancer surgery were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups by using random number table method according to registration order, 30 cases each. The control group received general treatment and the treatment group, acupuncture in addition. Post-treatment gastric tube removal time, borborygmus recovery time and first fart time, the average hospitalization days, and the total cost were observed and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score was recorded in the two groups of patients. Post-treatment incidence of adverse reactions, peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and plateletcrits (PCT) were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistically significant differences in post-treatment gastric tube removal time, borborygmus recovery time, first fart time and hospitalization days, and the total hospitalization expenses between the two groups of patients (P<0.01). There were also statistically significant differences in post-treatment incidences of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal distension between the two groups (P<0.05). Post-treatment QLQ-C30 score was (38.35±15.25) in treatment group and (76.23±10.67) in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in WBC and CRP levels at the end of operation and 24 hrs after treatment between the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture can be used for early treatment after stomach cancer surgery. It can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the overall quality of life in the patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the effects of electroacupuncture at points Shangjuxu(ST37), Zusanli(ST36), Xiajuxu(ST39) and Yanglingquan(GB34) on colonic expressions of interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor a7 mRNA (nAchRa7mRNA) in ulcerative colitis rats and investigate if large intestine lower He-Sea point Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ diseases. Method Seventy healthy SD rats were randomized into blank, model, Shangjuxu, Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups, 10 rats, half male and half female, each. A rat model of ulcerative colitis was made by induction of 2-4-6 three nitrobenzene sulfonic acid/ethanol solution enema in every group except the blank group. After successful model making and ten days of treatment, rat colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammation were observed macroscopically, colonic IL-1bcontent was measured by ELISA and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Result Compared with the model group, colonic lesions were reduced in varying degrees, colonic IL-1b content was significantly lower and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was higher in every acupoint group (P<0.05, P<0.01);the colonic ulcer score was lower in the Shangjuxu and Zusanli groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Shangjuxu group, colonic expression of nAchRa7mRNA was lower in the other four acupoint groups (P<0.01); colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammatory lesions were more severe and the colonic ulcer score and the IL-1bcontent were higher in the Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion The mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment for ulcerative colitis may be that it regulates abnormal immunologic function by modulating IL-1b and nAchRa7mRNA and reduces mucosal lesions. The overall therapeutic effect of Shangjuxu is better than those of Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin, indicating that Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ large intestine.