Effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy on joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect on the joint attention and social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with rehabilitation training and the simple application of rehabilitation training.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with ASD were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine ASD rehabilitation training was adopted, including conductive education, speech training and music therapy, once a day. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Shenmen (HT 7) and the optic area (the point of scalp acupuncture), once a week. In the two groups, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one course, at the interval of 1 week between the courses. A total of 3 courses of treatment were required. The social domain of the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) and the autism behavior checklist (ABC) were adopted to assess the therapeutic effect of the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of each item of the social domain in ATEC and the scores of ABC (feeling, communication, physical movement, language and healthy behavior) were all lower than those before treatment in the two groups (<0.01). The scores of each item in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of acupoint catgut embedding therapy with the rehabilitation training effectively improves in the joint attention and social communication. The therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is better than the simple application of rehabilitation training.

Analysis of adverse reactions of acupoint catgut embedding therapy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To objectively evaluate the safety of acupoint catgut embedding therapy.@*METHODS@#A total of 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy were enrolled and summarized through the inpatient medical record system, follow-up record and adverse reaction report card. The statistical analysis was performed from the aspects of patients' gender, age, marital status, history of allergy, history of diabetes and the time, symptoms, duration and prognosis of adverse reactions, etc.@*RESULTS@#Among 331 patients who received acupoint catgut embedding therapy, 70 patients had adverse reactions, which were divided into 9 types, including post-treatment discomfort, local hematoma or subcutaneous hemorrhage, local swelling, local induration, severe pain, thread-body rejection, local pruritus, post-treatment body temperature rising, local redness, swelling, fever and pain. The incidence rate of adverse events was 21.15%, and the incidence of serious adverse events was 0. Among the patients with adverse reactions, 58 patients (82.86%) relieved without treatment, and 12 patients (17.14%) received after symptomatic treatment; all patients had no sequelae.@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint catgut embedding therapy is relatively safe and the incidence of adverse reactions is low.

Effects of Acupoint Catgut Embedding on Motor Function in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

Objectives:To investigate the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on motor function of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and explore its possible mechanism. Methods:A total of 48 three-month old healthy specified pathogen free male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with 16 rats in each group. The right external carotid artery was severed only in sham operation group. Right middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced for 90 minutes under isoflurane anesthesia using a monofilament in model group and acupoint catgut embedding group. Ninety minutes after reperfusion, the acupoint catgut embedding group accepted acupoint catgut embedding on Baihui (DU20) acupoint and anterior oblique line of vertex-temporal. After one, three, seven and 14 days of reperfusion, they were assessed with Neurological Evaluation and Screen Prehensile Test. After 14 days of reperfusion, the infarct volume was measured with TTC staining; the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Synapsin I was detected with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results:Compared with the sham operation group, the neurological score significantly decreased (t > 11.851, P < 0.001), the prehensile time significantly decreased (t > 6.190, P < 0.001), the expression of GFAP increased (P < 0.05), and the expression of Synapsin I decreased (P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the neurological score significantly increased (t > 3.464, P < 0.001), the prehensile time significantly increased (t > 3.642, P < 0.001), the cerebral infarction volume significantly decreased (F = 93.426, P < 0.001), the expression of GFAP decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of Synapsin I increased (P < 0.05) in the acupoint catgut embedding group. Conclusion:Acupoint catgut embedding could promote the recovery of motor function of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, which may be related with inhibiting the proliferation of astrocytes, increasing the regeneration of axons in the ischemic penumbra and enhancing synaptic connection.

Moxibustion combined with acupoint catgut embedding promotes recovery of injured colonic mucosa by suppressing inflammation in ulcerative colitis rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) at "Tianshu"(ST25) "Dachangshu"(BL25) and "Shangjuxu"(ST37) on changes of body mass, stool property, histopathological conditions and expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in colonic mucosa of ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to reveal its anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: SD rats were randomized into normal, model, moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups (n＝6 in each group). The UC model was established by enema of trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid and ethanol. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral ST25, BL25 and ST37 for 10 min, once daily for 14 days, and ACE applied to the same 3 acupoints, once a week for two weeks. After the treatment, the rats' general conditions were observed, and the severity of UC was assessed by using disease activity index (DAI) score. Colonic mucosal pathological changes were observed under microscope after hematoxylin eosin (H.E.) stain, and the expression levels of IL-6 in the colonic mucosa tissue detected by using immunohistochemical stain and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, the DAI score, and expression level of colonic IL-6 protein detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot were obviously increased in the model group relevant to the normal group (P<0.01). Following the intervention, the increase of DAI score and IL-6 expression were reversed in moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The therapeutic effects of moxibustion＋ACE were considerably superior to those of simple ACE and simple moxibustion in down-regulating the levels of DAI score and IL-6 expression (P<0.01). H．E. staining showed severe defect of the colonic mucosal epithelium with infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in the model group, which was milder in moxibustion, ACE and moxibustion＋ACE groups. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion combined with ACE is able to improve the inflammatory injury of colonic mucosa in UC rats, which may be related with its effect in suppressing the expression of colonic IL-6; and the efficacy of moxibustion＋ACE is apparently superior to that of moxibustion and ACE alone.

Effect of acupoint catgut embedding on levels of PG-related factors and NF-κB proteins in ute-rine tissues of rats with primary dysmenorrhea / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on levels of prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in the uteruses of rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, acupoint catgut embedment and medication groups, with 10 rats in each group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (0.5 mg on the 1st day, and 0.2 mg thereafter) once daily for 10 days, followed by i．p. of oxytocin 2 U(0.5 mg•5 U－1•mL－1) on the 11th day. Catgut embedment was applied to "Guanyuan"(CV4) and "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) on day 1 and 5 while modeling, and rats of the medication group received gavage of ibuprofen (1.25 mg/mL, 0.8 mL/rat) once daily for 10 d. The level of PGF2αin the uterus tissuewas assayed by ELISA, and the expression levels of uterine COX-2, phospho (p)-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65 proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the levels of PGF2α， COX-2, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in the uterine tissues were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of PGF2α and COX-2 in both catgut embedment and medication groups as well as p-NF-κB p65 in the catgut embedment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the medication group, the level of p-NF-κB 65 in the catgut embedment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of acupoint catgut embedding may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of p-NF-κB and the levels of COX-2 and PGF2αin uteruses of PD rats.

Comparative study of acupoint catgut embedding and bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets for tobacco dependence / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding and bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets in the treatment of tobacco dependence.@*METHODS@#A total of 100 patients with tobacco dependence who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding group and a drug group, 50 cases in each group. In the acupoint catgut embedding group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Xinshu (BL 15), Shenmen (HT 7), Tianmei (Extra), Taichong (LR 3), the treatment was given once every 2 weeks for 4 times; The bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets was orally administered in the drug group for 7 weeks, 150 mg each time, once a day for the first 3 days, twice daily from day 4 to day 7, and once a day after day 8. The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) score before and after treatment, the 4th and 8th week smoking cessation rate, the continuous smoking cessation rate and efficacy, compliance rate and adverse reaction rate were compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#A total of 100 patients were enrolled, and 97 patients completed the study (loss rate was 3%), including 49 cases in the acupoint catgut embedding group and 48 cases in the drug group. The FTND scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (both 0.05). At the 4th and the 8th week, the smoking cessation rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 40.8% (20/49) and 79.6% (39/49) respectively, the smoking cessation rate in the drug group was 41.7% (20/48) and 83.3% (40/48) respectively, the two groups were equally effective (both >0.05). The continuous smoking cessation rate in the acupoint embedding group was 40.8% (20/49), which was equivalent to 41.7% (20/48) in the drug group (>0.05). The rate of complete compliance in the acupoint embedding group was 61.2% (30/49), which was significantly better than 37.5% (18/48) in the drug group (<0.05). The adverse reaction rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 12.2% (6/49), which was significantly lower than 29.2% (16/48) in the drug group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding can effectively improve the symptoms of tobacco dependence after smoking cessation. Its curative effect is close to that of bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, and it has good clinical compliance and less adverse reactions.

Adjuvant therapy of acupoint catgut embedding for threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding on miscarriage prevention and pregnancy outcome in patients with threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).@*METHODS@#Sixty cases of patients with threatened abortion after IVF-ET were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with intramuscular injection of progesterone (40 mg) once every day, while the patients in the observation group, on the basis of the treatment of control group, were treated with catgut embedding at Geshu (BL 17), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Xuehai (SP 10), Diji (SP 8) and Fuliu (KI 7), once every two weeks, six times as a course of treatment. The treatment was given until 12 weeks into pregnancy. The level of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) before and after treatment was recorded; the TCM syndrome score before and after treatment was compared; the successful pregnancy rate and spontaneous abortion rate after treatment were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of TCM syndrome in both groups were reduced after treatment (both <0.01), and score in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the clinical efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the hormone levels (β-HCG, E, P) in both groups were increased steadily; the hormone levels in 6-week pregnancy, 8-week pregnancy and 10-week pregnancy were significantly higher than those in 4-week pregnancy (all <0.05); except the levels of P and β-HCG in 10-week pregnancy, the hormone levels in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all <0.05). After treatment, the early abortion rate was 16.7% (5/30) in the observation group, which was lower than 33.3% (10/30) in the control group (<0.01); the pregnancy rate was 96.0% (24/25) in the observation group, which was higher than 80.0% (16/20) in the control group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding is effective for preventing threatened abortion, which could significantly reduce the spontaneous abortion rate, improve the pregnancy success rate, regulate hormone levels in patients after IVF-ET.

Effect of Bushen Yanggan decoction combine with acupoint catgut embedding therapy in the treatment of patients with premature ovarian failure and its influence on serum follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the effect of Bushen Yanggan decoction combine with acupoint catgut embedding therapy in the treatment of patients with premature ovarian failure and its influence on serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and estradiol(E2) levels. Methods From January 2016 to June 2017,76 patients with premature ovarian failure in the First People＇s Hospital of Xiaoshan District were selected. They were divided into observation group(n=38) and control group(n=38) by the random number table method. The control group was given western medicine hormone replacement therapy, the observation group was given Bushen Yanggan decoction combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy. The patients in the two groups were treated for 3 months. The clinical efficacy,clinical symptoms,serum FSH,E2levels and endometrial thickness before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 86. 84% (33/38), which was slightly higher than 78. 95% (30/38) of the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant (χ2=0. 835,P＞0. 05). The incidence rates of soreness and weakness of waist and knees,hot flashes sweating,sexual decline,loss of control of the observation group after 3 months of treatment were 21. 05% (8/38),26. 32% (10/38), 18.42%(7/38),21. 05% (8/38),respectively,which were significantly lower than those of the control group [44.74%(17/38),50. 00% (19/38),39. 47% (15/38),42. 11% (16/38)],the differences were statistically significant(χ2=4. 828,4. 517,4. 094,3. 897,all P＜0. 05). The serum FSH of the observation group after 3 months of treatment was (31. 44 ± 11. 04) IU/L,which was lower than (60. 38 ± 13. 02) IU/L of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(t =10. 447,P ＜0. 05). The serum E2levels,endometrial thickness of the observation group were (92. 77 ± 10. 72) pmol/L,(7. 95 ± 1. 17) mm,respectively,which were higher than those of the control group[(60.24±11.33)pmol/L,(4.82 ±1.65)mm],the differences were statistically significant(t=12. 856,9. 539,all P＜0. 05). Conclusion Bushen Yanggan decoction combined with acupoint catgut embedding therapy for premature ovarian failure has good curative effect,it can improve the clinical symptoms and serum sex hormone levels,increase the thickness of the endometrium,which is worthy of clinical application.

Acupoint catgut embedding improves dysmenorrhea by suppressing activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in uterine tissues in primary dysmenorrhea rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in the uterine tissue of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improving PD. METHODS: Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, acupoint catgut embedding and medication groups (n＝10 in each group). The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of Estradiol Benzoate (0.5 mg/rat on the 1st and 10thday, and 0.2 mg/rat from 2nd to 9thday) and Oxytocin (2 U/rat, i．p.). The catgut embedding was applied to bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the 1st and 5th day after modeling. Rats of the medication group were treated by intragastric perfusion of Fenbid (0.8 mL/rat, 125 mg/100 mL) once daily for 10 days. The body writhing times in 30 min were recorded. The histopathological changes of the uterine were observed by H．E. staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP 3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in uterine tissues. RESULTS: The body writhing times were notably more in the model group than in the control group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint catgut embedding can significantly alleviate the symptoms and pathological damage in PD rats, which may be related to its effect in inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the uterine tissue.

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Alleviates Insomnia in Different Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects and safety of catgut embedding on alleviating insomnia.@*METHODS@#Totally 510 patients with insomnia were divided into 5 Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types: Xin (Heart) and Pi (Spleen) deficiency, yin deficiency with excess fire, Xin and gut qi deficiency, Wei (Stomach) disorder, and qi and blood deficiency, respectively. These 5 types of patients were randomly assigned to a catgut embedding group, an acupuncture group or a medication group (30 cases in Xin and Pi deficiency type, Wei disorder type, Xin and gut qi deficiency type, respectively; 40 cases in yin deficiency with excess fire type and qi and blood deficiency type, respectively). In the catgut embedding group, patients were treated by implanting catgut into acupoints once every 10 days for a total of 30 days. In the acupuncture group, patients were treated with acupuncture once per day over 30 days (excluding weekends); and patients in the medication group took 1 mg Eurodin Tablet orally every night for 30 days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was evaluated before treatment, on 30 and 60 days after the first treatment, respectively. The International Unified Sleep Efficiency Value (IUSEV) was measured at 30 and 60 days. The safety was evaluated after treatment and adverse events were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The objective PSQI scores including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction, and total scores at 30 days were significantly improved compared with pre-treatment in the catgut embedding and acupuncture groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 30 days, the PSQI scores in catgut embedding group were superior to the medication group in the patients with each type of insomnia, with the exception of sleep duration (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 60 days, significant differences were found between the catgut embedding group and the medication group (P<0.01 for all indices). The IUSEV scores in the catgut embedding group were significantly higher than the acupuncture group at 60 days, and the scores in acupuncture group were higher than the medication group at 30 days (P<0.05 for all types). No severe adverse events were found in this study.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture were more effective than medication in alleviating insomnia syndrome in different Chinese medicine syndrome type. However, the sustained effects of acupoint catgut embedding were superior to acupuncture.

Effect on clinical symptoms and mechanism of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation treated with acupoint catgut embedding / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding for chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation.@*METHODS@#A total of 92 patients of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 46 cases in each one.In the observation group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), also the surrounding acupuncture was performed at facial part, once a week. In the control group, vitamin C (200 mg per time, 3 times a day) and vitamin E (100 mg per time, once a day) were prescribed for oral administration. Both of the two groups were given treatment for 12 weeks. The score of chloasma area and severity index (MASI), the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect of the two groups were compared after 3 months of treatment.@*RESULTS@#Finally, 44 cases in the observation group and 43 cases in the control group completed the study. The effective rate in the observation group was 88.6% (39/44), which was higher than 55.8% (24/43) in the control group (0.05). There was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the levels of FSH, LH and E in the control group (>0.05). In follow-up, the levels of FSH and LH in the observation group were lower than the control group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding can improve the clinical symptoms of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation, the mechanism may be related to regulate the serum level of sex hormone to reduce high sensitivity of melanocytes to estrogen.

Effect of acupoint catgut embedding, fire needle, auricular acupuncture on female post-adolescent acne and serum sex hormone / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference of serum sex hormone between female patients with post-adolescent acne and healthy women, and to explore the efficacy and action mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding, fire needle, auricular acupuncture on skin lesion in female patients of post-adolescent acne.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 107 female patients of post-adolescent acne were divided into an integrated acupuncture group (54 cases, 4 cases were excluded) and a medication group (53 cases, 5 cases were excluded). The patients in the integrated acupuncture group were treated with comprehensive treatment of acupoint catgut embedding, fire needle, auricular acupuncture; the acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Dazhui (GV 14), Yintang (GV 29), Yangbai (GB 14) through Yuyao (EX-HN 4) and other acupoints based on syndrome differentiation; the fire needle was applied at skin lesion; the auricular acupuncture was applied at erjian (HX), e (AT), kou (CO), etc. The patients in the medication group were treated with oral administration of tanshinone capsules (4 capsules each time, 3 times a day) and external use of adapalene gel (one treatment per day at night). Patients in the two groups were treated for 8 weeks. The skin lesion of acne was evaluated before treatment as well as 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment in the two groups; the serum levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E) were tested 24 hours before menstruation in the integrated acupuncture group (50 cases) and healthy control group (46 cases), and the change of serum sex hormone after treatment was observed in 21 patients with sex hormone disorder in the integrated acupuncture group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before treatment, the level of E in the integrated acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (<0.01), but T/E in the integrated acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (<0.01). After treatment, the level of E was significantly increased (<0.01) and T/E was reduced (<0.01) in the 21 patients with sex hormone disorder in the integrated acupuncture group. The skin lesion scale of acne was significantly reduced in the two groups after 4-week and 8-week treatment (all <0.01); the difference between the two groups was not significant after 4-week treatment (>0.05); the skin lesion scale of acne in the integrated acupuncture group was significantly lower than that in the medication group after 8-week treatment (<0.01). The efficacy between the two groups was not significant after 4-week the treatment (>0.05); after 8-week treatment, the cured and effective rate was 66.0% (33/50) in the integrated acupuncture group, which was superior to 45.8% (22/48) in the medication group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with healthy women, the level of serum sex hormone of E is reduced in the female patients of post-adolescent acne, resulting in relative increased level of T; the acupoint catgut embedding, fire needle, auricular acupuncture have better efficacy than medication for post-adolescent acne, which have regulation effects on sex hormone disorder.</p>

Professor ' clinical experience of stage treatment for shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke / 中国针灸

Professor , as the famous and veteran physician of TCM, has practiced TCM for more than 50 years, and had unique experience for the treatment of encephalopathy. Professor applied the theory of skin to guide the treatment of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. On the basis of the ancient acupuncture method of , combined with modern acupuncture method and new materials, with characteristics of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke at different time points, he proposed to use floating needling and acupoint catgut embedding to treat patients with stageⅠ, and to use picking therapy and penetration needle to treat patients with stageⅡ, and to use fire needles, penetration needle and acupoint catgut embedding to treat patients with stageⅢ, combined with conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation treatment. As a result, the superior efficacy was achieved.

Adjuvant treatment of acupoint catgut embedding for essential hypertension and its effects on vascular endothelial function / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding assisting western medication and simple western medication on blood pressure and vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH), and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 125 cases were randomly assigned into an observation group (62 cases, 2 dropping) and a control group (63 cases, 3 dropping). Oral administration of lotensin (10 mg, once a day) was applied in the control group. Based on the treatment as the control group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the observation group, once every two weeks, and six treatments was taken as one session. All the patients were treated for 3 months. The blood pressure and the vascular endothelial injury markers, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded before and after treatment in the two groups. In addition, the ET-1, NO and hsCRP were collected from 60 cases of healthy participants.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure reduced after treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (<0.01, <0.05). Before treatment, compared with those of the healthy participants, ET-1 and hsCRP were higher but NO was lower in the observation group and the control group (all <0.05); after treatment, ET-1 and hsCRP were reduced and NO increased in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all <0.05). After treatment, the differences of NO and hsCRP between the observation group and healthy participants were not significant (both >0.05). The marked effective rate was 70.0% (42/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 33.3% (20/60) in the control group (<0.05); the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 85.0% (51/60) in the control group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The vascular endothelial function is injured in EH patients. Based on lotensin treatment, acupoint catgut embedding could significantly improve blood pressure and vascular endothelial function.</p>

Acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy and medication for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into an acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy group (a combination group) and a mesalazine group, 60 cases in each one. Fifty-seven cases in the combination group and 55 cases in the mesalazine group were included into analysis. In the combination group, acupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Quchi (LI 11) during the activity period, and acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) during the alleviate period. The patients in the mesalazine group were treated with mesalazine orally. The treatment was given for 12 weeks. The scores of TCM symptoms, colonoscopy, mucosa healing rate were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The effects, adverse reactions and the recurrent rates during 1-year follow-up were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms decreased in the two groups (both <0.05), and the result in the combination group was better than that in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The total effective rate in the combination group was 87.7% (50/57), which was better than 70.9% (39/55) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The colonoscopy scores decreased after treatment in the two groups (both <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on colonoscopy score and mucosal healing rate [50.9% (29/57) vs 34.5% (19/55), both >0.05]. The recurrent rate in the combination group was 8.5% (4/47)，which was lower than 32.4% (11/34) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). No severe adverse reaction was found during the treatment in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy can improve mild and moderate ulcerative colitis and reduce the recurrent rate.</p>

Clinical Study of Depression Decoction on Spleen Deficiency Qi Stagnation Type Gastroptosis Buzhong Lift with Catgut Embedding / 现代医院

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with Buzhong Decoction in the treatment of depression for spleen qi stagnation type gastroptosis. Methods From November 2015 to October 2017 due to ptosis of the stomach (spleen qi stagnation type) and on the basis of study, 60 patients in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups. 30 cases of control group was given Buzhongyiqi pill treatment and the observation group of 30 cases was given acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with Buzhong Decoction for depression. Results After treatment, the observation group's lassitude, anorexia, abdominal distension and symptom score lower than the control group; total efficiency of observation group was 93. 33％ higher than that of the control group (28/30), 70％ (21/30). The difference was obvious, P＜0. 05. Conclusion Buzhong Decoction in treating gastroptosis for depression with catgut embedding(spleen qi stagnation type) has significant effects, which can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and is worthy of promotion.

Effects of the Acupoint Catgut Embedding on Nerve-Endocrine-Immune Network in Dysmenorrhea Rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To explore the underlying mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding in improving primary dysme-norrhea (PD) in rats based on functional activities of the neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. METHODS: Forty female rats were equally randomized into blank control, PD model, medication, and acupoint catgut embedding groups. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate (0.5 mg/rat on the 1st and 10th d, and 0.2 mg/rat from 2nd to 9th d) and oxytocin (2 U/rat, i．p.). Rats of the medication group were treated by intragastric perfusion of fenbid (0.8 mL/rat, 125 mg/100 mL), once daily for 10 days. The catgut embedding was applied to bilateral "Ciliao" (BL 32), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) before modeling. The body writhing times in 30 minutes were recorded, plasma β-endorphin(β-EP) content, and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF2α) contents in the uterus tissue were assayed using ELISA, and the activity of natural killer cell (NK cell) in the spleen tissue was detected using 3-(4，5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2，5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method after isolation and co-culture with K 562 cells. RESULTS: The body writhing times were no-tably more in the model group than in the control group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint catgut embedding has a significant efficacy in relieving PD in rats, which may be related to its effect in up-regulating plasma β-EP, uterus PGE2 contents and splenic NK cell activity and in down-regulating uterus PGF2α level.

Treatment of Stroke Patients with Shoulder-wrist Syndrome by Acupoint Catgut Embedding and Surface Electromyogram Biofeedback Therapy / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding and surface electromyogram biofeedback therapy (sEMGBF) in the treatment of stroke patients complicated with shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 90 stroke patients with SHS were randomly divided into acupoint catgut embedment (ACE), sEMGBF and ACE+sEMGBF (combined treatment) groups (n=30 cases/group). The catgut embedment was performed at Jianliao (LI 14), Jianyu (LI 15), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5) on the affected side, once every 3 weeks, twice altogether. The electromyographic biofeedback therapy (30-50 Hz, pulse duration 200 µs, 6 s-on and 10 s-off, appropriate strength) was applied to the skin area co-vering the deltoid muscle, flexor muscle of wrist and wrist extensor for 20 min, once per day, 5 times/week, for 6 weeks. The total effective rate was assessed by using Liao's and Zhu's methods (1996), the pain severity assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA, 66-points) scale and the patients' activities of daily living function (ADL, 100-points) were also scored. RESULTS: Before treatment, the VAS, FMA and ADL points of the three groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). After the treatment, the total effective rate (93.33%), FMA and ADL scores of the combined treatment group were significantly higher than those of the ACE and sEMGBF groups (P0.05). The VAS score of the ACE group was markedly lower than that of the sEMGBF group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined administration of ACE and sEMGBF has a better therapeutic effect for stroke patients complicated with SHS relevant to simple ACE and simple sEMGBF therapy in improving the upper limb function, relieving pain, and enhancing the daily life quality.

A Meta-analysis of Effectiveness of Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy for Insomnia / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and superiority of acupoint catgut-embedding in the treatment of insomnia. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for insomnia treated by acupoint implantation of catgut were included in the present study. We searched the related articles from 6 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang) from the date of inception to March 19, 2017 by using keywords "catgut implantation at acupuncture point" or "catgut implantation at acupoint" and "insomnia" or "agrypnia" and "randomised (or randomized) clinical trial". Quality assessments were performed by two researchers independently using GRADE profile 3.6, followed by crosscheck. Data were analyzed using software Revman 5.3 and STATA 14.0. RESULTS: Twenty-two trials met the inclusion criteria were included. They recruited 1 714 cases of insomnia. GRADE grading suggests a low quality of these articles. Heterogeneous test (numerical test) showed χ2＝31.11, P＝0.07, I2＝32%. Gabriz chart and sensitivity analysis ultimately determined that these trials have smaller or no heterogenity. The effective rate of acupoint catgut embedding for insomnia was higher than that of the control group (OR＝ 3.77; 95% CI: 2.63－5.41; P<0.00001). CONCLUSION: Acupoint catgut embedding therapy has a positive role in clinical treatment of insomnia. But due to lower quality of current literature, more high-quality randomized controlled clinical trials are required.