Chronic spontaneous urticaria treated with bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts on recurrence rate on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between the combined treatment of bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory and the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride.@*METHODS@#A total of 86 patients with CSU were randomized into an observation group (43 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (43 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the observation group, bloodletting therapy at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20) was combined with auricular point sticking at lung (CO14), kidney (CO10), shenmen (TF4) and heart (CO15), etc. This combined treatment was given once every two days. In the control group, the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride was prescribed, 10 mL each time, once daily. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the levels of serum immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were compared in the patients between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the two groups and the recurrence rate was followed up 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment separately.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of UAS7 and DLQI, as well as the levels of serum IgE and IL-4 were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the level of serum IFN-γ was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (35/42) in the observation group and was 85.0% (34/40) in the control group. There was no statistical significance for the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight and 12 weeks after treatment, the recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 26.3% (5/19) in the observation group, lower than 55.0% (11/20) and 65.0% (13/20) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined therapy of bloodletting and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory relieves the clinical symptoms, regulates the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and improves the quality of life in the patients with CSU. The clinical therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is similar to the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. But, the recurrence rate of the combined treatment of bloodletting and auricular point sticking is lower and its long-term curative effect is better.

Effect of electrical stimulation at auricular points combined with sound masking on the expression of CREB, BDNF and TrkB in the auditory cortex of tinnitus rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of electrical stimulation at auricular points (EAS) combined with sound masking on the expression of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the auditory cortex of tinnitus rats.@*METHODS@#A total of 27 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EAS group. The rats in the model group and the EAS group were intervened with intraperitoneal injection of sodium salicylate to induce tinnitus model, while the rats in the control group were intervened with injection of 0.9% NaCl solution. After the model was successfully established, the rats in the EAS group were treated with electrical stimulation at "Shenmen" (TF) and "Yidan" (CO), combined with sound masking; the treatment was given once a day for 15 days. The gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle (GPIAS) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) testing were performed using the acoustic startle reflex starter package for rats. The expression of BDNF, TrkB, CREB and p-CREB in the auditory cortex of each group were measured with Western Blot analysis.@*RESULTS@#① Compared with the control group, the GPIAS values in 12 kHz, 16 kHz, 20 kHz and 28 kHz were significantly decreased in the model group (all 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EAS could improve the GPIAS values of high-frequency background sound in tinnitus rats, which may be related with the upregulation of the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway in the auditory cortex, leading to the reversion of the maladaptive plasticity.

Observation of the clinical effects on perimenopausal syndrome treated with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) between the combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points and the hormone replacement therapy.@*METHODS@#A total of 64 PMS patients were divided into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (34 cases) according to patient's willingness. In the observation group, the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) was combined with the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points. The stimulation intensity at Shuitu (ST 10) was ranged from 15 to 20 mA, for 20 min in each treatment, twice a week. The 8 treatments made one course and 3 courses were required. Additionally, the seed-pressure therapy was used at neifenmi (CO), Shenmen (TF), luanchao, zigong, gan (CO), shen (CO), once a week, retained for 5 days. The 4-week treatment was as one course and a total of 3 courses were required. In the control group, the hormone replacement therapy was applied. On Day 5 of menstruation, progynova was prescribed for oral administration, 1 mg, once a day, continuously for 21 days. On Day 12 in the oral administration of progynova, dydrogesterone was used, 20 mg, once every day, continuously for 10 days. Totally, 3 courses were required. Separately, before treatment and in 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann score, the sexual hormone levels [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E)] and the adverse reactions were observed in the patients of the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In 1 and 3 months after treatment, Kuppermann scores were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all 0.05). In the control group, the incidences of the adverse reactions such as vaginal bleeding, bread distending pain and endometrial thickening were higher than those in the observation group [17.6% (6/34) vs 0% (0/30), 20.6% (7/34) vs 3.3% (1/30), 8.8% (3/34) vs 0% (0/30), all <0.05].@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment with the transcutaneous electrostimulation at Shuitu (ST 10) and the seed-pressure therapy at the auricular points achieves the similar therapeutic effects on PMS as compared with the hormone replacement therapy. This combined therapy effectively relieves the clinical symptoms and improves the sexual hormone levels. The adverse reactions and the complications are less obviously as compared with the hormone replacement therapy.

Preliminary Analysis of Auricular Points Based on Primitive Stress System / 上海针灸杂志

The one-to-one correspondence between auricular points and internal organs is due to the existence of primitive stress system inside human body. The primitive stress system consists of gap junction intercellular communication pathways which transport small molecules to support the development of embryo prior to the formation of cardiac vessels. When embryo is mature, this transportation function enters into a resting state and will only be triggered when cells receive nociceptive stimulations. After the injured cells are repaired or replaced, the relevant pathways will rest again. The discovery of the primitive stress system not only explains the phenomenon of the correspondence between auricular points and internal organs, opening a new way of exploring the phenomena of body acupoints, but also develops a novel field in the research of bioscience.

The Development of Auricle and Inversion of the Distribution of Auricular Points / 上海针灸杂志

From the pictures presenting the development of auricle, it's found that the auricle is substantially derived from the protrusion beneath auricular hillocks, which has corrected the conclusion in textbook holding that the auricle develops from the six hillocks around the first branchial cleft fistula. This finding provides evidence for the standardization of auricular points locations based on the development of auricle, and also explains why the distribution of auricular points on the auricle is like a reverse human body.

Comparative observation of the efficacy on facial spasm among different therapies / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on facial spasm among auricular acupuncture, acupuncture and western medication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases of facial spasm were randomized into an auricular acupuncture group, an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 30 cases in each one. In the auricular acupuncture group, yan (LO), shenmen (TF), xin (CO), gan (CO), pi (CO), pizhixia (AT), chuiqian (LO), and zhen (AT) were selected. In the acupuncture group, Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sibai (ST 2), Xiaguan (ST 7), Chengqi (ST 1), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected. The needling therapy was given once a day in these two groups and 5 treatments as one session. There were 2 days at intervals. Totally two sessions were required. In the western medication group, carbamazepine tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 0.1 g each time, three times a day, for 7 days as one session, and totally 2 sessions were required. The facial spasmodic intensity was observed before and after treatment in the three groups. The effects were compared among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the facial spasmodic intensity was reduced as compared with that before treatment in all of the three groups (all<0.05). The result in the auricular acupuncture group was better than the other two groups (both<0.05). The result in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medication group (<0.05). The total effective rates were 93.3% (28/30), 80.0% (24/30) and 53.3% (16/30) in the three groups separately. The efficacy in the auricular acupuncture group was better than either the acupuncture group or the western medication group (both<0.05). The result in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medication group (<0.05). The efficacy in the cases with the diseases duration less than 6 months was significantly better than that in the cases with the diseases duration over 6 months (all<0.05). What's more, the efficacy of the auricular acupuncture group were the best.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The auricular acupuncture is quite optimal in the treatment of facial spasm. Its efficacy is better than that of routine acupuncture and carbamazepine. The efficacy is especially better in the cases with the diseases duration less than 6 months.</p>

Characteristics and principles of acupoint selection in auricular plaster therapy for hypertension based on literature analysis / 中国针灸

The characteristics and principles of acupoint selection in auricular plaster therapy for hypertension were explored. By searching CNKI (search time from 1950 to November of 2015), VIP database (search time from 1989 to November of 2015) and WanFang Database (search time from 1983 to November of 2015), the clinical research literature regarding auricular plaster therapy for hypertension was collected, and frequency statistics method was used for analysis. As a result, totally 117 articles were included. The auricular points with frequency from high to low were Jiangyagou, Shenmen (TF), Gan (CO), Xin (CO), Shen (CO), Jiaogan (AH), Pizhixia (AT), Jiangyadian and Neifenmi. The TCM syndromes with frequency from high to low were excessive accumulation of phlegm-dampness syndrome, upper hyperactivity of liversyndrome,deficiency andhyperactivity syndrome and excessive liver-fire syndrome. In conclusion, based on cross-reference of TCM and modern medicine combination ofand meridians differentiation and valuing the auricular points from clinical experience, the auricular plaster therapy for hypertension was characterized with "treating the principal and subordinate symptoms simultaneously and respectively" and "differentiation-based selection of auricular points to regulate", which could fully take the anti-hypertension advantages of non-pharmacotherapy.

Effectiveness Evaluation for Auricular Syndrome Differentiation and Yongquan Magnetic Point Application on Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy of lowering blood pressures and TCM syndrome on the mild to moderate hypertension via the treatment of auricular syndrome differentiation combined with magnetic point application;To provide reference for clinical treatment of hypertension by non-pharmaceutical therapy. Methods Totally 260 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, 130 cases for each. The control group was given Norvasc by conventional oral dosage, and the treatment group was given auricular syndrome differentiation and Yongquan (KI1) magnetic point application additionally. SBP, DBP and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were observed before and after treatment to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy and TCM syndrome efficacy. The side effects were also observed. Results After treatment, SBP of the two groups decreased significantly (P0.05). DBP of the treatment group decreased significantly (P0.05). TCM syndrome of treatment group improved significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in treatment group was better than the control group (P<0.05), without side effects. Conclusion Auricular syndrome differentiation combined with magnetic point application can not only significantly improve the TCM syndrome of patients with mild to moderate hypertension, but also has synergistic hypotensive efficacy and high safety.

Comparative Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Treating Menopausal Syndrome with Auricular Points Sticking-pressure and Acupuncture / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To make a comparative observation on treating menopausal syndrome with auricular points sticking-pressure and acupuncture. Methods:The 86 cases were randomized into the group of auricular points sticking-pressure and acupuncture group, and then the comparative observation was made according to the modified Kupperman index. Results: The statistical analysis on the comparative observation showed there is no significant difference between the therapeutic effects of the two groups. Conclusion: Auricular points sticking-pressure and acupuncture are both effective for menopausal syndrome, and the auricular points sticking-pressure is worthy to spread with its easy operation.