Discussion on time standards of acupuncture based on Ziwu Liuzhu / 中国针灸

Designation of days and hours in terms of the heavenly stems and earthly branches is held as an important basis for point selection according to the ancient acupuncture theory of Ziwu Liuzhu (midnight-moon ebb flow). While the heavenly stems and earthly branches are predicted on the base of particular times. Therefore, what standard of time should be adopted is essential for acupuncture based on Ziwu Liuzhu. The article has pointed out the possible errors in adopting Beijing time, local mean solar time and real solar time. It proposes that real solar time should be adopted as the time standard for acupuncture based on Ziwu Liuzhu in the view of analysis of the theory itself and history background of the generation of the theory. It is also suggested to explore a particular software or establish a website for assistance of the acupoint selection.

Comparative study on different point combinations of Zusanli (ST 36) for improving acute gastric mucosa injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare effects of different point combinations of Zusanli (ST 36) for improving acute gastric mucosa injury and study on the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, Zusanli (ST 36) group (group A); Zusanli and Neiguan (PC 6) group (group B); Zusanli and Zhongwan (CV 12) group (group C); Zusanli and Gongsun (SP 4) group (group D); Zusanli, Neiguan and Zhongwan group (group E); Zusanli, Neiguan and Gongsun group (group F); Zusanli, Zhongwan and Gongsun group (group G); Zusanli and Neiguan, Zhongwan, Gongsun group (group H); model group (group I); blank control group (group J), 10 rats in each group. Gastric mucosa injury model was made by intragastric infusion of dehydrated alcohol (0. 6 mL/100 g). The gastric mucosa injury index (UI), epidermal growth factor (EGF), nitric oxide (NO) and gastrin (GAS) contents were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Contents of EGF and NO were significantly increased and GAS content decreased in all of the EA groups as compared with those in the model group (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05), with no significant differences among group A, B and D, and significant differences as group A compared with group C, F and group H compared with other EA groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different point combinations of Zusanli (ST 36) can improve acute gastric mucosa injury, with the strongest effect in the Zusanli and Neiguan, Zhongwan, Gongsun group.</p>