Effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture on pancreatic endocrine system in patients with simple obesity / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe different efficacies of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic endocrine system in male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency-related dampness.Methods:A total of 80 simple obesity patients were assigned to a male group (n=37) and a female group (n=43). Both groups received a 30-minute low-frequency EA at Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. Patients in both groups were treated for 2 courses. Then the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin level in the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results:After treatment, the BMI, serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.01 orP<0.05); the BMI and serum insulin concentration were more significantly reduced in the male group than those in the female group (bothP<0.01); and the leptin level was more significantly reduced in the female group than that in the male group (P<0.01).Conclusion: EA can significantly regulate BMI and pancreatic endocrine system in both men and women with simple obesity; however, there is a gender difference: better effect for men in reducing BMI and serum insulin and better effect for women in reducing serum leptin level.

Present situation and development direction of microacupuncture therapy / 中国针灸

There have been many reports of clinical and experimental researches of microacupuncture therapy, the relevant systematic works, teaching materials and national standards in recent decades. It shows that microacupuncture system has been formed and its influence has been promoted. While the rapid development of microacupuncture therapy, there are the problems and contradictions on nomenclature, explanation of theoretical basis, optimal indications, and multiple systems and schools, etc. All the above have blocked the clinical application and development. It is considered that we need to unify the nomenclature, condense the theoretical basis, clear the optimal indications, promote the exchange and blend among different schools and sum up the outcomes by systematic review and data mining technique.

Control observation between mild moxibustion and TDP for obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects between mild moxibustion and specific electromagnetic spectrum therapy apparatus (TDP) for obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients were randomly divided into a mild moxibustion group and a TDP group, 30 cases in each one. In the mild moxibustion group, pure moxa sticks were used at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. In the TDP group, TDP was applied at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. The treatment was given once a day for two courses, and 10-day treatment was made into a course. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, swelling degree of the affected digital joints before and after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The excellent rate was 56.7% (17/30) and the excellent and, good rate was 83.4% (25/30) in the mild moxibustion group,which were better than 36.7% (11/30) and 76.7% (23/30) in the TDP group respectively (both P < 0.01). After treatment the score of VAS and digital joints swelling degree were improved than those before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improvements of the mild moxibustion group were better than those of the TDP group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mild moxibustion can apparently relieve the painful and swelling degree of obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints, which is superior to TDP.</p>

Efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking on the content of serum prostaglandin F2α, and plasma arginine vasopressin in patients with menstrual headache / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual headache and to discuss its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-five patients with menstrual headache were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases) and a control group (42 cases). The observation group was treated with body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking and the control group was treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally. The treatments of 3 menstrual cycles were required. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups. The content of serum prostaglandin F2α, (PGF2α) and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the menstrual periods of some patients randomly selected in the two groups was tested before and after treatment and was compared with that of 20 cases in a normal group. Results The total effective rate was 95.4% (41/43) in the observation group which was obviously superior to 81.0% (34/42) in the control group (P<0.01). Before treatment, the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP of patients in the two groups was higher than that in the normal group (all P<0.01). After treatment,the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of serum PGF2α in the observation group was decreased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) and returned to the level of the normal group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking achieves positive efficacy for menstrual headache and its mechanism could be related to regulating the abnormal levels of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP.</p>