Development and characteristics of auricular fumigation moxibustion combined with heat-sensitive moxibustion device / 中国针灸

A moxibustion device with the functions of auricular fumigation moxibustion and heat-sensitive moxibustion is designed. The smoke of the ignited moxa stick is used for the fumigation moxibustion at the external auditory canal, while the heat generated works on Dazhui (GV 14) for heat-sensitive moxibustion. The device consists of five parts, i.e. combustion chamber, smoke pipe, smoke processing chamber, power module and connector. It solves the limitations such as unpleasant experience in treatment, unfavorable temperature control, easy scalding and excessive manual dependence induced by usual fumigation moxibustion and during heat-sensitive moxibustion. This moxibustion device may improve the safety and convenience when delivering the treatment with fumigation moxibustion and heat-sensitive moxibustion, as well as the work efficiency of medical staff.

Discussion on the location of Dazhui (GV 14) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) / 中国针灸

Since the anatomical location of acupoints was recorded in The latest Practice of Western Acupuncture in 1915, and Lecture Notes on Advanced Acupuncture in 1931, the Japanese acupuncture works of Chinese translation version, the location of Dazhui (GV 14) (under the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) (under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra) had rarely been questioned for nearly a century. In order to confirm the above statement, the writers have reviewed ancient literature, combined with the modern anatomical knowledge and searched the evidences from the core arguments of the acupuncture Mingtang chart and the bronze acupuncture statue. It is believed that Dazhui （GV 14） should be positioned under the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, and Yaoyangguan（GV 3） be under the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Accordingly, all of the other acupoints of these meridians should be moved down by 1 vertebra, i.e. those on the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoyangguan (GV 3), those on the 1st lateral line of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang from Dazhu (BL 11) to Baihuanshu (BL 30) and those on the 2nd lateral line of the bladder meridian from Fufen (BL 41) to Zhibian (BL 54).

Effects of moxibustion on serum levels of β-EP, SP and expression of IL-1β and COX-2 protein in brainstem in rats with migraine / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) at different time points on the serum level of β-endorphin (β-EP), substance P (SP) and expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in brainstem in rats with migraine, and to explore the effect and mechanism of moxibustion in preventing and treating migraine.@*METHODS@#Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prevention+treatment (PT) group and a treatment group, 10 rats in each group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were injected with nitroglycerin subcutaneously to prepare migraine model. The rats in the PT group were treated with moxibustion 7 days before modeling (once a day) and 30 min after modeling, while the rats in the treatment group were treated with moxibustion 30 min after modeling. The "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) were taken for 30 minutes each time. The behavioral scores in each group were observed before and after modeling. After intervention, ELISA method was used to detect the serum level of β-EP and SP; the immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem; the Western blot method was used to detect the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the behavioral scores in the model group were increased 0-30 min, 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01); compared with the model group, in the treatment group and the PT group, the behavioral scores were decreased 60-90 min and 90-120 min after modeling (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the serum level of β-EP was decreased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β in brainstem and the expression of COX-2 protein were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the PT group and and the treatment group, the serum level of β-EP was increased (P<0.01), while the serum level of SP, the number of positive cells of IL-1β and the expression of COX-2 protein in brainstem were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the treatment group, in the PT group, the serum level of β-EP was increased and COX-2 protein expression was decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could effectively relieve migraine. The mechanism may be related to reduce the serum level of SP, IL-1β and COX-2 protein expression in brainstem, and increase the serum level of β-EP, and the optimal effect is observed in the PT group.

Moxibustion therapy improving delayed memory deficits via promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis of hippocampus in a vascular dementia rat model / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To investigate the alteration of delayed memory and its relationship with neurogenesis and angiogenesis in vascular dementia (VD) rats after moxibustion therapy. Methods: Two hundred adult male SPF Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment. Thirty-six rats were randomly selected as the sham operation group. Except for rats in the sham operation group (n=36), the others were made into VD models by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAo). After modeling, the 108 survived rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) moxibustion group and a NSCs moxibustion group. Co-transplanted implant was transplanted into the rats in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group, and the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group were transplanted by NSCs only. The NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion therapy at Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), (each group was divided into 3 subgroups by the treatment course as 1, 2 and 3 courses). Every group was measured by Morris water maze to evaluate its delayed memory after 3 treatment courses and the rat’s brain was taken out after perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde one day after 1, 2 and 3 treatment courses, respectively. Marker protein expression was detected by laser confocal microscope to analyze the effect on neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Results: VD rats showed delayed memory in Morris water maze test 3 d after ischemic injury. After 3 courses of moxibustion therapy, VD-induced delayed memory deficits were improved in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group. The expressions of nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and CD34 increased significantly in the two moxibusiton groups after every treatment course (all P＜0.05), which might contribute to the neurogenesis and angiogenesis in hippocampus. In addition, compared with the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group, the expressions of nestin, DCX and CD34 increased significantly in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion can reverse VD-induced delayed memory deficits, which may be related to the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

Regulation of acupuncture on expression of AKT protein in lung tissues of asthma rats / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of acupuncture on the expression of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) in lung tissues of asthma rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a blocker group, 10 rats in each one. The rat model of asthma was established by egg albumin stimulation in the model group, acupuncture group and blocker group. Since the establishment of rat model, the rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Fengmen" (BL 12) before atomization; the rats in the blocker group were treated with intervention of blocker LY294002, once every two days, for 7 times. There was no treatment in the blank group and model group. HE staining was applied to observe the morphologic changes of lung tissues; the immunohistochemical method was applied to test the protein expression of AKT in lung tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HE staining indicated the infiltration and aggregation of a variety of inflammatory cells around airways, as well as bronchial smooth muscle spasm and confined lumen in the model group; in the acupuncture group and blocker group the inflammatory cells were less and confined lumen was relieved. Compared with the blank group, the protein expression of AKT was higher in the model group (<0.05); compared with the model group, the protein expression of AKT in the acupuncture group and blocker group was reduced (both<0.05); the differences between the acupuncture group and blank group, blocker group were not significant (both>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture could reduce the protein expression of AKT in lung tissue in asthma rats, leading to relieved inflammation reaction and airway remodeling.</p>

Effect of the isotretinoin combined with Dazhui acupoint bloodletting in the treatment of adolescent acne / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the isotretinoin combined with Dazhui acupoint bloodletting in the treatment of adolescent acne.Methods78 patients with adolescent acne from department of dermatology in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the experiment group,39 cases in each group.The control group were treated by isotretinoin and the experiment group were treated on the base of the control group with Dazhui acupoint bloodletting.The clinical total effective rate, incidence of adverse reactions and recurrence rate after 6 months were compared between control group and experiment group.ResultsCompared with the control group after treatment, the clinical total effective rate were higher(P<0.05), the incidence of adverse reactions were lower(P<0.05), the 6 months after the recurrence rate of acne were lower(P<0.05).ConclusionThe application of different dimension an acid combined with Dazhui acupoint bloodletting treatment can improve the adolescent acne clinical total efficiency, reduce the incidence of adverse reaction rate and recurrence rate, and suitable for clinical, it is worth popularization and application.

Effects of acupuncture on the number of associated protein phosphorylation in brain tissues of MCAO rats based on protein microarray technique / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the number of associated phosphorylated proteins in brain tissues of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats, based on the protein microarray technique. Methods: The MCAO model was prepared according to the modified occlusion method using occlusion lines. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using the lottery method: a sham operation group, a model group, a control point group and an acupoint group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the sham operation group and the model group only received binding without acupuncture. Rats in the acupoint group received acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14), Baihui (GV 20) and Shuigou (GV 25); rats in the control point group received acupuncture at non-acupoint control points. The needle was twisted once for 1 min after insertion and another time in the middle of the 30 min needle retaining. Acupuncture was conducted once every 12 h for 6 consecutive times. At the end of the experiment, the neurological impairment score was collected, and cells of the ischemic brain tissues were extracted. The protein phosphorylation of the related signaling was detected using the 720 phosphorylated antibody microarray technique, and the differentially expressed proteins between groups were screened. Results: The neurological impairment scores after 72 h of treatment: compared with the sham operation group, the scores of the model group, the control point group and the acupoint group were significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the scores of the acupoint group and the control point group were significantly decreased (P<0.01,P<0.05); the score of the acupoint group was better than that of the control point group (P<0.05). The results of the protein microarray: compared with the sham operation group, 48 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation (≥1.5 times) in the model group and the down-regulated was 28; compared with the model group, 35 proteins showed up-regulated phosphorylation in the control point group, and the down-regulated was 24. There were 29 proteins showing up-regulated phosphorylation in the acupoint group and the down-regulated was 51. The numbers of proteins involved in the function and signal transduction pathways were also different. Conclusion: Acupuncture at Dazhui (GV 14), Baihui (GV 20) and Shuigou (GV 25) can effectively repair brain injury. The ischemic injury of brain tissue may be caused by imbalance of a variety of proteins, and acupuncture can promote brain tissue repair by multi-functional and multi-channel regulation of the protein disorders.

Observation on clinical effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy for cervical radiculopathy / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy and Western medication alone for cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 139 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided based on the random digital table into an acupuncture-cupping group (70 cases) and a Western medication group (69 cases). In the acupuncture-cupping group, Fengchi (GB 20) (bilateral), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianjing (GB 21) (bilateral) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) points of the neck [bilateral, midpoint between Fengchi (GB 20) and Dazhui (GV 14)] were punctured. After the arrival of the needling sensation, bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianjing (GB 21) were linked with electric stimulation and the rest acupoints were manipulated with the moderate needling technique. In the retaining of the needles, TDP lamp radiation was used. After acupuncture, the cupping therapy was applied to the local area. The treatment was given once every other day, 20 d for a course. After one course, the therapeutic effects were observed. The Western medication group was treated by oral administration of Meloxicam (Mobic), 7.5 mg, once a day, with water and liquid after meal. The therapeutic effects were observed after 20 d. Results:The total effective rate was 92.8% in the acupuncture-cupping group and 73.9% in the Western medication group, with a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of the clinical symptoms of the two groups were obviously declined (P<0.01), and the score of the clinical symptoms of the acupuncture-cupping group was better than that of the Western medication group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture plus cupping therapy was more effective than administration of Meloxicam tablets alone in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

Clinical Observations on Heat-sensitive Point Dazhui (GV14) Moxibustion for the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive point Dazhui(GV14) moxibustion in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Method Ninety-six patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomly allocated to a heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion (observation) group of 30 cases, a non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion (control) group of 33 cases and a medication group of 33 cases. The observation group received heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion; the control group, non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion; the medication group, oral administration of Jingtong granules. The clinical symptoms were assessed and serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in the three groups before and after 15 days of treatment. Result All the three treatments had a certain effect on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The therapeutic effect was best in the observation group (P0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion is better than those of non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion and oral Jingtong granules. It is a more ideal way to treat cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The mechanism of its action may be related to post-treatment decrease in inflammatory factors in the lesion.

Therapeutic Observation of Bleeding Cupping with Different Acupoints and Frequencies for Acne Vulgaris / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of bleeding cupping with different acupoints and frequencies in treating acne vulgaris.MethodSixty-four patients were divided by using stratified randomization method into Dazhui (GV14) group of 32 cases (16 cases in the subgroup of once every week, and the other 16 cases in the subgroup of twice every week) and Geshu(BL17) group of 32 cases (16 cases in the subgroup of once every week, and the rest 16 cases in the subgroup of twice every week). Dazhui group received bleeding cupping once every week or twice every week, while Geshu group also received bleeding cuppingonce every week or twice every week. The acne symptoms scores and total score were observed before and after intervention to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.ResultThe symptoms scores including oily condition, skin lesion nature, counts, color, and swelling pain were decreased after intervention in the two groups (P<0.01). The improvement of oily condition in Geshugroup was more significant than that in Dazhuigroup (P<0.05). The symptoms scores including oily condition, skin lesion nature, counts, color, and swelling pain were decreased after intervention in all the subgroups of different frequencies (P<0.01). The improvements of skin lesion nature and swelling pain were more significant in the subgroups of twice a week than that in the subgroups of once a week (P<0.05).ConclusionBleeding cupping with different acupoints and frequencies all can produce satisfactory efficacies; bleeding cupping at Geshucan produce a more significant efficacy than that at Dazhui;treatment at a frequency of twice a week can produce a more significant effect than once a week in improving skin lesion nature and swelling pain.

"Research on ""Kidney-liver-brain"" Axis and Acupuncture on Du Meridian for Stroke Treatment" / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

The onset of stroke is related to the deficiency of kidney water, internal stirring of liver wind, disorder of brain marrow, and blood. They are in evolutionary relationship. The disorder of kidney-liver-brain axis is the core pathogenesis of stroke. In the aspect of meridian and function, the Du meridian is closely related to the kidney, liver and brain. Acupuncture on the Du meridian to regulate the kidney-liver-brain axis is an effective method in the treatment of stroke. The clinical practice and research have proved that DU20-Baihui and DU14-Dazhu are im-portant acupoints in the treatment of stroke.

"Functional Feature of ""Five Yang Acupoints"" in Governor Vessel" / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Governor Vessel is one of eight extraordinary Meridians, and been also called the sea of Yang Meridians.It masters the Yin and Yang of the body cooperating with Conception Vessel.Acupoints on Governor Vessel have been used widely in clinic.The author expounded the functional feature of Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Zhiyang (GV 9), Dazhui (GV 14) and Baihui (GV 20), which can show the characteristic of Governor Vessel and provide reference for clinical application.

Clinical Study on Electroacupuncture Dazhui for Treatment of 138 Cases of High Fever in Common Cold / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To search for an effective acupuncture-moxibustion therapy for high fever in common cold. Methods According to the randomized and multi-central trial principle, 276 cases enrolled were randomly assigned to observation group of 138 cases and control group of 138 cases. The observation group were treated by electroacupuncture at Dazhui and the control group were treated by Antondinie injection coordinating pathogeny therapy to observe the prompt effects in 24 hours. Results After treatment, the temperature of every time point of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion The method of electroacupuncturing at Dazhui has a definite therapeutic effect on high fever in common cold.

Effect of dressing-pretreatment of Chinese Traditional Medicine membranous plaster on forepart inflammation in adjuvant arthritis rats / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo explore the effect of dressing-pretreatment on forepart inflammation in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats.MethodsAA model was established by subcutaneous injection of Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind-paw (0.1 ml/animal). 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group and dressing-pretreatment groups. In dressing-pretreatment group, "Dazhui" (GV14) was applied by a kind of dressing invented by the researchers. The foot swelling rate, serum concentrations of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed.ResultsCompared with the control group, the foot swelling rate and serum concentrations of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α of the model group and dressing-pretreatment group increased significantly (P<0.01); but the foot swelling rate and serum concentrations of IL-1 and IL-6 in dressing-pretreatment group decreased significantly compared with those of the model group (P<0.05～0.01), and there was a downtrend in TNF-α. HE stain showed soakage of phlogistic cell in cartilage and arthritis membrane, hyperplasia of vein and breakage of cartilage were better in dressing-pretreatment group compared with that in the model group.ConclusionDressing-pretreatment can decrease forepart inflammation and pathological damage of arthritis in AA rats, and can prevent the harm of consequent disease to some extent.

Effect on Acupoint External Application with Chinese Herbal Medicine on Inflammatory Reaction in Asthma Rats / 广州中医药大学学报

0.05).Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of AEP of Chinese herbal medicine for asthma may be related with the inhibition of EOS infiltration,the decrease of peripheral IL-4 content and the increase of IFN-?.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Learning and Memory and Heme Oxygenase in Rats with Vascular Dementia / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the disorder of learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia (VD) and to explore its molecular mechanism. [Methods] Among 60 male SD rats, 10 rats were in sham-operation group and the other 50 rats were used to establish models of global ischemia and reperfusion by four-vessel occlusion (4-VO) method. Then the survival model rats were randomized into EA group (n = 14) , model group (n = 13) and nimotop group (n = 13). EA group was treated with EA at points of Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) , nimotop group with nimotop 12 mg/kg, and sham-operation group and model group did not receive any treatment. After a 20-day treatment, the changes of learning and memory behavior in rats were detected by Morris water maze, as well as the protein expression and mRNA expression of heme oxygenase (HO) . [Results] The escape latent period, HO-1 protein expression and HO-1 mRNA-expression were increased obviously in model rats ( P 0.05). [Conclusion] EA can improve the learning and memory behavior in rats with VD and this may be related to the decrease of HO-1 protein expression and HO-1 mRNA-expression in cortex and hippocampal neurons.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Synaptic Number Density and Surface Density in the Cerebral Ischemic Areas of Rats with Focal Cerebral Ischemia at Different Time / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)in improving the reconstruction of synapse after cerebral ischemia.Methods Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:sham-operated group,ischemia group and EA group.The number density(Nv)of synapses and the surface density(Sv)of synaptic joint band were observed 1 hour,1 day,3 days,1 week and 3 weeks after ischemia and EA, respectively.Heat-coagulation-induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed to establish the model of focal cerebral ischemia.EA group received EA on the acupoints of Baihui and Dazhui.The changes of synaptie structure,Nv and Sv as well as the influence of EA on the above indexes were observed in different time.Results There existed significant decrease of Nv and Sv 1 hour,1 day and 3 days after establishment of models in the isehemia group(P0.05).Conclusion EA can reduce the cerebral ischemic injury by increasing the synaptic amount and area in the cortex of rat model of cerebral isehemia at early stage,promoting the cerebral recovery after ischemia,which will provide substantial morphological basis for the improvement of synaptic reconstruction and recovery from cerebral isehemia by EA at different time after ischemic cerebral injury.

Effect of Acupuncture at Different Doses on Synaptic Plasticity of Rats After Cerebral Ischemia / 广州中医药大学学报

0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture has an effect on I/O curve amplitude of EPSP and PS,and on LTP induction of PS of dentate gyrus(DG) in rats after cerebral ischemia.However,the difference of effect of acupuncture at different doses on LTP induction is insignificant.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Nerve Growth Factor Expression in Ischemic Cortex of Rats with Focal Cerebral Ischemia / 广州中医药大学学报

[Objective] To observe the protective effect of acupuncture on ischemic cerebral damage. [Methods] SD rats were randomized into 2-week sham-operation (2W-SO) group (n=6) , 5-week sham-operation (5W-SO) group (n =6) , 2-week cerebral-ischemia (2W-CI) group (n-6) , 5-week cerebral-ischemia (5W-CI) group ( n = 6), 2W-CI + electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=6) and 5W-CI + EA group (n=6) . Except the sham-operation groups, cerebral ischemia was induced by heat-occlusion of middle cerebral artery in other groups. Changes of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression were monitored in ischemic cortex of rats with 2-week and 5-week ischemia by immunohistochemical method, and the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) was observed. [Results] Few NGF-positive cells were found in the ischemic cortex of sham-operation groups and the expression of NGF were obvious in cerebral ischemia groups as compared with the sham-operation groups ( P

Research of Intervention with Electroacupuncture Through Regulating MAPK/ERK Pathway for Cerebral Ischemia Rats / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the intervention with electroacupuncture(EA) through regulating protein kinase(MAPK/ERK) pathway for cerebral ischemia rats.Methods SD rats were randomized into pseudo-operation group,model group and EA group.And the three groups were divided into 2-hour,one-day and 3-day subgroups according to the observation time.Focal cerebral ischemia(FCI) rat models were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with heat-coagulation method.EA group received EA on Baihui(GV20) and Dazhui(GV14),qd,for 2 hours,one day and 3 days respectively.The learning and memory abilities of the rats in Y maze test and their neuroethological score were observed.Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK) after ischemia in CA1 area and CA3 area.Results In the model group,the neuroethological score was markedly increased,time for arriving the safe area in Y maze was prolonged(P