Résumé
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture at acupoints and non-acupoints on macrophage polarization of white adipose tissue in obese mice induced by high-fat diet(HFD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group (=10), and other mice were fed with HFD for 16 weeks to establish model. Thirty model mice, which were successfully established and continuously fed with HFD for 8 weeks, were randomized into a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupuncture group (=10/group). The mice in the control group were continuously fed with common food for 8 weeks. From the second day after model established, the mice of the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3); the mice of the non-acupoint group were treated with acupuncture at two non-acupoints in tail, 15 min a time, once a day for 8 weeks. After model establishment and on the second day after the last acupuncture treatment, the body weight was recorded. The level of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) in eye socket blood were measured. The morphological structure of epididymis white adipose tissue (eWAT) in mice was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-10, inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS), CD206 in eWAT of mice were determined with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The protein expressions of iNOS and CD206 in eWAT were determined with immunohistochemistry staining (IHC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the body weight in the model, non-acupoint and acupuncture groups increased at the 16th and 24th weeks (all<0.05). Compared with the model group, the body weight of the acupuncture group at the 24th week decreased (<0.05). The serum TG and TC in the model group increased compared with those of the control group (both<0.05). The TC in the non-acupoint group decreased (<0.05), and the TG and TC in the acupuncture group decreased compared with those in the model group (both<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in the model and non-acupoint groups increased compared with those in the control group (all<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of IL-10 and CD206 decreased (all<0.05). The mRNA expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the model group (all<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of IL-10 and CD206 were higher (both<0.05). HE staining showed alveolate adipose tissue in the control group with numbers of unilocular adipose cells, vacuolar polygon or circle. The adipose cells in the model group were larger and irregular with larger intercellular space. The adipose cells in the acupuncture group were minified with smaller intercellular space. Compared with those in the control group, the protein expressions of iNOS increased (both<0.05) and those of CD206 decreased (both<0.05) in the model and non-acupoint groups. Compared with those in the model group, the protein expression of iNOS decreased (<0.05) and that of CD206 increased (<0.05) in the acupuncture group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can improve inflammation of obese mice through affecting macrophage polarization of white adipose tissue.</p>
Résumé
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between electro-acupunctured point Houxi(SI3)and activated brain function areas, contrast the images produced with electroacupuncture at left and right points Houxi and make a comparison with electroacupuncture at point Hegu(LI4)in patients with peripheral facial paralysis.MethodPatients with peripheral facial paralysis, six on the left side and six on the right side, were enrolled as subjects. A scan of the whole brain was taken using fMRI during electroacupuncture stimulation. The images were processed using SPM software. An analysis using at-test (P<0.01) showed differences in brain functional images produced with electroacupuncture at different points.ResultElectroacupuncture at left point Houxi increased the signals of brain regions: rightcaudate nucleus, right cingulate gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, the brainstem and the cerebellar vermis. Electroacupuncture at right point Houxi increased the signals of brain regions: right medial frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, rightcingulate gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus.ConclusionThere is a difference in the image between electroacupuncture at point Houxi and at point Hegu or Dicang(ST4). There is also a larger difference in the image between bilateral points Houxi. The brain regions with high-frequency or low-frequency signals are not consistent. The results further prove the scientificalness of “Point Hegu is indicated for diseasesin the face and mouth” and also show that the cognominal acupoints on the two sides ofthe human body may have some differences, e.g. the conduction pathways are not completely the same and the therapeutic effects are not completely consistent.
Résumé
Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture therapy on triglyceride (TG) content of quadriceps femoris in the high fat diet feeding-induced insulin resistance rats; To discuss acupuncture mechanisms to improve the insulin sensitivity. Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats at the age of eight weeks were randomly divided into normal group, model group, electro-acupuncture group, and sham electro-acupuncture group. The normal group was given basic diet, and model group, electro-acupuncture group and sham electro-acupuncture group were given high fat diet for 8 weeks, after which, the model of insulin resistance was successfully obtained. Electro-acupuncture group was given acupuncture therapy with “Guanyuan (GV4)”, “Zhognwan (GV12)”, “Zusanli (ST36)”, and “Fenglong (ST40)” for 8 weeks. Sham electro-acupuncture group was given stimulation at non-acupuncture points which were not on the meridians and near the acupoints but not at the area of the acupoints. In addition, food intake and body weight of each group were recorded, blood glucose was tested, TG content of quadriceps femoris was measured by enzymatic method after the treatment. Results The weight of the rats and TG levels of quadriceps femoris in electro-acupuncture group and sham electro-acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in model group, with significant statistical difference (P<0.05), especially in electro-acupuncture group. Conclusion Acupuncture therapy could improve insulin sensitivity to prevent and its related diseases.
Résumé
Objective To explore the brain changes of electroacupuncturing (EA) different acupoints of peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Eighteen patients with left PFP were randomly divided into three groups. Six of them received electroacupuncturing left Dicang, 6 received electroacupuncturing left Hegu, and 6 received electroacupuncturing left Houxi. fMRI data were obtained from scanning of the whole brain. Functional data were processed by SPM99 software and functional responses were established with t-test analysis (P<0.05). Results Electroacupuncturing Dicang and Hegu on the left induced decreasing of signal in bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left cingulate gyrus, signal increased of right precentral gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right insular, while electroacupuncturing Houxi on the left induced decrease of signal in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, left lentiform nucleus, right middle temporal gyrus, right cerebellar tonsil, signal increased of right caudate head, right cingulate gyrus, brainstem, cerebellar vermis and right parahippocampal gyrus. Conclusion Electroacupunctuing Hegu and Dicang can cause corresponding functional activation in cerebrum, while electroacupuncturing Houxi can not, suggesting that there is association between cerebral and acupoint of owned meridian.