Résumé
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Lower He-Sea points on the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the serum and gallbladder tissues, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in gallbladder tissues of the guinea pigs with acute cholecystitis (AC), and to explore whether Yanglingquan (GB 34), the Lower He-Sea point pertaining to Dan Fu (gallbladder), is relatively specific for the Dan Fu (gallbladder) disorders. Methods: Eighty-two healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into 6 groups according to the random number table method, a blank group, a model group, a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, a Zusanli (ST 36) group, a Shangjuxu (ST 37) group, and a Xiajuxu (ST 39) group, with 12 guinea pigs in the blank group while 14 in the other groups, respectively, half males and half females in each group. Except for the blank group, guinea pigs in the other groups were injected with E. coli into the gallbladder to establish AC models. Guinea pigs in the blank group were fed routinely without special treatment; those in the model group were daily tied up for 30 min without EA treatment; those in the 4 groups receiving EA treatment were acupunctured at the corresponding Lower He-Sea points after daily binding and stimulated with the SDZ-V EA instrument. After successful modeling and treatment for 5 d, blood was collected from the abdominal aorta of the guinea pigs, and the gallbladder tissues in each group were isolated for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the morphological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum IL-1β level, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression levels of NF-κB and IL-1β in gallbladder. Results: On the 3rd day after modeling, the guinea pigs in the five groups with modeling were mentally depressed with decreased appetite, significantly reduced activities, slouch, lassitude, slack and matted fur, and loose stools; two guinea pigs were selected from each group (one male and one female, not included in the final statistics) to isolate the gallbladder after sacrifice; macroscopic observation showed that the gallbladder wall was differently thickened; the bile color was dark green and opaque with particles suspended or accumulated; light microscope observation showed that the submucosal blood vessels of the gallbladder were congested, along with mucosal edema, ulceration, necrosis, shedding, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating in the lamina propria, indicating that the AC model was successfully prepared. Compared with the model group, the gallbladder tissue injuries of the four groups receiving EA treatment were all differently repaired, the serum IL-1β levels were reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the IL-1β levels in the gallbladder tissues were reduced (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the NF-κB expression level in the Yanglingquan (GB 34) group was significantly reduced (P<0.01), but was not statistical different in the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Shangjuxu (ST 37) group and Xiajuxu (ST 39) group (all P>0.05). Compared with the Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, the gallbladder tissues of the Zusanli (ST 36) group, Shangjuxu (ST 37) group and Xiajuxu (ST 39) group were more severely damaged, and the expression levels of serum IL-1β, the NF-κB and IL-1β in the gallbladder tissues were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Intervention effect of Yanglingquan (GB 34) on AC guinea pigs was superior to that of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). Conclusion: EA at the Lower He-Sea points of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine and gallbladder can produce curative effects on AC guinea pigs and reduced the inflammatory symptoms. Intervention effect of Yanglingquan (GB 34) on AC guinea pigs is superior to that of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39). The mechanism of EA at Yanglingquan (GB 34) in treating AC may be regulating IL-1β and NF-κB to control the inflammatory response and improve the gallbladder tissue damage.
Résumé
Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway in knee joint synovial tissues of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the action mechanism of EA on RA. Methods: Twelve of the 48 SPF male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to a normal group by the random number table method. The remaining 36 rats were subjected to RA model preparation by intradermal injection of the Freund's complete adjuvant into the right hind foot pad of each rat under sterile conditions. After the model was successfully prepared, rats were then divided into a model group, a drug group and an EA group according to a random number table method (n=12). Rats in the drug group were treated with 2 mL aqueous solution of tripterygium glycosides [8.1 mg/(kg?bw)]; rats in the EA group were treated with EA at bilateral Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Zusanli (ST 36), for 30 min each time; rats in the normal group and the model group were placed in a special rat fixation tank for 30 min each time, and received the same dose of normal saline as those in the drug group. Rats in all groups received intervention once a day for 4 weeks. Diameter of rat ankle joint and rat arthritis index were measured before and after the intervention. At the end of the experiment, the expressions of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs expressions. Results: After the model was produced, the arthritis index >2 was considered successful in model preparation. Compared with the model group, the ankle joint diameters and arthritis indexes of rats in the drug group and the EA group were significantly lower (all P<0.01); immunohistochemical staining cells with phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 were significantly decreased (all P<0.01); the expression levels of JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs were decreased with statistical differences (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the EA group and the drug group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: EA can alleviate the inflammatory response of RA rats, improve their pathological conditions, reduce the expressions of phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3 in the synovial tissue of knee joint, and decrease the expressions of JAK2 and STAT3 mRNAs. The therapeutic effect of EA is comparable to that of the tripterygium glycosides. The mechanism of EA treatment may be related to the inactivation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Résumé
Objective: To observe the changes in numbers and degranulation status of local mast cells (MCs) of the complementary acupionts, as well as the concentrations of serum histamine and bradykinin after acupuncture at rat's complementary acupionts of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 10), for exploring the mechanisms of the synergistic effect of complementary acupionts. Methods: Using random number table method, 40 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group K), an acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (group A), an acupuncture at Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group B), an acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group AB), and an acupuncture at points near Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) group (group CD), 8 rats in each group. Group A received acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34); group B received acupuncture at Yinlingquan (SP 9); group AB received acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9); group CD received acupuncture at the control points [points 3 mm away from Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) respectively]. Acupuncture was performed at bilateral points in each group. Rats in group K were fixed using the same method as rats in the other 4 groups without acupuncture stimulation. Needles of 0.35 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length were used for acupuncture. Needle handle was connected to the G6805-Ⅱ mode electroacupuncture (EA) device after needling qi was obtained, with sparse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz and current of 1 mA to keep the needle handles slightly tremulous while the rats kept quiet. Rats were continuously stimulated by EA for 20 min each time. Experimental interventions were conducted on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days when the experiment started, for 4 times in total. Specimens from rats in each group were collected 2 h after the 7th day. The levels of histamine and bradykinin in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Local tissues of the points were used to prepare cryosections. The changes of MCs were observed after toluidine blue staining. Results: Compared with group K, the numbers and degranulation rates of MCs in group A, group B, group AB and group CD were significantly increased (all P<0.05). The number and degranulation rate of MCs in group AB were significantly higher than those in group A, group B and group CD (all P<0.05). The order of histamine levels from high to low was: group AB >group B > group A > group CD > group K, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); the levels of bradykinin in group AB, group A and group B were significantly higher than those in group K and group CD (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the bradykinin level between group A and group B, nor between group CD and group K (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The number and degranulation rate of MCs of the complementary acupionts are significantly increased after acupuncture at complementary acupionts of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Yinlingquan (SP 9) of rats, and the serum levels of histamine and bradykinin are increased, which may be one of the mechanisms of the synergism produced by the combination of complementary acupionts.
Résumé
Objective:To observe different effects of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on electrogastrogram (EGG) of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods:A total of 65 cases were randomized into a Zusanli (ST 36) group (n=33) and a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (n=32) by random serial number, to receive moxibustion therapy to the corresponding point respectively. The 8-lead EGG was used before and after treatment to collect EGG parameter of the gastric body, antrum of stomach, lesser curvature and greater curvature, including the dominant frequency, slow wave percentage, average frequency, response area and motility index. Results:After treatment, the dominant frequency and slow wave percentage were improved in nearly the whole stomach area in Zusanli (ST 36) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); the slow wave percentage and average frequency were improved in stomach body and antrum of stomach in Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) had a significantly higher influence on EGG than Yanglingquan (GB 34) , in which the lifting of slow wave percentage was significantly higher than Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) has the effect of adjusting abnormal EGG pattern in FD patients. Compared with Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36) has a superior effect in improving EGG in stomach area.
Résumé
Objective To investigate the relieving effect of acupuncture plus medication on persistent right upper abdominal and scapular pains during acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis.Method One hundred patients with acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 50 cases each. The control group received medication and the treatment group, acupuncture at points Yanglingquan, Dannang and Taichong in addition. Both groups were treated once daily, for a total of seven days. Liver function indicators (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL)) were measured and the VAS score was recorded in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the three groups.Result There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the liver function indicators and the VAS score in the three groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in TBIL and DBIL, and the VAS score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 98% in the treatment group and 50% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture plus medication can effectively relieve the pain induced by acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis and improve the liver function indicators in the patients.
Résumé
Objective:To observe different effects of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) on electrogastrogram (EGG) of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods:A total of 65 cases were randomized into a Zusanli (ST 36) group (n=33) and a Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (n=32) by random serial number, to receive moxibustion therapy to the corresponding point respectively. The 8-lead EGG was used before and after treatment to collect EGG parameter of the gastric body, antrum of stomach, lesser curvature and greater curvature, including the dominant frequency, slow wave percentage, average frequency, response area and motility index. Results:After treatment, the dominant frequency and slow wave percentage were improved in nearly the whole stomach area in Zusanli (ST 36) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); the slow wave percentage and average frequency were improved in stomach body and antrum of stomach in Yanglingquan (GB 34) group, showing statistical significances (bothP<0.05); moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) had a significantly higher influence on EGG than Yanglingquan (GB 34) , in which the lifting of slow wave percentage was significantly higher than Yanglingquan (GB 34) group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) has the effect of adjusting abnormal EGG pattern in FD patients. Compared with Yanglingquan (GB 34), Zusanli (ST 36) has a superior effect in improving EGG in stomach area.
Résumé
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the activation of microglia cells in the Lto Lspinal cord in rats with neuropathic pain, so as to investigate whether EA could inhibit the activation of spinal microglial cells and regulate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to achieve the analgesic effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-model group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each one. The rats in the normal group received no treatment; the rats in sham-model group were treated with operation to exposure sciatic nerve for 2 to 3 min (no knot); the rats in the remaining groups were treated with model establishment of chronic constrictive injury (CCI). 7 days after model establishment, the rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34), 30 min per time, once a day for consecutive 7 days. Only immobilization was used in the remaining groups the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of affected side feet were respectively measured before model establishment and 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 12 days and 14 days after model establishment; 14 days after model establishment, rats were sacrificed; the immunohistochemical method was used to measure the expression of Iba1 and BDNF in the sample of Lto Lspinal cord; real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression BDNF mRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-model group, the pain threshold was decreased significantly in the model group (<0.05), leading to hyperpathia. After EA treatment, compared with the model group, the pain threshold was increased significantly in the EA group (<0.05). 14 days after operation, the microglia cells in the Lto Lspinal cord, expression of BDNF and level of mRNA in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group and sham-model group (all<0.01); those in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the model group (all<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The analgesic effect on neuropathic pain is likely to be achieved by EA through inhibiting the activation of spinal microglia cells and down-regulating the expression of BDNF.</p>
Résumé
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) plus Medicine in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Methods Sixty patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. Both groups of patients took a bed rest, wore a waist belt and did moderate functional exercises. The control group received medication and the treatment group, acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) in addition. The VAS score and the ODI score were recorded before and after treatment. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 70.0% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the ODI score in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the ODI score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) plus Medicine is an effective way to treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. It can relieve pain and reduce dysfunction.
Résumé
Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) on white matter structure of stroke patients. Meth-ods 6 stroke patients with left hemiplegia in recovery stage were recruited. The sham acupoint was as control, the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in a 1.5 T SIEMENS scanner before and after acupuncture at Yanglingquan point was collected. Differences between the two con-ditions were compared with the Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS), which is one of FSL tools. Results The brain areas included left pre-central gyrus, postcentral gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, supplementary motor area, inferior frontal gyrus, internal capsule, fornix and bilateral inferior parietal gyrus, in which the verum acupuncture had stronger effect on fractional anisotropy (FA) than the sham acupuncture. White matter tract such as pyramidal tract, arcuate fasciculus, corpus callosum and other inter-cortex association fi-bers passed these brain areas. The fiber tracts and brain areas were found to be involved with multiple brain networks of motor compensa-tion, somatosensory, language and cognition. Conclusion Compared with the sham point, acupuncture at Yanglingquan point can change the microstructure of stroke patients' white matter, mainly in the inaffected side and related to multiple functional networks.
Résumé
Objective To investigate the role of ERK signaling pathway in spinal cord in reduction of neuropathic pain (NP) by electro-acupuncture (EA) at Zusanli and Yanglingquan.Methods Fifty male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 180-220 g,in which the intrathecal catheter was successfully placed without complications,were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =10 each):sham operation group (S group),chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group,acupuncture at acupoint group (EA group),acupuncture at non-acupoint group (NA-EA group),and ERK inhibitor U0126 group (U0126 group).NP was induced by CCI in groups CCI,EA,NA-EA and U0126.The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate 300 mg/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals.EA (intensity ＜ 1.5 mA,frequency 2Hz) of Zusanli and Yanglingquan lasting 30 min was performed once a day for 6 days starting from 4th day after induction of NP in group EA.EA was performed at the points 5 mm lateral to the acupoints of Zusanli and Yanglingquan on the operated side in group NA-EA.Intrathecal U0126 5 μg was started on 4th day after induction of NP twice a day for 6 consecutive days.The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before CCI (T0,baseline) and at days 3,5,7 and 9 after CCI (T1-4).The rats were sacrificed on 10th day after induction of NP and the right lumbar segment (L4-6) of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of P2X3 receptor protein and mRNA,ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the spinal cord dorsal horn.Results Compared with group S,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was significantly shortened,the expression of P2X3 receptor protein and mRNA,and p-ERK1/2 was up-regulated in the other 4 groups (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with CCI group,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was significantly prolenged,the expression of P2X3 receptor protein and mRNA,and p-ERK1/2 was downregulated in EA and U0126 groups (P ＜ 0.01),and no significant change in the parameters mentioned above was found in NA-EA group (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with EA group,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was significantly prolonged,the expression of P2X3 receptor protein and mRNA,and p-ERK1/2 was down-regulated in U0126 group (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion ERK signaling pathway in spinal cord is involved in reduction of NP by EA at Zusanli and Yanglingquan.
Résumé
[Objective]To observe the cerebral activating effects of needling in Yanglingquan(GB34) vs a sham point of healthy volunteers based on the technique of fMRI.[Methods]Sixteen healthy volunteers were randomly divided into GB34 group and sham point group,and received needling in the different points on the right side respectfully.Super nuclear magnetic resonance(1.5T,GE Co.) was used to scan the brain and the obtained experimental data of the regional brain were processed and analyzed by method of Region of Interest(ROI).[Results]There was not any difference between needling in GB34 and the sham point in the cerebral activating rate.While the activating number of needling in the sham point was more than that of needling in GB34 in bilateral parietal lobes and right occipital lobe(P
Résumé
Objective To study the relative specificity of Yanglingquan on relieving spastic gastrocnemius. Methods According to evidence-based medicine/DME principle, the effect of Yanglingquan in relieving gastrocnemius spasm of old women was studied and evaluated by standard diagnostic and efficacy criteria in random blind multi-center clinical test, with Yanglingquan as the observation group and non-related acupoint Quchi as control group. The effect was investigated by muscle spasm rehabilitation assessment methods. Results There were significant differences in the grade integral of symptoms of both groups between before and after treatment (P 0.05). Conclusion The effect of Yanglingquan in relieving gastrocnemius spasm was better than Quchi, and gastrocnemius spasm isn’t relevant to the content of K+, Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ in blood.
Résumé
0.05),but the cure rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group(P
Résumé
[Objective] To observe analgesic action produced by electvoacupuncture (EA) of different intensity in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. [Methods] AA rat models were induced and the rats were randomized into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Group A and group B were treated with EA on points of Kunlun (BL60) and Yangtingquan (GB34) at the same wave type and wave frequency but at different electric current (3.5mA and 5.5mA respectively). Group C was performed with mimic EA. Pain threshold (PT) in the three groups before and after EA was observed. [Results] After EA, PT of the affected limb in group A and group B was increased (P0.05). [Conclusion] Analgesic action of EA at the same wave type and wave frequency while at different electric current is different: analgesic action at middle-intensity current is superior to that at large-intensity current; its possible mechanism is related to the participation of central nervous system.