Effects of catgut embedding and PGLA embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on skin mast cells, substance P and histamine in healthy rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of catgut embedding and polyglycolic acid/poly-lactic acid (PGLA) embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the activation of local skin mast cells (MC), and expression of substance P (SP) and histamine (HA), and to explore the mechanism of the temporal stimulation effect of acupoint catgut embedding and provide a foundation for further research on the initiation mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding.@*METHODS@#One hundred and sixty male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats), a sham-embedding group (50 rats), a catgut group (50 rats), and a PGLA group (50 rats). Each intervention group was further randomly divided into five subgroups according to the time points after intervention: 8 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days, with 10 rats in each subgroup. One-time sham-embedding, catgut embedding and PGLA embedding was given at left "Zusanli" (ST 36) in each intervention group, respectively. The skin and subcutaneous connective tissue of the left "Zusanli" (ST 36) were collected at the corresponding time points after intervention, except for the blank group (only one day before intervention). Toluidine blue staining was used to detect MC count and degranulation, and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of SP and HA positive cells.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in MC count between the subgroups of each intervention group and the blank group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in MC count between the subgroups of the catgut group and the PGLA group (P>0.05). The MC count in the 8-hour subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the MC count in the 21-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 21-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the degranulation rates of MC were increased in the 8-hour and 3-day subgroups of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, and 7-day subgroups of catgut group, and 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC between the subgroups of the catgut group and the PGLA group (P>0.05), and no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC between the two embedding groups at the same time point (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the expression of SP positive cells was increased in the 8-hour subgroup of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of catgut group, and 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.001, P<0.05). The expression of SP positive cells in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the expression of SP positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of catgut group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.001). The expression of SP positive cells in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05), while the expression of SP positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression of SP positive cells between the subgroups of the two embedding groups at the same time point (P>0.05). Compared with the blank group, the expression of HA positive cells was increased in the 8-hour, 3-day subgroups of sham-embedding group, 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups of catgut group, and 8-hour, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day subgroups of PGLA group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression of HA positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of catgut group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05), while the expression of HA positive cells in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 8-hour subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05), and the expression of HA positive cells in the 14-day subgroup of PGLA group was lower than that in the 7-day subgroup of PGLA group (P<0.05). The expression of HA positive cells in the 3-day subgroup of PGLA group was higher than that in the 3-day subgroup of catgut group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Catgut and PGLA embedding at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in healthy rats could induce changes in local skin MC, SP, and HA, which may be one of the mechanisms of the temporal stimulation effect after acupoint embedding. There are certain differences between different suture materials. A moderate inflammatory response in the acupoint area, mediated by MC and involving SP and HA, may be one of the initiating factors for the effect of acupoint catgut embedding.

Safety of Thread Embedding Acupuncture Therapy: A Systematic Review / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the safety of thread embedding acupuncture therapy (TEAT) and discuss the prevention and treatment of some adverse events (AEs).@*METHODS@#Review of databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CBMdisc, Wanfang, VIP databases and English literature published in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science, were searched from their inception to January 2020, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case reports in which AEs with TEAT were included. Cochrane Collaboration's tool and RevMan V.5.3.3 software were used to evaluate the quality of the studies.@*RESULTS@#A total of 61 studies (45 RCTs and 16 case reports) with 620 cases of AEs were included in this review. These studies were published in two countries: China and South Korea. Twenty eight kinds of AEs were summarized. The most common AEs were induration, bleeding and ecchymosis, redness and swelling, fever, and pain. They were accounted for 75.35% (425/564) in the review, and most of them were mild. The rarest AEs were epilepsy, irregular menstruation, skin ulcer, thread malabsorption, and fat liquefaction, with 1 case each. But not all of them had clear causal relationship with TEAT. Most of the AEs were local reactions [with incidence of 9.83% (480/4,882)] and systemic reactions accounted for only 1.27% (62/4,882). Although the included studies showed that AEs were very commonly encountered (11.09%), only 5 cases of severe AEs reported from 2013 to 2017 (0.1%) by using catgut thread, which are rarely seen nowdays with the wide use of new absorbable surgical suture. All of the severe AEs were recovered after symptomatic treatment with no sequelae.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The evidence showed that TEAT is a relatively safe and convenient therapy especially since application of new absorbable surgical suture. Improving practitioner skills, regulating operations, and paying attention to the patients' conditions may reduce the incidence of AEs and improve safety of TEAT.

Preliminary research of / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the impacts on weight reduction effect treated with acupoint thread embedding therapy at different tissue levels under ultrasonic guidance.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 patients with overweight or obesity were randomized into a shallow-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a deep-tissue thread embedding group (35 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Under ultrasonic guidance, the thread was embedded in the shallow tissue level and the deep tissue level respectively. The acupoints were Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Shuifen (CV 9), Zhongji (CV 3), etc. The thread embedding therapy was exerted once every 2 weeks, totally for 3 times. Before and 2 weeks after treatment, body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference were recorded in the patients of the two groups separately. After each treatment, the number and the property of blood vessels under each acupoint were detected by ultrasound. Besides, the needling sensation and the intensity were scored and the adverse events were observed after thread embedding therapy.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the reduction range of body mass, BMI and waist circumference in the deep-tissue thread embedding group were larger than those in the shallow-tissue thread embedding group successively (@*CONCLUSION@#The deep-tissue thread embedding therapy achieves the stronger

Cicatrização da musculatura reto-abdominal em coelhos submetidos à laparorrafia com fios de sutura à base de quitosana, categute cromado e poliglactina 910 / [Healing of the rectus abdominis muscle in rabbits submitted to laparorrhaphy with suture-based chitosan, chromic catgut and polyglactin 910]

Objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar o processo de cicatrização da musculatura reto-abdominal em coelhos submetidos à laparorrafia, utilizando-se o fio de sutura à base de quitosana, comparando-o aos fios de categute cromado e poliglactina 910. Foram utilizados 24 coelhos adultos, divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: quitosana e categute 15 dias (QC-15dias), quitosana e categute 30 dias (QC-30 dias), quitosana e poliglactina 910 15 dias (QP-15 dias) e quitosana e poliglactina 910 30 dias (QP-30 dias). Cada grupo foi composto por seis coelhos, nos quais foram realizadas duas incisões, uma do lado direito e outra do lado esquerdo e, posteriormente, a laparorrafia, com o fio de quitosana de um lado e o categute cromado ou poliglactina 910 do outro. Realizou-se análise clínico-cirúrgica, histológica e avaliação de achados de necropsia, além de testes de citotoxicidade e de mecânica no fio de quitosana. Ele apresentou baixa resistência mecânica e citotóxica. O fio de quitosana não proporcionou uma cicatrização satisfatória em coelhos, pois desencadeou uma resposta inflamatória acentuada.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the healing process of the recto-abdominal muscles in rabbits submitted to laparorrhaphy using chitosan-based suture yarn, comparing it to chrome catgut and polyglactin 910 yarns. Twenty-four adult rabbits were divided in to four random groups: chitosan and polyglactin 910 15 days (QP-15 days) and chitosan and polyglactin 910 30 days (QC-30 days), chitosan and polyglactin 910 15 days (QP-15 days) QP-30 days). Each group consisted of six rabbits, in which two incisions were made, one on the right side and one on the left side, and later the laparorraphy with the chitosan yarn on one side and chromed catgut or polyglactin 910 on the other. Clinical-surgical, histological and necropsy findings were evaluated, as well as cytotoxicity and mechanical tests on the chitosan wire. It presented low mechanical and cytotoxic resistance. Chitosan thread did not provide satisfactory healing in rabbits, as it triggered a marked inflammatory response.(AU)

Mechanism of catgut embedding at back- points for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis based on IKK/IKB/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of catgut embedding at back- points on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in rats based on IKK/IKB/NF-κB signaling pathway and downstream inflammatory factors.@*METHODS@#Eighty SPF SD rats were selected, among them 10 rats were selected divided into a normal group (group A), and the remaining 70 rats were fed with high-fat diet to establish NASH model. At the end of 12 weeks, 10 rats were randomly selected to verify whether the model establishment was successful. Then the remaining 60 rats were randomly divided into a model group (group B), a catgut embedding at back- points group (group C), a catgut embedding at abdominal points group (group D), an acupuncture at back- points group (group E), a sham catgut embedding group (group F) and a western medication group (group G), 10 rats in each group. The rats in the group C were treated with catgut embedding at "Ganshu" (BL 18), "Pishu" (BL 20), "Weishu" (BL 21) and "Shenshu" (BL 23); the rats in the group D were treated with catgut embedding at "Daheng" (SP 15), "Fujie" (SP 14), "Huaroumen" (ST 24) and "Tianshu" (ST 25); the rats in the group E were treated with acupuncture at the same acupoints as the group C; the rats in the group F were treated with catgut embedding at back- points but the needle did not enter subcutaneous tissue gamma; the rats in the group G were treated with intragastric administration of vitamin E capsule. All the treatment was given for 4 weeks. The rats in the group A were fed with normal diet until the end of 16 weeks without any intervention. The rats in the group B continued to be fed with high-fat diet until the end of 16 weeks. After the intervention, the liver index was calculated; the liver histomorphology was observed by HE staining; the liver function [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] and blood lipid [serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL)] were measured by serum biochemistry. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1βwere detected by ELISA, and the expressions of IKK-α, NF-κBp65, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α proteins in liver tissue were detected by Western blot. The temperature of the conception vessel and the governor vessel was measured by infrared thermography.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the group A, the obvious steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the group B, and the body weight, liver wet-weight and liver index were all increased (0.05), while the temperature of the governor vessel in the group C was superior to that in the group D (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The catgut embedding at back- points might inhibit the activation of IKK/IKB/NF-κB signaling pathway to interrupt the inflammatory cascade, and reduce the "second hit" of inflammatory factors on liver, which could slow down NASH progress and prevent and treat NASH.

The key issues and corresponding strategy of acupoint medicated catgut embedding therapy / 中国针灸

Acupoint medicated catgut embedding therapy is a new type of acupuncture combined with medicine，which has great potential in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. This paper describes the clinical application of acupoint medicated catgut embedding in the treatment of common disease, medicated thread productionmethods and acupoints selection.To analyze the problems of the unclear mechanism, the lack of standardization of medicated thread production, the lag of the embedding tool, and the unclear adverse reaction. It is expected to promote the further development of acupoint medicated catgut embedding therapy by strengthening the mechanism of action, optimizing medicated catgut thread, rational design experiments, standardizing medicated thread production, innovating embedding tools, rational formulation, and optimizing acupoint selection.

Effect on clinical symptoms and mechanism of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation treated with acupoint catgut embedding / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding for chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation.@*METHODS@#A total of 92 patients of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 46 cases in each one.In the observation group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), also the surrounding acupuncture was performed at facial part, once a week. In the control group, vitamin C (200 mg per time, 3 times a day) and vitamin E (100 mg per time, once a day) were prescribed for oral administration. Both of the two groups were given treatment for 12 weeks. The score of chloasma area and severity index (MASI), the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect of the two groups were compared after 3 months of treatment.@*RESULTS@#Finally, 44 cases in the observation group and 43 cases in the control group completed the study. The effective rate in the observation group was 88.6% (39/44), which was higher than 55.8% (24/43) in the control group (0.05). There was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the levels of FSH, LH and E in the control group (>0.05). In follow-up, the levels of FSH and LH in the observation group were lower than the control group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding can improve the clinical symptoms of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver stagnation, the mechanism may be related to regulate the serum level of sex hormone to reduce high sensitivity of melanocytes to estrogen.

Comparative study of acupoint catgut embedding and bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets for tobacco dependence / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding and bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets in the treatment of tobacco dependence.@*METHODS@#A total of 100 patients with tobacco dependence who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding group and a drug group, 50 cases in each group. In the acupoint catgut embedding group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Xinshu (BL 15), Shenmen (HT 7), Tianmei (Extra), Taichong (LR 3), the treatment was given once every 2 weeks for 4 times; The bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets was orally administered in the drug group for 7 weeks, 150 mg each time, once a day for the first 3 days, twice daily from day 4 to day 7, and once a day after day 8. The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) score before and after treatment, the 4th and 8th week smoking cessation rate, the continuous smoking cessation rate and efficacy, compliance rate and adverse reaction rate were compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#A total of 100 patients were enrolled, and 97 patients completed the study (loss rate was 3%), including 49 cases in the acupoint catgut embedding group and 48 cases in the drug group. The FTND scores in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (both 0.05). At the 4th and the 8th week, the smoking cessation rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 40.8% (20/49) and 79.6% (39/49) respectively, the smoking cessation rate in the drug group was 41.7% (20/48) and 83.3% (40/48) respectively, the two groups were equally effective (both >0.05). The continuous smoking cessation rate in the acupoint embedding group was 40.8% (20/49), which was equivalent to 41.7% (20/48) in the drug group (>0.05). The rate of complete compliance in the acupoint embedding group was 61.2% (30/49), which was significantly better than 37.5% (18/48) in the drug group (<0.05). The adverse reaction rate in the acupoint catgut embedding group was 12.2% (6/49), which was significantly lower than 29.2% (16/48) in the drug group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding can effectively improve the symptoms of tobacco dependence after smoking cessation. Its curative effect is close to that of bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, and it has good clinical compliance and less adverse reactions.

Adjuvant therapy of acupoint catgut embedding for threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding on miscarriage prevention and pregnancy outcome in patients with threatened abortion after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).@*METHODS@#Sixty cases of patients with threatened abortion after IVF-ET were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with intramuscular injection of progesterone (40 mg) once every day, while the patients in the observation group, on the basis of the treatment of control group, were treated with catgut embedding at Geshu (BL 17), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21), Xuehai (SP 10), Diji (SP 8) and Fuliu (KI 7), once every two weeks, six times as a course of treatment. The treatment was given until 12 weeks into pregnancy. The level of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) before and after treatment was recorded; the TCM syndrome score before and after treatment was compared; the successful pregnancy rate and spontaneous abortion rate after treatment were observed in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the scores of TCM syndrome in both groups were reduced after treatment (both <0.01), and score in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the clinical efficacy in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the hormone levels (β-HCG, E, P) in both groups were increased steadily; the hormone levels in 6-week pregnancy, 8-week pregnancy and 10-week pregnancy were significantly higher than those in 4-week pregnancy (all <0.05); except the levels of P and β-HCG in 10-week pregnancy, the hormone levels in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all <0.05). After treatment, the early abortion rate was 16.7% (5/30) in the observation group, which was lower than 33.3% (10/30) in the control group (<0.01); the pregnancy rate was 96.0% (24/25) in the observation group, which was higher than 80.0% (16/20) in the control group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint catgut embedding is effective for preventing threatened abortion, which could significantly reduce the spontaneous abortion rate, improve the pregnancy success rate, regulate hormone levels in patients after IVF-ET.

Comparative study of polyglactin 910 and simple catgut in the formation of intraperitoneal adhesions

Abstract Purpose: To compare polyglactin 910 and simple catgut sutures for the incidence of intraperitoneal adhesions. Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were placed into two groups. Group 1 received ischemic sutures and Group 2 received polyglactin 910. Five sutures inductive of adhesions in each rat were made. After 14 days, the rats were euthanized with an assessment of the presence of adhesions, the number of sutures involved and classification according to the Granat et al. scale described by Ozel et al17. Results: In total, 19 of the 20 rats presented adhesions, with nine from Group 1 and ten from Group 2. There was a smaller number of affected sutures in Group 1, while in Group 2 the majority of the sutures formed adhesions (p=0.0197). According to the Granat et al. scale, Group 1 predominately developed fine, filamentous adhesions or thickening in a restricted area. Group 2 mainly presented extensive, thick adhesions with the involvement of the viscera (p=0.0055). Conclusion: Polyglactin 910 sutures formed more adhesions that were more extensive and thicker than the simple catgut sutures.

Catgut implantation at stellate ganglion for postmenopausal osteoporosis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy differences between catgut implantation at stellate ganglion combined with oral administration of alendronate sodium and oral administration of alendronate sodium alone on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients of PO were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of alendronate sodium. Based on the treatment of control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with catgut implantation at stellate ganglion. The treatment was given once a week in the two groups; the consecution treatment of four weeks constituted one session, and totally six sessions were given. The changes of total syndrome score, bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra (L to L) and femeral neck (FN) and estradiol were observed before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared before treatment, the total syndrome score, bone mineral density of lumbar vertebra (L to L) and FN and estradiol were significantly improved after treatment (all <0.05); which were more significant in the observation group (all <0.05). Compared before treatment, the level of estradiol in the control group was not significantly changed after treatment (>0.05), while that in the observation group was significantly changed after treatment (<0.05). After treatment, the level of estradiol in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was significantly higher than 83.3% (25/30) in the control group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Catgut implantation at stellate ganglion combined with oral administration of alendronate sodium are superior to oral administration of alendronate sodium alone for postmenopausal osteoporosis, which improve the clinical symptoms, regulate the hormone level and increase bone mineral density.</p>

Adjuvant treatment of acupoint catgut embedding for essential hypertension and its effects on vascular endothelial function / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of acupoint catgut embedding assisting western medication and simple western medication on blood pressure and vascular endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH), and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 125 cases were randomly assigned into an observation group (62 cases, 2 dropping) and a control group (63 cases, 3 dropping). Oral administration of lotensin (10 mg, once a day) was applied in the control group. Based on the treatment as the control group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) in the observation group, once every two weeks, and six treatments was taken as one session. All the patients were treated for 3 months. The blood pressure and the vascular endothelial injury markers, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded before and after treatment in the two groups. In addition, the ET-1, NO and hsCRP were collected from 60 cases of healthy participants.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure reduced after treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (<0.01, <0.05). Before treatment, compared with those of the healthy participants, ET-1 and hsCRP were higher but NO was lower in the observation group and the control group (all <0.05); after treatment, ET-1 and hsCRP were reduced and NO increased in the two groups (all <0.05), which were more significant in the observation group (all <0.05). After treatment, the differences of NO and hsCRP between the observation group and healthy participants were not significant (both >0.05). The marked effective rate was 70.0% (42/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 33.3% (20/60) in the control group (<0.05); the total effective rate was 96.7% (58/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 85.0% (51/60) in the control group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The vascular endothelial function is injured in EH patients. Based on lotensin treatment, acupoint catgut embedding could significantly improve blood pressure and vascular endothelial function.</p>

Acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy and medication for mild and moderate ulcerative colitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients were randomized into an acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy group (a combination group) and a mesalazine group, 60 cases in each one. Fifty-seven cases in the combination group and 55 cases in the mesalazine group were included into analysis. In the combination group, acupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Quchi (LI 11) during the activity period, and acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Pishu (BL 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4) during the alleviate period. The patients in the mesalazine group were treated with mesalazine orally. The treatment was given for 12 weeks. The scores of TCM symptoms, colonoscopy, mucosa healing rate were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The effects, adverse reactions and the recurrent rates during 1-year follow-up were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms decreased in the two groups (both <0.05), and the result in the combination group was better than that in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The total effective rate in the combination group was 87.7% (50/57), which was better than 70.9% (39/55) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). The colonoscopy scores decreased after treatment in the two groups (both <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on colonoscopy score and mucosal healing rate [50.9% (29/57) vs 34.5% (19/55), both >0.05]. The recurrent rate in the combination group was 8.5% (4/47)，which was lower than 32.4% (11/34) in the mesalazine group (<0.05). No severe adverse reaction was found during the treatment in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding sequential therapy can improve mild and moderate ulcerative colitis and reduce the recurrent rate.</p>

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern treated with acupoint embedding therapy: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference between the acupoint embedding therapy and polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules in the clinical efficacy on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The multi-center clinical trial was adopted and 180 cases of NAFLD of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern were randomized into an embedding therapy group and a western medication group, 90 cases in each one. On the basis of general treatment such as diet control and proper physical exercise, in the embedding therapy group, the acupoint embedding therapy was applied to Ganshu (BL 18), Tai-chong (LR 3), Fenglong (ST 40), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), once every 7 days; in the western medication group, polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules (essentiale) were prescribed, 228 mg/capsule, 2 capsules each time, three times a day. In 6 months of treatment, TCM syndrome score, liver enzymology, blood lipid and abdomen B-ultrasound examination were observed and compared before and after treatment between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) For TCM syndrome score, the total score in the embedding therapy group was lower significantly than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05); (2) For liver enzymology and blood lipid, the levels of serum alanine transarninase (ALT), serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) in the embedding therapy group were reduced significantly as compared with those in the western medication group (all P<0. 05); (3) For abdomen B-ultrasound examination, the fatty liver degree in the embedding therapy group was relieved significantly as compared with that in the western medication group (P< 0. 05); (4) For clinical efficacy, the total effective rate was 89. 8%o (79/88) in the embedding therapy group, higher significantly than 76. 7% (69/90) in the western medication group(P<0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint embedding therapy achieves the definite efficacy on NAFLD of liver stagnation and spleen deficiency pattern, better than polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules.</p>

Analysis of safety of minimally invasive embedding / 中国针灸

The technique of minimally invasive embedding simplifies the clinical manipulation of embeddingtherapy and relieves painful patients. The safety of minimally invasive embedding is analyzed in terms of manipula-tion apparatuses, embedding materials, operating techniques and possible adverse reactions, etc. It is expected thatthe evidence of popularizing minimally invasive embedding should be provided.

Clinical effect on migraine treated with acupoint implantation / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy on migraine treated with acupoint implantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of migraine were randomized into a implantation group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 30 cases in each one. In the implantation group, implantation was used at Fengchi (GB 20), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Waiguan (TE 5), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc., once every 2 weeks, for 4 weeks totally. In the EA group, the acupoints were the same as the implantation group, and EA was applied to Fengchi (GB 20) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Zusanli (ST 36), once every two days, for 4 weeks totally. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted before and after treatment and the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, VAS score was reduced in the implantation group and the EA group as compared with that before treatment (both P < 0.01). After treatment, VAS score in the implantation group was lower than that in the EA group (P < 0.01). The difference in VAS score before and after treatment in the implantation group was improved apparently as compared with that in the EA group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate in the implantation group was higher than that in the EA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint implantation reduces VAS score in the patients of migraine and its clinical efficacy is better than that in the EA group. The therapy presents the long-term clinical effect and deserves to be promoted in clinical practice.</p>

Impacts on motor function in the children of cerebral palsy treated with acupuncture and acupoint embedding therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy difference on the motor function in the children of cerebral palsy between acupuncture combined with acupoint embedding therapy and simple acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty children of cerebral palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in, each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied in combination with acupoint embedding therapy. For the acupoint embedding therapy, the main acupoints were Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23); the supplementary points were Dazhui (GV 14), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Sanjiaoshu (BL 22), Xinshu (BL 15) and Ganshu (BL 18). The catgut was embedded to the acupoints. Acupuncture was applied to the acupoints on the head and four limbs and the needles were retained for 40 min after qi arrival. In the control group, the simple acupuncture was applied, except for the acupoint embedding therapy. The rest treatment was the same as the observation group. The treatment lasted continuously for 3 months in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) were used for the assessment and the efficacy was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) After treatment, the total score of GMFM was increased in the two groups (both P<0. 01) and the score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0. 05). (2) The scores in A and B areas of GMFM were all improved in the two groups after treat ment (all P<0. 01) and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0. 01 P<0. 05). (3) The total effective rate was 76. 7% (46/60) in the observation group, which was better than 55. 0% (33/60) in the control group (P<0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of acupuncture and acupoint embedding much better improves the motor function in the children of cerebral palsy as compared with the simple acupuncture.</p>

Preliminary study on depth of embedded catgut and qi arrival at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) under ultrasound guidance / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the needling sensation of catgut embedding therapy and the depth of embedded catgut so as to improve the safety of the needle insertion and catgut implantation of the therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy adults were selected. Under the ultrasound, the structure of the cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) was observed. In the ultrasound guidance, the catgut was embedded. The two-dimensional imaging method was adopted to observe the anatomic structure and the procedure of needle insertion at the cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2). The high-frequency ultrasound was used to collect the images at Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C5 and determine the depths from the skin surface to the different layers of the point. Additionally, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted to score the needling sensations when the needle inserted at different layers. The persistent sensation duration in the local area was followed continuously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under the ultrasound, the anatomic structure and tissue layers of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) were displayed clearly. The difference was significant in the average depth from the skin surface to the subcutaneous tissue, trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, semipinalis cervicis, multifidus and vertebral arch between the males and females (all P<0. 01). During the needle insertion, the sensations were apparently different when the implantation went to different layers. The qi arrival presented when the catgut was embedded to the trapezius, splenius capitis, semispinalis capitis, semipinalis cervicis and multifidus. But the distending pain was the most significant when in the myofascial. Commonly, the embedded catgut 2. 5 cm in length may be implanted deeply to the multifidus and the local needling sensation lasted averagely for (72. 0 ± 10. 2) h. Conclusion Under the ultrasound guidance, the depth of embedded catgut is clearly displayed at cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2). The needle insertion and the implanted material are visible, and the relationship between qi arrival and the layer of needle insertion is determined. The accuracy and safety of minimally invasive catgut embedding therapy is improved in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.</p>