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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the protective effect of acupuncture preconditioning at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) on acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in the rats and explore the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a Jiaji group, a Neiguan group and a Quchi group, 10 rats in each one. In the Jiaji group, the Neiguan group and the Quchi group, electroacupuncture was given for preconditioning at "Jiaji" T4~T5 (EX-B 2), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Quchi" (LI 11) for 7 days before modeling. In the control group and the model group, the regular feeding was given, without any acupuncture. At the end of acupuncture, except the control group, ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was adopted to duplicate MIRI models in the rest groups. Electrocardio-gram (ECG) was monitored and ST-segment shift was analyzed. HE staining method was adopted to observe the morphology of cardiac tissue in the rats of the groups. The transmission electron microscope was used to observe myocardial cell ultrastructure. WST-1 method was used to determine the activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), TBA method was used to determine the content of serum malondialehyde (MDA) and the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method to determine the expressions of Nrf 2 in ischemic myocardial tissue and downstream HO-1 gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, after LAD ligation, ST-segment was elevated and depressed in ECG apparently after reperfusion in the rest groups (all<0.05). The ST-segment elevation in the Jiaji group and the Neiguan group was less than that in the model group (both<0.05). Compared with the model group, SOD activity was increased apparently in the Jiaji group and the Neiguan group (both<0.05), and MDA content was reduced apparently (both<0.05). The effects in the Jiaji group were better than those in the Neiguan group (both<0.05). Pathologically, "Jiajia" (EX-B 2) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) all improved the morphology of cardiac tissue and cell ultrastructure. The effects in the Jiaji group were much more significant and the improvements in the Quchi group were not apparent. Compared with the control group, the expressions of Nrf 2 and HO-1 gene in myocardial tissue were down-regulated in the model group (both<0.05). Those were up-regulated apparently in the Jiaji group and the Neiguan group as compared with the model group (<0.05,<0.01). The up-regulation times of the expressions of Nrf 2 and HO-1 gene in the Jiajia group were the highest in comparison.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture preconditioning at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) has the protective effect on cardiac ischemia and reperfusion damage, which is probably relevant with the up-regulation of Nrf 2-ARE pathway expression, the activation of endogenous anti-oxidative pathway, the improvement of oxygen free radical scavenging capacity and the alleviation of lipid peroxide damage.</p>
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of heart-regulating and mind-calming acupuncture on the expression of gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) in myocardial cells in a rabbit model of ventricular arrhythmia.MethodA rabbit model of ventricular arrhythmia was made by injecting barium chloride into the marginal ear vein. Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomized into control, model, acupuncture and medication groups. The acupuncture group received heart-regulating and mind-calming acupuncture[at Lingtai(GV10), Shendao(GV11), bilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Baihui(GV20)]and the medication group, oral gavage of propafenone. Rabbit left ventricle was taken after the completion of the experiment. Cx43 expressions were compared and analyzed usingan immunohistochemical staining technique and a computer image processing system.ResultCx43 expression decreased significantly in the model group compared with the control group (P0.05).Conclusion Adjusting Cx43 expression in myocardial cells may be one of the target points for this acupuncture treatment of arrhythmia.
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Objective: To observe the effect of balancing yin-yang needling manipulation on post-stroke upper limb spasticity and changes of electromyography (EMG) after treatment. Methods: A total of 60 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 30 in each group. Based on routine medication, cases in the control group were treated with conventional needling manipulation, whereas cases in the observation group were treated with balancing yin-yang manipulation. After the courses of treatment were completed, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale and clinical spasticity index (CSI), coupled with the integrated electromyography (IEMG) and root mean square (RMS) value of biceps in passive flexion of the elbow joint during isokinetic testing recorded with the surface EMG. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.7%, versus 53.3% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P Conclusion:Balancing yin-yang and conventional needling manipulations can both improve upper limb spasm and reduce CSI as well as IEMG and RMS values in stroke patients;however, balancing yin-yang manipulation is better than conventional manipulation in clinical effect.