Clinical analysis of 11 cases of pregnancy with aortic dissection / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective: To investigate the treatment and maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women with aortic dissection (AD). Methods: The clinical data of 11 pregnant women with AD treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 1st, 2011 to August 1st, 2022 were collected, and their clinical characteristics, treatment plans and maternal and fetal outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: (1) Clinical characteristics: the age of onset of 11 pregnant women with AD was (30±5) years old, and the week of pregnancy of onset was (31.4±8.0) weeks. Clinical manifestations: the main symptoms were sudden onset of chest and back pain or low back pain. Type of AD: 8 cases of Stanford type A, and 3 cases of type B. The aortic width was (42±11) mm. Diagnostic methods: the diagnosis of AD was confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), computed tomography angiography (CTA) or enhanced CT examination, among which 4 cases were confirmed by CTA examination, 4 cases by TTE examination, and 3 cases by enhanced CT examination. Laboratory results: white blood cell count was (15.4±8.7) ×109/L, neutrophil count was (13.5±8.5) ×109/L, the median D-dimer level was 2.7 mg/L (2.1-9.2 mg/L), and the median fibrin degradation products level was 12.0 mg/L (5.4-36.1 mg/L). (2) Treatments: all 11 patients were admitted to hospital in emergency. Before operation, the departments of cardiac surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics and anesthesiology cooperated to develop individualized treatment plan. Aortic surgery was performed in 11 pregnant women with AD. In 6 of them, pregnancy termination was performed at the same time as aortic surgery, and aortic surgery was performed after cesarean section. Four cases of pregnancy termination and aortic operation were performed by stages, including aortic operation after cesarean section in 2 cases, and cesarean section after aortic operation in 2 cases. One case (12+6 weeks of gestation) had spontaneous abortion on the day after aortic surgery. The gestational age of the 11 patients on pregnancy termination was (32.9±7.4) weeks. Aorta surgical methods: 7 patients received under extracorporeal circulation ascending aorta replacement ± aortic valve replacement ± coronary artery transplantation (or coronary artery bypass transplantation)± left and right coronary Cabrol + total arch replacement (or aortic arch replacement)± stent implantation, 1 patient received under extracorporeal circulation aortic root replacement, and 3 patients underwent aortic endoluminal isolation. (3) Maternal and fetal outcomes: among the 11 pregnant women with AD, 9 (9/11) survived, 2 (2/11) died with lower limb ischemia before the onset of the disease. A total of 10 newborns were born in 9 pregnant women after delivery (1 of them was twins), and the 2 cases were spontaneous abortion after aortic surgery in the first trimester (12+6 weeks) and fetal death after hysterotomy in the second trimester (26+3 weeks), respectively. Among the 10 surviving neonates, 3 were full-term infants and 7 were premature infants. The birth weight of newborn was (2 651±784) g. Respiratory distress syndrome was found in 6 cases. The newborns were followed up for (5.6±3.6) years after birth, and the infants developed well during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Pregnancy complicated with AD is dangerous, and chest and back pain is the main clinical manifestation of this disease. With early identification and selection of appropriate diagnostic methods, multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, mother and children could obtain good outcomes.

Research progress of imprinted gene H19 methylation in the field of assisted reproduction / 医学研究生学报

The imprinted gene H19, one of the maternally imprinted gene which had been found long time ago, is highly expressed in early embryo. It mainly concentrates in endoderm and mesoderm which plays an important role in regulating the development of embryos and in control of off spring behavior. More and more studies have shown that the alterations of methylation status in CpG islands of H19 gene imprinted control region will lead to the decline of male sperm quality and female oocyte quality, then affecting human fertility. Imprinting gene H19 is also related to the development of the embryo. This article reviews the progress of methylation of the imprinted gene H19 in assisted reproductive technology.

Clinical Observation of Tiao Shen Jie Jing Needling in Treating Post-stroke Upper-limb Spastic Palsy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling (regulating the mind and release spasm) in treating post-stroke upper-limb spastic palsy. Method Ninety patients with post-stroke upper-limb spastic palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases each. The observation group was intervened by Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling, while the control group was given ordinary acupuncture. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), short-form Fugl-Meyer Assessment (SFMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were evaluated and recorded prior to the treatment, after 2-week and 4-week treatment and 3 months later after the intervention; the serumγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was detected before and after the treatment. Result The total effective rate was 83.3% in the observation group versus 61.0% in the control group, and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The scores of each scale showed improvements after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the improvements in the observation group were more significant (P < 0.05). The follow-up showed continuing improvements in the scales in the observation group, which were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05); after the treatment, the content of GABA in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling can effectively ameliorate the upper-limb spasm,as well as the motor function of the upper extremities, improve the activities of daily living and maintain a long-term efficacy, better than ordinary acupuncture. The action mechanism is related to the regulation of GABA content in serum.

Amplitude Changes of Low Frequency Fluctuation in Brain Spontaneous Nervous Activities Induced by Needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Under R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.</p>

Formaldehyde induces the bone marrow toxicity in mice by regulating the expression of Prx3 protein / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous toxic organic compound, and it has been regarded as a leukemogen. However, the mechanisms by which FA induces bone marrow toxicity remain unclear. The present study was aimed to examine the bone marrow toxicity caused by FA and the mechanism involving the expression changes of peroxiredoxin3 (Prx3) in this process. The mice were divided into four groups with 6 mice per group. Animals in the control group were exposed to ambient air and those in the FA groups to different concentrations of FA (20, 40, 80 mg/m(3)) for 15 days in the separate inhalation chambers, 2 h a day. At the end of the 15-day experimental period, all mice were killed. Bone marrow cells were obtained. The level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the apoptosis rate, and the activities and protein expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were determined by biochemical assay, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively; DNA damage and Prx3 expression levels were measured by single cell gel eletrophoresis immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that the H2O2 level and cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased in FA groups relative to the control group. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and their protein expression levels were markedly increased as well. Additionally, FA also increased the rate of DNA damage and the expression level of Prx3 compared with control group. Our study suggested that a certain concentration of FA causes the bone marrow toxicity by regulating the expression of Prx3.

Formaldehyde induces the bone marrow toxicity in mice by regulating the expression of Prx3 protein / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous toxic organic compound, and it has been regarded as a leukemogen. However, the mechanisms by which FA induces bone marrow toxicity remain unclear. The present study was aimed to examine the bone marrow toxicity caused by FA and the mechanism involving the expression changes of peroxiredoxin3 (Prx3) in this process. The mice were divided into four groups with 6 mice per group. Animals in the control group were exposed to ambient air and those in the FA groups to different concentrations of FA (20, 40, 80 mg/m(3)) for 15 days in the separate inhalation chambers, 2 h a day. At the end of the 15-day experimental period, all mice were killed. Bone marrow cells were obtained. The level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the apoptosis rate, and the activities and protein expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were determined by biochemical assay, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively; DNA damage and Prx3 expression levels were measured by single cell gel eletrophoresis immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that the H2O2 level and cell apoptosis rate were significantly increased in FA groups relative to the control group. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and their protein expression levels were markedly increased as well. Additionally, FA also increased the rate of DNA damage and the expression level of Prx3 compared with control group. Our study suggested that a certain concentration of FA causes the bone marrow toxicity by regulating the expression of Prx3.

Clinical observation on repair of lymphocyte injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy treated by regulating spleen-stomach needling / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore therapeutic effect and action mechanism of regulating spleen-stomach needling on diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using multi-centric, randomized, controlled and blind principles, 144 cases of DN were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random digital tab, 72 cases in each one. Based on regular treatment of diabetes, the regulating spleen-stomach needling was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4) and Xuehai (SP 10), etc. in the observation group while Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected in the control group by reference of Acupuncture and moxibustion. The treatment was given twice a day, six days as a treatment session with interval of one day between sessions. Totally six weeks were required. Changes of clinical symptoms and signs, fast blood glucose (FBG), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), lymphocyte membrane cholesterol, propanediol (MDA), PCO, 8-hydroxydeoxy guanosine (8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ were observed before and after treatment in two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As for improving clinical symptoms and signs, total effective rate was 84.29% (59/70) in the observation group and 55.56% (40/72) in the control group, which had statistical difference between two groups (P<0.01). As for regulating glycometabolism [(6.25 +/- 0.32) mmol/L vs (8.09 +/- 0.63) mmol/L], reducing UAER [(154.43 +/- 55.14) mg/24h vs (268.91 +/- 77.65) mg/24h], restraining over-expression of MCP-1 [(137.59 +/- 36.15) pg/mL vs (166.89 +/- 42.82) pg/mL], regulating level of oxidative stress, prohibiting oxidation of protein and adjusting quantity and activity of T lymphocyte subgroup, the observation group was superior to the control group (P< 0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The regulating spleen-stomach needling is an effective method for treatment of DN, which cold improve glycometabolism disturbance-induced progressive kidney injury, recover glomerular filtration, reduce urinary albumin excretion rate, restrain overexpression of MCP-1, adjust level of oxidative stress, prohibit oxidation of protein, increase protectiveness of membrane, adjust quantity and activity abnormity of T lymphocyte subgroup, leading to repairing lymphocyte damage and improving immune expression to delay kidney damage.</p>

Transduction of mesenchymal stem cells with multidrug resistance gene provides protection for bone marrow toxicity after being transplanted into a nude mice model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Myelosuppression is the main dose-related toxicity of many chemotherapeutic drugs. The human multidrug resistance (mdr1) gene is well-known for its ability to confering drug resistance. In this study, we meant to transplant the placenta mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) moderated by mdr1 gene into a nude mice model radiated by γ-Co(60) and to explore the chemoprotection for bone marrow (BM) toxicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human P-MSCs were isolated from trypsin-digested term placentas and then transduced by with reconstructed retroviral vector containing mdr1 gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene. The integration and expression of mdr1 gene was observed indirectedly by the expression of GFP. A nude mice model was constructed after irradiation with a sublethal dosage of γ-Co(60). These irradiated mice were transplanted with mdr1-MSCs through the caudal vein and then received paclitaxel (PAC) intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The Peripheral peripheral blood (PB) of the nude mice was collected, and the PB cells counts and values were determined using an automatic analyzer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After PAC treatment, mdr1-MSCs transplanted mice showed markedly improved survival upon compared to MSCs transplanted mice (85.7% vs. 57.1%). White blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts as well as the hemoglobin (Hb) values were significantly increased in PAC treated mdr1-MSCs mice compared to PAC treated control mice when PAC chemotherapy had been finished (all P < 0.05), but the difference was not found in the plateltes (PLT) count (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human P-MSCs moderated by mdr1 gene when transplanted into nude mice may provide chemoprotection for hematopoietic toxicity.</p>

Status of plasma folate in the third trimester of pregnant women and newborn babies in the northern rural areas of China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the plasma folate concentrations in the third trimester of pregnant women and newborn babies so as to assess the association between them.Methods Pregnant women in Yuanshi and Laoting counties in Hebei province from May to June in 2009 were recruited with related information collected at enrollment.Those pregnant women being enrolled were followed up until delivery.Maternal blood was collected before delivery,and cord blood was collected after the expulsion of the placenta.Data from 437 pairs of women and newborns were analyzed.Plasma folate concentration was measured by Microbiological assay,with maternal plasma folate concentration ＜6.8 nmol/L defined as folate deficiency.Neonatal plasma folate concentration below 10％ was defined as relative deficiency.Student t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the plasma folate concentrations between the groups and x2 test was used to compare the situation of folate deficiency.In order to assess the association between maternal and newborn folate levels,logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio of the neonatal plasma folate relative deficiency between the maternal folate deficient and normal groups after adjusting factors as age,BMI,region,career and education.Linear regression was used to test the trend by quintiles of maternal plasma folate concentration.Pearson' s test was used to test the relationship between the ratio of neonatal and maternal plasma folate level and the level of maternal plasma folate.Results The geometric mean of maternal plasma folate concentration was 8.0(95％CI:7.6-8.5) nmol/L and the deficiency was 29.3％,but in newborn babies,they were 24.0(95％CI:23.1-25.0) nmol/L and 0.9％ respectively.The plasma folate level in newborn babies was 3.0 times as high as in maternal (t=32.519,P＜0.01 )but the neonatal plasma folate deficiency status was higher than in matemal ( x2=137.2,P＜0.01 ).When compared with the normal plasma folate level group,the risk on neonatal plasma folate relative deficiency in the maternal folate deficiency group was significantly higher aiter adjusted for confounders (OR=1.96,95％CI:1.02-3.80).The neonatal plasma folate level significantly increased along with the maternal plasma folate level (Ptrend＜0.05).The ratio of neonatal and maternal plasma folate level was significantly inversely correlated with the maternal folate level (r=-0.810,P＜0.001 ).Conclusion Folate status in newborns was much better than in their mothers',in the northern rural areas of China.The maternal folate status was positively correlated with their offspring' s.Active placental transport for folate was significantly increasing when the maternal plasma folate level decreased.

Randomized controlled study on dysphagia after stroke treated with deep insertion of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect of dysphagia after stroke treated with different depth of Chonggu (EX-HN 27) by electroacupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundreds and eighty-three cases of dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group (99 cases), Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (94 cases) and traditional acupuncture group (90 cases) based on multi-central randomized control and blinding methods. Besides routine therapy, Chonggu (EX-HN 27) and Lianquan (CV 23) were selected in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group; the needles were inserted for 60-75 mm and 30 mm respectively and the electroacupuncture was applied in both groups; in traditional acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12) and Lianquan (CV 23), etc. were selected. The needles were retained for 30 min, twice a day and 30 treatments totally in 3 groups. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated by Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 97.0% (96/99) in the Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group, superior to that of 64.9% (61/94) in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and 70.0% (63/90) in traditional acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). Compared with the scores before and after treatment, significant differences were presented statistically in score reduction of TCM Scale in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group (P < 0.01); the scores of Kubota's Water Drinking Test Scale, Standard Swallowing Function Scale and TCM Scale of Dysphagia After Stroke were obviously reduced in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group and traditional acupuncture group (all P < 0.01); compared with the scores between groups after treatment, the reduction of scores in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) deep insertion group was superior to those in Chonggu (EX-HN 27) shallow insertion group and traditional acupuncture group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Puncture at Chonggu (EX-HN 27) can improve the dysfunction of swallowing after stroke; it is safe and effective, and the needle should be inserted deeply.</p>

Research on the clinical significance of theory of the ebb and flow of qi-blood in the twelve meridians / 中国针灸

The sequence of the circulations of the twelve meridians does not follow on the permutation of the yin and yang meridians,whereas it is based on the law of qi-blood circulation. The relative strength of circulation between yin and yang, the ebb and flow of qi-blood goes around and around as cycles. Yin, yang and qi-blood gather in the meridians of the Taiyin and the Yangming, mutually converting in maximum, passing the meridians of the Shaoyin and the Taiyang, and then reaching the meridians of the Jueyin and the Shaoyang in minimum. It reflects not only the running course of the meridians, the sequential and reverse transmission, but also reflects the mutual supporting of yin-yang, and waxing and waning of yin-yang, the relative equilibrium of qi-blood, the transformation of excess and deficiency of disease. Therefore, the clear inspection of the law of qi-blood circulations of the twelve meridians, which is based on the therapy, is the precondition of the comprehensive significance of the sequence.

Randomized controlled study on effects of the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus (CDM) and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using multi-central, randomized, controlled and blind methods, 120 cases of CDM were divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. They were treated by routine therapy for diabetes mellitus, and in the observation group, acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Fenglong (ST 40). Diji (SP 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. were added with the needling method for regulating spleen-stomach; while in the control group, acupuncture was given at Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Feishu (BL 13), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given twice a day in the two groups. Clinical therapeutic effects were assessed according to clinical symptoms and signs, frequency and lasting time of angina pectoris, quantity of taking Glycerol Trinitrate, blood sugar, blood lipids, urinary albumin excretion rate, urinary beta2-microglobulin, urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), ECG, heart color Doppler, etc.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach not only could improve the symptoms and signs of the patient, but also could improve the degree of ST segment moving down and the function of left artrium relaxation, and had benign regulative effect on glycometabolism, lipids metabolism and urinary albumin level, with significant differences as compared with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The markedly effective rate for improvement of ECG was 50.00% in the observation group and 13.79% in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The needling method for regulating spleen-stomach can improve the damage of heart and blood vessels induced by abnormal sugar and lipids, decrease the level of urinary protein, inhibit MCP-1 excessive expression, relieve myocardial load and raise cardiac output in the patient of coronary heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p>

Retroviral-mediated transfer and functional expression of multidrug resistance gene in human placenta mesenchymal stem cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Most of gynecologic malignancies are sensitive to chemotherapy. Myelosuppression is the main dose-related toxicity of many chemotherapeutic drugs. The human multidrug resistance (mdr1) gene is well known for its ability to confer drug resistance. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of expression and resistance of mdr1 gene transduction into human placenta mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) by retrovirus vector.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human P-MSCs were isolated from trypsin-digested term placentas, and their immunophenotypes and differentiation potential were evaluated. Human P-MSCs were transduced by reconstructed retroviral vector containing the mdr1 gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene. The integration and expression of the mdr1 gene were observed indirectly by the expression of GFP, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter was used to evaluate the functional activity of permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the mdr1 gene. The stimulating test was made in vitro to show pleiotropic drug resistance of transfected cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The isolated, cultured and expanded P-MSCs expressed stem cell markers such as CD29, CD44 and CD73, and showed osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials under appropriate conditions. The expression of P-gp in the non-transfected P-MSCs cells was (0.4 +/- 0.1)%, but increased to (28.1 +/- 4.7)% after gene transfection (P < 0.01). And positive staining of P-gp located mainly at cell membrane and cytoplasm. Accumulation and extrusion assays showed that P-gp expressed by the transfected cells had pump-functional activity and could efflux daunomycin out of cells. The analysis of cell survival confirmed that transfected P-MSCs had a characteristic of multidrug resistance with a significant increase in the resistance to anticancer agents.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Transfer and expression of human mdr1 gene mediated by retrovirus vector conferred P-MSCs drug resistance. It might provide a new alternative to chemoprotection strategies.</p>

Multi-central randomized controlled trials of electroacupunture at Zhigou (TE 6) for treatment of constipation induced by stagnation or deficiency of qi / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zhigou (TE 6) on constipation induced by stagnation or deficiency of qi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-central randomized controlled trials were adopted and the patients conforming to the criteria for diagnosis, enrolling and excluding were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random number table. The observation group were treated with EA at Zhigou (TE 6) and the control group with EA at non-acupoint for 4 weeks. The cumulative score of clinical symptoms, colon transmission test and various safety indexes were assessed. The following-up was carried out 1 and 3 months after the end of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EA at Zhigou (TE 6) could obviously improve clinical symptoms and colon transmission time, decrease using rate of Kaisailu and cathartics, with an effective rate of 94.4%, which was better than 61.3% in the control group (P < 0.0001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA at Zhigou (TE 6) has a function of regulating qi and relaxing the bowels and it is an effective method for treatment of constipation with safety and no adverse effect.</p>