Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for the treatment of essential hypertension:a meta-analysis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for essential hypertension.Methods:A computerized literature search of the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Chongqing VIP Database(CQVIP),Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database(Wanfang),China Biology Medicine Disc(CBM),PubMed,Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE),and Cochrane Library was conducted to retrieve randomized controlled clinical trials on acupuncture as the main intervention for the treatment of essential hypertension published from the inception of the database to 30 January 2021.The risk-of-bias assessment was carried out for each included study according to the Cochrane Handbook.Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 and Stata 15.0.Results:After the screening,46 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 3 859 subjects were included.Primary outcomes included changes in the diastolic blood pressure after intervention[eight studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[mean difference(MD)=1.45,95%confidence interval(CI)(0.48,2.43),P=0.004,fixed effects model;I2=39%]and changes in the systolic blood pressure after intervention{11 studies showed that the acupuncture plus antihypertensive drug group was better than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[MD=8.60,95%CI(7.12,10.07),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=26%]}.The secondary outcome was antihypertensive efficacy,12 studies of acupuncture monotherapy group[risk ratio(RR)=1.20,95%CI(1.12,1.28),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=36%]and 15 studies of acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drug group[RR=1.27,95%CI(1.20,1.34),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=6%]showed better results than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group in antihypertensive efficacy.In terms of the adverse events,four studies showed that the acupuncture monotherapy group had fewer adverse events than the antihypertensive drug monotherapy group[RR=0.10,95%CI(0.04,0.25),P<0.00001,fixed effects model;I2=0%].Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drugs is superior to antihypertensive drugs alone in reducing blood pressure,and acupuncture therapy is effective and safe for the treatment of essential hypertension with fewer side effects.However,there is still a lack of high-quality multicenter randomized double-blinded controlled trials in this field.Rigorous large-sample clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.

Effects of moxibustion on behaviors and tryptophan metabolism-related products in mice with irritable bowel syndrome / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on behaviors and related products of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in the colon of mice with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the IBS treatment.Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a probiotic group, with 6 mice in each group. The visceral pain model of IBS was established by enema with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution. Mice in the moxibustion group were treated with mild moxibustion at bilateral Zusanli (ST36), and those in the probiotic group were treated with probiotics such as Bifidobacterium by gavage. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) test, elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, and forced swimming test (FST) were performed after treatment. The expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) in the colon were detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression levels of Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), and indole-2,3-oxygenase (IDO) in the colon were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the normal group, the AWR scores were increased significantly in the model group under different pressure values (P<0.01), the open-arm staying time and open-arm entries in the EPM test were decreased significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05), the motionless time in the FST was increased significantly (P<0.01), and the expression levels of colonic Trp, TPH1, IDO, 5-HT, and Kyn were increased significantly (P<0.01) in the models. Compared with the model group, the AWR scores were differently decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the open-arm entries in the EPM test were increased (P<0.05), the motionless times in the FST were decreased (P<0.05), and the colonic expression levels of Trp, TPH1, IDO, and 5-HT were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in the moxibustion and probiotic groups; the open-arm staying time was significantly increased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01), and the colonic expression level of Kyn was significantly decreased in the probiotic group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) improves visceral pain and pain mood and down-regulates the expression levels of colonic TPH1, IDO, Trp, 5-HT, and Kyn in IBS mice.

Clinical efficacy of moxibustion for ulcerative colitis and its influence on vitamin D receptor / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion for ulcerative colitis (UC) and elucidate its mechanism by targeting the vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling pathway. Methods: A total of 63 patients with UC were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion) and a control group (33 cases, treated with sham herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion). Moxibustion treatment was performed at Qihai (CV6) and bilateral Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37), 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The total effective rate, visual analog scale (VAS) score for abdominal bloating and pain, and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) score were compared between the two groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and interleukin-12 (IL-12)/interleukin-23 (IL-23) p40. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression levels of VDR and regenerating gene Ⅳ (Reg Ⅳ) proteins in colonic mucosa. The expression levels of VDR, cytochrome p45027B1 (CYP27B1), and Reg Ⅳ mRNAs were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitive polymerase chain reaction. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 86.7％, which was significantly higher than 51.5％ in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS scores for abdominal bloating and pain in the observation group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), as well as the HADS-depression subscale (HADS-D) and HADS-anxiety subscale (HADS) scores (P<0.05), while only the VAS score for abdominal pain in the control group was reduced (P<0.05), and the improvements of the scores in the observation group were more significant than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum CRP concentrations in both groups and the IL-12/IL-23 p40 concentration in the observation group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the concentrations in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of VDR protein and mRNA in the colon in both groups were all increased (P<0.01), and the expression levels of Reg Ⅳ protein and mRNA and CYP27B1 mRNA were all decreased in the two groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the improvements in the observation group were more notable than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can effectively alleviate abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with UC, improve depression and anxiety disorders, and regulate the expression of related proteins in the VDR signaling pathway. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting intestinal inflammation by reducing the release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-12/IL-23 p40.

Effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expression of thyroid autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rats with autoimmune thyroiditis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effect, as well as the effect on the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) and Beclin-1 of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT). Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group. The EAT rat model was prepared by a combination of antigen immunization plus iodine agent induction. After the model was prepared, rats in the modeling group were randomly and equally divided into a model group and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group. In the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, moxibustion was alternately applied to two groups of points [Dazhui (GV14)-Mingmen (GV4) and Tiantu (CV22)-Guanyuan (CV4)], and the treatment continued for 30 d. Rats in the normal and model groups were only fixed identically without intervention. Histopathological manifestations of thyroid glands were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy-related factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue. Results: There were massive follicular destruction, lymphocytic infiltration, and interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia of the thyroid glands in the model group. Some follicles of the thyroid glands were destroyed with few lymphocyte infiltrations and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the moxibustion group. Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were increased in the model rats (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were reduced in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the concentrations of serum TPOAb, TGAb, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue were increased in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in thyroid tissue was negatively correlated with the serum levels of TPOAb and TGAb.Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion reduces the inflammatory response in the thyroid glands of EAT rats and lowers the levels of serum TPOAb and TGAb. This may be related to the regulation of mRNA and protein expression of the autophagy-associated factors LC3B and Beclin-1 in rat thyroid tissue.

Investigating the influence of moxibustion on colonic mucosal barrier in rats with dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the colonic mucosal barrier of rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a modeling group, with 20 rats in each group. Rats in the modeling group were subjected to preparing experimental UC models by drinking 4％ DSS for seven consecutive days. Two modeled rats and two normal rats were randomly selected for model identification. After the success of UC model was confirmed, the remaining 18 modeled rats were randomly divided into three groups, a model group, a model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a model + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group; the remaining normal rats were randomly divided into three groups, a normal group, a normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, and a normal + mild moxibustion group, with six rats in each group. After 7 d of intervention with the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion or the mild moxibustion, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining technique was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue under a light microscope; Western blotting and/or immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, junction adhesion molecular 1 (JAM1), mucin 2 (MUC2), and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) in rat colon tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group, the colon tissue was severely damaged, the pathological score was significantly increased, and the protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01); while there were no significant differences in the colonic histopathological score, protein expression levels of Occludin, Claudin, JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the normal + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the normal + mild moxibustion group (P>0.05). Compared with the model group, the model + herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the model + mild moxibustion group showed repaired colon tissue, ulcer healing, significantly reduced pathological score, and significantly increased protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 (P<0.05); the Occludin protein expression level in the colon tissue of the model + mild moxibustion group was increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Neither herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion nor mild moxibustion influences the colonic histopathology and intestinal mucosal barrier-related protein expression in the normal rats; both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can up-regulate the protein expression levels of JAM1, MUC2, and TGF-β1 in the colon tissue of UC rats. Mild moxibustion can up-regulate Occludin protein expression. This may be a mechanism of moxibustion in reducing colonic mucosa inflammation in UC.

Effects of Moxibustion on Colonic JNK Signaling Pathway in Crohn's Disease Model Rats / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective: To explore the anti-inflammatory immune mechanism in moxibustion treatment of Crohn.s disease (CD) from the perspective of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, through observing the regulatory effect ofmoxibustion on colonic JNK, c-Jun, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in CDmodel rats. Method: Male Sprague-Dawley rats of clean grade were randomized into a normal group, a model group, amoxibustion group and a sham moxibustion group. CD model was developed by the mixture of 2, 4, 6 Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol via enema. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphologicalchanges in rat.s colon tissues for pathological scoring; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detectthe contents of MCP-1, COX2, JNK, and c-Jun in colon tissues; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was adopted toexamine the mRNA expressions of JNK and c-Jun in rat.s colon. Result: Compared with the normal group, the modelgroup showed more significant colonic damage and thus had a higher colonic damage score (P ＜ 0.01), manifested astopical inflammation which involved the submucosa, fissuring ulcers and granuloma; the model group also showedincreased contents of protein MCP-1 and COX2, and elevated contents of JNK protein and mRNA in colon (all P ＜ 0.05), while the change in the content of c-Jun was insignificant (all P＞ 0.05) . Compared with the model group and shammoxibustion group, the colonic damage score was lower in the moxibustion group (P ＜ 0.01, P ＜ 0.05), with improvementin colonic structure and inflammation; the contents of MCP-1 and COX2 in colon tissues declined, so did the proteincontent and mRNA expression of JNK (all P ＜ 0.05), while the change in the content of c-Jun was insignificant (all P＞0.05) . There were no significant differences between the model group and sham moxibustion group comparing all theindexes (all P＞ 0.05) . Conclusion: Moxibustion down-regulates the expressions of JNK protein and mRNA in CD rat.scolon, as well as the contents of MCP-1 and COX2 in colon tissues, which is possibly one significant mechanism formoxibustion to ease intestinal inflammation and promote the repair of colon tissues in CD.

Evaluation of Moxibustion with Monkshood Cake for Functional Dyspepsia on the Acupoints along Related Meridian: a Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with monkshood cake on the acupoints along related meridian for functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Methods: Sixty patients suffering from functional dyspepsia who met with the inclusion criteria were enrolled in our randomized and controlled trial and randomly divided into two different groups, 30 and 28 patients have finished the treatment respectively. Patients of each group were given with moxibustion with monkshood cake on different acupoints, Group A chose acupoints along related meridian (ST 34, ST 36, ST 40 and ST42), while Group B chose acupoints along non-related meridian (GB 34, GB 36, GB 37 and GB 40) . Patients of each group received moxibustion treatment on alternate days, 3 times a week for a total of 12 times. The efficacy was evaluated using the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) and the Somatic Self-rating Scale (SSS) before, 2 weeks after and 4 weeks after the treatment, respectively. Results: Considering the NDI scale, the result showed that improvement scores of Group A were higher than that of Group B with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.01) . Both groups had improved patients' quality of life after the treatment (P ＜ 0.05), but the improvements in Group A were significantly better than those in Group B (P ＜ 0.01) . Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of moxibusion with monkshood cake on the acupoints along related meridian was better than that of the non-related meridian.

Herb-partition Moxibustion Relieve Colonic Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis of DDS-induced Rats Via Dual Inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 Activation / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective: To observe the effect of herb-partition moxibustion on colonic inflammation in UC rats, and participate in the regulation of immune regulation via NF-κB pathway and STAT3 phosphorylation. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into normal group, the ulcerative colitis group (UC) group and herb-partition moxibustion group, with 8 rats in each group. The rat model of UC was induced by 4％ DSS. After successful modeling, the rats were treated with moxibustion on bilateral Tianshu acupoints (ST25) . Each acupoint was used with 2 Zhuang moxa, 1 time a day, for 7 times. The effect of the herb-partition moxibustion on UC rats was observed by comparing the histopathological and protein concentrations of serum proinflammatory cytokine. Western Blot was used to detect NF-κB pathway and STAT3 activity in colon tissue. Results: Colonic histopathology in the UC group showed that the mucosal epithelium with ulcer formation and obvious inflammatory response. The herb-partition moxibustion could repair colonic epithelial damage and reduce the inflammatory response of colon tissue in UC rats. Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and IL-6 protein concentrations were significantly increased in the UC group (P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01), and the STAT3 phosphorylation level and protein expression levels of pIκB-α and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased. The protein expression level of IκB-α was significantly decreased. Compared with the UC group, the serum protein concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly lower in the herb-partition moxibustion group (P ＜ 0.05), and protein expression level of NF-κB p65 was decreased in the colon tissue. The phosphorylation level of pIκB-α was decreased, while the protein expression level of IκB-α was increased. Conclusion: Herb-partition moxibustion reduced colonic inflammatory response in UC rats by DSS-induced, the underlying mechanism may related to decrease release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 via dual inhibition of NF-κB and STAT3 activation.

Protective Mechanism of Preventative Moxibustion at Tianshu Acupoint (ST25) on Intestinal Barrier in UC Rats / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective: To observe the effect of anti-inflammatory by preventative moxibustion at Tianshu Acupoint (ST25) on UC rats, and to investigate the protective mechanism of preventative moxibustion at Tianshu Acupoint (ST25) onintestinal mucosal barrier in UC rats. Methods: A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into thenormal group (NC), the ulcerative colitis group (UC), the herb-partitioned moxibustion pretreatment group (HM+P), thewarming moxibustion pretreatment group (WM+P), with 7 in each group. The HM+P and the WM+P were treated withherb-partitioned moxibustion and warming moxibustion for 7 days before the model was established. After pretreatment, the UC, the HM+P and the WM+P were given 4％ dextran sodium sulfate solution for 7 days. Observe the rat pathologicalchanges of colon tissue by HE staining, detect the protein expression in rat colon tissue by immunohistochemistry andwestern blot. Results: compared with the NC group, the pathological scores were increased, the expression of occludin, JAM1, MUC2, ZO-1 were decreased and the expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1βincreased in UC group (P ＜ 0.05);compared with the UC group, the pathological score decreased, the protein expression of occludin, JAM1, MUC2, ZO-1 increased, the protein expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1βdecreased in HM + P group (P ＜ 0.05), the Pathological scoredecreased, the Protein expression of occludin, MUC2, ZO-1 increased, the Protein expression of IL-1β decreased inWM + P group (P ＜ 0.05) . Conclusion: The herb-partitioned moxibustion pretreatment and the warming moxibustionpretreatment could increase the expression of intestinal barrier related proteins in UC rats, it may be one of themechanisms of moxibustion to relieve colonic inflammation of UC.

Application Status and Progress of Mimicking Moxibustion in Clinical Trials of Moxibustion / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

In recent years, with the widespread clinical application of moxibustion, the clinical trials on moxibustion research are also increasing. However, the establishment of negative control of moxibustion, also called as mimicking moxibustion, has become a major challenge in the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) . In this review, we summarized the establishment methods of mimicking moxibustion in RCTs at home and abroad, and evaluated and elaborated the design and application methods of mimicking moxibustion models from thermal effect, light radiation effect and smoke effect that generated by moxibustion, in order to provide insights for the establishment of an ideal and feasible mimicking moxibustion model in future RCTs of moxibustion.

Discussion on the direction of moxibustion / 中国针灸

The types of moxibustion are various and its therapeutic effect could be influenced by many factors. The clinical manipulation of moxibustion usually involves sequential order, indicating the significance of direction in moxibustion. From the relationship between moxibustion direction and propagated sensation along channel, moxibustion direction and directional supplementation and reducing and others, this article proposes moxibustion direction could be one of the key factors to influence the clinical efficacy of moxibustion. It is hoped to improve moxibustion and increase clinical efficacy.

Contribution of by to moxibustion / 中国针灸

Mr. was a famous acupuncturist in China. He succeeded the acupuncture from his family in childhood, and practiced acupuncture strictly with insightful and original perspective. The , one of his magnum opus, proposed innovative ideas in the theory and clinical practice of moxibustion, such as revival of moxibustion, three phases of moxibustion sensation, moxibustion for heat syndromes. In this article, the contribution of to moxibustion was discussed from background of compiling this book, poem and medical cases, explanation on moxibustion theory and practice and its effects on later ages.

Effect of moxibustion on tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear transcription factor kappa B in ankle joints of rats with rheumatoid arthritis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) proteins in ankle joints of rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of RA.Methods: Adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat models were induced and used as rat models of RA. Rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group and a saline group. Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated; rats in the moxibustion group accepted treatment by moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenshu (BL 23) after modeling; rats in the saline group were injected with 0.15 mL saline to the bottom of the left hind paw and had no other treatments. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rats' ankle joints under light microscope. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB in ankle joints of rats.Results: Compared with the normal group, the rats' ankle joints in the model group showed disorganization, joint surface defect, and significantly increased mean optical density (MOD) of TNF-α and NF-κB (allP<0.05). After moxibustion treatment, rats in the moxibustion group showed repaired ankle tissues, smooth joint surface without defects, decreased MOD of TNF-α and NF-κB than those in the model group (allP<0.05). Rats in the saline group had no damage to ankle joints, while TNF-α and NF-κB were significantly different from those in the model group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Moxibustion could down-regulate the expressions of NF-κB and TNF-α protein in ankle joints of RA rats, and produce an anti-inflammatory effect to promote tissue repair.

Influence of different-distance mild moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) on functional brain imaging in healthy population / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods: In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli (ST 36) was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fALFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fALFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity (ReHo), it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReHo value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReHo value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReHo value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion: In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

Clinical observation on the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To explore the correlation between moxibustion sensation and distance of moxa stick and provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A total of 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years old in college were recruited and given mild moxibustion at Shousanli (LI 10), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23) and Tianshu (ST 25) with moxa stick, and the occurrence and frequency of moxibustion sensation were recorded at distances of 5 cm, 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm. Mild moxibustion scale was used to count the score. Results: Warm was the main moxibustion sensation, burning pain and soreness decreased with the rise of distance; for the same acupoint, score of mild moxibustion scale increased with the decrease of distance; score ranged between 5.5 and 6.5 at distance 3 cm, which was the most comfortable distance for volunteers. Conclusion: The distance of 3 cm is the most comfortable distance in mild moxibustion.

Analysis on intestinal disorders in Jiujing Tu (Illustration of Moxiustion) found from Dunhuang / 中国针灸

Jiujing Tu (Illustration of Moxibustion), excavated from Mo Kao Grotto at Dunhuang, is one of the earliest existing monographs on moxibustion. The medical masters from different schools have focused on this book because it is different from the existing ancient medical works and have not been collected in the medical works of different dynasties. In this study, the literature of Jiujing Tu on five acupoints (Dachangshu, Pangguangshu, Daxiaochangshu, Nieshu and Cigong) relevant with intestinal disorders is collected. It is intended to discuss and analyze the acupoint location, main intestinal disorder, moxibustion characters, recognition on the literature of different dynasties and modern clinical applications. It is believed that the thought of strong moxibustion in the treatment of intestinal disorders advocated in Jiujing Tu has profound impact on the medical development in later generations. It deserves us to have a further digging, collection and promotion of this thought in the modern time.

Active Crohn's disease treated with acupuncture and moxibustion:a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects and safety of clinical common symptoms of active Crohn's disease at the mild and moderate stages treated with acupuncture and moxibustion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and two patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 51 cases in each one. Herb-partition moxibustion and acupuncture were used in the observation group. Herbal cakes with(),(),(),(),(),() and() as the main ingredients were used on Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongwan (CV 12); acupuncture was used at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), Gongsun (SP 4) and Taichong (LR 3). Bran-partition moxibustion and shallow acupuncture were applied in the control group. Wheat bran-partition moxibustion in the shape of cake was implemented on the same acupoints as the observation group; shallow acupuncture was used 1~2 cm next to the acupoints. Treatment was given three times a week for 12 weeks, 36 times totally. Clinical effects of eight symptoms were evaluated by TCM symptom score, and the symptoms included abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (number, shape and frequency), fatigue, anorexia, borborygmus andflatus, fear of cold, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, tenesmus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 12-week treatment, the eight symptoms were improved apparently (all<0.05), with the scores of abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (shape and frequency), fatigue and anorexia in the observation group decreasing more obviously (all<0.01). There was no statistical significance about the other symptom scores between the two groups (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Herb-partition moxibustion combined with acupuncture achieve safety and efficacy for mild and moderate Crohn's disease, and can improve the clinical common symptoms. Furthermore, their effects on abdominal pain (degree, frequency, time), diarrhoea (shape and frequency), fatigue and anorexia are better than those of bran-partition moxibustion and shallow acupuncture.</p>

Safety test of air quality in simulated moxibustion clinic / 中国针灸

The air quality of simulated moxibustion clinic was tested, which could provide references for the evaluation on air pollution in moxibustion clinic. After the clinical environment of moxibustion was established,the contents of CO,NO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air at 5 different time points (0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h after 10 moxa sticks were ignited as well as 5 min ventilation after 0.5 h moxibustion burning and 5 min ventilation after 1 h moxibustion burning) were measured by testing organizations.0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h after 10 moxa sticks were ignited, the content ranges of CO,NO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air were 15.9 to 37.0 mg/m,0.012 6 to 0.022 4 mg/m,0.22 to 1.28 mg/mand 0.13 to 0.53 mg/m, respectively; the contents of CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 were higher than national standard. With 5 min ventilation after 0.5 h moxibustion burning and 5 min ventilation after 1 h moxibustion burning, the content ranges of CO,NO,PM 10 and PM 2.5 were 0.3 to 0.4 mg/m,0.015 5 to 0.018 0 mg/m,0.11 to 0.13 mg/mand 0.04 mg/m, respectively; the contents of CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 were lower than national standard. It is concluded that long-time moxibustion could cause relatively high concentration of moxa smoke, and the contents of CO, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air will exceed the national standard. However, by keeping good ventilation, the contents of CO,NO,PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air can be controlled within safe ranges.

Influence of moxa smoke on mitochondrial transmembrane potential and Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To investigate the influence of moxibustion products on mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and mRNA expression of Bax/Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells, and to further explore influence of moxibustion products on the oxidative damage of A549 cells. Methods:Smoke and particles generated by moxibustion were collected using the filter box for gas sampling. The moxa smoke extract (MSE) was diluted sequentially to the final concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL, 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL using the cell culture medium, and A549 cells were then intervened by the above MSE solution. Cell MTP was detected by JC-1 staining. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression of A549 cells. Results: Compared with cells in the normal control group, MTP was significantly decreased in cells of 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P0.05); compared with cells in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL, 0.3 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention groups (P<0.05 ); compared with cells in 0.1 mg/mL MSE intervention group, MTP was decreased significantly in cells of 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.01). Bax mRNA expression of cells in each concentration of MSE intervention group all showed no significant difference compared to that in the normal control group; Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells was reduced with the increase of MSE intervention concentration. Wherein, Bcl-2 mRNA expressions of cells in 0.4 mg/mL and 0.3 mg/mL MSE intervention groups were significantly reduced compared with that of cells in the normal control group (P<0.05); Bcl-2 mRNA expression of cells in 0.4 mg/mL MSE intervention group was significantly reduced compared to that in 0.05 mg/mL MSE intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Certain higher concentration of moxa smoke could reduce MTP and mRNA expression of the anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in alveolar typeⅡ epithelial A549 cells. Oxidative damage may be the important mechanism of apoptosis caused by the high concentration of moxa smoke solution, and further studies are necessary on the specific mechanisms.

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in colon of rats with Crohn's disease / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion therapy on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3) protein expressions in the colonic mucosa of rats with Crohn's disease (CD), and to explore the intestinal mucosal immune mechanism of moxibustion therapy in treating CD. Methods:The CD rat model was established using the internationally accepted Morris method. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a mild moxibustion group, a cigarette moxibustion group and a hot compress group, which were compared with the normal group. Except the normal group and the model group, rats in the other groups accepted different moxibustion therapies on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted and the pathological changes of the colon were observed under light microscope; the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in rat’s colonic mucosa were determined by immunohisto-chemistry. Results:Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed mucosal defect, villus destruction or loss, submucosal congestion and edema, glandular destruction or disappearance, reduced goblet cells, ulcer formation, significantly increased positive target area and positive target integral optical density of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expression (allP<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, colonic mucosa was significantly improved in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group, which mainly showed that the intestinal glands were arranged regularly, ulcer surfaces were covered by the neoformative epitheliums, or intestinal ulcers were replaced by the nascent granulation tissue, and submucosal edema was alleviated, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. The total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were decreased (allP<0.01). Compared with the cigarette moxibustion group and the hot compress group, the total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were significantly decreased (allP<0.01) in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group. Conclusion:Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response of colonic mucosa in CD rats. It can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 proteins in the colonic mucosa of CD rats, which may be one of the mechanism in intestinal mucosal immunity caused by moxibustion therapy.