Effect of fire needling on imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion and STAT3 pathway in mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of fire needling on psoriasis-like lesion and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in mice and compare the therapeutic effect between different interventions of fire needling therapy (surrounding technique of fire needling, fire needling at "Dazhui" [GV 14] and "Zusanli" [ST 36]).@*METHODS@#Thirty male BALB/c mice were randomized into a blank group, a model group, a dexamthasone group, a surrounding technique group and an acupoint group, 6 mice in each one. Except the blank group, the mice in the rest groups were established as psoriasis-like lesion model by topical application with imiquimod cream, once daily, consecutively for 8 days. From day 4 to day 8, in the dexamthasone group, gastric infusion with 0.2 mL dexamthasone was administered, once daily. On day 4, 6 and 8, in the surrounding technique group, fire needling was exerted around the skin lesion; and fire needling was applied to "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in the acupoint group, once a day. The changes in skin lesion on the dorsal parts of mice were observed in each group to score the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Using HE staining, the dermal morphological changes and epidermal thickness were observed in the mice of each group. The positive expression of proliferating cell-associated antigen Ki-67 was determined by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry method was used to determine the expressions of , and T cells of skin tissue in each group. Using real-time PCR, the expressions of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) mRNA were determined. Western blot method was adopted to determine the protein expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in skin tissue in each group.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Except for the erythema scores of the dexamethasone group and the surrounding technique group, the scores of each item and the total scores of PASI, as well as the epidermal thickness were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01). The infiltration scores and the total scores in the dexamethasone group and the acupoint group were lower than those in the surrounding technique group respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05). In comparison with the blank group, Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells in skin tissue were increased in the mice of the model group (P<0.01). Ki-67 positive cell numbers and the numbers of , and T cells were reduced in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01), and the numbers of and T cells in the acupoint group were less than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all increased in the model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α and the ratio of p-STAT3 to STAT3 were all decreased in each intervention group as compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α in the acupoint group, as well as mRNA expression of IL-17 in the surrounding technique group were all lower than the dexamethasone group (P<0.01), while, the mRNA expression of IL-22 in the acupoint group was lower than the surrounding technique group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Fire needling therapy improves skin lesion severity in imiquimod induced psoriasis-like lesion of the mice, which is probably related to the inhibition of STAT3 pathway activation and the decrease of Th17 inflammatory factors expression. The systemic regulation of fire needling at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) is superior to the local treatment.

Effect of moxibustion on skin lesions and immune inflammatory response in psoriasis mice / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of moxibustion on skin lesions and immune inflammatory response in psoriasis mice, and to explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion for psoriasis.@*METHODS@#A total of 32 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group and a medication group, 8 mice in each group. Psoriasis model was induced by applying 5% imiquimod cream on the back for 7 days in the model group, the moxibustion group and the medication group. At the same time of model establishment, the moxibustion group was treated with suspension moxibustion on skin lesions on the back, 20 min each time, once a day; the medication group was treated with 1 mg/kg methotrexate tablet solution by gavage, once a day. Both groups were intervened for 7 days. The daily changes of skin lesions were observed, and the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was evaluated; the histopathological changes of skin lesions were observed by HE staining; the positive expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and T lymphocyte surface marker CD3 were detected by immunohistochemistry; the expression level of serum interleukin (IL) -17A was detected by ELISA, and the relative expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in skin lesions were detected by real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#The increased and hypertrophy scale, dry skin, red and swollen epidermis and obvious infiltration were observed in the model group, and each score and total score of PASI were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01). The scale score, infiltration score, and total score of PASI in the moxibustion group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01); the infiltration score and total score of PASI in the medication group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group was obvious, and the thickness of epidermal layer was increased compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01); the inflammatory cell infiltration and Munro micro abscess were decreased in the moxibustion group and the medication group, and the thickness of epidermal layer was decreased compared with that in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the positive cell number of PCNA and T was increased (P<0.01), and the body mass was decreased, and the spleen index was increased (P<0.01), and the expression of serum IL-17A and the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the skin lesions was increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive cell number of PCNA and T was reduced (P<0.01), and the spleen index and the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA were reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion group and the medication group; the body mass of mice in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.01); the content of serum IL-17A in the medication group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.01); the relative expression of TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA in the moxibustion group was higher than that in the medication group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could effectively improve the scale and infiltration of skin lesions in psoriasis mice. Its mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating immunity.

Moxibustion on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the short-term and long-term effects of moxibustion on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis, and to compare the curative effect between moxibustion and calcipotriol ointment.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 patients with plaque psoriasis of blood stasis were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (40 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Both groups were given routine medical vaseline topical emollient basic treatment. In the observation group, moxibustion was applied to @*RESULTS@#After treatment, the PASI scores in the both groups were lower than before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Both moxibustion and calcipotriol ointment have good short-term effects on plaque psoriasis of blood stasis. Moxibustion has more advantages in reducing the recurrence rate of psoriasis, improving the main clinical symptoms of TCM and quality of life.

Effects of PPAR-gamma agonist rosiglitazone on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression of monocyte-derived macrophages isolated from patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Coronary arterial plaque rupture and secondary thrombosis are the major pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Metalloprotease (MMPs) secreted by monocyte/macrophage was the main predisposing factor of the plaque rupture and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is involved in a variety of inflammatory cytokine gene transcriptional regulations. We explored the possible role of PPAR-gamma in the regulation of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expressed by peripheral monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) from patients with ACS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 48 patients with ACS and 28 healthy controls and stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (0.1 microg/ml for 24 hours) to form MDMs. MDMs were then incubated under various concentrations of rosiglitazone (0, 1, 10, 20 micromol/L) for 48 hours. The concentrations of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the supernatant were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the mRNA expression of PPAR-gamma, MMP-9 by RT-PCR and nuclear factor-kappaB P65 (NF-kappaB P65) expression by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PPAR-gamma mRNA expression was significantly lower while NF-kappaB P65 and MMP-9 expression as well as MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in supernatant were significantly higher in ACS group than those in control group (all P < 0.05). After rosiglitazone intervention, PPAR-gamma mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in both ACS and control groups in a dose-dependent manner. Both the MMP-9 concentration in the supernatant and MMP-9 mRNA expression were reduced post intervention with rosiglitazone in both groups. The TIMP-1 mRNA expression and concentration in supernatant were not affected by rosiglitazone in both groups. Rosiglitazone induced significant downregulation of NF-kappaB P65 expression in both groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rosiglitazone intervention may downregulate MMP-9 expression by upregulating PPAR-gamma expression, and by downregulating NF-kappaB expression in MDMs isolated from patients with ACS.</p>