"Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" verified with the infrared thermal imaging technology / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect on facial acupoint temperature between acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and Dazhui (GV 14) so as to verify "Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" based on the infrared thermal imaging technology.@*METHODS@#Thirty-five healthy subjects (5 cases dropped off) were collected and before-after study in the same subject was adopted. The subjects were successively assigned into a sham-acupuncture group, a Houxi group, a Wangu group and a Dazhui group. Sham-acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, Wangu (SI 4) on the left and Dazhui (GV 14) were given respectively. One intervention was given and the needles were retained for 30 min in each group. 30 min before and after acupuncture, the infrared thermal images of the face were collected, and the facial temperature was compared among the following 5 acupoints, i.e. Yintang (GV 24+), Suliao (GV 25), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24).@*RESULTS@#After acupuncture, the facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) and Chengjiang (CV 24) was increased compared before acupuncture in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The facial temperature at Suliao (GV 25) in the Houxi group was reduced after acupuncture (P<0.05). In the Wangu group, the temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) was increased compared before acupuncture (P<0.01). The facial temperature was increased at Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) compared before acupuncture in the Dazhui group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences of facial temperature at Chengjiang (CV 24) and Suliao (GV 25) after acupuncture were larger than before acupuncture in the Houxi group and the Dazhui group (P<0.01). In comparison with the temperature at Suliao (GV 25) of the same group, the differences of facial temperature before and after acupuncture at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) were increased in the Houxi group (P<0.01, P<0.05); while, the increase was also obtained at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) in the Dazhui group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The difference of facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) before and after acupuncture was increased compared with Suliao (GV 25) in the Wangu group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) generates a similar thermal effect as Dazhui (GV 14). It regulates and dissipates the core temperature to "govern the yang qi of the whole body".

Regulating effects of Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rats with functional dyspepsia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To investigate the effects and the possible mechanisms of Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD),thus to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of the Eight Confluent Points.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,and a Western medicine group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Rats in the blank group did not receive modeling or intervention.Rats in the other three groups were subjected to the FD with mood disorder model using the compound etiology modeling method.After the successful modeling,rats in the model group did not receive any interventions,rats in the Western medicine group received deanxit and mosaprid intervention,and those in the EA group received EA intervention on the ipsilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)for 21 d.The sugar-water consumption rate was measured before the experiment and before and after interventions to assess the emotional status.The gastric emptying rate was measured after interventions to assess the gastrointestinal dynamics.The expression levels of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),and adrenal corticosterone(CORT)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared with the blank group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were decreased(P<0.01),and the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT expression levels were increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression levels of hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT were significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the EA group and the Western medicine group.The differences between the EA group and the Western medicine group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:The Eight Confluent Points Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)can improve the mood and gastrointestinal dynamics in FD rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT,as well as by correcting the HPA axis hyperfunction.

Clinical observation of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis.@*METHODS@#A total of 42 patients with chronic pharyngitis were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 21 cases in each one. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points [Neiguan (PC 6), Waiguan (TE 5), Lieque (LU 7), Houxi (SI 3), Gongsun (SP 4), Shenmai (BL 62), Zhaohai (KI 6) and Zulinqi (GB 41)], once a day, 6 days as one course, with an interval of 1 day between the courses, 4-course treatment was required. In the control group, granules were taken orally 5 g each time, 3 times a day, 7 days as one course and 4 courses were required. Before and after treatment, symptoms and signs scores of chronic pharyngitis and the contents of IL-2 and TNF-a in serum were compared in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, symptoms and signs scores of chronic pharyngitis and the contents of IL-2 and TNF-a in serum were improved in both groups (all <0.05), and the changes in the observation group were superior to the control group (all <0.05). The total effective rate was 90.5% (19/21) in the observation group, which was superior to 81.0% (17/21) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Qianlianquan (Extra) and eight confluent points on chronic pharyngitis is superior to conventional Chinese patent medication treatment by granules.

Study of the thermal pain threshold latency of acupoints based on Fei Teng Ba Fa / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:By applying moxibustion to the eight confluent points in different periods of time,to observe the changes in thermal pain threshold latency of acupoints based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Methods:A total of 468 healthy college student volunteers received moxibustion at the eight confluent points in three different periods of time,i.e.Chen (7:00-9:00),Wu (11:00-13:00) and Xu (19:00-21:00).The thermal pain threshold latency was adopted to measure the changes in pain threshold of the eight confluent points under different conditions (different periods of time,different genders,different acupoints and different states of the acupoints) based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Results:Finally,thirty subjects dropped out and 438 subjects were included.The comparison of thermal pain threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in the same opening or closing state based on Fei Teng Ba Fa:latencies of the closing points and adjunct points were significantly different in different periods of time (P＜0.05);the latencies of the males were significantly longer than those of the females (P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the latency between the left and right sides (P＞0.05);in the female group,there was a significant difference in the latency between the lower-limb points and the upper-limb points (P＜0.05).The comparison of thermal point threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in different opening or closing state:in the period of Wu (11:00-13:00),the latencies of the opening points were significantly longer than those of the closing points and adjunct points (P＜0.05);for men,their opening and closing points had significantly longer thermal pain threshold latencies than their adjunct points (P＜0.05);despite the gender,the latencies of the upper limb opening and closing points were significantly longer than the latency of the adjunct points (P＜0.05);in the female group,the latencies of the lower-limb opening points were significantly shorter than those of the lower-limb closing and adjunct points (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Based on Fei Teng Ba Fa,the pain thresholds of the eight confluent points vary in different periods of time,gender,acupoint location and opening/closing state,which can be taken as the evidence of making time-based acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions.

Abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian for chronic pharyngitis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian in treating chronic pharyngitis. Methods:Thirty eligible subjects with chronic pharyngitis were given abdominal acupuncture plus needling Lieque (LU 7) and Zhaohai (KI 6), two out of the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian, once a day, 10 sessions as a course, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after a treatment course. Results:After a treatment course, of the 30 subjects, 21 were recovered, 5 showed markedly effective, 2 were improved, and 2 failed,the total effective rate was 93.3%. Conclusion:Abdominal acupuncture plus the Confluent Points of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian is effective in treating chronic pharyngitis, worth promoting in clinic.

Study on the Influence of Needling the Eight Confluent Points plus Huo Xue Rong Luo Granules on GABA and Gly in ;Patients with Spastic Paralysis After Cerebral Infarction / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the influence of needling the Eight Confluent Points plus Huo Xue Rong Luo granules on the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine (Gly) in patients with spastic paralysis after cerebral infarction. Method Sixty patients with spastic paralysis after cerebral infarction were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 3 0 cases each. The control group was intervened by basic treatment, while the treatment group was by Huo Xue Rong Luo granules plus acupuncture at the Eight Confluent Points in addition to the basic treatment, for 6 treatment courses in total. Before the treatment, and after half-a-month, 1-month, and 3-month treatments, the Chinese Stroke Scale (CSS) and activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated, the levels of GABA and Gly were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the therapeutic efficacies were compared. Result After half-a-month treatment, the CSS score dropped significantly in both groups (P0.05). Conclusion Needling the Eight Confluent Points plus Huo Xue Rong Luo granules is effective in treating spastic paralysis after cerebral infarction, which is plausibly associated with the up-regulation of inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA and Gly).

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture at the Eight Confluent Points for Perimenopausal Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the eight confluent points in treating perimenopausal syndrome (PMS). Method Sixty PMS patients were randomized into an acupuncture group of 30 cases and a Western medication group of 30 cases. In the acupuncture group, bilateral Gongsun (SP4), Neiguan (PC6), Zulinqi (GB41), Waiguan (TE5), Lieque (LU7), Shenmai (BL62), Houxi (SI3), and Zhaohai (KI6) were selected, 30 min for each treatment, once a day, 10 d as a treatment course; the treatment was given 15-18 d after each menstruation cycle, while for the menopausal patients, the treatment could start anytime. The Western medication group was prescribed with Tibolone tablets, 2.5 mg per dose, once a day, 30 d as a course. The intervention lasted 3 months for both groups. The Kupperman Index, serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were observed before and after treatment, and the statistical results were then analyzed. Result Serum E2, FSH, and LH were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05), and the increase of serum E2 in the acupuncture group was more significant than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). The Kupperman score decreased significantly in both groups after intervention (P<0.05), and the improvements of symptoms in the acupuncture group were more significant than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the acupuncture group (96.7%) was significantly higher than that in the Western medication group (83.3%). Conclusion Acupuncture at the eight confluent points is effective in treating PMS, and its therapeutic efficacy is more significant than that of the Western medication.