Effect of Electroacupuncture on Colonic IL-1β and nAchRα7mRNA in Ulcerative Colitis Rats / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To compare the effects of electroacupuncture at points Shangjuxu(ST37), Zusanli(ST36), Xiajuxu(ST39) and Yanglingquan(GB34) on colonic expressions of interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor a7 mRNA (nAchRa7mRNA) in ulcerative colitis rats and investigate if large intestine lower He-Sea point Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ diseases. Method Seventy healthy SD rats were randomized into blank, model, Shangjuxu, Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups, 10 rats, half male and half female, each. A rat model of ulcerative colitis was made by induction of 2-4-6 three nitrobenzene sulfonic acid/ethanol solution enema in every group except the blank group. After successful model making and ten days of treatment, rat colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammation were observed macroscopically, colonic IL-1bcontent was measured by ELISA and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Result Compared with the model group, colonic lesions were reduced in varying degrees, colonic IL-1b content was significantly lower and the expression of nAchRa7mRNA was higher in every acupoint group (P<0.05, P<0.01);the colonic ulcer score was lower in the Shangjuxu and Zusanli groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Shangjuxu group, colonic expression of nAchRa7mRNA was lower in the other four acupoint groups (P<0.01); colonic mucosal ulcers and inflammatory lesions were more severe and the colonic ulcer score and the IL-1bcontent were higher in the Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion The mechanism of electroacupuncture treatment for ulcerative colitis may be that it regulates abnormal immunologic function by modulating IL-1b and nAchRa7mRNA and reduces mucosal lesions. The overall therapeutic effect of Shangjuxu is better than those of Zusanli, Xiajuxu, Yanglingquan and Chengjin, indicating that Shangjuxu has relative specificity to fu organ large intestine.

Assessing the quality of rodent laboratory animals in Beijing area by pathological diagnosis in October 2014 / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To assess the health status of rodent laboratory animals by pathological diagnosis, our lab has being take apart in investigating the quality of laboratory animals in Beijing area for years and offer some advices for standardized breeding to ensure accurate results of scientific research.This paper focuses on the analysis of laboratory rodent samples that collected in October 2014.Methods We collected the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, large intestine and small intestine, and put these organs into 10%Calcium formaldehyde solution for fixation, and then prepared into two different sections for optical microscopy observation including all paraffin specimens stained with H&E and the frozen sections stained with Oil Red-O and PAS.Results The vast majority of laboratory rodents were up to standard, but there still a problem in individual units.The main problem is liver and lung disease.The rate of Hepatocyte swellingis 6%(mouse), 2.5% (rat), 8.2% (guinea pig), moreover part of them were lipidosis, according to Oil Red-O stain.the mainly problem of lung is congestion ,edema and Interstitial pneumonia ,the detectable rate of pulmonarydiseases is 15.5%(guinea pig).Conclusions The vast majority of laboratory rodents were pathologically diagnosed as healthy animals.The liver disease may be caused by improper feeding.And disease of lung may led by haze, unqualified bedding and low temperature.

The Relationship between the Effect of Acupuncture on Motor Organ Diseases and Medical Expenses of Workers in a Company / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

We employed the Meridian Test to study the effects of acupuncture on m otor organ diseases and medical expenses of workers in a company, where health promotion is a priority. Our two-month trial was done at one factory which employs mainly physical labor workers. Acupuncture treatments were given for pain in the neckshoulder, knee and lumbar regions. After 8 weeks of our treatment, 83% of neck-shoulder pain cases, 77% of lumbar pain cases, and 88% of knee pain cases reported that their pain was reduced more than 50%. The results of a mental test (POMS test) showed a significant decrease in tension, depression, anger, fatigue and mental confusion. In terms of acupuncture treatment, numbers of visits to conventional hospitals were significantly decreased and average medical expenses were reduced to about 30%. These reductions continued for the next 3 months. Acupuncture treatment using the Meridian Test could benefit corporations where health promotion of workers is an urgent priority.