[Skin needle embedding for obese impaired glucose tolerance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect difference between the skin needle embedding therapy and western medication for obese impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: A total of 300 cases of obese IGT were assigned into an embedding group and a western medication group by random number table, 150 cases in each one. Standardized diagnosis and treatment programs were applied to reduce blood pressure, lipid, weight, and exercise and scientific diet management were used. 0.25 g oral deltamine was prescribed three times a day in the western medication group. Thumb-tack needle for subcutaneous embedding was at bilateral Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Tianshu (ST 25) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 36 to 48 hours on Monday and Thursday, 3 months as a session, with other acupoints differentiated. All the treatment was given for 2 years. The indexes included the blood sugar indexes [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 h PG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)], incidence of hypoglycemia, obesity indexes [waist circumference, body mass index (BMI)], blood lipid indexes [serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], liver and kidney function indexes [serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood uric acid (UA), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT)] and TCM symptom score. The effects and the incidence of type 2 diabetes were evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, 2 h PG and HbA1c reduced in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05) and the results in the embedding group were better (both P<0.05). After treatment, the incidence of hypoglycemia in the embedding group was 0.7% (1/150), and that in the western medication group was 1.3% (2/150), without statistical difference (P>0.05). After treatment, waist circumference and BMI reduced in the two groups (both P<0.01) and the improvements in the embedding group were better (both P<0.05). TC, TG and LDL-C after treatment were lower than those before treatment, and HDL-C were higher in the two groups (all P<0.05), without statistical different values before and after treatment between the two groups (all P>0.05). Scr, BUN, UA and ALT before and after treatment in the two groups had no statistical difference (all P>0.05), without statistical difference after treatment between the two groups (all P>0.05). The TCM score after treatment was lower than that before treatment in the embedding group (P<0.05), and the difference was not statistical in the western medication group (P>0.05). The different value of TCM score in the embedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0.01). The total effective rate in the embedding group was 98.0% (147/150), which was superior to 92.7% (139/150) in the western medication group (P<0.05). The incidence of type 2 diabetes was 2.0% (3/150) in the embedding group, and that was better than 7.3% (11/150) in the western medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thumb-tack needle for subcutaneous embedding for 2 years could apparent improve the indexes of IGT, which is better than western medication, without liver and kidney damage.

[Observation on curative effect of glomerular pathological proteinuria treated with heat-producing needling].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences of curative effect of glomerular pathological proteinuria treated with combined therapy of acupuncture and medicine or simple medicine. METHODS: Two hundred and forty cases of glomerular pathological proteinuria were divided into a combined therapy of acupuncture and medicine group (combined therapy group), a medicine group I and a medicine group II, 80 cases in each group. In combined therapy group, Pishu (BL 20) and Zhishi (BL 52) were punctured by heat-producing needling; Terazosin Hydrochloride, Bisoprolol Fumarate tablets or compound Reserpinum Triamterene tablet were applied with oral administration when accompanied by high blood pressure, to control the blood pressure within 130/80 mmHg. In medicine group I , Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS) interruption method was applied to control blood pressure; Benazepril Hydrochloride and Telmisartan were applied with oral administration to keep blood pressure in satisfying level, below 125-130/75-80 mmHg. In medicine group II, placebo was orally taken, and the medicine therapy which was same as that in combined therapy group was applied when accompanied by high blood pressure. Quality low protein and low salt and fat diet were applied in all groups. The Chinese medicine syndrome score, laboratory indices and curative effect were observed in all groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 86.3% (69/80), 61.3% (49/80) and 17.5% (14/80) respectively in combined therapy group, medicine group I and medicine group II, indicating that the curative effect in combined therapy group was superior to that in other groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and it in medicine group I was superior to that in medicine group II (P < 0.01). The Chinese medicine syndrome score was markedly reduced in combined therapy group (P < 0.01), and there was no obvious change in other groups (both P > 0.05). Urinary albumin (UMA) and urinary protein in 24 hours were notably reduced in combined therapy group and medicine group I (all P < 0.01), and it was more obviously in combined therapy group than that in other groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The blood pressure was markedly reduced in all groups (all P < 0.05) after treatment, and there was no significant change in indices of liver and kidney functions (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The curative effect of heat-producing needling method is good for treating glomerular pathological proteinuria, better than that of RAAS interruption method.