Clinical Study on the Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) seriously affects the quality of life of women. However, most women do not have access to effective treatment. AIM: This study aimed to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of acupuncture in FSD treatment based on existing clear acupuncture protocol and experience-supported face-to-face therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 patients with FSD who received acupuncture from October 2018 to February 2022. The Chinese version of the female sexual function index , subjective sensation, sexual desire, sexual arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and dyspareunia scores were compared before and after the treatment in all 24 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: A specific female sexual function index questionnaire was used to assess changes in female sexual function before and after the acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: In this study, the overall treatment improvement rate of FSD was 100%. The Chinese version of the female sexual function index total score, sexual desire score, sexual arousal score, vaginal lubrication score, orgasm score, sexual satisfaction score, and dyspareunia score during intercourse were significantly different before and after the treatment (P < .05). Consequently, participants reported high levels of satisfaction with acupuncture. This study indicates that acupuncture could be a new and effective technique for treating FSD. The main advantages of this study are its design and efficacy in treating FSD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of FSD using the female sexual function index scale from 6 dimensions. The second advantage is that the method used (ie, the nonpharmacological method) is simple, readily available, highly safe with few side effects, and relatively inexpensive with high patient satisfaction. However, limitations include small sample size and lack of further detailed grouping, pre and post control study of patients, blank control group, and pre and post control study of sex hormones. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can effectively treat FSD from all dimensions with high safety, good satisfaction, and definite curative effect, and thus, it is worthy of promotion and application. Zhang JT, Ma L, Gong X, et al. Clinical Study on the Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Pilot Study. Sex Med 2022;10:100541.

Histone deacetylase HDAC2 silencing prevents endometriosis by activating the HNF4A/ARID1A axis.

Endometriosis is the most major cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. Moreover, the involvement of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been identified in endometriosis. However, the specific mechanism of HDAC2 remains to be further elusive. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the mechanism of HDAC2 orchestrating hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α/AT-rich interactive domain 1A (HNF4A/ARID1A) axis in endometriosis. Endometriosis cell line hEM15A and clinical endometriosis tissues were obtained, followed by gain- and loss-of-function assays in hEM15A cells. HDAC2, HNF4A and ARID1A expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 Assay, invasion by Transwell assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. HDAC2 enrichment in HNF4A promoter region and HNF4A enrichment in ARID1A promoter region was detected through chromatin immunoprecipitation. Mouse models of endometriosis were established, followed by immunohistochemistry of Ki-67 expression and TUNEL staining of apoptosis in ectopic tissues. HDAC2 was upregulated but HNF4A and ARID1A were downregulated in endometriosis tissues. HDAC2 inhibited HNF4A expression by deacetylation, and HNF4A was enriched in ARID1A promoter region to activate ARID1A. Silencing HDAC2 or overexpressing HNF4A or ARID1A diminished the viability and invasion and augmented the apoptosis of hEM15A cells. HDAC2 silencing reduced the area and weight of endometriosis tissues, suppressed endometriosis cell proliferation and accelerated endometriosis cell apoptosis. The inhibitory action of silencing HDAC2 via HNF4A/ARID1A axis was reproduced in mouse models. Collectively, HDAC2 silencing might upregulate HNF4A via repression of deacetylation to activate ARID1A, thus preventing the occurrence of endometriosis.

[Effects of the blood glucose-adjusting recipe on blood glucose and pancreas islet pathology in diabetic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of a self-formulated blood glucose-adjusting recipe on blood glucose and pathology of the pancreas in diabetic mice. METHODS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in mice by injection of alloxan through the caudal vein. The blood glucose-adjusting recipe was administered in the mice at the doses of 20, 10 and 5 g/kg for 21 days, after which blood glucose was determined and the sugar tolerance was evaluated, and the pancreas and islet pathologies were examined microscopically. RESULTS: The blood glucose-adjusting recipe at 20 g/kg significantly lowered the fast blood glucose in the mice, and at 20 and 10 g/kg, the recipe significantly lowered the blood glucose 2 h after glucose administration and increased the sugar tolerance. The pathological damage in the diabetic mice was alleviated after treatment with the recipe. CONCLUSIONS: The blood glucose-adjusting recipe has a good effect in stabilizing blood glucose in mice.

[Effect of Yiyuan oral solution on immune function of normal mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Yiyuan oral solution on the immune function of normal mice. METHOD: The mice were divided into control and 3 Yiyuan oral solution groups (at low, moderate and high doses). The immune indices of delayed type hypersensitivity, transformation of spleen lymphocyte, serum hemolysin, splenocytic antibody formation, carbon clearance index, phagocytotic function of the macrophage and natural killer cell activity were observed after administration of Yiyuan oral solution. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Yiyuan oral solution can enhance the immune function of normal mice.

[Assisting protective effect of Yiyuan oral solution on mice from irradiation injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of Yiyuan oral solution against radiation injury in mice. METHODS: Yiyuan oral solution was administered in mice at 10.00, 3.33 and 1.67 ml/kg for 30 days. The mice were then exposed to (60)Co-gamma irradiation at 3 Gy once and the effect of the irradiation on the WBC, bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PEC) micronuclei and serum hemolysin antibody against sheep red cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Yiyuan oral solution at 10 ml/kg significantly increased WBC counts, decreased bone marrow PEC micronucleus rate and enhanced serum hemolysin antibody in mice, suggesting the protective effect of this preparation against radiation injury.