Modulatory effect of International Standard Scalp Acupuncture on brain activation in the elderly as revealed by resting-state fMRI.

The specific mechanisms by which acupuncture affects the central nervous system are unclear. In the International Standard Scalp Acupuncture system, acupuncture needles are applied at the middle line of the vertex, anterior parietal-temporal oblique line, and the posterior parietal-temporal oblique line. We conducted a single-arm prospective clinical trial in which seven healthy elderly volunteers (three men and four women; 50-70 years old) received International Standard Scalp Acupuncture at MS5 (the mid-sagittal line between Baihui (DU20) and Qianding (DU21)), the left MS6 (line joining Sishencong (EX-HN1) and Xuanli (GB6)), and the left MS7 (line joining DU20 and Qubin (GB7)). After acupuncture, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated changes in the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity in various areas, showing remarkable enhancement of regional homogeneity in the bilateral anterior cingulate, left medial frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus. Functional connectivity based on a seed region at the right middle frontal gyrus (42, 51, 9) decreased at the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus. Our data preliminarily indicates that the international standard scalp acupuncture in healthy elderly participants specifcally enhances the correlation between the brain regions involved in cognition and implementation of the brain network regulation system and the surrounding adjacent brain regions. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the China-Japan Union Hospital at Jilin University, China, on July 18, 2016 (approval No. 2016ks043).

MicroRNA-21 Promotes Proliferation of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes through Mediation of NF-κB Nuclear Translocation in a Rat Model of Collagen-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis.

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-21 on cell proliferation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of RA. FLS were primary-cultured from a rat RA model. RA-FLS and normal FLS were infected with lentivirus (anti-miR-21 or pro-miR-21) for overexpression or downregulation of miR-21, respectively. The effects of miR-21 overexpression or inhibition on nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and FLS cell proliferation were evaluated by western blotting and MTT assays. The effects of an inhibitor of NF-κB nuclear translocation (BAY 11-7082) were also evaluated. The results showed that the levels of miR-21 and nucleoprotein NF-κB were increased in FLS of RA model rats compared to the control group. Downregulation of miR-21 in RA FLS led to a significant decrease in nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and cell proliferation rates compared to the antinegative control (NC) group. However, miR-21 overexpression in normal FLS resulted in a significant increase of nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and cell proliferation rates compared to the pro-NC group. The effects of miR-21 overexpression were reversed by BAY 11-7082. We concluded that upregulated miR-21 in FLS in RA model rats may promote cell proliferation by facilitating NF-κB nuclear translocation, thus affecting the NF-κB pathway.

[Effect of bee venom injection on TrkA and TRPV1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion of rats with collagen-induced arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of acupoint injection of bee venom on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and explore the mechanism of bee venom therapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into bee venom treatment group (BV group), CIA model group, and control group. In the former two groups, CIA was induced by injections of collagen II+IFA (0.2 mL) via the tail vein, and in the control group, normal saline was injected instead. The rats in BV group received daily injection of 0.1 mL (3 mg/mL) bee venom for 7 consecutive days. All the rats were assessed for paw thickness and arthritis index from days 14 to 21, and the pain threshold was determined on day 21. The expressions of TRPV1 and TrkA in the dorsal root ganglion at the level of L4-6 were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: The rats in CIA model group started to show paw swelling on day 10, and by day 14, all the rats in this group showed typical signs of CIA. In BV group, the rats receiving been venom therapy for 7 days showed a significantly smaller paw thickness and a low arthritis index than those in the model group. The pain threshold was the highest in the control group and the lowest in the model group. TRPV1-positive cells and TrkA expression in the dorsal root ganglion was significantly reduced in BV group as compared with that in the model group. CONCLUSION: s Injection of bee venom can decrease expression of TRPV1 and TrkA in the dorsal root ganglion to produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, suggesting the potential value of bee venom in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

[Clinical randomized controlled trials of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity: a meta-analysis].

The clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity was systemically analyzed to provide reference and assistance for its clinical treatment and research. By searching in the CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Pubmed, Springer and Medline databases, clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) of acupoint catgut-embedding for simple obesity published from Jan, 2009 to July, 2013 were collected while Revman 5. 2 software was applied to perform the Meta-analysis. Totally 19 articles were acquired with 1 658 cases involved. The effective rate was selected as primary outcome measure in 19 articles. The Meta-analysis was performed among homogeneous researches. The results indicated that compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.45 with 95% CI [1.81, 3.32]; in the test for overall effect, Z = 5.81, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01). In subgroups analysis, in the event of treatment session with more than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.61 with 95% CI [1.53, 4.46]; in test for overall effect, Z = 3.51, implying the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant in the treatment of simple obesity (P < 0.01); in the event of treatment session with less than 3 months, compared with other therapies, pooled OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 2.38 with 95% CI [1.65, 3.44]; in test for overall effect, Z = 4.46, implying in the treatment of simple obesity the efficacy difference of two therapies was significant (P < 0.01). Compared with electroacupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.79, 95% CI [1.08, 2.95] (P = 0.02). Compared with acupuncture, OR of acupoint catgut-embedding was 1.89, 95% CI [1.16, 3.09] (P = 0.01), which explained that compared with electroacupuncture and acupuncture, the efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding was significantly different. In a word, the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut-embedding is superior to other therapies in the treatment of simple obesity.

[Clinical comparative study on the influence of acupoint sticking therapy in dog days and in non-dog days to the quality of life of allergic rhinitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the influence of acupoint sticking therapy in dog days and in non-dog days to the quality of life of allergic rhinitis patients. METHODS: Fifty-five cases were divided into group A (the acupoint sticking therapy in dog days group, 28 cases) and group B (the acupoint sticking therapy in non-dog day group, 27 cases) randomly. The acupoint sticking therapy description (Dazhui (GV 14), Fengmen (BL 12), Feishu (BL 13) etc. was used in both groups. Five times of acupoint sticking therapy were given to patients in group A during dog days in 2010, while another 5 times of acupoint sticking therapy were given to patients in group B before the dog days. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was used to evaluate the effects before, after and half a year after treatment. RESULTS: The scores of behavior problems, nasal symptoms and quality of life in RQLQ of both groups all decreased after treatment (all P < 0.01). The score of emotion reaction of group A in the follow-up period decreased compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The scores of non-nasal-or-ocular symptoms, ocular symptoms and emotion reaction after treatment and in the follow-up period all decreased than those before treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The decreasing degrees of scores of non-nasal-or-ocular symptoms, ocular symptoms, emotion reaction and quality of life after treatment and in the follow-up period in group A were all greater than those in group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the same season, both acupoint sticking therapy in dog days and in non-dog dags can improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but the improving degree to quality of life in the method of acupoint sticking in dog days is greater.

[Global improvement in agitated depression treated with the alliance therapy of acupuncture and seroxat and the observation of the quality of life].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the efficacy on agitated depression among the alliance therapy of acupuncture and seroxat, the alliance therapy of electroacupuncture and seroxat and the simple application of seroxat. METHODS: One hundred and two cases were randomized into a medication group, a conventional acupuncture + medication group and an electroacupuncture + medication group, 34 cases in each one. In the medication group, seroxat was prescribed for oral administration, once per day. In the conventional acupuncture + medication group, seroxat was applied in combination with the conventional acupuncture therapy, in which, Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN 3) were taken as the main acupoints. In the electroacupuncture + medication group, seroxat was applied in combination with electroacupuncture, in which, on the basic therapeutic program as the conventional acupuncture + medication group, the electric stimulation was attached to Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN 3). Acupuncture was applied once every two days, the treatment of 6 weeks made one session and one session treatment was required in the research. Before and after treatment, the clinical global impression (CGI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were adopted for the assessment in each group. RESULTS: (1) CGI comparison: the severity of illness (SI) after treatment was all alleviated significantly for the patients in three groups as compared with that before treatment (all P < 0.001), but the difference was not significant statistically among groups (P > 0.05). The global improvement (GI) was different significantly among three groups (P < 0.05), in which GI in the electroacupuncture + medication group was the best, that in the conventional acupuncture + medication group was taken second place. The total improvement rates were 100.0% (29/29), 96.9% (31/32) and 93.5% (29/31) separately. The difference in the efficacy index (EI) was not significant statistically among three groups (P > 0.05). Concerning to the adverse events, there were 1 case (mild insomnia) in the medication group, 1 case (moderate anorexia) in the conventional acupuncture + medication group and 2 cases (mild insomnia and dry mouth) in the electroacupuncture + medication group. (2) WHOQOL-BREF comparison: compared with those before treatment, all the indices in the electroacupuncture + medication group were increased significantly after treatment (all P < 0.01); except the indices in the physiological field, all the other indices were improved in the conventional acupuncture + medication group after treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the scores only in the physiological field and social field were higher significantly than those before treatment in the medication group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After treatment, the statistically significant difference was displayed only in the psychological field among three groups (P < 0.05), in which, the improvement in the electroacupuncture + medication group was the best, that in the conventional acupuncture + medication group was taken second place and that in the medication group was the worst. CONCLUSION: Either the alliance therapy of acupuncture and medication or the simple oral administration of seroxat improves the overall efficacy and the quality of life in the patients with agitated depression. The efficacy of the alliance therapy of acupuncture and medication is superior to the simple oral administration of seroxat and the efficacy of electroacupuncture is superior to the conventional acupuncture therapy.

[Effect of electro-scalp acupuncture on cerebral dopamine transporter in the striatum area of the patient of Parkinson's disease by means of single photon emission computer tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To probe the mechanism of electro-scalp acupuncture in treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). METHODS: Five cases of PD received electro-scalp acupuncture at Dingnie Qianxiexian (MS 6), Epangxian III (MS 4), Dingpangxian I (MS 8), Dingpangxian II (MS 9) and Zhenxia Pangxian (MS 14). Contralateral points were selected for pathologic change on one side and bilateral points were selected for pathologic lesion on both sides. All the patients received 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT examination before and after acupuncture treatment of 6 weeks. And activities of dopamine transporter (DAT) were analyzed by the ratio of striatum/occipital lobe (ST/OC), which was evaluated by means of technique of regional of interesting (ROI). RESULTS: The ratio of ST/OC on the same side of the affected extremity before and after treatment were 1.19 +/- 0.15 and 1.24 +/- 0.31 respectively. And on the other side were 0.90 +/- 0.12 and 0.95 +/- 0.25 respectively. They were increased after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electro-scalp acupuncture can decrease the loss of DAT and improve the activities of DAT in the striatum of the patient of PD.

[18FDG PET cerebral function imaging in 10 vascular dementia patients receiving needling at Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7)].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of needling at Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7) on glucose metabolism in different regions of the brain in vascular dementia patients. METHODS: Ten patients with vascular dementia were randomized into 2 groups, and the patients in the control group received the treatment with needling in the routine acupoints for hemiplegia (chosen from 6 Yang meridians of the hand and foot), while those in treatment group received needling at 3 additional acupoints, namely Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7), which were specific for dementia treatment. All the patients were examined by positron-emission tomography(PET) to detect the glucose metabolism in different brain regions before and after acupuncture treatment by means of semiquantitative analysis of the average values of radioactive count in the brain regions. RESULTS: Needling at the additional 3 acupoints could obviously enhance glucose metabolism in the bilateral frontal lobes, bilateral thalamus, temporal lobe and lentiform nucleus on the uncompromised side. CONCLUSION: The effect of needling at Baihui(DU20), Shuigou(DU26) and Shenmen(HT7) on vascular dementia is closely related to improved cerebral glucose metabolism.

Effects of sleep deprivation on gamma-amino-butyric acid and glutamate contents in rat brain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sleep deprivation on the contents of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GLU) in rat brain. METHODS: Thirty rats were assigned into sleep-deprivation (SD, n=10) group (subjected to treatment on small platforms 6.5 cm of diameter), tank control (TC, n=10) group (treated on large platforms 14 cm of diameter) and control group kept in cages (CC, n=10). Rats in SD group were deprived of rapid eye movement sleep for 96 h by "flower pot" technique. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the GABA and GLU contents in the 3 brain regions of the rats: the frontal cortex, hypothalamus and brain stem. RESULTS: The rats in SD group showed an increase in the contents of GABA and lowered ratio of GLU/GABA in all the 3 brain regions (P<0.01) compared with the rats in CC group; GLU contents were also increased in the brain stem and hypothalamus of the rats in SD group (P<0.05). No significant changes were found in TC group. CONCLUSION: Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation induces significant changes in the contents and proportion of amino-acid neurotransmitter in rat brain.