The Protective Effect of Pre-Moxibustion on Reproductive Hormones Profile of Rats with Tripterygium Glycosides-Induced Ovarian Damage.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture and moxibustion have been proven to be conducive to improving the ovarian reserve. However, the mechanism of pre-moxibustion on Tripterygium glycosides (TG)-induced ovarian damage has not been previously reported. METHOD: Female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model (75 mg/kg TG, 14 days), preventive moxibustion 1 (PM1, receiving moxibustion for 4 weeks before TG administration), preventive moxibustion 2 (PM2, receiving moxibustion for 2 weeks before TG administration and another 2 weeks during TG administration), and preventive moxibustion 3 (PM3, receiving 4 weeks of moxibustion during TG administration). The estrous cycle of the animal was recorded after TG administration. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after TG administration. The reproductive hormones profiles in serum, ovary, and hypothalamic tissues were analyzed. RESULT: Pre-moxibustion could revert abnormal estrous cycles, relieve follicle damage, and improve abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones resulting from ovarian damage. However, both PM2 and PM3 were more effective than PM1. In addition, PM2 disclosed more advantages in regulating reproductive hormones abnormalities, while PM3 performed better in follicular development. CONCLUSION: In combination, the findings of this study suggest that pre-moxibustion is effective in protecting the ovary from damage in TG-induced ovarian damage rats. But different time points correspond to different modulation targets and mechanisms.

[Effects of moxibustion at 45 ℃ on blood lipoids and serum level of ox-LDL and NO in rats with hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures (38 ℃ and 45 ℃) on blood lipoids and serum level of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and nitric oxide (NO) in rats with hyperlipidemia, and to explore the correlation between regulating blood fat and anti-oxidative stress and protection of vascular endothelium of moxibustion at 45 ℃. METHODS: According to random number table, 60 SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion at 38 ℃ group and a moxibustion at 45 ℃ group, 15 rats in each group. The rats in the normal group received no treatment; the rats in the remaining three groups were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare rat models of hyperlipidemia. After successful modeling, the rats in the model group received no treatment; the rats in the moxibustion at 38 ℃ group and moxibustion at 45 ℃ group were treated with moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV 8) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), and the temperature was controlled at (38±1) ℃ and (45±1) ℃, respectively. The moxibustion was given for 10 min at each acupoint, once every two days, and totally 4-week treatment was given. After treatment, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by using biochemical colorimetric method; the levels of ox-LDL and NO were measured by using ELISA method. RESULTS: ① Compared with the normal group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group (all P<0.01); compared with the model group and moxibustion at 38 ℃ group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased in the moxibustion at 45 ℃ group (P<0.01，P<0.05); compared with the model group, the levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were insignificantly decreased in the moxibustion at 38 ℃ group (all P>0.05). ② Compared with the normal group, the level of ox-LDL was increased but that of NO was decreased in the model group (both P<0.01); compared with the model group and moxibustion at 38 ℃ group, the level of ox-LDL was decreased but that of NO was increased in the moxibustion at 45 ℃ group (P<0.01, P<0.05); compared with the model group, the level of ox-LDL was decreased but that of NO was increased in the moxibustion at 38 ℃ group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at 45 ℃ has regulating effects on blood lipid in rats with hyperlipidemia, which can regulate blood lipid through various ways, such as anti-oxidative stress and protection of vascular endothelium.

Correlation Network Analysis Provides Important Modules and Pathways for Human Hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia casts great threats to humans around the world. The systemic co-expression and function enrichment analysis for this disease is limited to date. This study was to identify co-expression modules to explore hyperlipidemia-associated functional pathways. Gene expression data of human hyperlipidemia (GSE17170) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We evaluated the top 3,000 genes with the highest average expression, with which the co-expression modules were constructed in weighted correlation network analysis (WGC-NA).Cluster analysis was then applied to visualize the interaction relationships of these modules. By gene ontology (GO) and KEGG functional enrichment analysis, we finally investigated the function enrichment of co-expression genes from important modules in the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database (https:// david.ncifcrf.gov/summary.jsp).15 Thirteen co-expression modules were constructed for 3,000 genes in the 70samples. Interaction relationships of hub genes between pairwise modules showed high confidence. In functional enrichments of the co-expression modules, genes in Modules 3 and 4 were significantly enriched in biological processes and pathways that are associated with ubiquitination-for example, G0:0016567 (protein ubiquitination) and hsa04120 (ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis). We inferred these two modules as key modules associated with hyperlipidemia. Additionally, G0:0098609 (cell-cell adhesion) was enriched in four modules, suggesting an important function in hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, Protein ubiquitination may play important roles in human hyperlipidemia. All the discoveries made in this study enrich understanding of the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia and might contribute much to the development of diagnosis and outcome evaluation of this disease.

[Compliance Control Strategy in the Practical Randomized Controlled Trial Study of Electroacupuncture Combined with Behavior Control for Overweight and Simple Obesity].

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been extensively used in clinical treatment of obesity. The effectiveness relies not only on the correct diagnosis and rational treatment, but also on the voluntary cooperation of patients, that is the satisfactory compliance. The patient compliance refers to his/her submissiveness and executive ability to medical advice, which is the indispensable factor for the clinical efficacy. The strength of it depends on the patient himself/herself, and moreover is improved through some therapeutic strategies. Based on the emphasis of individual treatment in the real world, the practical randomized controlled trial (RCT) study pays attention to patient's compliance at the beginning of trial design. In this paper, in terms of the influential factors and control strategies, the compliance of simple obesity patient in the practical RCT study was summarized systematically.

[Effects of different moxibustion temperature on cholesterol and skin around "Shenque" (CV 8) in mice with hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion with different temperatures on cholesterol and skin around "Shenque" (CV 8) in mice with acute hyperlipidemia, and to explore the correlation between moxibustion effect and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). METHODS: Eight mice among 32 mice of C57BL/6J wild type (WT) were selected into a blank group, and the remaining 24 mice were made into the acute hyperlipidemia model by injection of egg yolk. After model establishment, the mice were randomly divided into a model group, a 38 °C moxibustion group and a 46 °C moxibustion group, 8 mice in each group. The temperature was (38 ± 1) °C in the 38 °C moxibustion group and (46 ± 1) °C in the 46 °C moxibustion group. "Shenque" (CV 8) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) were selected in the two groups; moxibustion was given for 10 min per time, once a day for 2 times. Mice in the blank group and model group were treated with immobilization and moxibustion was not given. After treatment, the level of serum cholesterol was tested by oxidase method; the morphology of skin around "Shenque" (CV 8) was observed by HE staining; the expression of TRPV1 in skin was measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the blank group, the level of serum cholesterol was increased in the model group (P < 0.001); compared with the model group, the level of serum cholesterol was reduced in the 46 °C moxibustion group (P < 0.001); compared with the 38 °C moxibustion group, the level of serum cholesterol was reduced in the 46 °C moxibustion group (P < 0.01). (2) There was slight change of morphology and structure in skin tissue in the 38 °C moxibustion group, while obvious change was observed in the 46 °C moxibustion group, indicating specific change. (3) The difference of the expression of TRPV1 in skin was significantly different between 46 °C moxibustion group and blank group, model group (both P < 0.01); it was also different from the 38 °C moxibustion group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion temperature is one of the important factors affecting the cholesterol and acupoint skin. The effects of moxibustion are related to TRPV1.

Comparative effectiveness of electro-acupuncture plus lifestyle modification treatment for patients with simple obesity and overweight: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for obese and overweight patients, although high-quality evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture on obesity are not conclusive. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obese and overweight patients, in comparison with lifestyle modification alone in China. METHODS/DESIGN: To compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification, a 2-armed, controlled trial with randomization using minimization will be conducted on 150 simple obesity and overweight patients, aged 18-50 years, for a 36-week study duration. All patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and will receive either acupuncture plus lifestyle modification or lifestyle modification alone. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks during treatment as well as at 6-week, 12-week, and 24-week follow-up. The primary endpoint is change of body mass index (BMI) during the 12th week. Secondary endpoints are body weight; waist-to-hip ratio; biochemical tests including serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels; and answers to the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lite Version (IWQOL-Lite). Statistical analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The main endpoint will be analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the objective outcome results will be analyzed by logistic regression analysis. To avoid potential confounding factors, additional sensitivity analyses will be conducted following these statistical analyses. DISCUSSION: This trial is the first to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obesity relative to lifestyle modification treatment alone by using a pragmatic study design. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to advancing the current methodology of acupuncture trials for obesity and will facilitate the application of useful acupuncture strategies in real-world clinical settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC- 12002762 . The date of registration is 31 October 2012.

Research on effects of the thermal stimulation by moxibustion at different temperatures on cardiac function in rats and on mast cells in the local site of moxibustion.

Objective. To observe effects of the thermal stimulation by moxibustion at different temperatures on cardiac function in brachycardia rat model and on mast cells in the local site of moxibustion at the Ximen Acupoint and to compare the differences of the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures. Method. Establish the brachycardia rat model with propranolol and observe effects of the thermal stimulation by moxibustion at different temperatures (38°C and 46°C). Results. The thermal stimulation by moxibustion at 2 temperatures may increase HR, MAP, LVSP, and +dp/dtmax and reduce t-dp/dtmax in brachycardia rats; the 46°C moxibustion group shows greater regulating effects on cardiac function in rats than that in the 38°C moxibustion group (P < 0.05). The thermal stimulation by moxibustion at 2 temperatures may promote degranulation of mast cells in the local site of moxibustion at the Ximen Acupoint; the degranulation rate in the 46°C moxibustion group is higher than that in the 38°C moxibustion group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. There is a certain association between the effect on the target organ and the effect in the local site of moxibustion. The moxibustion effect possibly resulted from local mast cells degranulation and different thermoreceptors activated by the thermal stimulation at different temperatures.

[Ancient understanding and the method analysis of combined acupuncture and medication].

To study and analyze on the understanding of ancient physicians' experience about combined acupuncture and medication, the thought of combined acupuncture and medication in ancient Chinese medicine, and the concrete application are analyzed by reorganization of the treatises and literature of ancient physicians. It is found that physicians of past dynasties have the greatest esteem for such academic thought of combined acupuncture and medication as essential quality of physicians, and accumulate rich experience and understanding in the application rules of clinical treatment model of combined acupuncture and medication, and action characteristics of acupuncture and medical herbs, etc. which are worthy to be further studied, so as to better guide clinical practice and scientific researches.