Acupressure bladder meridian alleviates anxiety disorder in rats by regulating MAPK and BDNF signal pathway.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupressure bladder meridian (ABM) on anxiety in rats. Chronic stress was induced rats to establish rat anxiety model. Shuttle experiment and open field experiments of were used to measure behaviors. The levels of cytokines in serum and hippocampus of rats were detected. Brain neurotransmitters (dopamine, 5- hydroxy tryptamine, norepinephrine) were detected by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to detect MAPK and BDNF signal pathway in hippocampus of rats. ABM significantly improve behaviors, decreased cytokine levels in serum and hippocampus. ABM restored the changes of neurotransmitters and significantly decreased protein expressions of MAPK signal pathway and increased protein expressions of BDNF signal pathway in hippocampus of rats. The results shown that ABM significantly improved anxiety via inhibition of MAPK signal pathway and increased BDNF signal pathway.

Acupressure bladder meridian alleviates anxiety disorder via HMGB1.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupressure bladder meridian (ABM) on anxiety in rats with chronic stress. METHODS: The sugar water preference (SPF), tail suspension time (TST) and forced swimming time (FST) of rats were measured. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), myeloperoxidase (MPO) in hippocampus tissue, oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory cytokines were detected. Underlying mechanisms of ABM on anxiety were detected. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated PC12 cells were adopted in vitro. HMGB1 knockdown were used in PC12 cells, and related signaling was further detected. RESULTS: ABM significantly increased SPF, decreased TST and FST. ABM decreased ROS, MPO levels, decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, ABM decreased the levels of oxidative stress index. ABM reduced the expression of inflammation-related proteins mediated by HMGB1, increased nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1). In vitro PC12 cells, Rat serum (RS-ABM) treated with ABM significantly decreased LPS induced inflammation-related proteins and increased Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. HMGB1 knockdown inhibited LPS-induced PC12 cell inflammatory signaling pathway and increased Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that ROS-dependent HMGB1 plays an important role in anxiety, and ABM exhibits inhibited inflammation in anxiety.

Clinical observation of moving cupping on the back for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome-related sleep disorders / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of moving cupping on the back for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)-related sleep disorders. Methods: A total of 60 patients with CFS-related sleep disorders were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with oral administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule. The observation group was treated with moving cupping on the back, once every other day. The efficacy was observed after 4 weeks of treatment. The fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were assessed before and after the treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the observation group, and 73.3％ in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the improvement of physical fatigue value, mental fatigue value, and the total score of FS-14 in the observation group were statistically different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). The scores of subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, use of sleeping medication, daytime dysfunction of PSQI and the total score in the observation group were improved more significantly than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Moving cupping on the back can significantly improve sleep disorders in CFS patients, and it has a better curative effect than oral fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules.

Clinical Study on Modified Xiaoqinglong Decoction with Bladder Meridian Ginger Treatment for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease of External Cold and Internal Fluid / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of modified Xiaoqinglong Decoction with bladder ginger treatment in treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) of external cold and internal fluid. Methods Totally 150 cases of AECOPD were divided into Western medicine group, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group, and observation group, with 50 cases in each group. Western medicine group received routine treatment, such as controlled oxygen therapy, anti-infection, triple inhalation, relieve spasm and asthma, cough and phlegm, correct water and electrolyte balance. On the basis of routine treatment, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group received modified Xiaoqinglong Decoction, one dosage per day, twice a day, orally. On the basis of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group, observation group received scraping the bladder at the back of the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, putting 20–30 g fresh mashed ginger, for 15–20 min. All treatment lasted for 14 d. TCM symptom scores, the main symptoms of remission time and lung function before and after treatment in the three groups were compared. Results The differences in main symptoms scores (cough, expectoration, wheezing, shortness of breath) and total scores of the observation group were higher than Western medicine group and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group (P<0.05). The main symptoms remission time of the observation group was much shorter than Western medicine group and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the FEV1,FEV1/FVC and MMEF of the three groups after treatment showed an upward trend (P<0.05). The FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MMEF in observation group were significantly higher than Western medicine group and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified Xiaoqinglong Decoction combined with bladder ginger for the treatment of AECOPD of external cold and internal fluid has definite curative effect, and can significantly improve TCM symptoms and pulmonary function.

Acupuncture Meridian Energies in Patients Who Are Mentally Disturbed.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture medicine states that different pathologies exhibit different patterns of excitation in the 24 main acupuncture meridians. Previous exploratory work has shown that groups of patients with the same pathology exhibit such characteristic patterns when limited numbers of acupuncture points are measured with the AcuGraph meridian energy measuring device. This study reports patterns of meridian energies observed in an exploratory assessment of different classes of patient with mental disturbance. METHODS: This study was a three-group cross-sectional design. Participants were patients who had been diagnosed by their GP with anxiety (n = 21) and depression (n = 26) and who were entering a treatment program, along with age- and sex-matched controls (n = 44). Patients diagnosed with mild mental disturbance who were aged 20-50 years were eligible to take part. Patients with any cut, wart, or mole on their fingertips or with excess sweating, which would interfere with conductance measurements, were excluded. The assessment comprised conductance values at Jing-Well acupuncture points by AcuGraph4 on entry into the treatment program. RESULTS: Patients with anxiety had higher meridian energy levels (81.84 ± 38.63) and significant Upper-Lower imbalances (p < 0.05) favoring the upper meridians. Patients with depression had lower energy levels and lower standard deviations (53.36 ± 33.48) as a group. Controls exhibited intermediate energy levels but recorded the lowest scoring variances (62.61 ± 27.05) of the three groups. Kidney meridians had the lowest energy for both of the pathology groups. For the group suffering with anxiety, bladder meridians were also low. CONCLUSION: Higher variances in AcuGraph4 measurements were observed in patients with either anxiety or depression compared with controls whose variances were the lowest. These results are in accordance with previous observations of greater variance in conductance values in pathology groups. With regard to meridian energies, the lowest were in those with depression, while those with anxiety were the highest. Controls exhibited intermediate energy levels.

Clinical Study of Six-hole Moxibustion Box Therapy for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of six-hole moxibustion box therapy for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD).Methods Sixty patients with thoracic facet joint disorder were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The control group inhaled tiotropium bromide inhalation powder spray and the treatment group received six-hole moxibustion box therapy in addition. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score and the dyspnea score were recorded and peripheral blood oxygen saturation was measured in the two groups before and after treatment. The adverse reactions were monitored in the two groups. Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the CAT score and the dyspnea score in the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the CAT score and the dyspnea score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post- treatment CAT score difference value and dyspnea score difference value between the two groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in peripheral blood oxygen saturation in the treatment group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in peripheral blood oxygen saturation between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Six-hole moxibustion box therapy plus tiotropium bromide inhalation powder spray is safe and effective in treating stable COPD.

Electrical signal propagated across acupoints along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the electrical signals propagated along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (BL) in a rat model. METHODS: The experiments were performed on Dark-Agouti (DA), DA.1U and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The antidromic electrical stimulation was applied on the nerve innervating "Pishu" (BL 20) to mimic the acupoint electro-acupuncture (EA). The activities recording from adjacent nerve innervating acupoint "Danshu" (BL 19) or "Weishu" (BL 21) were recorded as indics for acupoint, including the mechanical threshold and discharge rate. RESULTS: After mimic EA on BL 20, C and Aδ units from adjacent BL 19 or BL 21 were sensitized including the decrease in mechanical threshold and increase in discharge rates in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, especially in DA rats. The average discharge rate increased from 2.40±0.26 to 6.06±0.55 and from 1.92±0.42 to 6.17±1.10 impulse/min (P<0.01), and the mechanical threshold decreased from 0.52±0.12 to 0.24±0.05 and from 0.27±0.02 to 0.16±0.01 mmol/L (P<0.01) in C (n=15) and Aδ (n=18) units in DA rats. The net change in discharge rates from C units were 152.5%, 144.7% and 42.4% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, respectively, among which DA rat's was the highest (P<0.05). In Aδ units, the net change in DA rats were also the highest (221.5%, 139.2% and 49.2% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that mimic acupoint EA activated adjacent acupoints along BL in three rat strains, which might be related to propagated sensation along meridians (PSM). In addition, DA rats were more sensitive and might be a good model animal for PSM research.

Observation on therapeutic effect of aligned acupuncture for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of aligned needling therapy for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH). Methods:A total of 80 cases with LIDH in conformity with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group or a control group by their visit order, 40 cases in each group. The points from the Governor Vessel, L1-L5 Jiaji (EX-B 2) points, from the first lateral line of the Bladder Meridian, Huantiao (GB 30), Weizhong (BL 40) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) were selected for acupuncture in the treatment group. Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Ashi (Extra) points and Weizhong (BL 40) were used for routine acupuncture in the control group. The clinical effects of the two groups after 2-course treatments and recurrence rates three months later were observed. The pain severity before and after treatments was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). The improvement of the patient’s pathological situation was evaluated by the performance assessment of lumbar disease treatment from Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). Results:After the treatment for two courses, there was no dropped-out case in the two groups. The curative rates and total effective rates were respectively 32.5% and 92.5% in the treatment group versus respectively 12.5% and 82.5% in the control group. The differences in the curative rates and total effective rates between the two groups were statistically significant (bothP Conclusion:The aligned needling technique is remarkable in the clinical effects, obvious in the analgesic effects and low in the recurrence rate in the treatment of LIDH.

Electrical signal propagated across acupoints along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the electrical signals propagated along Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (BL) in a rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The experiments were performed on Dark-Agouti (DA), DA.1U and Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The antidromic electrical stimulation was applied on the nerve innervating "Pishu" (BL 20) to mimic the acupoint electro-acupuncture (EA). The activities recording from adjacent nerve innervating acupoint "Danshu" (BL 19) or "Weishu" (BL 21) were recorded as indics for acupoint, including the mechanical threshold and discharge rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After mimic EA on BL 20, C and Aδ units from adjacent BL 19 or BL 21 were sensitized including the decrease in mechanical threshold and increase in discharge rates in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, especially in DA rats. The average discharge rate increased from 2.40±0.26 to 6.06±0.55 and from 1.92±0.42 to 6.17±1.10 impulse/min (P<0.01), and the mechanical threshold decreased from 0.52±0.12 to 0.24±0.05 and from 0.27±0.02 to 0.16±0.01 mmol/L (P<0.01) in C (n=15) and Aδ (n=18) units in DA rats. The net change in discharge rates from C units were 152.5%, 144.7% and 42.4% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats, respectively, among which DA rat's was the highest (P<0.05). In Aδ units, the net change in DA rats were also the highest (221.5%, 139.2% and 49.2% in DA, DA.1U and SD rats).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results showed that mimic acupoint EA activated adjacent acupoints along BL in three rat strains, which might be related to propagated sensation along meridians (PSM). In addition, DA rats were more sensitive and might be a good model animal for PSM research.</p>

Research on Source and Origin of Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang Theory in Jiu Jing Tu ;from Dunhuang / 中国中医药信息杂志

By systematically combing the records of Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang from medical literatures of Zu Bi Shi Yi Mai Jiu Jing (Maxibustion Canon of Foot and Arm), Yin Yang Shi Yi Mai Jiu Jing (Maxibustion Canon of Ying and Yang), Ling Shu Jing Mai (Meridians, a chapter of Miraculous Pivot), Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Jiu Jing Tu (Illustration of Moxibustion) from Dunhuang, it can be found that the formation and development of theory of main and collateral channels is a long-term dynamic process containing constantly summing up the experiences. The record about only the 2.3 inch one-line loop route carved out beside the posterior midline of dorsal lumbosacral portion by Bladder Meridian Foot-Taiyang may be a positioning mode of acupoint exclusively used by moxibustion and summed up by people good at moxibustion therapy using their clinical experience. In addition, thoughts that the heavy-moxibustion is a good method for difficult miscellaneous diseases (especially for the serious illnesses after attacked by wind and cold pathogens) may be included.

Study of the Clinical Effect of Movable Cupping on Sub-health Body / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the intervening effect of movable cupping on sub-health status. Methods Movable cupping was performed on bilateral bladder meridians and the Du meridian in 12 patients with sub-health status. The sub-health status rating scale score, the visual analogue pain intensity scale score, hemorheological parameters and immunoglobulins were observed before and after movable cupping.Results The sub-health status rating scale score, the visual analogue pain intensity scale score, whole blood viscosity 200 and plasma viscosity decreased after treatment compared with before in the patients, and there were statistically significant differences (P0.05). Conclusion Movable cupping has clinically a certain improving effect on bodily sub-health status.

Effects of Low-frequency Sound Waves of Somatosensory Music on Microcirculation of Healthy People’s Five Shu Points of Kidney and Bladder Meridians / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of low-frequency sound waves (16~160 Hz) of somatosensory music on healthy people’s microcirculation in kidney and bladder meridians;To discuss the collateral channels biophysical mechanisms in somatosensory music treatment. Methods Low-frequency sound waves of somatosensory music were played near the 30 healthy people’s kidney and bladder meridians orderly. At the same time, Laser Doppler Flowmetry was used to analyze microcirculation in meridian acupoints.Results The low-frequency acoustic waves with different frequencies had significantly different effects on kidney and bladder meridians. The effects of the same frequency on different acupoints of the same meridian were similar. The G1 (49.00 Hz) showed the most significant effects on the kidney meridian (P<0.01);G2 (98.00 Hz) showed the most significant impact on bladder meridian (P<0.01).Conclusion The kidney and bladder meridians have selective absorption characteristics to the low-frequency sound waves of different frequencies. Specific frequency sound waves can cause resonance in kidney and bladder meridians.

Anatomical study on the positional relationship between the meridians/acupuncture points and their surrounding structures-On the meridian/acupuncture points on the posterior aspect of the lower limb- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]More accurate data on the positional relationship between the acupuncture points belonging to the bladder meridian on the posterior aspect of the lower limb and their surrounding structures are discussed to get the effective methods for acupuncture.<BR>[Methods]Detailed dissections on the surrounding anatomical structures of the acupuncture points were performed on three cadavers of the Unit of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.<BR>[Results] 1. BL36 (Chengfu (Chinese), Shofu (Japanese)) and BL37 (Yinmen, Inmon) were situated medial to the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve and the sciatic nerve.<BR> 2. BL38 (Fuxi, Fugeki) and BL39 (Weiyang, Iyo) were situated on or near the common peroneal nerve along the media border of the biceps femoris tendon.<BR> 3. BL40 (Weizhong, Ichu), BL55 (Heyang, Goyo), BL56 (Chengjin, Shokin), BL57 (Chengshan, Shozan), BL58 (Feiyang, Hiyo), BL59 (Fuyang, Fuyo), BL60 (Kunlun, Konron), BL61 (Pucan, Bokushin) and BL62 (Shenmai, Shinmyaku) were situated along the medial sural cutaneous nerve, sural nerve and small saphenous vein.<BR> 4. BL40, BL55, BL56, BL57 were situated along the tibial nerve, the popliteal and posterior tibial arteries deep to the soleus.<BR>[Conclusion] 1. The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve and the sciatic nerve tend to run laterally to BL36 and BL37, so it is necessary to apply the acupunctural treatment lateral to BL36 and BL37 to stimulate these two nerves.<BR> 2. The sural nerve and small saphenous vein gradually tend to approach the acupuncture points toward the distal part of the posterior aspect of the leg.<BR> 3. BL40, BL55, BL56 and BL57 are shown as the acupuncture stimulation points to the tibial nerve passing the deep part of the posterior aspect of the leg.

Anatomical study on the positional relationship between the meridians/acupuncture points and their surrounding structures-On the surrounding structures of Zhibian (BL54) and the acupuncture stimulation points to the sciatic nerve- / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

[Objective]More accurate anatomical data is discussed to reveal the surrounding structures of the new and former BL54 (Zhibian, Chippen) according to the positional modification of acupuncture points by WHO (2006), and also to demonstrate the acupuncture stimulation points to the sciatic nerve as effective methods for acupuncture treatment of the pain in the lower back.<BR>[Methods]Detailed dissections were performed on the surrounding structures of the acupuncture points of the bladder meridian at the gluteal region and the posterior aspect of the thigh in three cadavers at the Unit of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.<BR>[Results] 1. The new BL54 (WHO, 2006) was situated at or near the infrapiriform foramen, with the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, inferior gulteal nerve and vessels and sciatic nerve passing through.<BR> 2. The former BL54 was situated at or near the suprapiriform foramen with the inferior gulteal nerve and vessels passing through.<BR> 3. The acupuncture stimulation points to the sciatic nerve at the gluteal region and the posterior aspect of the thigh were as follows;(1) the initial portion of the sciatic nerve, (2) the infrapiriform foramen (new BL54, WHO), (3) the lateral one third point of the line connecting the sacrococcygeal junction and the greater trochanter, (4) the midpont of the line connecting the ischial tuberosity and the greater trochanter, (5) the point about 1 cm lateral to BL36 (Chengfu, Shofu), (6) the medial half portion of the biceps femoris muscle lateral to BL37 (Yinmen, Inmon).<BR>[Conclusion] 1. The new and former BL54 are situated near the main nerves and vessels of the gluteal region and the posterior aspect of the thigh, so are considered as effective points for the acupunctural treatment.<BR> 2. The six positions are showed as the acupuncture stimulation points to the sciatic nerve in the gluteal region and the posterior aspect of the thigh.

My opinion of localization of Huatuo spine points / 中华中医药杂志

As an important acupoints beyond meridians, Huatuo spine points are used extensively. Its localization generally is considered on the back waist where is under the both sides of the spinous processes (0.5 inch) from the first thoracic vertebral to the fifth lumbar. Furthermore, Huatuo spine points include 17 points on the right side and 17 points on the left. Through a large number of clinical observations and literature’s searching, the writer considers that the Huatuo spine points are an integrated, independent region that is combined pass through the Bladder meridian and the Du meridian. Therefore, acupuncture the region may depend on the specific conditions.