ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the alteration of delayed memory and its relationship with neurogenesis and angiogenesis in vascular dementia (VD) rats after moxibustion therapy. Methods: Two hundred adult male SPF Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment. Thirty-six rats were randomly selected as the sham operation group. Except for rats in the sham operation group (n=36), the others were made into VD models by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAo). After modeling, the 108 survived rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) moxibustion group and a NSCs moxibustion group. Co-transplanted implant was transplanted into the rats in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group, and the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group were transplanted by NSCs only. The NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion therapy at Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), (each group was divided into 3 subgroups by the treatment course as 1, 2 and 3 courses). Every group was measured by Morris water maze to evaluate its delayed memory after 3 treatment courses and the rat’s brain was taken out after perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde one day after 1, 2 and 3 treatment courses, respectively. Marker protein expression was detected by laser confocal microscope to analyze the effect on neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Results: VD rats showed delayed memory in Morris water maze test 3 d after ischemic injury. After 3 courses of moxibustion therapy, VD-induced delayed memory deficits were improved in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group. The expressions of nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and CD34 increased significantly in the two moxibusiton groups after every treatment course (all P＜0.05), which might contribute to the neurogenesis and angiogenesis in hippocampus. In addition, compared with the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group, the expressions of nestin, DCX and CD34 increased significantly in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion can reverse VD-induced delayed memory deficits, which may be related to the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus cupping therapy and Western medication alone for cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 139 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided based on the random digital table into an acupuncture-cupping group (70 cases) and a Western medication group (69 cases). In the acupuncture-cupping group, Fengchi (GB 20) (bilateral), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianjing (GB 21) (bilateral) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) points of the neck [bilateral, midpoint between Fengchi (GB 20) and Dazhui (GV 14)] were punctured. After the arrival of the needling sensation, bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) and Jianjing (GB 21) were linked with electric stimulation and the rest acupoints were manipulated with the moderate needling technique. In the retaining of the needles, TDP lamp radiation was used. After acupuncture, the cupping therapy was applied to the local area. The treatment was given once every other day, 20 d for a course. After one course, the therapeutic effects were observed. The Western medication group was treated by oral administration of Meloxicam (Mobic), 7.5 mg, once a day, with water and liquid after meal. The therapeutic effects were observed after 20 d. Results:The total effective rate was 92.8% in the acupuncture-cupping group and 73.9% in the Western medication group, with a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of the clinical symptoms of the two groups were obviously declined (P<0.01), and the score of the clinical symptoms of the acupuncture-cupping group was better than that of the Western medication group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture plus cupping therapy was more effective than administration of Meloxicam tablets alone in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive point Dazhui(GV14) moxibustion in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Method Ninety-six patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomly allocated to a heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion (observation) group of 30 cases, a non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion (control) group of 33 cases and a medication group of 33 cases. The observation group received heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion; the control group, non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion; the medication group, oral administration of Jingtong granules. The clinical symptoms were assessed and serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in the three groups before and after 15 days of treatment. Result All the three treatments had a certain effect on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The therapeutic effect was best in the observation group (P0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of heat-sensitive point Dazhui moxibustion is better than those of non-heat-sensitive point Dazhui suspended moxibustion and oral Jingtong granules. It is a more ideal way to treat cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. The mechanism of its action may be related to post-treatment decrease in inflammatory factors in the lesion.
