[Electroacupuncture ameliorates inflammatory response of mice with acute myocardial ischemia by regulating vascular endothelial growth factor C/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the cardiac function, lymphatic markers, macrophage and inflammatory cytokines in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) mice, so as to explore its mechanism in improving AMI. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation, model, EA, inhibitor and inhibitor+EA groups, with 10 mice in each group. AMI model was established by occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery. For mice in the EA group and inhibitor+EA group, EA (1 mA, 2 Hz/15 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen"(HT7) and "Tongli"(HT5) for 30 min, once daily for consecutive 3 days. Mice in the inhibitor+EA group were given intraperitoneal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) inhibitor SAR131675 30 min before the EA, while mice in the inhibitor group were given intraperitoneal injection of SAR131675 only. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of the neck-thoracic lead was recorded and analyzed by BL-420F biological function experiment system. Histopathologic changes of myocardial tissue were observed after H.E. staining. The contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in serum and interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in ischemic myocardium were determined by ELISA. The expressions of hyaluronic acid receptor-1 (LYVE-1) and macrophage mar-ker CD68 (CD68) in the myocardial tissue were detected by immunofluorescence assay. The protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGFR-3 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the ECG-ST level, the contents of serum LDH and cTnI, and the contents of IL-18 and IL-6 in the myocardial tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression of LYVE-1 and the protein expression levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in the myocardial tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the number of CD68 positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model, inhibitor and inhibitor+EA groups, the ECG-ST level, the contents of serum LDH and cTnI, and the contents of IL-18 and IL-6 in the myocardial tissue were decreased (P<0.01), the expression of LYVE-1 and the expression level of VEGFR-3 protein were increased (P<0.01), while the number of CD68 positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the EA group. Compared with the model and inhibitor groups, the expression level of VEGF-C was increased (P<0.01) in the EA group. Outcomes of H.E. staining showed that the myocardial fibers were disordered with a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group, which was milder in the EA group. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can improve the inflammatory injury of AMI mice, which may be related to activate VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway to promote lymphangiogenesis, reduce macrophage infiltration and inflammatory factors.

[Effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on neuronal activities in lateral hypothalamus area of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning of "Shenmen" (HT7)-"Tongli" (HT5) segment of the Heart Meridian on neuronal electrical activities of lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), so as to investigate its possible mechanism underlying improvement of MIRI. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into sham, model, EA and damage + EA (D+EA) groups, with 6 rats in each group. The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch (ADB) of the left coronary artery for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h. In the sham operation group, the ADB was only threaded beneath the artery without ligation. EA (2 Hz, 1 V) was applied to bilateral HT7-HT5 for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. In the D+EA group, FN was injected with 0.4 µL of 1 g/L kainic acid solution. Electrocardiogram (ECG) of the neck-thoracic lead was recorded by using PowerLab. The electrical activities of the LHA region were recorded by the implanted microelectrode array (2×4) and Plexon multi-channel acquisition system. Cluster analysis of neuronal signals was carried out by Offline Sorter software. The discharge waveforms, autocorrelation and cross-correlation of neuronal activities were analyzed by using Neuro Explorer software. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the ECG-ST height was significantly increased (P<0.05), the discharge frequency of pyramidal neurons was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while the discharge frequency of interneurons was increased (P<0.01) in the model group. After EA treatment, the ECG-ST height was significantly decreased (P<0.05), the discharge frequency of pyramidal neurons was significantly increased (P<0.01) relevant to the model group. In comparison with the EA group, the ECG-ST height in the D+EA group was significantly elevated (P<0.05), whereas the discharge frequency of pyramidal neurons was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The discharge frequency of interneurons was kept increasing after MIRI. Real-time spectrum analysis showed that the local field potential spectrum energy of the EA group was significantly lower than that of the model group and the D+EA group. CONCLUSION: EA preconditioning of Heart Meridian can significantly increase the discharge frequency of LHA excitatory pyramidal neurons and reduce the energy of the local field potential spectrum, which maybe one of the important mechanisms of EA in anti -MIRI.

[Effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the contents of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in lateral hypothalamus area and cerebellar fastigial nucleus of rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning at heart meridian acupoints on the contents of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) and cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) in the rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and explore the role and mechanism of LHA and FN in the effect of EA at heart meridian acupoints against acute MIRI. METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA heart meridian group and an EA lung meridian group, 12 rats in each group, as well as an LHA plus heart meridian group (damage of bilateral LHA) and an FN plus heart meridian group (damage of bilateral FN), 6 rats in each one. Three days after nucleus destruction, EA was applied to "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Tongli" (HT 5) in the EA heart meridian group, the LHA plus heart meridian group and the FN plus heart meridian group and EA was applied to "Taiyuan" (LU 9) and "Lieque" (LU 7) in the EA lung meridian group, with 1 V in stimulating voltage and 2 Hz in frequency, lasting 20 minutes each time, once a day, for consecutively 7 days before model replication. Except in the sham-operation group, MIRI rat models were duplicated by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery in the rest groups. Using Power lab physiological recorder, ST segment displacement value was recorded before modeling, 30 min after ligation and 120 min after reperfusion separately. The high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection and analysis system was adopted to determine the contents of DA and 5-HT in LHA and FN dialysate after rat modeling in each group. RESULTS: In comparison of ST segment displacement value 30 min after ligation and 120 min after reperfusion among groups, the value in the model group was higher than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.01), those in the EA heart meridian group, the LHA plus heart meridian group, the FN plus heart meridian group and the EA lung meridian group were lower than those in the model group successively (P<0.01) and those in the EA heart meridian group were lower than those in the EA lung meridian group, the LHA plus heart meridian group and the FN plus heart meridian group successively (P<0.01). The contents of DA and 5-HT in FN and LHA in the model group were lower than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.01). Except in the groups with nucleus lesions, the contents of DA and 5-HT in FN and LHA of each intervention group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.01), the contents of DA and 5-HT in FN in the EA heart meridian group were higher than those in the EA lung meridian group and the LHA plus heart meridian group (P<0.01) and the content of 5-HT in LHA was higher than those in the EA lung meridian group and the FN plus heart meridian group (P<0.01) separately, the content of DA in LHA was higher than that in the EA lung meridian group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA preconditioning at heart meridian acupoints can effectively alleviate myocardial injury in acute MIRI rats, during which, DA and 5-HT in LHA and FN may be the important material basis.

Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Alleviating Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Interactions between the Cerebellar Fastigial Nucleus and Lateral Hypothalamic Area.

Background: Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) is an important mechanism of post-myocardial infarction injury and a main cause of death in patients with ischemic heart disease. Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is effective for the prevention and treatment of MIRI, but mechanisms mediating the effects of cardiovascular disease EA treatments remain unclear. Objectives: To determine whether the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) and the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) are involved in the protective effects of EA stimulation on MIRI. Methods: EA pretreatment was performed for 7 days before the establishment of the MIRI model. ST-segment changes on electrocardiograms were recorded and the Curtis-Walker arrhythmia score was used to evaluate changes in reperfusion injury. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to evaluate the pathological and morphological changes in myocardial tissue. c-fos expression in the LHA and FN was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Glutamic (Glu) and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical method. Results: EA pretreatment reduced ST-segment elevation, arrhythmia scores, and morphological changes in MIRI myocardial cells in rats, and decreased the c-fos protein expression in LHA/FN nuclei. MIRI was associated with an imbalance between GABA and Glu levels, whereas EA pretreatment increased GABA levels and decreased Glu levels in the LHA/FN. Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the EA-mediated attenuation of MIRI. Pretreatment with EA plays a protective role in the myocardium by regulating Glu and GABA release in the LHA and FN.

Effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the contents of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in lateral hypothalamus area and cerebellar fastigial nucleus of rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning at heart meridian acupoints on the contents of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) and cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) in the rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and explore the role and mechanism of LHA and FN in the effect of EA at heart meridian acupoints against acute MIRI.@*METHODS@#Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA heart meridian group and an EA lung meridian group, 12 rats in each group, as well as an LHA plus heart meridian group (damage of bilateral LHA) and an FN plus heart meridian group (damage of bilateral FN), 6 rats in each one. Three days after nucleus destruction, EA was applied to "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Tongli" (HT 5) in the EA heart meridian group, the LHA plus heart meridian group and the FN plus heart meridian group and EA was applied to "Taiyuan" (LU 9) and "Lieque" (LU 7) in the EA lung meridian group, with 1 V in stimulating voltage and 2 Hz in frequency, lasting 20 minutes each time, once a day, for consecutively 7 days before model replication. Except in the sham-operation group, MIRI rat models were duplicated by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery in the rest groups. Using Power lab physiological recorder, ST segment displacement value was recorded before modeling, 30 min after ligation and 120 min after reperfusion separately. The high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection and analysis system was adopted to determine the contents of DA and 5-HT in LHA and FN dialysate after rat modeling in each group.@*RESULTS@#In comparison of ST segment displacement value 30 min after ligation and 120 min after reperfusion among groups, the value in the model group was higher than that in the sham-operation group (@*CONCLUSION@#EA preconditioning at heart meridian acupoints can effectively alleviate myocardial injury in acute MIRI rats, during which, DA and 5-HT in LHA and FN may be the important material basis.

Effect of electroacupuncture pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus and lateral hypothalamus area in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

[Effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the expressions of NF-κB p65, IκBα and IKKß in myocardial tissue of the rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning on the expressions of nuclear transcription factors-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, NF-κB inhibitor (IκB) α and IκB kinase (IKK) ß in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and to explore the mechanism of EA on heart meridian in relieving MIRI. METHODS: A total of 40 SD rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA heart meridian group and an EA lung meridian group, 10 rats in each one. In the EA heart meridian group, acupuncture was applied to "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Tongli" (HT 5). In the EA lung meridian group, acupuncture was applied to "Taiyuan" (LU 9) and "Lieque" (LU 7). In these two groups, EA was exerted for 20 min each time, 1 V in voltage and 2 Hz in frequency once a day. A total of 7-day EA stimulation was required before model duplication. In the model group, the EA heart meridian group and the EA lung meridian group, using ligating left anterior descending coronary artery to establish the acute MIRI models. In the sham-operation group, the chest was open, but no ligation was exerted, just the needle was penetrated through the corresponding sites for one time. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was detected and ST segment displacement was analyzed. Using Western blot method, the relative expressions of NF-κB p65, IκBα and IKKß in myocardial tissue were determined in each group. Using ELISA method, the levels of serum IL-1ß and IL-10 were determined in each group. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, ST segment displacement value was elevated 30 min after ligating and reperfusion for 120 min in the model group (P<0.05), and the value in the EA heart meridian group was lower than the model group and the EA lung meridian group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 and IKKß in myocardial tissue were increased (P<0.05) and the expression of IκBα reduced in the rats of the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 and IKKß in myocardial tissue were reduced (P<0.05) and the expressions of IκBα increased in the rats of the EA heart meridian group and the EA lung meridian group (P<0.05). Compared with the EA lung meridian group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 and IKKß in myocardial tissue were reduced (P<0.05) and the expression of IκBα increased in the rats of the EA heart meridian group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the serum level of IL-1ß was increased (P<0.05) and IL-10 reduced in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the serum level of IL-1ß was reduced (P<0.05) and IL-10 increased in the EA heart meridian group and the level of IL-1ß was was reduced in the EA lung meridian group (P<0.05). Compared with the EA lung meridian group, the serum level of IL-1ß was reduced (P<0.05) and IL-10 increased in the EA heart meridian group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture preconditioning at heart meridian acupoints obviously alleviates acute MIRI. IKK/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway possibly participates in the protective mechanism of electroacupuncture preconditioning on acute MIRI.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Shenmen" (HT 7)- "Tongli" (HT 5) of Heart Meridian on Neuronal Activities in Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in Myocardial Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Shenmen" (HT 7) - "Tongli" (HT 5) segment of the Heart Meridian on neuronal electrical activities of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in rats with myocardial ischemia (MI), so as to investigate its possible mechanism underlying improvement of MI. METHODS: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into sham control, model, HT 7-HT 5 and "Taiyuan" (LU 9)- "Lieque" (LU 7) groups (n=8 in each group). EA preconditioning (2 Hz, 1 V, 20 min) was applied to bilateral HT 7-HT 5 and bilateral LU 9-LU 7, respectively, once everyday for 7 days. The electrical activities of the right PVN region were recorded by the implanted microelectrode array(2×4)and Plexon multi-channel acquisition system. Cluster analysis of neuronal signals was carried out by Offline Sorter software. The discharge waveforms, autocorrelation and cross-correlation of neuronal activities were analyzed by using Neuro Explorer software. RESULTS: Cluster analysis of neuronal signals showed that 2, 2, 1 and 1 interneuron in the sham, model, HT 7-HT 5, and LU 9-LU 7 groups, and 3 pyramidal neurons in the HT 7-HT 5 were acquired. Cross correlation analysis showed that the SPK 02 a and SPK 02 b neurons of the HT 7-HT 5 group had an inhibitory relationship. The total discharge frequency was significantly increased in the model group relevant to the sham group (P<0.01), and was markedly lower in the HT 7-HT 5 group than in the model group and LU 9-LU 7 group (P<0.01). Real-time spectrum analysis showed that the local field potential spectrum energy of the HT 7-HT 5 group was significantly lower than that of the model group and the LU 9-LU 7 group. CONCLUSION: EA of HT 7-HT 5 segment of the Heart Meridian can inhibit the electrical activity of interneuron and activate the electrical activity of pyramidal neuron in PVN region, and an inhibitory relationship exists between the interneuron and pyramidal neuron in MI rats, which may be a mechanism of EA in regulating activities of the ischemic heart.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Heart and Lung Meridians on Expression of Myocardial HCN 2 in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Heart and Lung meridians on the expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium channel 2 (HCN 2) mRNA and protein in the myocar-dium of the left ventricle in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rats, so as to underlying its mechanism in improving ischemic myocardial injury. METHODS: A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, EA-Heart Meridian (HT) and EA-Lung Meridian (LU) groups (n＝30 rats in each group). The AMI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of coronary artery. EA (1 mA, 10 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Shenmen" (HT 7) or "Taiyuan" (LU 9) and the spot about 1 mm apart from the HT 7 or LU 9 on the axopetal end for 15 min on the second day after modeling, once a day for 7 days. The left ventricular myocardium tissue was sampled for determining the expression levels of HCN 2 mRNA and protein with qPCR and Western blot, separately. RESULTS: After AMI, both HCN 2 mRNA and protein expression levels in the model group were significantly decreased in comparison with the normal control group (P<0.01). Following EA intervention, the expression levels of HCN 2 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly up-regulated relevant to the model group (P<0.01)．The effects were more obvious in the EA-HT group than in the EA-LU group, and the expression levels were higher in the left ventricular myocardium tissue sampled on the next day after the treatment than those in the tissue sampled immediately after the treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both EA stimulation of Heart Meridian and Lung Meridian can improve the expression of HCN 2 mRNA and protein in the myocardium in AMI rats, which existing a delayed effect and meridian specificity.

Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Shenmen" (HT 7)- "Tongli" (HT 5) of Heart Meridian on Neuronal Activities in Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in Myocardial Ischemia Rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Shenmen" (HT 7) - "Tongli" (HT 5) segment of the Heart Meridian on neuronal electrical activities of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in rats with myocardial ischemia (MI), so as to investigate its possible mechanism underlying improvement of MI. METHODS: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into sham control, model, HT 7-HT 5 and "Taiyuan" (LU 9)- "Lieque" (LU 7) groups (n=8 in each group). EA preconditioning (2 Hz, 1 V, 20 min) was applied to bilateral HT 7-HT 5 and bilateral LU 9-LU 7, respectively, once everyday for 7 days. The electrical activities of the right PVN region were recorded by the implanted microelectrode array(2×4)and Plexon multi-channel acquisition system. Cluster analysis of neuronal signals was carried out by Offline Sorter software. The discharge waveforms, autocorrelation and cross-correlation of neuronal activities were analyzed by using Neuro Explorer software. RESULTS: Cluster analysis of neuronal signals showed that 2, 2, 1 and 1 interneuron in the sham, model, HT 7-HT 5, and LU 9-LU 7 groups, and 3 pyramidal neurons in the HT 7-HT 5 were acquired. Cross correlation analysis showed that the SPK 02 a and SPK 02 b neurons of the HT 7-HT 5 group had an inhibitory relationship. The total discharge frequency was significantly increased in the model group relevant to the sham group (P<0.01), and was markedly lower in the HT 7-HT 5 group than in the model group and LU 9-LU 7 group (P<0.01). Real-time spectrum analysis showed that the local field potential spectrum energy of the HT 7-HT 5 group was significantly lower than that of the model group and the LU 9-LU 7 group. CONCLUSION: EA of HT 7-HT 5 segment of the Heart Meridian can inhibit the electrical activity of interneuron and activate the electrical activity of pyramidal neuron in PVN region, and an inhibitory relationship exists between the interneuron and pyramidal neuron in MI rats, which may be a mechanism of EA in regulating activities of the ischemic heart.

Multi-center clinical trial of Rongxin Pills in treating viral myocarditis in children with deficiency of both qi and yin and heart meridian stasis syndrome / 药物评价研究

Objective To observe Rongxin Pills in the treatment of viral myocarditis in children (deficiency of both qi and yin and heart meridian stasis syndrome) and the effectiveness and clinical application of safety.Methods Viral myocarditis patients (280 cases,deficiency of both qi and yin and heart meridian stasis syndrome),according to 3:1 ratio as the test group (n =21 0) and control group (n =70).The test group took orally Rongxin pills each time 4.5～9 g,3 times daily;the control group oral coenzyme Q10 capsule each time 10 ～ 20 mg,twice daily.The course of treatment was 28 d.The experiment was carried out with the random and double blind method.The symptoms of myocarditis,integrated and electrocardiogram,echocardiography,myocardial enzymes,as well as the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and improvement of the effect of the disease were observed.Results The results of FAS (PPS) analysis showed that 28 d after treatment,the symptom score and mean of experimental group and control group were 5.975 (6.000) and 4.721 (4.788).The syndromes of the total effective rates were 91.62％ (90.59％) and 70.59％ (71.21％),curative effect the total effective rates were 90.14％ (92.08％) and 72.06％ (72.73％).The total effective rate of experimental group was higher than that of the control group,the difference was statistically significant.In this experiment,three cases of clinical adverse events were reported,which were not related to the experimental drug.It also not belongs to adverse drug reactions.Conclusion Rongxin Pill in the treatment of viral myocarditis in children (deficiency of both qi and yin and heart meridian stasis syndrome) is more effective than coenzyme Q 10 capsule,and there was no indication of higher risk of clinical application.

Acupressure on Self-Reported Sleep Quality During Pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of acupression at the H7 point on sleep quality during pregnancy. After oral consent had been obtained, the midwife invited the women claiming to have poor sleep quality and anxiety symptoms to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-1. Then, the same midwife, previously trained by an expert acupuncturist (I.N.), advised the women to put on the wrist overnight compression H7 Insomnia Control half an hour before going to bed and to take it off upon awakening, for 10 consecutive days and thereafter every odd day (active group). Women refusing to wear the device for low compliance toward acupression were considered as the control group. After 2 weeks, a second questionnaire evaluation was completed. In the active, but not in the control, group, a significant improvement of sleep quality was observed after H7 device application. The study suggests that H7 acupression applied for 2 weeks improves sleep quality in pregnant women. This preliminary result should serve to stimulate further studies on the long-term effects of acupression.

Study on Effects of Acupuncture at the Heart Meridian on Gene Expression Pattern of Hypothalamus in Rats with Acute Myocardial Ischemia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To discovery the central mechanism of acupuncture Heart Meridian precondition myocardial ischemia in gene expression pattern, the authors applied gene chip tech to filter variably expressed genes in hypothalamus. Methods: Rats were seperated into normal, model, acupuncture Heart Meridian group and acup Lung Meridian group randomly. Acute myocardial ischemia rat model was made with ligation left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. After model succeed, select hypothalamus seperately and mixed the same group together of 3 rats. Then applied Rats U230A genechip refered by Affymetrix Co. to compare the variations between these groups. Results: To compare with normal group, differential expression genes and expression sequence tags (ESTs) in model group were 73 with signal log ratio ≤ 1 and 92 with signal log ratio ≤-1 , mainly included ion channel, calcium/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ inhibitor, antigen and so on. Similarly, compared with model group, differential expression genes and expression sequence tags (ESTs) were 190 with signal log ratio ≥ 1 and 34 with signal log ratio ≤-1 in acupuncture Heart Meridian group, mainly included 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, cellular metabolism, fatty, immuno reaction, G-protein coupled receptors, ion transport, signal transductions and so on, while in acupucnture Lung Meridian, the number is 57 and 26 correspondly. Conclusion: There were exactly variations in hypothalamus mechanism that relate to acupuncture Heart and Lung Meridians.