Herb-partitioned moxibustion regulated the miRNA expression profile in the thyroid tissues of rats with experimental autoimmune thyroiditi.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) on the miRNA expression profile of thyroid tissue in experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, EAT model (EAT) group, HPM group and western medicine (Med) group. EAT model rats were prepared by a combined immunization with complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvant emulsified with porcine thyroglobulin and iodine. Rats in the HPM group were treated with HPM, while rats in the Med group were treated with levothyrocine (1 µg/2 mL) by gavage. HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphological changes of thyroid tissue, ELISAs was uaed to detect the serum concentrations of TGAb, TPOAb, FT3, FT4, TSH. We then performed high-throughput miRNA sequencing to analyse the miRNA expression profiles in the thyroid tissues, followed by a bioinformatics analysis. RT-qPCR was used to verify the identified differentially expressed miRNAs. RESULTS: HPM improved the thyroid tissue morphology and reduced serum TPOAb, TGAb, TSH concentration in EAT rats (P < 0.05), but with no obvious effect on FT3 and FT4 concentration. While the TSH, FT3 and FT4 concentration was significantly changed in the Med group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) compared with that of EAT group. Sequencing results showed that a total of 17 miRNAs were upregulated, and 4 were downregulated in the EAT rats, in which the expression levels of miR-346 and miR-331-5p were reversed by HPM. The target genes of the miRNAs that regulated by HPM were associated with a variety of immune factors and immune signals. RT-qPCR verification showed that the expression of miRNA-346 and miRNA-331-5p was consistent with the sequencing results. CONCLUSIONS: HPM could regulate the the expression of miRNA-346 and miRNA-331-5p, then act on their target genes to immune and inflammation-related pathways, which may be one of the mechanisms of HPM on EAT rats.

Electroacupuncture with different current intensities to treat knee osteoarthritis: a single-blinded controlled study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation with high-intensity compared with low-intensity on knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: Participants with KOA were randomized to either high-intensity EA group or low-intensity EA group. EA was applied unilaterally on the affected leg with the local points GB34, ST34, EX-LE4, EX-LE5, ST36, and SP9. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were measured before and after participation. Plasma TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, and apelin levels were also assessed by enzyme immunoassay (ELA) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Of 80 participants who consented to study participation, 77 completed the program. The patients showed a significant improvement in their pain, stiffness, and physical function on the VAS and WOMAC, accompanying with a significantly reduction in plasma levels of apelin and TNFα. Furthermore, high-intensity group exhibited statistically significant improvements in stiffness and physical function symptoms compared with low-intensity group. Plasma level of IL-6 was significantly decreased only after high-intensity EA treatment. Furthermore, apelin level was significantly inhibited in high-intensity EA group than in low-intensity EA group. CONCLUSIONS: Both high- and low-intensity EA treatments alleviate the clinical symptoms of KOA patients. High-intensity EA is more effective than low-intensity EA. Changes in plasma levels of TNFα, apelin and IL-6 may be involved in the therapeutic effect of EA on KOA.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture on neuropathic pain.

Acupuncture has been used to treat neuropathic pain for a long time, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. In this study, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture and manual acu-puncture on neuropathic pain and on ephrin-B/EphB signaling in rats models of chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. The results showed that manual acupuncture and elec-puncture significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity following chronic constriction injury, es-pecially electroacupuncture treatment. Real-time PCR results revealed that ephrin-B1/B3 and EphB1/B2 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in the spinal dorsal horns of chronic constriction injury rats. Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture suppressed the high sion of ephrin-B1 mRNA, and elevated EphB3/B4 mRNA expression. Electroacupuncture signifi-cantly enhanced the mRNA expression of ephrin-B3 and EphB3/B6 in the dorsal horns of neuro-pathic pain rats. Western blot results revealed that electroacupuncture in particular, and manual acupuncture, significantly up-regulated ephrin-B3 protein levels in rat spinal dorsal horns. The re-sults of this study suggest that acupuncture could activate ephrin-B/EphB signaling in neuropathic pain rats and improve neurological function.

[Effect of aconite cake-separated moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Mingmen (GV 4) on thyroid function in patients of Hashimoto's thyroiditis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects on thyroid function in patients of Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated with aconite cake-separated moxibustion and option the better therapeutic program. METHODS: Eighty-five cases were randomly divided into a moxibustion group (42 cases) and a western medication group (43 cases). The moxibustion group was treated by aconite cake-separated moxibustion therapy with acupoints of two groups [(1) Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4); (2) Dazhui (GV 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4)] alternatively and oral administration of 25 microg Euthyrox everyday. The western medication group was oral administration of 25 microg Euthyrox everyday. Indices of thyroid function before and after treatment and clinical effect were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The clinical total effective rate and effective rate of thyroid function were 25.0% (10/40), 87.5% (35/40) in moxibustion group respectively, 7.53% (3/40) and 57.5% (23/40) in western medication group, with significant differences between two groups (both P < 0.05). Content of serum free thyroxine index (FT4) increased significantly in the moxibustion group after treatment (P < 0.01); content of serum supersensitive thyrotropin (S-TSH) in the moxibustion group was lower than that of western medication group, and contents of serum FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were higher than those of western medication group, but with no significant differences (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aconite cake-separated moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Mingmen (GV 4) combined with oral administration of Euthyrox can improve clinical symptoms and thyroid function in patients of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is better than simple oral administration of Euthyrox.

[Therapeutic effect and side effect of treatment on hyperthyroid exophthalmos with the combination of acupuncture and medication].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect and side effect of the treatments on hyperthyroid exophthalmos with the combination of acupuncture and medication and with medication only. METHODS: Fifty-two cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture and medication group (27 cases) and a medication group (25 cases). Acupuncture in combination of oral taking of Thiamazole and Euthyrox were adopted for the acupuncture and medication group. And acupoints such as Jingming (BL 1), Chengqi (ST 1) and Sizhukong (TE 23) etc. were selected. Western medication for oral taking was applied as the only treatment for the medication group. Objective eye syndrome marks, side effects and accidents were compared between two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The improvement of the objective marks of eye syndrome in the acupuncture and medication group was better than that in the medication group (P < 0.01). There were 4 cases with hypoleucocytosis, 3 cases with rash and 3 cases with aggravated symptom of exophthalmos in the medication group during the treatment, while no case with side effects was observed in the acupuncture and medication group. However, 8 cases were found with hemorrhage and 8 with hematoma in the acupuncture and medication group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the combination of acupuncture and medication may not only enhance the therapeutic effect, but also reduce the side effects.

[Thinking about syndrome differentiation-based treatment in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion].

At present, current situation of syndrome differentiation-based treatment in clinical acupuncture and moxibustion has brought about concern of scholars at home and abroad. Acu-moxibustion doctors on Japan point out that a great number of corrupt practice in clinical treatment, which should be paid to enough attention. Based on the question put forward by the Japanese doctor, this article points out the main existing problems and analyzes some opinions, for which people may hold different viewpoints. The "syndrome differentiation-based treatment" is embodied in the scientific and orderly application of "principles, methods, prescriptions, acupoints and techniques" in the clinical practice. To achieve the purpose of improving the therapeutic effect, the clinical techniques, action regularity, indications and influential factors, etc. should further be studied.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and diet adjusting on insulin resistance in rats with nutrition obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of electroacupuncture and diet adjusting on insulin resistance in rats with nutrition obesity, and the role of electroacupuncture and diet adjusting in the treatment of obesity. METHODS: Obesity was induced in rats by high-fat diet. Rats with nutrition obesity were randomly divided into high-fat diet (HD) group, high-fat diet plus electroacupuncture (HA) group, normal diet (ND) group and normal diet plus electroacupuncture (NA) group, with another group of SD rats as normal control (NC). After 15 days, all the rats' body weight and length were measured, the Lee's index was calculated, and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the HD group, food intake, body weight and viscera fat weight of the rats with nutrition obesity in the HA group and the NA group were markedly reduced (P<0.05). The levels of blood serum TC, FFA and IR index in the NA group were obviously lower than those in the HD group (P<0.01). The levels of TNF-alpha and FINS in the NA group were lower than those in the HD group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture plus diet adjusting can decrease the levels of serum TNF-alpha and FINS of the obesity rats, and improve the state of insulin resistance.