[Bibliometric analysis of refractory facial paralysis based on CNKI database].

The current development situation and the hotspot of the relevant research on refractory facial paralysis are explored. The articles on refractory facial paralysis are retrieved from CNKI database. The bibliographic items co-occurrence matrix builder (BICOMB) 2.0 is adopted to extract and analyze statistically literature characteristics and generate the high-frequency keywords matrix. The graphical clustering toolkit (gCLUTO) 1.0 is used to cluster the high-frequency keywords. A total of 750 articles are included, mostly published in Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion (63 articles), Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion (54 articles) and Shanghai Journal of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (27 articles) separately. The number of published articles by the active first authors are accounted for 10.1% of the total. When the high-frequency keywords are clustered into 4 categories, the topics with good cluster effect including the inheritance of the experiences of famous doctors in the comprehensive treatment of refractory facial paralysis, the comprehensive treatment measures with the a quite high curative effect on refractory facial paralysis based on heat-sensitive moxibustion and those based on the intervention by enhancing acupoint stimulation effect, as well as the study on the comprehensive treatment measures. General speaking, the regimen of acupuncture and moxibustion is a hotspot in the study on refractory facial paralysis. Research fellows give the consideration on the inheritance of the experiences of famous doctors, adopt the comprehensive treatment methods and enhance the actions of "warming" and "promoting" in the regimen by focusing on the pathogenesis. Such an idea has certain enlightening role to the study on the treatment of refractory diseases.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on liver surface blood perfusion and related indexes of oxidative stress in mice with acute alcoholic liver injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on liver surface blood perfusion and related indexes of oxidative stress in mice with acute alcoholic liver injury （AALI）, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving of AALI. METHODS: Twenty-four Kunming mice were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (8 mice/group). AALI model was established by intragastric administration of 50% ethanol at 6 g/kg. EA (4-6 V, 50 Hz) was applied to bilateral"Zusanli"(ST36) and"Taichong"(LR3) for 30 min. The liver surface blood perfusion was dynamically observed by moorFLPI laser speckle imager for 30 min. The morphological changes of the liver tissue were determined by H.E. staining. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the model group had markedly pathological changes of the hepatic cords, hepatic sinuses and hepatocytes shown by H.E. staining, a significant reduction in liver surface blood perfusion and the content of SOD in liver tissue (P<0.01, P<0.05), and a significant increase in the content of MDA in liver tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, H.E. staining showed reduced pathological changes of the liver tissue, meanwhile the liver surface blood perfusion significant increased (P<0.05) and the content of MDA in liver tissue significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA can improve the liver surface circulation of AALI mice, and regulate the oxidative stress response, and thus help to repair the damage of liver tissue.

Evaluation of liver function and electroacupuncture efficacy of animals with alcoholic liver injury by the novel imaging methods.

Imaging methods to evaluate hepatic microcirculation (HM) and liver function (LF) by directly monitoring overall liver tissue remain lacking. This study establish imaging methods for LF that combines Laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) and in vivo optical imaging (IVOI) technologies to investigate changes of hepatic microcirculation and reserve function in the animals gavaged with 50% ethanol (15 ml/kg·bw) for a model of acute alcoholic liver injury (ALI), and for evaluation of electroacupuncture (EA) effect. The liver blood perfusion and indocyanine green (ICG) distribution were observe by LSPI and IVOI separately. After EA, the livers were collected to measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), thromboxane A (TXA2), prostacyclin (PGI2) and endothelin (ET). The acquisitions of newly established LSPI of liver and ICG in vivo fluorescence imaging (ICG-IVFI), combining the results of other indexes showed: hepatic microcirculation perfusion (HMP) significantly reduced, ICG metabolism reduced, and ALT/AST increased in animal model with acute ALI. EA can reverse these changes. The use of LSPI of liver and ICG-IVFI, which was novel imaging methods for LF established in this study, could display the LF characteristics of ALI and the EA efficacy.

Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation at "Zusanli" Acupoint on Hepatic NO Release and Blood Perfusion in Mice.

The study is to observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at "Zusanli" (ST36) on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and blood perfusion (BP) in the liver and further explore whether the hepatic blood perfusion (HBP) changes were regulated by EA ST36 induced NO in nitric oxide synthase inhibited mice. The HBP change of the mice was detected by laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) before and after being given interventions, and the NO in liver tissue was detected by nitric acid reductase in each group. The NO levels and HBP in the L-NAME group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The NO level and HBP increase in EA group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The NO level in the L-NAME EA group was slightly higher than that in the L-NAME group. The HBP increase in the L-NAME EA group was not statistically significant. These results showed that EA could accelerate the synthesis of NO and thereby increase HBP via vasodilation in liver tissue.

A pilot study on effects of acupuncture and moxibustion by hyperspectral imaging technique.

This study was to observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on spectrum features of acupoint using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique. HSI of the Neiguan (PC6) in the acupuncture groups, moxibustion groups, and control groups was scanned by the hyperspectral imager to analyze the spectrum features and the variations within the wavelength of 400-1000 nm and explore the relationship between the spectral characteristics and effects of acupuncture and moxibustion. The light absorption intensity was slightly reduced within the wave band of 540-590 nm after acupuncture. The absorption intensity of PC6 before moxibustion was significantly higher than that after moxibustion, and the maximum reduction was found at the wavelength of 580 nm with 20.5% reduction, P < 0.05. There was no significant change of the spectrum of palm and PC6 and the spectrum curves of the acupoint were basically identical in control group. The light absorption intensity of PC6 of human body was weakened after Acu-mox. Specific wavelengths were all exhibited at 580 nm and the effect of moxibustion was more significant. HSI technique can be used to measure the spectral characteristics of the acupoint areas. This first time research would be significant and beneficial for study on the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Investigation of hepatic blood perfusion by laser speckle imaging and changes of hepatic vasoactive substances in mice after electroacupuncture.

The study was conducted to observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on hepatic blood perfusion (HBP) and vascular regulation. We investigated 60 male anesthetized mice under the following 3 conditions: without EA stimulation (control group); EA stimulation at Zusanli (ST36 group); EA stimulation at nonacupoint (NA group) during 30 min. The HBP was measured using the laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI). The level of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and noradrenaline (NE) in liver tissue was detected by biochemical methods. Results were as follows. At each time point, HBP increase in ST36 group was higher than that in the NA group in anesthetized mice. HBP gradually decreased during 30 min in control group. The level of NO in ST36 group was higher than that in NA group. The level of both ET-1 and NE was the highest in control group, followed by NA group and ST36 group. It is concluded that EA at ST36 could increase HBP possibly by increasing the blood flow velocity (BFV), changing vascular activity, increasing the level of NO, and inhibiting the level of ET-1 in liver tissue.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on indocyanine green metabolism in liver: display of in vivo fluorescence imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on indocyanine green (ICG) metabolism in the liver and the action mechanism of acupuncture for hepatic regulation. METHODS: Forty Kunming mice were randomly divided into an EA group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. Combined with classical hepatic metabolism test of ICG, after tail vein injection of ICG, twenty mice were treated with EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 20 min. The ICG fluorescence intensity and distribution in the liver were observed with animal in vivo fluorescence imaging apparatus during 20 min of EA and 60 min of needle withdrawal. Twenty mice, taken as control group, were treated with ICG injection and no EA. The differences of fluorescence intensity and distribution in both groups were compared. RESULTS: (1) There was blocking and gathered fluorescent sign in both groups when ICG was injected immediately. With the extension of observation time, the fluorescence brightness and area were increased until 30 min of injection. This was in accordance with known metabolism activities of ICG in the liver. (2) At 10 min and 20 min of EA and after needle withdrawal, compared with the control group, the fluorescence intensity in the liver of the EA group was weaker and the distribution area was smaller. (3) According to quantitative statistics of fluorescence intensity, at each time point of treatment, the value in the control group was higher than that in the EA group, which appeared regularly all along. As for the total mean difference of ICG fluorescence intensity at all time points, there was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA could reduce fluorescence intensity and lasting time of ICG, indicating that EA accelerates metabolic process of ICG in the liver. Also it is feasible to apply animal in vivo fluorescence imaging technology to the principle research of acupuncture effect.

[Blood perfusion in different facial acupoint areas and its changes after acupuncture stimulation of Hegu (LI 4) displayed by laser Doppler imager in healthy volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the blood perfusion levels in different facial acupoint regions and changes after acupuncture stimulation of Hegu (LI 4). METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteer subjects were equally divided into control group and acupuncture group. Blood perfusion levels of different facial acupoint areas were detected using a Laser Doppler Imager. Acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI 4) by using two filiform needles which were manipulated for a while till "Deqi", followed by keeping them in position for 30 min. The needles were then manipulated once again every 10 min. RESULTS: The blood perfusion levels of facial acupoint regions were from 0.73 to 1.17 PU in healthy volunteers, with relatively higher levels being in Juliao (ST 3), Kouheliao (LI 19), Sibai (ST 2) and Chengqi (ST 1) regions and relatively lower levels in Xiaguan (ST 7), Qianzheng (Ex-HN) and Sizhukong (TE 23) regions, but without significant difference between the isonym acupoint areas of the bilateral face in the control group. Following acupuncture stimulation of bilateral Hegu (LI 4), the blood perfusion volumes were remarkably increased in the acupoint regions on bilateral sides of the face (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of Hegu (LI 4) can effectively increase blood perfusion volume of the acupoint areas of the bilateral face in healthy volunteers.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Taichong" (LR 3) on liver function in mild alcoholic liver injury rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Taichong" (LR 3) on liver function in rats with mild alcoholic liver injury (MALI) so as to explore the feasibility of acupuncture in improving mild alcoholic liver injury. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA-LR 3 and EA-non-acupoint groups (10 rats/group). MALI model was duplicated by intragastric administration of distillate spirit (14 mL/kg) for 12 hours. Rats of the control group were fed with the same volume of normal saline. EA (2 Hz, 6 V) was applied to bilateral "Taichong" (LR 3) and non-acupoint (the interspace between the 4th and 5th bones of toes in parallel with LR 3) for 30 min, respectively. At the end of experiments, rats were sacrificed for collecting liver tissues. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of the liver supernatant were detected by using Lai's method. RESULTS: IIn comparison with the control group, liver ALT and AST activities in the model group were increased significantly (P < 0.05), while in comparison with the model group, liver ALT and AST levels in the EA-LR 3 group were down-regulated remarkably (P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in liver ALT and AST level in the EA-non-acupoint group (P > 0.05). There was no significant improvement in the pathological changes of liver in the EA-LR 3 and EA-non-acupoint groups. CONCLUSION: EA of "Taichong"(LR 3) may reduce distillate-spirit induced mild alcoholic liver injury in rats.

[Pilot application of optical in vivo imaging on acupuncture research].

OBJECTIVE: As a new technique of biomedical imaging, the optical in vivo imaging has been used in many research fields of biological processes, such as analyzing gene expression pattern, observing action of drug target. For extending its application field, this technique is initially used to investigate the effect of acupuncture in this study. METHODS: Seven SPF mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (4 cases) and a control group (3 cases). Fluorescent labeling Cy7 (Tf-Cy7) and Doxorubicin (Dox) were injected into the caudal vein of the nude mice, respectively. With the.stabilized distribution of Tf-Cy7 and Dox in vivo, "Yaoyangguan" (GV 3) point was acupunctured in the acupuncture group. The animals in the control group were not acupunctured. Then, the fluorescent irradiance of Tf-Cy7 and Dox was displayed by the optical in vivo imaging, the effect of acupuncture was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) After acupuncture, the fluorescent intensity of Tf-Cy7 started to decrease in the blood-brain barrier and heart, but tended to increase in the liver and spleen, in which the highest intensity of Tf-Cy7 was demonstrated at 50 min during the acupuncture. It was obviously different from that of the control group. (2) The fluorescent intensity of Dox tended to increase in the brain and lung after 20 min of acupuncture, and reached the highest concentration at 30 min. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can influence the action of Tf-Cy7 targeting and distribution of Dox, which is clearly showed with the optical in vivo imaging. Thus, this technique provides a new approach for the acupuncture and meridian research.

[Influence of Qingpeng plaster on blood vessels and mast cells in skin tissue of channel points of nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the numbers of blood vessels and mast cells, which is relative to blood microcirculation in skin, during Qingpeng plaster (ZANG medicine) being applied to the skin surface of nude mice. METHOD: Fifteen healthy adult nude mice were divided into Qingpeng plaster group and the control group. The sites of skin tissues stuck with the plaster or with control plaster were selected after 7 days treated, and then all the slices stained and observed. RESULT: The numbers of the vessels and the mast cells increased in the dermal tissue of Qingpeng paster group. Although there were a few dilated blood vessels in the control group, but the numbers of the vessels and the mast cells were obviously less than those of the Qingpeng plaster group. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between tow groups. CONCLUSION: Qingpeng plaster can cause obvious vascular dilatation and promot mast cells aggregation in the Qingpeng plaster stuck parts of the skin tissue.

[Study on effect of electroacupuncture on gastric ischemia-reperfusion by laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on gastric blood perfusion and search for a study method reflecting changes of blood perfusion. METHODS: On the basis of establishing a new gastric ischemia-reperfusion model which was made by ligature of gastric right artery, EA was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and the gastric blood perfusion images were displayed by a laser Doppler blood perfusion imager (LDPI), and effects of EA on gastric blood perfusion were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) The image of the gastric ischemia-reperfusion is clear. The ischemic degree of the stomach in the EA group was lower than the control group within 30 min of ischemia, and recovery of blood flow after perfusion in the EA group was better than the control group; (2) at 25 min of ligature, there was a significant difference in changes of blood perfusion between the EA group [(-0.50 +/- 0.18) PU] and the control group [(-0.90 +/- 0.16) PU], P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: EA can improve and promote gastric blood supply in the gastric ischemia-reperfusion model, which can be used for acupuncture and moxibustion experimental study.