Warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect between warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) and simple warming acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency.@*METHODS@#A total of 66 patients of knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 33 cases in each one. Warming acupuncture was applied at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36) and Xuanzhong (GB 39) on the affected side in both of the groups. In the observation group, mild moxibustion at bilateral Yongquan (KI 1) was adopted additionally. Each treatment lasted for 30 min, 3 times a week (once every other day), and the consecutive 6 weeks of treatment were required. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score (such as joint pain, stiffness and physical function), the amount of joint effusion and the serum contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was superior to 87.1% (27/30) in the control group (<0.05). Compared before treatment, the pain scores, stiffness scores, physical function scores, the amount of joint effusion and the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and hs-CRP after treatment were significantly reduced in the two groups (<0.05), and the improvements of these indices in the observation group were superior to the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) can improve joint function, reduce the amount of joint effusion and the contents of inflammatory response indices for knee osteoarthritis with kidney-marrow deficiency. The therapeutic effect of warming acupuncture combined with moxibustion at Yongquan (KI 1) is better than simple warming acupuncture.

Acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping for knee osteoarthritis with stagnation and blood stasis syndrome: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy between acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping and acupuncture combined with conventional cupping for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, and to seek a better solution for KOA.@*METHODS@#A total of 78 patients of KOA with stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 39 cases in each group (3 cases in the observation group and 2 cases in the control group lost contact). Both groups were treated with acupuncture at Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34), Heding (EX-LE 2), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Xuanzhong (GB 39). Based on the acupuncture treatment, the control group was treated with conventional cupping. The No. 4 cupping glass was used for Xuehai (SP 10), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Fengshi (GB 31), while the No. 3 cupping glass was used for Yinlingquan (SP 9), while the cupping with appropriate size was used for points; the cupping glass was retained for 5 min. Based on the acupuncture treatment, the observation group was treated with cinesiotherapy cupping. The selection of acupoint and cupping glass was identical as the control group. The patients were instructed to perform knee flexion-extension, hip abduction-adduction, weight-bearing and other active exercise while cupping; the treatment was given once a day, 10 times as a course of treatment; totally three courses were given with an interval of 2 days between the courses. The patient's symptom scores, pain scores and knee function scores were recorded before and after treatment. The amount of joint effusion was measured by ultrasound; the level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in joint effusion were measured by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group was 94.4% (34/36), which was significantly higher than 86.5% (32/37) in the control group (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupuncture combined with cinesiotherapy cupping could alleviate pain, improve joint function and reduce joint effusion, which is superior to acupuncture combined with conventional cupping.

Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits CXCR4 expression and related migrations in a breast cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND: Ginsenoside Rg3 is an extract from the natural product ginseng. Previous studies have linked Rg3 with anti-metastasis of cancer in vivo and in vitro. CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a vital molecule in migration and homing of cancer to the docking regions. METHODS: In this study, the effects of Rg3 on CXCR4 expression were investigated in a breast cancer cell line. Immunohistochemistry, chemotaxis and wound healing mobility assays were performed in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells. RESULTS: At a dosage without obvious cytotoxicity, Rg3 treatment elicits a weak CXCR4 stain color, decreases the number of migrated cells in CXCL12-elicited chemotaxis and reduces the width of the scar in wound healing. CONCLUSION: This work suggests that Rg3 is a new CXCR4 inhibitor from a natural product.

Effects of anthopleurin-Q on myocardial hypertrophy in rats and physiologic properties of isolated atria in guinea pigs.

AIM: To study effects of anthopleurin-Q (AP-Q) on myocardial hypertrophy in rats and isolated atria in guinea pigs. METHODS: Two myocardial hypertrophy models in rats were established, one introduced by levothyroxine, the other by stenosis of abdominal aorta. Cardiac myocytes morphometry and functional experiments were employed to investigate effects of AP-Q. RESULTS: Low dose of AP-Q (1 microg/kg/d, ip) reduced morphologic changes of myocardial hypertrophy in both rat models. While high dose of AP-Q (10 microg/kg/d, ip) did not, and caused mild hydropic degeneration in cardiomyocytes. High concentration of AP-Q (30 nmol/L) enhanced the contractility, raised automaticity, and prolonged the functional refractory period (FRP) in isolated left atria of guinea pigs; higher concentration (100 nmol/L) triggered arrhythmia in right atria; low concentration of AP-Q (1 nmol/L)did not affect any myocardial properties above. CONCLUSION: Low dose of AP-Q without inotropic effect can hinder the experimental myocardial hypertrophy in rats; high dose with positive inotropic effect may be responsible for its toxic reaction.