[Discussion on the location of Dazhui (GV 14) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3)].

Since the anatomical location of acupoints was recorded in The latest Practice of Western Acupuncture in 1915, and Lecture Notes on Advanced Acupuncture in 1931, the Japanese acupuncture works of Chinese translation version, the location of Dazhui (GV 14) (under the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) (under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra) had rarely been questioned for nearly a century. In order to confirm the above statement, the writers have reviewed ancient literature, combined with the modern anatomical knowledge and searched the evidences from the core arguments of the acupuncture Mingtang chart and the bronze acupuncture statue. It is believed that Dazhui （GV 14） should be positioned under the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, and Yaoyangguan（GV 3） be under the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Accordingly, all of the other acupoints of these meridians should be moved down by 1 vertebra, i.e. those on the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoyangguan (GV 3), those on the 1st lateral line of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang from Dazhu (BL 11) to Baihuanshu (BL 30) and those on the 2nd lateral line of the bladder meridian from Fufen (BL 41) to Zhibian (BL 54).

[Effect of application at Shu-Mu acupoint on serum uric acid in hyperuricemic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of application at Back-Shu with Front-Mu acupoints on serum uric acid (SUA) and kidney uric acid transport related proteins in hyperuricemia rats, so as to explore the mechanism of Shu-Mu acupoint application on treatment of hyperuricemia. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, vaseline application and medication application groups, with 8 rats in each group. The hyperuricemia rat model was established by gavage of potassium oxonate. Rats in the vaseline application group received application of vaseline at bilateral "Ganshu"(BL18) and "Qimen"(LI14), "Pishu"(BL20) and "Zhangmen"(LR13), "Shenshu" (BL23) and "Jingmen"(GB25). Rats in the medication application group received application of traditional Chinese medicine at the same acupoints. The contents of SUA and creatinine (SCr) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. H.E. staining was used to observe the pathological changes of kidney. And the protein expression levels of organic anion transporter 1(OAT1) and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter G2(ABCG2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rats in the model group showed symptoms such as polydipsia, polyuria, loose stools, fatigue, weakness, etc. The renal tubules atrophied, and urate crystals can be seen in the lumen. Compared with the control group. the SUA content in the model group increased (P<0.01)and the expressions of OAT1 and ABCG2 protein in kidney decreased (P<0.01). After intervention and in comparison with the model group showed that, the diet, excretion function, and mental state of the rats in the medication application group returned to normal, and the pathological changes of the kidney tissue were alleviated, the SUA content was down-regulated(P<0.01)and the expression levels of OAT1 and ABCG2 in the kidney up-regulated (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the SCr content among the 4 groups (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION: Medication application at Shu-Mu points can effectively reduce the SUA level of hyperuricemia rats, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the protein expressions of OAT1 and ABCG2 in the kidney and reducing the damage to the kidneys.

[Location of acupoint Xuanzhong(GB39)].

For a long time, there have been many opinions about the location of Xuanzhong(GB39) point in the academic field. The author analyzed the location of GB39 in the main acupuncture literature in ancient times, textbooks of universities and colleges of traditional Chinese medicine after the founding of the People's Republic of China, national standards and more influential acupuncture works. From ancient times to the evolution of the location of the point, it is believed that the point should be located 3 cun above the lateral malleolus, between the tibial anterior ridge and the anterior edge of the fibula.

[Effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Shenshu"(BL23)-"Taixi"(KI3)on levels of serum uric acid and renal URAT1 and OAT1 protein expression in hyperuricemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Shenshu"(BL23)-"Taixi"(KI3)on the levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and expression of renal urate-anion transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) proteins in hyperuricemia (HUA) rats, so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improving HUA. METHODS: A total of 25 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control (n＝6), HUA model (n＝7), BL23-KI3 (n＝6) and Ganshu (BL18)-Taichong (LR3, BL18-LR3 in short, n＝6). The HUA model was established by gavage of Oteracil Potassium (2 g/kg), once daily for 10 days, then once every other day. For rats of the BL23-KI3 group, BL23 and KI3 were stimulated with filiform needles which were rotated for 10 s at a frequency about 100 r/min, and for rats of the BL18-LR3 group, BL18 and LR3 were stimulated with the same methods to those of the BL23-KI3 group. The treatment of both acupuncture groups was conducted once daily, 6 times a week (except Sundays) for 3 weeks. The contents of SUA and serum creatinine (SCr) were assayed by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The pathological changes of the right kidney tissue were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin eosin (H.E.) staining, the immunoactivity of URAT1 and OAT1 of the right kidney tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of URAT1 and OAT1 proteins of the left kidney tissue detected by Western blot (WB). RESULTS: After modeling, the content of SUA and the expression of renal URAT1 protein (shown by both immunoactivity and WB) were significantly increased (P<0.01), but that of renal OAT1 protein was obviously decreased in the model group compared with the control group (P<0.01). There was no notably change in the level of SCr in the model group relevant to the control group (P>0.05). Following acupuncture intervention, the SUA content and URAT1 expression in both BL18-LR3 and BL23-KI3 groups were considerably down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of OAT1 protein in the BL23-KI3 group (not the BL18-LR3 group) were obviously up-regulated relevant to the model group (P<0.01). The effects of BL23-KI3 were significant superior to those of BL18-LR3 in down-regulating the expression of URAT1 and up-regulating OAT1 protein (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture of "BL23" and "KI3" can effectively down-regulate SUA level in HUA rats, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of URAT1 and up-regulating the expression of OAT1 in the kidney tissue.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Tianshu" (ST 25) for Colonic Motility and D 2 Receptor in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) for colonic motility and the expression of colon dopamine D 2 in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) rats, and to explore the specificity of different meridians and different acupoints. METHODS: Forty Wistar newborn rats were randomly divided into blank, model, Tianshu and Neiguan groups. Separation of mother and child and acetic acid coloclyster combined with colorectal distension were used to establish IBS model in the model, Tianshu and Neiguan groups. At the age of 9 weeks, EA at bilateral ST 25 and PC 6 were applied in the corresponding groups 5 times, once every other day. After the intervention, the Bristol fecal score, the latent period of abdominal retraction reflex and the number of contraction waves were recorded. The expression of dopamine D 2 receptor was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the Bristol fecal score of the model group was higher (P<0.01), the 1st contraction wave latent period was shorter (P<0.01), the number of contraction waves in 90 s increased (P<0.01), the immunoreactive expression of D 2 receptor in colon decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Bristol fecal scores of the Tianshu and Neiguan groups decreased (P<0.01), the 1st contraction wave latent periods were longer (P<0.01), the numbers of contraction waves in 90 s decreased (P<0.01), the positive expressions of D 2 receptor in colon increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the Tianshu group, the immunoreactive expression of D 2 receptor in the Neiguan group decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA at ST 25 and PC 6 can improve the symptoms of colonic motility in IBS rats. The effect of EA at ST 25 is better, which indicates that different meridians and different acupoints play specific effects.

Effects on the tumor specific growth factor and tumor necrosis factor α in rats' precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma by direct moxibustion at Ganshu (BL 18) acupoint.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu (BL18) on the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor (TSGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in a rat model with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so as to explore the mechanism of moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), model group (n=20), prevention group 1 (n=15) and prevention group 2 (n=15). The normal rats were injected with physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct moxibustion with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the rats in the prevention group 1 (1 treatment course, 20 days) and prevention group 2 (2 treatment courses, 40 days), 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once every other day. At each time point (before model establishment, the end of 1st course prevention, the end of 2nd course prevention and the end of model establishment), serum levels of TSGF and TNF-α were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, there was a remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-α contents in the model group at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). At the end of the 1st course of direct moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF-α of rats in the prevention group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group (P<0.05). At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF-α levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with significantly difference (P<0.05), and the levels of TSGF and TNF-α in the prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect of two courses were better than one course.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture at "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) Acupoint on White Blood Cell Count and Gallbladder Wall Thickness in Rabbits with Acute Cholecystitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) acupoint on white blood cell (WBC) count and gallbladder wall thickness in rabbits with acute cholecystitis, so as to explore the inherent correlation between the gallbladder and GB 34 acupoint according to the theory of Chinese medicine. METHODS: Thirty-two male rabbits were randomly and equally divided into control group, model group, EA "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) group (EA-GB 34) and EA "Yinlingquan"(SP 9) group (EA-SP 9). The acute cholecystitis model was induced by intra-gallbladder injection of escherichia coli liquid. EA stimulation was delivered once per day for consecutive 7 days. WBC count and gallbladder wall thickness were measured to assess the effects of EA treatment. HE staining was carried out to examine the pathological changes of the gallbladder tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the control group,WBC count and gallbladder wall thickness of the model group were significantly increased (P<0. 05), and those changes were reversed by EA intervention at either GB 34 or SP 9 acupoints (P<0. 05). As to WBC count, there was no significant difference between EA-GB 34 and EA-SP 9 groups (P>0. 05), whereas for reducing gallbladder wall thickness, EA stimulation at GB 34 acupoint resulted in a better effect than that of EA at SP 9 acupoint (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: EA produces positive therapeutic benefits on acute cholecystitis in rabbits. It seems that stimulation at "Yan - glingquan" acupoint gives rise to a better effect than that of "Yinlingquan" acupoint in particular for the reduction of gallbladder wall thickhess.

[Effects of moxibustion at "Ganshu" (BL 18) on serum alpha-fatoprotein and liver livin levels in rats with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion at "Ganshu" (BL18) on levels of Livin (a novel member of the inhibitors of apoptosis family and plays crucial roles in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and cell cycle control) in the liver tissue in rats with precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of HCC. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10), model group (n = 20), moxibustion-20 d group (n = 15) and moxibustion-40 d group (n = 15). HCC model was established by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 50 mg/kg), once every 3 days for 12 weeks. Moxibustion was applied to bilateral "Ganshu" (BL 18), once every other day for 10 times (moxibustion-20 d group) and 20 times (moxibustion-40 d group), respectively. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) content was detected with ELISA and Livin immunoactivity of the liver tissue detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After modeling, serum AFP content and liver Livin immunoactivity of the model group were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01). After moxibustion treatment, serum AFP content in the moxibustion-20 d group and liver Livin immunoactivity in both moxibustion-20 d and moxibustion-40 d groups were remarkably down-regulated in comparison with the model group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the moxibustion-40 d group and the model group in serum AFP content (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion can down-regulate liver Livin protein expression, which probably has a role in promoting hepatocellular apoptosis to inhibit precancerous lesion and to postpone hepatocarcinogenesis.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "Weizhong" (BL 40), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) on intravesical pressure and bladder adenosine triphosphate content in rabbits with acute urinary retention].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Weizhong" (BL 40), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) on changes of intravesical pressure and contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the urinary bladder tissue in rabbits with acute urine retention, so as to explore the relatively specificity of acupoints for urinary bladder problems. METHODS: Forty-eight male adult rabbits were randomly divided into normal control, model, Weizhong (BL 40, EA-BL 40), San-yinjiao (SP 6, EA-SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP9, EA-SP9) and non-acupoint (EA-NA) groups. Acute urinary retention model was established by filling the rabbits' bladder with normal saline at a volume of 2 times above their normal capacity for 2 hours. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 0.6 mA) was applied to bilateral "Weizhong" (BL 40), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Yinlingquan" (SP 9) for 20 min, respectively. Intravesical pressure was detected by using a pressure transducer and an amplifier. Bladder ATP content was detected by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In comparison with pre-modeling, the intravesical pressure levels were decreased significantly after modeling in the model, EA-BL 40, EA-SP 6, EA-SP 9 and EA-NA groups (P < 0.05). Compared with pre-EA, intravesical pressure values were increased remarkably in the EA-BL 40, EA-SP 6, EA-SP 9 and EA-NA groups (P < 0.05). The percentages of the increased vesical pressure after EA were considerably higher in the EA-BL 40, EA-SP 6, EA-SP 9 and EA-NA groups than in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, bladder ATP content in the model group was reduced significantly (P < 0.05); while in comparison with the model group, ATP contents in the EA-BL 40, EA-SP 6 and EA-SP 9 groups were up-regulated apparently (P < 0.05). The bladder ATP level of the EA-BL 40 group was significantly higher than those of EA-SP 6 and EA-SP 9 groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the model and EA-NA groups, and between the EA-SP6 and EA-SP9 groups in bladder ATP contents (P > 0.05), and among the EA-BL 40, EA-SP 6 and EA-SP 9 groups in the percentages of the increased intravesical pressure (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of BL 40, SP 6 and SP 9 can significantly raise intravesical pressure and bladder ATP content in urine retention rabbits, which may contribute to its effect in improving urinary retention.

[Effect of lifting-thrusting reinforcing-reducing manipulations of acupuncture on serum ferritin content and total iron binding capacity in blood-deficiency syndrome rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of lift-thrust reinforcing-reducing manipulations of acupuncture on serum ferritin (SF) content and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in blood-deficiency syndrome rabbits so as to study its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Sixty Japanese white rabbits were randomized into blank control,model, acupuncture needle-retaining, reinforcing-manipulation (reinforcing) and reducing-manipulation (reducing) groups (n = 12 in each group). Blood-deficiency syndrome model was duplicated by bleeding (about 10 mL/time, once every other day, for 5 times) and food restriction (half of the normal quantity). Bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) were punctured by using filiform needles. The needles were not lifted and thrust for rabbits of the needle-retaining group, but lifted and thrust for 15 min for rabbits of the reinforcing and reducing groups. The treatment was given once every other day, 10 times altogether. Serum SF and TIBC levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Following modeling, compared to the blank control group, serum SF content was decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while TIBC level was increased considerably in the model group (P < 0.05). On day 17 after acupuncture treatment, serum SF contents of both reinforcing and reducing groups were up-regulated significantly in comparison with pre-treatment after modeling in the same one group (P < 0.05), while TIBC levels in these two groups were down-regulated evidently compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, serum SF content in the reducing group was up-regulated apparently and TIBC levels in both reinforcing and reducing groups were down-regulated remarkably (P < 0.05). On day 32 after the treatment, serum SF contents were increased markedly and TIBC levels decreased remarkably in the needle-retaining, reinforcing and reducing groups in comparison with pre-treatment after modeling (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the reinforcing and reducing groups in both serum SF and TIBC levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both reinforcing and reducing manipulation of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) can up-regulate serum SF content and down-regulate TIBC level in blood-deficiency syndrome rabbits, which may contribute to their effects in improving blood-deficiency syndrome and has no significant difference.

[Discussion on the location of acupoints of the spleen meridian of foot-Taiyin in the abdominal region].

The four acupoints Fushe (SP 13), Fujie (SP 14), Daheng (SP 15) and Fuai (SP 16) (except SP 12 ) of the Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin in the abdomen are all 4 cun lateral to the abdominal midline. The origin of "4-cun" distance and the related explanations have not been found in any books including textbooks and related Chinese national standards about acupuncture and moxibustion. In the graphical representations, these 4 acupoints are directly below the nipple, because the nipple is 4 cun from the chest midline. The authors of the present paper don't think that is right, because in locating the acupoint, the nearest body surface anatomical landmarks should be used first as the basis. The abdomen and the chest are two anatomic sites after all, locating the abdominal acupoints with the chest surface landmarks often results in larger deviation, because many people's bodies are not so symmetrical and standard, and the adult abdominal fat difference is very big. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the abdominal acupoints are located by using the abdominal anatomical landmarks, for example, the outer edge of rectus abdominis, the outer edge of abdomen ,etc.