Effect of Moxibustion Combined With Cisplatin on Tumor Microenvironment Hypoxia and Vascular Normalization in Lewis Lung Cancer Mice.

PURPOSE: This study was developed to evaluate the effects of moxibustion on tumor microenvironmental hypoxia in a murine model of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). METHODS: Twenty-four tumor-bearing mice were randomized into tumor group (T), tumor + cisplatin group (TC), tumor + moxibustion group (TM), and tumor + cisplatin + moxibustion group (TMC) (n = 6/group). Six age-matched C57BL/6 mice were employed as control group (Ctrl). A tumor model was established by implanting LLC cells into the right flank of each mouse. Animals in the TM group received moxibustion treatment at the ST36 (bilateral) and GV4 acupoints on the day of visible tumor formation. Moxibustion treatment was performed every other day for a total of 7 sessions. Animals in the TC group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) on day 3 after visible tumor formation, and this treatment was performed every 3 days for 4 times. Animals in the TMC group underwent combined moxibustion and chemotherapy treatment, following the same conditions as outlined above. Following treatment, the concentrations of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, and Ki67 were measured using ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Compared to the tumor group, treatment in the TM, TC, and TCM groups resulted in varying reductions in tumor growth (P < .001 or P < .05), while tumor microenvironmental hypoxia was alleviated as evidenced by the downregulation of HIF-1α, VEGFA, and CD31(P < .001-P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a combined approach of moxibustion and cisplatin can alleviate intratumoral hypoxia, promote vascular normalization, and slow the growth of LLC tumors in mice.

Lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons mediate electroacupuncture-induced anxiolytic effects in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The lateral hypothalamus' orexinergic system has been associated with anxiety-related behaviors, and electroacupuncture (EA) modifies orexin neurons to control the anti-anxiety process. However, in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the important role of LH orexin neurons (OXNs) in the anxiolytic effects induced by EA has not been explored. In this study, rats underwent modified single prolonged stress (MSPS) for seven days before developing EA. The rats were then subjected to elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OFT) tests, and western blot and c-Fos/orexin double labeling investigations were carried out to determine the functional activation of LH orexinergic neurons. Compared to MSPS model rats, it has been demonstrated that EA stimulation enhanced the amount of time spent in the central zone (TSCZ) in OFT and the amount of time spent in the open arm (TSOA) in EPM in MSPS model rats (P < 0.01). After behavioral testing, MSPS model rats had decreased activated c-Fos positive OXNs. Still, EA in SPS rats increased that number and elevated orexin type 1 receptors (OXR1) protein expression in the LH. Furthermore, after administering SB334867 (an OXR1 antagonist) to MSPS model rats, the effects of EA therapy on anxiety-like behaviors (ALBs) were significantly diminished. Additionally, when low-dose orexin-A (LORXA) was administered intracerebroventricularly together with EA stimulation in MSPS rats, the anxiolytic effects of the stimulation were substantially enhanced (P < 0.05). The results of this study reveal the mechanisms by which acupuncture may reduce PTSD and advance our understanding of the function of LH orexin signaling in EA's anxiolytic effects.

[Non-linear characteristic of acupoint resistance and its application].

Acupoint specificity is a key scientific issue in acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupoint electric resistance is a commonly-used biophysical index to study the functional specificity of acupoints. The non-linear characteristics of acupoint electric resistance have great impacts on the measured values, but it has been greatly ignored. By analyzing the non-linear characteristics of acupoint resistance and its application in the study of acupoint function specificity, a new idea of introducing chaos theory and technology into the study of acupoint function is proposed.

The characteristics of registered acupuncture clinical trials enrolling cancer patients.

PURPOSE: This study sought to explore and summarize the global state of acupuncture clinical trials enrolling cancer patients included in international registries to date. METHODS: All relevant trials evaluating acupuncture-related interventions for the treatment of cancer that were registered in 16 trial registries from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2020, were identified. Subsequent publications related to these trials were additionally retrieved from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), VIP (China Science and Technology Journal Database), and Wanfang databases. We compared information included in these registries regarding completed trials with any associated publications, with a focus on study design, sample size, and selective reporting, based on the registered protocol. RESULTS: In total, 222 eligible trials across 19 countries were identified. These trials included 17 specific cancer types and 32 symptoms. The five most common cancer types were breast cancer, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and gastric cancer, accounting for almost half of all registered trials (48.2%). The top five symptoms included in these trials were chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), cancer-related pain, cancer-related fatigue, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The overall rate of article publication was low, with publications being associated with just 33.3% of these registered trials. CONCLUSIONS: This review is the first snapshot of the landscape of acupuncture clinical trials registered in international trial registries, providing a methodological basis for the management of common treatment- and disease-related side effects among cancer patients undergoing acupuncture and offering useful information that will guide future acupuncture-focused research.

Exploring the perceptions of the educational environment in online acupuncture learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Students have had to adapt to a "new normal" of online education at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poses a considerable challenge to the conduct of online acupuncture courses. Here, we provide our experience and guidance for conducting an online experimental acupuncture course during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to compare the different perceptions of undergraduates to the educational environment between online and face-to-face learning approaches. METHODS: This study included senior undergraduates majoring in acupuncture during the academic years 2015 (face-to-face) and 2020 (online only) for the Experimental Acupuncture course. A survey was conducted at the end of this course. The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was used to assess students' perceptions. The results of students' responses to online learning were compared with those assessed for face-to-face learning. RESULTS: In total, 56/70 (80%) students in 2015 and 49/54 (91%) students in 2020 completed the questionnaire, respectively. Total DREEM scores were higher in the online learning group than in the face-to-face learning group (160.3 ± 21.9 vs 147.6 ± 17.9, p = 0.007), with improved students' perceptions on four out of five dimensions (social self-perception, learning, atmosphere and academic self-perception). The positive aspects of their online learning experience included the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. The significant limitations of this course included the lack of practical classes. CONCLUSION: Students' perceptions regarding the Experimental Acupuncture program were satisfactory for both online and face-to-face learning approaches, but even better with online learning. Online learning may be encouraged in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) education. However, a combination of face-to-face and online methods is likely to be required to maximize the benefits. We hope that our online Experimental Acupuncture program practices may assist in the development of online curricula for acupuncture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laser Moxibustion Alleviates Knee Osteoarthritis Pain by Inhibiting Spinal Microglial Activation-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Rats.

Background: Central sensitization driven by glial activation-mediated neuroinflammation is recognized as a key mechanism in pain processing. Laser moxibustion using low-intensity laser irradiation of corresponding acupoints significantly relieves knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. However, the underlying mechanism of its effects on KOA pain is still not completely understood. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether laser moxibustion could alleviate KOA pain by inhibiting spinal glial activation and proinflammatory cytokines upregulation in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced KOA pain in rats. Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups: Saline + Sham Laser, MIA + Laser, and MIA + Sham Laser. A 10.6 µm laser was used to irradiate ST35 (Dubi) for 10 min once every 2 days for a total of seven applications. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and weight-bearing distribution were performed to evaluate the nociceptive behaviors. Spinal expressions of microglial marker, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1); astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured 14 days after MIA injection. Results: The results showed that laser moxibustion significantly reversed the MIA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and weight-bearing difference up to 14 days compared with MIA + Sham Laser group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Moreover, both the protein level and immunofluorescence intensity of Iba-1 in the ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn were markedly decreased in the MIA + Laser group than those in the MIA + Sham Laser group (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the expression of GFAP between groups (p > 0.05). In addition, laser moxibustion decreased the upregulation of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 compared with the MIA + Sham Laser group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that laser moxibustion at ST35 significantly alleviated MIA-induced KOA pain through inhibition of the microglial activation-mediated neuroinflammation, at least partially, by suppressing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which may provide a potential analgesic target for KOA pain relief.

The Effects of Laser Moxibustion on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Rats.

Background: Although chronic pain affects the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis, current medical treatments are either ineffective or have long-term side effects. Recently, low-intensity laser irradiation of corresponding acupoints was demonstrated to alleviate pain. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 10.6 µm laser moxibustion on a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced knee osteoarthritis pain model. Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Saline, MIA, MIA+Laser, and MIA+Sham Laser. The 10.6 µm laser was used to irradiate the ST35 for 10 min once a day for a total of seven applications. The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and weight-bearing difference were performed to evaluate the analgesic effects of laser moxibustion. At the end of the experiment on days 28, the joint histology, the levels of metalloproteinases-13 (MMP-13) in the cartilage, and TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the synovial membrane were measured to determine the chondroprotection and anti-inflammatory effect of laser moxibustion. Results: Early laser moxibustion significantly reversed the MIA-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and weight-bearing difference, especially on the 28th day (p < 0.001). Moreover, laser moxibustion prevented the articular pathological lesions and cartilage destruction on days 28 (p < 0.01). Remarkably, the levels of cartilage MMP-13, and synovial TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 also decreased on day 28 (p < 0.05) after the early treatment of laser moxibustion. Conclusions: 10.6 µm laser moxibustion may have long-lasting analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotection effects, suggesting that it may emerge as a potential therapeutic strategy for the chronic pain treatment of osteoarthritis.

Research on the Characteristics of Infrared Radiation Spectra at Zigong Acupoint within Menstrual Cycle of Healthy Female.

The purpose of this study was to observe the characteristics of infrared radiation spectrum of Zigong acupoint (EX-CA1) within the menstrual cycle of healthy female. We used highly sensitive infrared radiation spectrum detection system and phase-locked amplification technology to detect and analyse the infrared radiation spectrum from 1.5µm to 18µm of 32 healthy female before, during, and after menstruation at EX-CA1 and control points. The results showed that the total radiation intensity of left EX-CA1 was significantly higher than that of left control point (P <0.05) at the whole menstrual cycle, and the difference between right EX-CA1 and right control points was statistically significant before and after menstruation (P <0.05), no statistical difference during menstruation. Previous studies found that the radiation near 15µm was correlated with glucose metabolism. The results of this study showed that there were statistical differences in 10 wavelengths between left EX-CA1 and left control point from 14µm to 18µm, and there were statistical differences in 3 wavelengths on the right side (P <0.05). The left side is more prominent than the right side. The infrared radiation intensity of EX-CA1 decreased gradually with the change of cycle rhythm within menstrual cycle, but there was no statistical difference in this trend. There was no statistical difference in total radiation intensity between the right and left side of EX-CA1. Compared with the control points, the number of different wavelengths between left EX-CA1 and left control point during menstruation was significantly larger than that between right EX-CA1 and right control point (P <0.001). The results indicated that the energy of EX-CA1 was higher than control points. There was no difference in the radiation intensity between the right and left sides of EX-CA1 but there was acupoint laterality compared with nonacupoints. There was no significant rhythmic change in infrared radiation intensity of EX-CA1 during the menstrual cycle.

Effects of infrared laser moxibustion on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and distressing symptom associated with cancer treatment that breast cancer survivors (BCS) experience. We previously found that laser moxibustion may be efficacious for CRF. The primary aim of this study is to determine the specific efficacy of 10.6 µm infrared laser moxibustion on CRF. The secondary aim is to evaluate the effect of infrared laser moxibustion on co-existing symptoms that BCS experience. METHODS: We will conduct a randomized, sham-controlled, three-arm trial of infrared laser moxibustion (ILM) against sham ILM (SILM) and waitlist control (WLC) among BCS with moderate to severe fatigue. The two intervention groups will receive either real or sham infrared laser moxibustion on four acupoints (i.e., ST36 [bilateral], CV4, and CV6) for 20 minutes each session for 6 weeks (twice per week). The primary endpoint is the change in fatigue score from Baseline to Week 6 as measured by the Chinese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-C). Our secondary aim is to compare the severity of co-morbidities (e.g., depression, insomnia, and pain) among the 3 groups. DISCUSSION: The results of our trial will establish evidence for the efficacy of infrared laser moxibustion for CRF, a very common and challenging symptom. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03553355.

Besides Photothermal Effects, Low-Level CO2 Laser Irradiation Can Potentiate Skin Microcirculation Through Photobiomodulation Mechanisms.

Background: Improvement of microcirculation is one of the important mechanisms of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to treat some diseases such as wound healing. Most previous studies have been carried out with multiple lasers other than the 10,600-nm CO2 laser. Recently, the CO2 laser has been used not only as a tool for excision of soft tissues but also for therapeutic applications. Objective: To study whether low-level CO2 laser irradiation can influence microcirculation and further explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Seventy-milliwatt (70-mW) CO2 lasers irradiated the forearms of 12 participants and skin blood perfusion (SkBP) was measured with a laser speckle imager. The thermal effect of irradiation was evaluated by measuring the irradiated skin in vivo and the exposed cell suspensions in vitro. Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) of the human mast cell line (HMC-1) is assessed by luciferin-luciferase assay to explore the potential mechanisms. Results: Irradiation caused dose-dependent increase in SkBP. At a medium dose of 262 J/cm2, SkBP reached its maximum value at 195.8% ± 18.6% of the baseline (n = 12, p < 0.01). Such laser irradiation had a mild thermal effect, heating local skin temperature (SkT) by 6.1°C ± 0.3°C (n = 10) and warming cell suspensions by 4.5°C ± 0.8°C (n = 6). Irradiation dose-dependently lowered eATP levels of HMC-1 cells in vitro. At a medium dose of 262 J/cm2, eATP levels declined to the minimum at 74.8% ± 5.5% of the baseline (n = 12, p < 0.01). This downregulation effect could be significantly inhibited by 100-µM ARL67156, a nonspecific ecto-ATPase inhibitor. On the contrary, heating itself slightly raised the level of eATP. Conclusions: Low-level CO2 laser irradiation can improve microcirculation. Besides the thermal effect, regulation of extravascular eATP by the photobiomodulation mechanism may be involved. This implies that CO2 lasers might be used in LLLT.

Examination of the cellular mechanisms of leukocyte elevation by 10.6 µm and 650 nm laser acupuncture-moxibustion.

To investigate the cell cycle and cellular mechanisms of leukocyte elevation by laser acupuncture in rats with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced leukopenia. Sixty-six rats were randomized into six groups: normal, model control group, sham treatment group, 10.6 µm laser treatment group, 650 nm laser treatment group, and 10.6 µm-650 nm compound laser treatment group. Eleven rats were used in the normal group and 55 were models that were injected with cyclophosphamide to induce leukopenia. For the three laser treatment groups, 10.6-µm and 650-nm lasers, and 10.6-µm-650-nm compound lasers were used to irradiate the DU14 (Dazhui) and bilateral ST36 (Zusanli) for 5 min each. The sham laser group received the same operation as the laser group but without irradiation. The normal group and model group were not treated. Differences in the number of nucleated cells in the femoral bone marrow, and cell cycle and cellular apoptosis of peripheral leukocytes in rats in various groups were compared. Compared with the model group and the sham laser group, the number of nucleated cells in the femoral bone marrow in the 10.6-µm laser, 650-nm laser, and 10.6-µm-650-nm compound laser group was significantly increased after treatment (P = 0.001, 0.002, 0.034, respectively) and did not show any significant difference with the normal group (P = 0.964, P = 0.838, P = 0.287, respectively). The number of cells in G2 phase in the 10.6 µm laser group was similar to that of the normal group (P = 0.973). The number of cells in G2 phase in the model, sham, 650-nm laser group, and 10.6-µm-650-nm compound laser group were significantly lower than in the normal group and 10.6-µm laser group (P = 0.016, P = 0.023, P = 0.044, P = 0.039, respectively). In the model group and the sham treatment group, the apoptosis rates of peripheral leukocytes were increased compared with the normal group (P = 0.001), while the proportion of cells in the G2 phase was significantly lower than in the normal group (P = 0.016), and the proportion of cells in S phase was higher than in the normal group (P = 0.014). The incidence of apoptosis in peripheral blood cells in the three laser treatment groups did not show any statistically significant difference when compared with the normal group (P > 0.05). Treatment with the 10.6-µm, 650-nm, and 10.6-µm-650-nm compound lasers increased the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow, decreased the unfavorable effects of cyclophosphamide on the cell cycle, induced the cell cycle towards proliferation, decreased apoptosis, improved the intramedullary hematopoietic system, and increased peripheral leukocyte count.

Effects of infrared laser moxibustion on cancer-related fatigue: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most common symptom negatively affecting the quality of life of patients with cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of 10.6-µm infrared laser moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue (CRF). METHODS: The authors conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial among 78 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with CRF. The group treated with infrared laser moxibustion received 10.6 µm of infrared laser moxibustion on the ST36 (bilateral), CV4, and CV6 acupoints. Each participant received a 20-minute treatment session 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The sham group received the same treatment duration on the same acupoints, but without infrared laser output. The outcome was change in fatigue as measured by the Chinese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory between groups at week 4 with additional evaluation at week 8 for durability of treatment effects. A mixed effects model was used to evaluate the difference in treatment effect over time. RESULTS: Among those randomized, 61 patients (78%) completed the entire study. At the end of the intervention, the individuals in the group treated with the laser were found to have significantly less fatigue than those in the sham group (3.01 vs 4.40; P = .002). The improvement in fatigue persisted to week 8, favoring the group treated with laser moxibustion (3.03 vs 4.26; P = .006). Laser moxibustion was safe, with 3 cases of mild local erythema that resolved without medical intervention reported. CONCLUSIONS: Infrared laser moxibustion appeared to be safe and efficacious for improving CRF in a Chinese patient population. Larger studies in more racial/ethnically diverse populations are needed to confirm the benefit of this technique for fatigue in patients with cancer. Cancer 2016;122:3667-72. © 2016 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.

Heat induces adenosine triphosphate release from mast cells in vitro: a putative mechanism for moxibustion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) purinergic signaling in mast cells (MCs) modulated by heat to further understand the molecular mechanisms of moxibustion. METHODS: Skin temperatures induced by monkshood cake moxibustion were evaluated by measuring the Neiguan acupoint (PC 6) from 31 participants with a digital thermocouple thermometer. Temperatures of 43 °C and 52 °C were applied to cultured human leukemia mast cell line HMC-1 in vitro. Calcium fluorescence was applied to detect intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]). Extracellular ATP contents were measured by luciferin-luciferase assay. RESULTS: Maximum skin temperatures mostly ranged from 40-45 °C , but some reached up to 50 °C. Both 43 °C and 52 °C induced MC degranulation, which was accompanied by an increase in [Ca2+] and ATP release. Complexing extracellular Ca2+ with 5 mM ethylene glycol-bis (ß-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) inhibited the noxious, heat-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i and prevented the enhanced ATP secretion by those. cells at 52 °C, but not 43 °C. CONCLUSION: Monkshood cake moxibustion can generate heat sufficient to trigger cellular events of MCs, including degranulation, [Ca2+]i elevation, and ATP release, suggesting that purinergic signals originating from MCs are possibly the initiating response of acupoints to moxibustion.

The effect of electroacupuncture on extinction responding of heroin-seeking behavior and FosB expression in the nucleus accumbens core.

Augmentation of extinction with learning enhancing therapy may offer an effective strategy to combat heroin relapse. Our lab previously found that electroacupuncture (EA) not only significantly reduced cue-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking but also exhibited a promoting effect on the ability of learning and memory. In the present study, we further investigated the effects of EA on the extinction of heroin-seeking behavior in rats with a history of intravenous heroin self-administration. We trained Sprague-Dawley rats to nose-poke for i.v. heroin either daily for 4h or 25 infusions for 14 consecutive days; then the rats underwent 7 daily 3h extinction sessions in the operant chamber. To assess EA's effects on the extinction response of heroin-associated cues, 2Hz EA was administered 1h before each of the 7 extinction sessions. We also applied immunohistochemistry to detect FosB-positive nuclei in the nucleus accumbens core. We found that EA treatment facilitated the extinction response of heroin seeking but did not alter the locomotor activity in an open field testing environment. EA stimulation attenuated the FosB expression in the core of the nucleus accumbens, a brain region involved in the learning and execution of motor responses. Altogether, these results suggest that EA may provide a novel nonpharmacological approach to enhance extinction learning when combined with extinction therapy for the treatment of heroin addiction.

The infrared radiation spectrum of acupoint taiyuan (LU 9) in asthma patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distinctive pathological characteristics in the spectrums of spontaneous infrared radiation at the Taiyuan (LU 9) acupoint in patients with asthma. METHODS: A highly sensitive infrared spectrum detecting device was used to detect the spectrums of spontaneous infrared radiation at Taiyuan (LU 9) in 37 asthma patients and 34 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Asthma patients had significantly lower infrared intensity than that of the healthy volunteers (P>0.01). Asthma patients had significantly lower overall infrared radiation intensity at the left Taiyuan (LU 9) than that of healthy volunteers (P > 0.05), but there was no significant difference between healthy volunteers and asthma patients at the right Taiyuan (LU 9) (P > 0.05). The infrared radiation intensity of 17 wavelength spots at the left Taiyuan (LU 9) and 4 wavelength spots at the right Taiyuan (LU 9) in asthma patients were significantly lower than those of healthy volunteers (P > 0.05). At 2 microm, the infrared radiation intensity of asthma patients was significantly stronger than that of healthy volunteers (P > 0.05). At 19 wavelength spots in the healthy volunteers and at 4 wave-length spots in the asthma patients, the left Taiyuan (LU 9) showed a significantly stronger intensity than that of the right Taiyuan (LU 9) (P > 0.05S). By Pearson's chi2 test, healthy volunteers had more wavelength spots that were significantly different between the left and right Taiyuan (LU 9) than the asthma patients (P > 0.01). CONCLUSION: Changes in the infrared spectrum at the Taiyuan (LU 9) acupoint in asthma patients may reflect distinct pathological changes. Certain acupuncture points may be related to specific organs.

Research on nonlinear feature of electrical resistance of acupuncture points.

A highly sensitive volt-ampere characteristics detecting system was applied to measure the volt-ampere curves of nine acupuncture points, LU9, HT7, LI4, PC6, ST36, SP6, KI3, LR3, and SP3, and corresponding nonacupuncture points bilaterally from 42 healthy volunteers. Electric currents intensity was increased from 0 µA to 20 µA and then returned to 0 µA again. The results showed that the volt-ampere curves of acupuncture points had nonlinear property and magnetic hysteresis-like feature. On all acupuncture point spots, the volt-ampere areas of the increasing phase were significantly larger than that of the decreasing phase (P < 0.01). The volt-ampere areas of ten acupuncture point spots were significantly smaller than those of the corresponding nonacupuncture point spots when intensity was increase (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.001). And when intensity was decrease, eleven acupuncture point spots showed the same property as above (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.001), while two acupuncture point spots showed opposite phenomenon in which the areas of two acupuncture point spots were larger than those of the corresponding nonacupuncture point spots (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.01). These results show that the phenomenon of low skin resistance does not exist to all acupuncture points.

Infrared radiation spectrum of acupuncture point on patients with coronary heart disease.

The objective of this study was to compare the acupoint infrared radiation spectrums of patients and healthy volunteers to show whether those of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients carry distinctive pathological information. PHE201, using a highly sensitive infrared spectrum detection device applied to the acupoint Neiguan (PC6) and to a control point on 50 CHD patients and 47 healthy adults. A total of 73 wavelength spots were detected. The scanned wavelengths ranged from 1.5 microm to 16 microm, and the scanning spacing was 0.2 microm. The data were automatically recorded in the database of the device for statistical analysis. Infrared radiation intensities of 23 in the 73 detected wavelength spots significantly differed in the CHD patients' Neiguan as compared to those of the healthy subjects (from p=0.048 to p=0.002), while only 12 wavelength spots at a non-acupuncture control point showed significant differences. By the chi(2) test, these differences between Neiguan and the non-acupuncture control point are statistically significant (p=0.033). At 2-2.5 microm, which is related to energy metabolism, the intensity at the CHD patients' Neiguan was significantly lower than that of the healthy adults (from p=0.026 to p=0.017). No difference was observed at the non-acupuncture control point (from p=0.094 to p=0.052). The data suggest that the changes of infrared spectrum at Neiguan in coronary heart disease patients may reflect the distinct pathological changes. This may be the result of hypoactive energy metabolism in the area of the acupoint.

[Investigation of pathway and mechanism of heat stimulating action of sandwiched moxibustion].

Based on the literature review and theories of biophysical theory, the pathway and mechanism of the heat of sandwiched moxibustion stimulating acupoints are analyzed. It is concluded that the heat of sandwiched moxibustion is transferred to the skin of acupoints by heat conduction and thermal radiation. The heat conduct from the skin to deep tissues and other parts was carried out through the biological heat conduction systems. The investigation combined with theories of biological heat conduction was benefit to the research on clinical mechanisms of indirect moxibustion. In addition to heat effect, the infrared resonance of indirect moxibustion and acupoints may be the base of clinical effects of indirect moxibustion.

[Effect of infrared laser on pituitrin-induced bradycardia in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of infrared laser stimulation on Neiguan (PC 6) for bradycardia of rabbits induced by injection of pituitrin. METHODS: 10.6 microm CO(2) infrared laser, 650 nm semiconductor red laser and the compound laser of their aggregation were sent out by a compound laser sanatory instrument to stimulate Neiguan (PC 6) respectively for the purpose of analyzing the differences of the effects exerted by infrared laser and red laser as well as the changes of the effects after their aggregation. RESULTS: After 30 min and 40 min of the injection of pituitrin, the heart rate showed no significant difference between 10.6 microm CO(2) infrared laser group and the normal control group (P>0.05). However, the heart rate showed significant difference between the 650 nm semiconductor red laser group and the normal control group (P<0.05). After 30 min of the injection of pituitrin, the heart rate of the compound laser group were significantly different to that of the untreated group (P<0.05), and it was not significantly different to that of the normal control group (P>0.05). However, the heart rate of non-acupoint stimulated by the compound laser group showed no significant difference to that of the untreated group (P>0.05), and it was significantly different to that of the normal control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Stimulation on Neiguan with 10.6 microm CO(2) infrared laser can evidently improve the bradycardia induced by injection of pituitrin, while the 650 nm semiconductor red laser has no such function, but they have coordinating effect. The thermal effect produced by CO(2) infrared laser stimulating acupoint is probably beneficial for semiconductor laser penetrating skin as well as the biochemical reactions it carries. The improvement of heart rate produced by the laser stimulation on Neiguan (PC 6) has relative specificity.

An infrared radiation study of the biophysical characteristics of traditional moxibustion.

OBJECTIVES: Moxibustion has been a part of acupuncture practice for thousands of years. Traditionally, it includes direct moxibustion, in which moxa sticks are burned at acupuncture points on the skin, and indirect moxibustion, in which monkshood cakes or ginger or garlic slices are used to insulate the skin from burning moxa cones. Recently randomised clinical trials and clinical observations suggest that moxibustion can enhance physiological and immune functions, but there has been little investigation of the scientific basis of these traditional techniques. The present study compared the infrared radiation caused by these techniques to that of non-specific controls and to that of the human body surface at an acupuncture point. METHODS: A highly sensitive, infrared-spectrum detection device was used to compare the spectra of traditional moxibustion materials (n = 4/group) with those of control materials (n = 4/group) and to the spectrum at the surface of an acupuncture point LI 4 (Hegu) in healthy volunteers (n = 7). RESULTS: The infrared radiation intensity produced by a traditional moxa stick was 43300.41 mV, with a peak on the infrared spectrum of 3.5 microm, while the respective radiation intensities of two controls, a smokeless moxa stick and a 555 cigarette, were 31.15 mV and 37.03 mV with peaks of 7 microm and 3.5 microm. The infrared radiation intensities of the three traditional media of indirect moxibustion, monkshood cake, ginger slices and garlic slices, were 520.27 mV, 594.79 mV and 681.87 mV, respectively, all with peaks around 7.5 microm and similar spectra. In contrast, the infrared radiation intensities of slices of cucumber and carrot, used as control media for indirect moxibustion, were 274.47 mV and 50.53 mV, respectively, substantially different from those of the traditional media. Infrared radiation at LI 4 (Hegu) was 20.40 mV, and peaked on the infrared spectrum at about 7.5 microm. The experiment showed that the thermal action of the traditional moxa stick was more potent than that of indirect moxibustion and its radiation peak was different from that at the acupuncture point on the human body. In contrast, the thermal action of traditional indirect moxibustion was modest and its radiation peak matched that at the acupuncture point. CONCLUSION: Direct moxibustion with a traditional moxa stick may produce its potent therapeutic effects by thermal action, while traditional indirect moxibustion may act by producing modest thermal action and a sympathetic vibration at the skin surface. Non-traditional thermal materials and media may not be suitable substitutes for traditional materials. The data provide a scientific, biophysical rationale for traditional moxibustion.