Mechanisms of electroacupuncture effects on acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury: possible association with upregulation of transforming growth factor beta 1.

Electroacupuncture at the head acupoints Baihui (GV20) and Shuigou (GV26) improves recovery of neurological function following ischemic cerebrovascular events, but its mechanism remains incompletely understood. We hypothesized that the action of electroacupuncture at these acupoints is associated with elevated serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1). To test this, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Electroacupuncture was performed at Baihui and Shuigou with a "disperse-dense" wave at an alternating frequency of 2 and 150 Hz, and at a constant intensity of 3 mA. Each electroacupuncture session lasted 30 minutes and was performed every 12 hours for 3 days. Neurological severity scores were lower in injured rats after acupuncture than in those not subjected to treatment. Furthermore, serum level of TGF-ß1 was greater after electroacupuncture than after no treatment. Our results indicate that electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shuigou increases the serum level of TGF-ß1 in rats with acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and exerts neuroprotective effects.

[Efficacy observation on acupuncture prescription of regulating yin-yang and five viscera for intractable insomnia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a more optimal therapy for intractable insomnia. METHODS: Seven hundred cases of intractable insomnia that were in accordance with the criteria were randomly divided into an observation group (368 cases) and a control group (332 cases). The acupuncture prescription of regulating yin-yang and five viscera was applied in the observation group, where Dazhui (GV 14), Shenmai (BL 62), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhaohai (KI 6), Geshu (BL 17), etc. were selected. The acupuncture prescription of tranquilizing mind was applied in the control group, where Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Anmian (Extra), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyin jiao (SP 6) were selected. The treatment was given once a day, ten times of which made a session. After the treatment for 4 sessions, the clinical efficacy and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 92.6% (338/365) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.1% (242/331) in the control group (P < 0.05). The PSQI score was obviously decreased in two groups after the treatment (both P < 0.05), in which the decreasing in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupuncture prescription of regulating yin-yang and five viscera has better effect for intractable insomnia, which could be considered as a more optimal therapy.