Effects of acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)on NF-κB/iNOS/NO pathway in lumbar disc herniation model rats / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)on the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and nitric oxide(NO)of NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in L5 spinal nerve root of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)model rats and explore the mechanism of acupuncture in LDH treatment.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group,a model group,acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture group 2,with 10 rats in each group.The non-compression nucleus protrusion model was made by puncturing L4-L5 spinous process space and injecting autologous nucleus suspension.Acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu(BL23),Dachangshu(BL25),and Weizhong(BL40)was carried out in acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture at bilateral Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)in acupuncture group 2.All rats were treated with balanced reinforcing and reducing needling manipulations,and the needles were retained for 30 min/time with one episode of needling manipulation every 10 min,once a day,14 times in total.The threshold value of paw withdrawal pain was measured by a thermal stimulation pain instrument;the serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pathomorphological changes of spinal nerve roots were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect iNOS mRNA expression in spinal nerve roots;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression in spinal nerve roots was detected by the immunofluorescence method.Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the threshold of paw withdrawal pain in the model group was decreased,and the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO were increased;HE staining showed many degenerated and dissolved Schwann cells in spinal nerve roots with vacuolar changes;meanwhile,the expression levels of NF-κB and iNOS proteins,and the iNOS mRNA in spinal nerve roots were increased.Compared with the model group,the paw withdrawal pain thresholds in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were increased,and the increase in acupuncture group 2 was greater(P<0.05);the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01);the vacuolar changes of spinal nerve roots,and the degeneration and lysis of Schwann cells in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,which were more obvious in acupuncture group 2;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression and the iNOS mRNA expression levels in spinal nerve roots of acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)can improve the morphology of spinal nerve roots,inhibit the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression levels in spinal nerve roots and the serum NO level,and relieve the pain caused by inflammation of spinal nerve roots,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in LDH treatment.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture at Point Houxi (SI3) on Cervical Spondylotic Vertebral Arteriopathy / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at point Houxi (SI3) in treating cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. Method Three hundred and fourteen patients with cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 158 cases and a control group of 156 cases. The treatment group received acupuncture at points Houxi, Fengchi (GB20), Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10) and cervical Huatuo jiaji (Ex-B2) points and the control group, no acupuncture at point Houxi. The therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups after treatment. The recurrence rates were compared at the one-year follow-up. Result The total efficacy rate was 94.9% in the treatment group and 87.2% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The recurrence rate was 5.1% in the treatment group and 13.6% in the control group at the one-year follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at point Houxi and other combined points has a better therapeutic effect on cervical spondylotic vertebral arteriopathy. It can markedly reduce the recurrence rate in the patients.

Electroacupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain：a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) at Houxi (SI 3) in treating acute lumbar sprain. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving EA at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain were retrieved from PubMed (1966-2014), EMBASE (1980-2014), Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2014), CQVIP Database (1989-2014), Wanfang Digital Journal (1998-2014), the Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database (CBM, 1978-2014), and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI, 1979-2014). The collection of data also adopted hand-search of the relevant journals from the Library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All of the data were first evaluated and extracted by two reviewers independently with a specially designed form. Then, the available data were analyzed by the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.2.0 software. Results:A total of 6 trials involving 1 288 patients were eligible. Meta-analysis showed that the total effectiveness rate in the EA group was significantly different when compared with Nimesulide [RR=1.33; 95% CI (1.19 to 1.49)] and Mobic [RR=1.08; 95% CI (1.03 to 1.14)], but similar to that of acupuncture at Yaotongdian (EX-UE 7) [RR=71.09; 95% CI (1.00 to 1.19)] and Diclofenac Sodium [RR=1.08; (95% CI 0.96 to 1.21)]. The recovery rate in the EA group was significantly different when compared with Mobic [RR=1.67; (95% CI 1.45 to 1.92)] and Nimesulid [RR=1.37; (95% CI 1.15 to 1.62)], but similar to that of acupuncture at Yaotongdian [(RR=1.35; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.84)] and Diclofenac Sodium [(RR=1.19; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.61)]. Conclusion:Up to the search date, there are few high quality RCTs to evaluate the clinical efficacy of EA at Houxi (SI 3) for acute lumbar sprain, especially studies in English. Yet EA at Houxi (SI 3) still appeared to be an efficacious method for acute lumbar sprain, despite several inherent defects of the included studies. Further large scale trials are required to define the role of EA at Houxi (SI 3) in the treatment of this disease.

A fMRI Comparative Studyof the Correlation of Left and Right Points Houxi(SI3)with Activated Brain Function Areas / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between electro-acupunctured point Houxi(SI3)and activated brain function areas, contrast the images produced with electroacupuncture at left and right points Houxi and make a comparison with electroacupuncture at point Hegu(LI4)in patients with peripheral facial paralysis.MethodPatients with peripheral facial paralysis, six on the left side and six on the right side, were enrolled as subjects. A scan of the whole brain was taken using fMRI during electroacupuncture stimulation. The images were processed using SPM software. An analysis using at-test (P<0.01) showed differences in brain functional images produced with electroacupuncture at different points.ResultElectroacupuncture at left point Houxi increased the signals of brain regions: rightcaudate nucleus, right cingulate gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, the brainstem and the cerebellar vermis. Electroacupuncture at right point Houxi increased the signals of brain regions: right medial frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, rightcingulate gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus.ConclusionThere is a difference in the image between electroacupuncture at point Houxi and at point Hegu or Dicang(ST4). There is also a larger difference in the image between bilateral points Houxi. The brain regions with high-frequency or low-frequency signals are not consistent. The results further prove the scientificalness of “Point Hegu is indicated for diseasesin the face and mouth” and also show that the cognominal acupoints on the two sides ofthe human body may have some differences, e.g. the conduction pathways are not completely the same and the therapeutic effects are not completely consistent.

Observations on the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture at Points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) plus Medicine on Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) plus Medicine in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.Methods Sixty patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. Both groups of patients took a bed rest, wore a waist belt and did moderate functional exercises. The control group received medication and the treatment group, acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) in addition. The VAS score and the ODI score were recorded before and after treatment. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 70.0% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the ODI score in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the VAS score and the ODI score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture at points Yanglingquan(SP 9) and Houxi(SI 3) plus Medicine is an effective way to treat lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. It can relieve pain and reduce dysfunction.

Observations on the Short-term and Long Term Effects of Point Houxi(SI 3) Electroacupuncture on Acute Lumbar Sprain / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

To investigate the clinical efficacy of point Houxi(SI 3) electroacupuncture for treating acute lumbar sprain. Methods:Three hundred patients with acute lumbar sprain were randomly grouped with a random number table. The electroacupuncture group was treated by electro-acupuncture at point Houxi (SI 3) and the medication group,with meloxicam.Results:A comparison of the short-term effects showed that the efficacy rate was 97.3% in the electroacupuncture group and 89.3% in the medication group. The average rank of the short-term effect score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the medication group (P＜0.01);there was a significant difference between the two groups. A comparison of the long-term effect showed that the efficacy rate was 99.3% in the electroacupuncture group and 93.2% in the medication group. The average rank of the long-term effect score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the medication group (P＜0.01);there was a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion:Both point Houxi (SI 3) electroacupuncture and meloxicam have a marked effect on acute lumbar sprain,but the short-term and long-term effects are better in the electroacupuncture group than in the medication group.