Evaluating Dielectric Properties for Assessing Water Content at Acupuncture Points: New Methodology.

Importance: Understanding acupuncture point microenvironments is vital for optimizing treatment efficacy. Evaluating changes in water content at these points can provide further insights into the effects of acupuncture on tissues. Objective: This study aimed to measure tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and assess changes in water content, specifically at stomach 36 (ST36, Zusanli) and spleen 6 (SP6, Sanyinjiao) acupuncture points. Methods: In a controlled, blinded, randomized trial, 113 healthy volunteers were divided into six groups based on TDC sensor diameters (XS, M, and L): three control groups and three acupuncture groups. They were assessed at three time points: T1, baseline; T2, 20 min post-needle withdrawal; and T3, 40 min post-needle withdrawal. Electrical impedance (EI) was also analyzed. Significance level was set at p < 0.001. Results: TDC at ST36 and SP6 significantly decreased with the XS probe at T2 and T3 compared with that at T1 (F8, 452: 54.61). TDC did not significantly vary between T2 and T3 with M and L probes. EI data indicated that the current passage increased in the SP (F2, 226: 39.32) and ST (F2, 226: 37.32) groups during T2 and T3 compared with that during T1 within their respective groups and controls. Conclusions: and Relevance: This study demonstrated the efficacy of TDC measurements in detecting water content fluctuations at acupuncture points and their responses to needles. TDC measurements, which were validated against EI, provide valuable insights into acupuncture point microenvironments and thus help optimize treatments.

[Brief analysis of the relationship between "sasa zhenhan" of foot-yangming stomach-meridian syndrome and stomach].

"Sasa zhenhan" is a word describing the syndrome of cold sensation, which is one of the foot-yangming stomach-meridian syndromes. The lesions of stomach and yangming meridian could cause changes of yang qi and superficial symptoms of the interior syndrome, leading to "sasa zhenhan". In this study, the specific manifestation of the "sasa zhenhan" is analyzed from the aspect of word meaning, and the relationship between the "sasa zhenhan" and stomach is further discussed through the perspectives of yang qi and the exterior-interior relationship. In addition, combined with typical clinical case, it is suggested that attention should be paid on the relationship between exterior and interior syndromes, and the clinical application of tongfu and tongyang method (activating yang qi and promoting qi circulation of fu organs) should be strengthened, which could expand the new thinking of clinical treatments for viscera diseases through acupuncture and moxibustion.

Electroacupuncture stimulation of foot-yangming stomach meridian regulates mrna and protein expression of bax and bcl-2 in spinal cord injury rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine has proposed the theory that “treatment for flaccidity aims at Yangming meridian” in the Internal Canon of Medicine. However, relatively few reports focus on electroacupuncture at the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming for the treatment of spinal cord injury. From the perspectives of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 expression, the mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention at the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming for the treatment of spinal cord injury was preliminarily explored in this study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in injured segments of spinal cord injury rats. METHODS: Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley female rats (SPF level) were randomly divided into four groups: control group, pre-labeling group, post-injury labeling group and electroacupuncture group, with 16 rats in each group. The control group and the pre-labeling group were given intraperitoneal injection of Brdu (5 mg/kg) for 10 continuous days prior to the operation to label the cells that had differentiation ability and vitality in the spinal cord. The control group underwent laminectomy at T10 segment on the 11th day of labeling, while a model of spinal cord injury was induced by the clamp method in the pre-labeling group. The post-injury labeling group and the electroacupuncture group were injected intraperitoneally with BrdU (5 mg/kg) for 10 continuous days to mark the activated and proliferated cells. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture stimulation was done at Zusanli and Futu acupoints of Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian on the 3rd day after modeling, 5 times a week. Four rats were taken from each group at 3, 10, 17, and 24 days after modeling (0, 7, 14, and 21 days after electroacupuncture stimulation). Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores were used to evaluate the motor function, and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 protein and gene in the spinal cord were detected using qRT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 3-24 days after surgery, the neurological scores in the pre-labeling group, post-injury labeling group, and electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The neurological scores of the electroacpuncture group were significantly higher than those in the pre-labeling group and post-injury labeling group (P < 0.05). With the prolongation of spinal cord injury time, the mRNA and protein expressions of Bax increased first and then decreased, while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 decreased first and then increased. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreased gradually with the lapse of electroacupuncture intervention time. To conclude, electroacupuncture stimulation of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming can reduce apoptosis of nerve cells, and promote recovery of motor function in spinal cord injury rats by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.

Brief analysis of the relationship between " of foot- stomach-meridian syndrome and stomach / 中国针灸

"" is a word describing the syndrome of cold sensation, which is one of the foot- stomach-meridian syndromes. The lesions of stomach and meridian could cause changes of and superficial symptoms of the interior syndrome, leading to "". In this study, the specific manifestation of the "" is analyzed from the aspect of word meaning, and the relationship between the "" and stomach is further discussed through the perspectives of and the exterior-interior relationship. In addition, combined with typical clinical case, it is suggested that attention should be paid on the relationship between exterior and interior syndromes, and the clinical application of and method (activating and promoting circulation of organs) should be strengthened, which could expand the new thinking of clinical treatments for viscera diseases through acupuncture and moxibustion.

Comparison of Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) Points and Stomach Meridian Foot-Yang Ming Points on Recovery of Lower Limb Nerve Function and Synapsin I Expression in Spinal Cord Injury Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B2) points and Stomach Meridian Foot-Yang Ming points on the neurological function and the expression of local Synapsin I in rats after spinal cord injury, and to explore its molecular mechanism. Methods:A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were established spinal cord injury model and they were randomly divided into normal control group, Jiaji group and Yang Ming group, with 20 rats in each group. On the third day after operation, Jiaji group and Yang Ming group were treated with electroacupuncture while the normal control group was not. Their neurological function was assessed with BBB every day. Four rats in each group were sacrificed at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th week during the intervention period. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of spinal cord. Immumohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of Synapsin I protein. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting was used to detect the content of of Synapsin I mRNA and protein. Results:The BBB scores were higher in Jiaji group and Yang Ming group than in the normal control group at all the time points (P < 0.05), and were higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group from one to three weeks (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical scores of Synapsin I protein were higher in Jiaji group than in the normal control group in the first week (P < 0.05), and were higher in Yang Ming group than in the normal control group from one to four weeks (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical scores of Synapsin I protein were higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group from three to four weeks (P < 0.05). The expression of Synapsin I mRNA and protein first increased and then decreased in the normal control group; which was higher in Jiaji group than in the normal control group in the first week (P < 0.05) and was higher in Yang Ming group than in the normal control group from one to four weeks (P < 0.05). The Synapsin I mRNA expression in the third week and the Synapsin I protein expression from two to three weeks was higher in Yang Ming group than in Jiaji group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at both Jiaji points and Stomach Meridian Foot-Yang Ming points promote the recovery of nerve function in rats with spinal cord injury. It may be related to the elevated level of Synapsin I in the damaged parts of the spinal cord.

Analysis of clinical literature on acupuncture- moxibustion for dyspepsia based on data mining / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To summarize the point selection pattern and treatment method in acupuncture-moxibustion for dyspepsia through data mining of the related clinical literatures in recent two decades, and to provide reference for clinical application. Methods: With data mining technology, clinical literatures related to acupuncture-moxibustion for dyspepsia published between January 1997 and July 2018 were collected from major Chinese databases, and the treatment methods, point and meridian frequencies were summarized and analyzed. Results: A total of 106 studies were included. For meridians, the top 5 meridians used were the Stomach Meridian, Conception Vessel, Spleen Meridian, Liver Meridian and Pericardium Meridian. For point selection, the leading 5 points were Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shangwan (CV 13), Xiawan (CV 10) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6). For major and adjunct points, the 5 most significant major points were Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Shangwan (CV 13); the 5 most significant adjunct points were Neiting (ST 44), Qihai (CV 6), Fenglong (ST 40), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Tianshu (ST 25). For treatment method, the top 3 methods used were moxibustion alone, acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with medicinal herbs. Conclusion: The main meridian chosen in acupuncture-moxibustion for dyspepsia was the Stomach Meridian, and the points were mainly selected from the Stomach Meridian; treatment method was moxibustion alone, which may provide reference for clinical treatment of this disease.

[Comparison of Extracellular and Intracellular Fluid Distribution Between Stomach Meridian or Gallbladder Meridian and Their Neighboring Tissues of Lower Leg in Healthy Volunteers].

OBJECTIVE: To compare differences of extracellular fluid impedance (Re) and intracellular fluid impedance (Ri) between the Stomach(ST) Meridian or Gallbladder(GB) Meridian and their neighboring non-meridian sites of the left lower leg at the same level, so as to explore the distribution characteristics of body fluid in the meridian. METHODS: Sixteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study. The Re and Ri were detected by using Ag/AgCl electrodes and a digital lock-in amplifier. The measuring electrodes (at an interval of about 3 cm) were separately fixed to the skin sites covering the running courses of the ST Meridian (in the lateral interspace of the anterior tibial muscle)and the GB Meridian (in the interspace of the anterior edge of the fibula), and the excitation electrodes (at an interval of about 9 cm) respectively fixed to the skin sites covering the anterior tibial muscle and the interspace between the anterior tibial muscle and the tibia (about 2 cm and 5 cm lateral to the ST and GB meridians, and about 3－4 cm and 6－8 cm lateral to the ST and GB meridians, respectively). A 100 µA constant current with frequencies from 1 kHz to 100 kHz delivered via an excitation electrode was applied to the site (control spots of the ST Meridian), and signals of the voltage amplitude and phase difference of the tissues fed to the lock-in amplifier via the measuring electrode were collected, followed by measuring those of the GB Meridian and control sites. The circumference of the lower leg around the two excitation and measuring electrodes was measured. Then the cole-cole curve fitting was performed to calculate the Ri and Re, as well as the intracellular fluid resistivity (ρi) and extracellular fluid resistivity (ρe) of the ST and GB meridians, the related muscles and interspace lateral to ST or GB (ST/GB) meridians at the same level. RESULTS: The Ri and Re (Ω) values of the ST, GB, the muscle lateral to ST/GB and the interspace lateral to ST/GB were 19.1±1.3 and 28.3±1.4, 15.8±1.9 and 25.7±2.0, 19.6±1.3 and 31.3±1.6, and 19.4±1.2 and 32.4±1.6, respectively. The Re values were significantly lower at the ST and GB meridians than at the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to both meridians (P<0.05). The ρi and ρe values (Ω•cm) of the ST, GB, the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to ST/GB were 658.9±78.5 and 953.8±75.3, 528.0±90.1 and 833.9±101.7, 669.9±71.8 and 1 059.8±86.0, 655.9±64.8 and 1 099.3±93.3, respectively. The ρi and ρe values were significantly lower at the GB Meridian Than at the other three locntions, and the ρe value of ST Meridian was significantly lower than those of the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to ST/GB meridians (P<0.01)．. CONCLUSION: The Ri, Re, ρi and ρe values of the ST and GB meridians are significantly lower than those of their neighboring tissues at the same levels of the lower leg, suggesting a more extracellular fluid in the meridian running course and providing evidence for our speculation that the meridian is a hydraulic resistance channel.

[Discussion on relationship between "living alone with closed windows and doors" and depression].

"Living alone with closed windows and doors"was mentioned in the pathological manifestations of stomach meridian of foot-yangming in Neijing (The Inner Canon of Huangdi), which is similar to the symptoms of depression. Currently the treatment of depression is mostly based on"spirit being stored in five organs"theory, and little attention is paid on stomach meridian of foot-yangming. From the pathological manifestations of"living alone with closed windows and doors"in stomach meridian of foot-yangming, the relationship between stomach meridian and depression is discussed from ying-yang and qi-blood. In addition, the close relationship between the stomach meridian and qi-blood, qi movement of five organs, heart and brain is discussed to explore the mechanism of treating depression. In conclusion, the literature and modern research regarding treating depression from stomach meridian are summarized, hoping to provide more clinical methods for the treatment of depression.

[Exploration of the meridian differentiation law in polycystic ovarian syndrome of hirsutism based on data mining technology].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution characteristics of hirsutism and the law of meridian differentiation in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: For the patients of PCOS, the modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (mF-G score) was adopted to evaluate the hirsutism distribution. The clementine data mining software was used to analyze the distribution region of hirsutism and the correlation with meridian. RESULTS: A total of 141 patients of PCOS participated in the study. The most common regions of hirsutism were in the upper lip (50.35%) and the lower abdomen (34.04%). The higher frequencies of hirsutism at two regions were at the upper lip and lower abdomen (24.82%), the upper lip and chest (12.06%) and the upper lip and thigh (11.35%). In the analysis on the correlation of the upper lip, lower abdomen and chest with other regions, hirsutism was more common in the nearby regions. In reference to the running course of meridian, the frequencies of hirsutism from high to low were the conception vessel (63.12%), the thoroughfare vessel (61.70%), the liver meridian of foot-jueyin (58.16%) and the stomach meridian of foot-yangming (57.45%). According to Miraculous Pivot: Yinyang Twenty-Five Persons, the high incidence of hirsutism (59.57%） resulted from the change of qi and blood in yangming meridian. . CONCLUSION: Blood plays the important role in the growth of body hair. Regarding the yinyang attribution, the incidence of hirsutism at the yin regions is higher than the yang regions. The occurrence of hirsutism is closely related to qi and blood changes in meridians. The conception vessel, the thoroughfare vessel, the liver meridian of foot-jueyin and yangming meridian act highly on the disease.

Comparison of Extracellular and Intracellular Fluid Distribution Between Stomach Meridian or Gallbladder Meridian and Their Neighboring Tissues of Lower Leg in Healthy Volunteers / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To compare differences of extracellular fluid impedance (Re) and intracellular fluid impedance (Ri) between the Stomach(ST) Meridian or Gallbladder(GB) Meridian and their neighboring non-meridian sites of the left lower leg at the same level, so as to explore the distribution characteristics of body fluid in the meridian. METHODS: Sixteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study. The Re and Ri were detected by using Ag/AgCl electrodes and a digital lock-in amplifier. The measuring electrodes (at an interval of about 3 cm) were separately fixed to the skin sites covering the running courses of the ST Meridian (in the lateral interspace of the anterior tibial muscle)and the GB Meridian (in the interspace of the anterior edge of the fibula), and the excitation electrodes (at an interval of about 9 cm) respectively fixed to the skin sites covering the anterior tibial muscle and the interspace between the anterior tibial muscle and the tibia (about 2 cm and 5 cm lateral to the ST and GB meridians, and about 3－4 cm and 6－8 cm lateral to the ST and GB meridians, respectively). A 100 µA constant current with frequencies from 1 kHz to 100 kHz delivered via an excitation electrode was applied to the site (control spots of the ST Meridian), and signals of the voltage amplitude and phase difference of the tissues fed to the lock-in amplifier via the measuring electrode were collected, followed by measuring those of the GB Meridian and control sites. The circumference of the lower leg around the two excitation and measuring electrodes was measured. Then the cole-cole curve fitting was performed to calculate the Ri and Re, as well as the intracellular fluid resistivity (ρi) and extracellular fluid resistivity (ρe) of the ST and GB meridians, the related muscles and interspace lateral to ST or GB (ST/GB) meridians at the same level. RESULTS: The Ri and Re (Ω) values of the ST, GB, the muscle lateral to ST/GB and the interspace lateral to ST/GB were 19.1±1.3 and 28.3±1.4, 15.8±1.9 and 25.7±2.0, 19.6±1.3 and 31.3±1.6, and 19.4±1.2 and 32.4±1.6, respectively. The Re values were significantly lower at the ST and GB meridians than at the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to both meridians (P<0.05). The ρi and ρe values (Ω•cm) of the ST, GB, the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to ST/GB were 658.9±78.5 and 953.8±75.3, 528.0±90.1 and 833.9±101.7, 669.9±71.8 and 1 059.8±86.0, 655.9±64.8 and 1 099.3±93.3, respectively. The ρi and ρe values were significantly lower at the GB Meridian Than at the other three locntions, and the ρe value of ST Meridian was significantly lower than those of the muscle lateral to and the interspace lateral to ST/GB meridians (P<0.01)．. CONCLUSION: The Ri, Re, ρi and ρe values of the ST and GB meridians are significantly lower than those of their neighboring tissues at the same levels of the lower leg, suggesting a more extracellular fluid in the meridian running course and providing evidence for our speculation that the meridian is a hydraulic resistance channel.

Discussion on relationship between "living alone with closed windows and doors" and depression / 中国针灸

"Living alone with closed windows and doors"was mentioned in the pathological manifestations of stomach meridian of foot- in (), which is similar to the symptoms of depression. Currently the treatment of depression is mostly based on"spirit being stored in five organs"theory, and little attention is paid on stomach meridian of foot-. From the pathological manifestations of"living alone with closed windows and doors"in stomach meridian of foot-, the relationship between stomach meridian and depression is discussed from and -blood. In addition, the close relationship between the stomach meridian and -blood, movement of five organs, heart and brain is discussed to explore the mechanism of treating depression. In conclusion, the literature and modern research regarding treating depression from stomach meridian are summarized, hoping to provide more clinical methods for the treatment of depression.

Exploration of the meridian differentiation law in polycystic ovarian syndrome of hirsutism based on data mining technology / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the distribution characteristics of hirsutism and the law of meridian differentiation in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>For the patients of PCOS, the modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (mF-G score) was adopted to evaluate the hirsutism distribution. The clementine data mining software was used to analyze the distribution region of hirsutism and the correlation with meridian.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 141 patients of PCOS participated in the study. The most common regions of hirsutism were in the upper lip (50.35%) and the lower abdomen (34.04%). The higher frequencies of hirsutism at two regions were at the upper lip and lower abdomen (24.82%), the upper lip and chest (12.06%) and the upper lip and thigh (11.35%). In the analysis on the correlation of the upper lip, lower abdomen and chest with other regions, hirsutism was more common in the nearby regions. In reference to the running course of meridian, the frequencies of hirsutism from high to low were the conception vessel (63.12%), the thoroughfare vessel (61.70%), the liver meridian of foot-(58.16%) and the stomach meridian of foot-(57.45%). According to:-, the high incidence of hirsutism (59.57%） resulted from the change ofand blood inmeridian. .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blood plays the important role in the growth of body hair. Regarding theattribution, the incidence of hirsutism at theregions is higher than theregions. The occurrence of hirsutism is closely related toand blood changes in meridians. The conception vessel, the thoroughfare vessel, the liver meridian of foot-andmeridian act highly on the disease.</p>

Efficacy Observation of Electroacupuncture at the Three Groups of Stomach-Meridian Acupoints for Chronic Superficial Gastritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at the three groups of Stomach- Meridian acupoints in treating chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) and its effect on serum gastrin level and electrogastrogram, for providing clinical evidence for the experimental result of the three groups of Stomach-Meridian acupoints.Method Sixty-six CSG patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group by using stratified random method, 33 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by EA at the three groups of Stomach-Meridian acupoints, while the control group was intervened by EA with ordinary acupoints selection. The intervention was given once a day, successive 6 sessions as a treatment course, for 4 courses in total. The CSG symptoms and syndrome score, serum gastrin content, average amplitude of electrogastrogram, mean waveform frequency, and the percentage of gastric dysrhythmias were observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 90.9％ in the treatment group, versus 87.9％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The total scores dropped significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in comparing the total score between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05). The serum gastrin contents declined significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05), and there was no significant between-group difference in comparing the serum gastrin content after the treatment (P>0.05); the average amplitude and mean waveform frequency of preprandial and postprandial electrogastrogram increased significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and the percentage of gastric dysrhythmias dropped significantly (P<0.05); after the treatment, there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the average amplitude, mean waveform frequency and the percentage of gastric dysrhy- thmias of preprandial and postprandial electrogastrogram (P>0.05).Conclusion EA at the three groups of Stomach- Meridian acupoints can effectively improve the symptoms, down-regulate serum gastrin, help gastric motility, and restore gastric rhythm of CSG patients; its efficacy is equivalent to that of the classic acupoints group, i.e. Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV 12), and Zusanli (ST 36).

Efficacy Observation of Electroacupuncture at the Three Groups of Stomach-Meridian Acupoints for Chronic Superficial Gastritis / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at the three groups of Stomach- Meridian acupoints in treating chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) and its effect on serum gastrin level and electrogastrogram, for providing clinical evidence for the experimental result of the three groups of Stomach-Meridian acupoints.Method Sixty-six CSG patients were divided into a treatment group and a control group by using stratified random method, 33 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by EA at the three groups of Stomach-Meridian acupoints, while the control group was intervened by EA with ordinary acupoints selection. The intervention was given once a day, successive 6 sessions as a treatment course, for 4 courses in total. The CSG symptoms and syndrome score, serum gastrin content, average amplitude of electrogastrogram, mean waveform frequency, and the percentage of gastric dysrhythmias were observed before and after the intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 90.9％ in the treatment group, versus 87.9％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The total scores dropped significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in comparing the total score between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05). The serum gastrin contents declined significantly in both groups after the intervention (P<0.05), and there was no significant between-group difference in comparing the serum gastrin content after the treatment (P>0.05); the average amplitude and mean waveform frequency of preprandial and postprandial electrogastrogram increased significantly in both groups after the treatment (P<0.05), and the percentage of gastric dysrhythmias dropped significantly (P<0.05); after the treatment, there were no significant between-group differences in comparing the average amplitude, mean waveform frequency and the percentage of gastric dysrhy- thmias of preprandial and postprandial electrogastrogram (P>0.05).Conclusion EA at the three groups of Stomach- Meridian acupoints can effectively improve the symptoms, down-regulate serum gastrin, help gastric motility, and restore gastric rhythm of CSG patients; its efficacy is equivalent to that of the classic acupoints group, i.e. Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV 12), and Zusanli (ST 36).

[Action mechanism of electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints for oxidative damage in rats with gastric ulcer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at stomach meridian acupoints on expression of oxidation damage factors in serum and gastric mucosal cells in rats with gastric ulcer, and to explore the mechanism of EA at stomach meridian acupoints for oxidative damage in rats with gastric ulcer. METHODS: Forty clean-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a stomach meridian group and a gallbladder meridian group, ten rats in each one. Except the normal group, rats in the remaining groups were applied the restraint-cold stress method to establish the model of gastric ulcer. Rats in the normal group and model group received no treatment; rats in the stomach meridian group were treated with EA at "Liangmen" (ST 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36); rats in the gallbladder meridian group were treated with EA at "Riyue" (GB 24) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34). The EA was given for 30 min, once a day for 7 days totally. The change of gastric mucosal morphology was observed by routine light microscope; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expressions of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2(IL-2), interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum and gastric mucosal cells of rats. RESULTS: After treatment, compared with the model group, the gastric mucosal damage index was decreased in the stomach meridian group and gallbladder meridian group (both P<0.05), the expressions of MDA, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 in serum and gastric mucosal cells were significantly decreased in the stomach meridian group (all P<0.01), but the contents of GSH-Px in serum and gastric mucosal cells were increased significantly (both P<0.01). Compared with the gallbladder meridian group, the gastric mucosal damage index as well as the expressions of MDA,TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 in serum and gastric mucosal cells were significantly decreased in the stomach meridian group rats (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the contents of GSH-px in serum and gastric mucosal cells were increased significantly (both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EA at stomach meridian acupoints is likely to inhibit the expressions of oxidative damage factors to promote the repair of gastric mucosal injury, which indicates the correlation between meridians and zang-fu.

Action mechanism of electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints for oxidative damage in rats with gastric ulcer / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at stomach meridian acupoints on expression of oxidation damage factors in serum and gastric mucosal cells in rats with gastric ulcer, and to explore the mechanism of EA at stomach meridian acupoints for oxidative damage in rats with gastric ulcer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty clean-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a stomach meridian group and a gallbladder meridian group, ten rats in each one. Except the normal group, rats in the remaining groups were applied the restraint-cold stress method to establish the model of gastric ulcer. Rats in the normal group and model group received no treatment; rats in the stomach meridian group were treated with EA at "Liangmen" (ST 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36); rats in the gallbladder meridian group were treated with EA at "Riyue" (GB 24) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34). The EA was given for 30 min, once a day for 7 days totally. The change of gastric mucosal morphology was observed by routine light microscope; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expressions of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2(IL-2), interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum and gastric mucosal cells of rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, compared with the model group, the gastric mucosal damage index was decreased in the stomach meridian group and gallbladder meridian group (both<0.05), the expressions of MDA, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 in serum and gastric mucosal cells were significantly decreased in the stomach meridian group (all<0.01), but the contents of GSH-Px in serum and gastric mucosal cells were increased significantly (both<0.01). Compared with the gallbladder meridian group, the gastric mucosal damage index as well as the expressions of MDA,TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 in serum and gastric mucosal cells were significantly decreased in the stomach meridian group rats (<0.05,<0.01), and the contents of GSH-px in serum and gastric mucosal cells were increased significantly (both<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EA at stomach meridian acupoints is likely to inhibit the expressions of oxidative damage factors to promote the repair of gastric mucosal injury, which indicates the correlation between meridians and.</p>

Analysis of the resistances at the stomach meridian acupoints in chronic atrophic gastritis patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold syndromes / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To detect and analyze the resistance at the stomach meridian acupoints in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold syndromes, summarize the status of asthenia-sthenia at stomach meridian under this condition, in order to guide the clinical therapy with acupuncture and moxibustion.Methods From 2010 January to 2013 December, 83 CAG patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold syndromes were collected from No.306 Hospital of the PLA, the surface resistances on the bilateral stomach meridian stomach acupoints were detected,including Lidui, Neiting, Xiangu,Chongyang, Jiexi, Fenglong, Zusanli, Liangqiu, and the non-acupoints 1cm lateral to the point were set as controls. Zhu auricle holographic detector was adopted to detect the resistance at 20 points (about 0.5 cm2around the acupoints) in each acupoint, and the average value was calculated as the resistance value.Results Theresistances on the leftChongyang andright Chongyang were (9.64 ± 2.03) k? and (9.68 ± 2.02) k?, respectively, both were significantly lower than those on other acupoints, with statistically significant difference (allP<0.01); theresistances on the leftLiangqiu andright Liangqiu were (13.44 ± 2.11) k? and (13.68 ± 2.12) k?, respectively, both were significantly higher than those on other acupoints (all P<0.01).Conclusions The resistance on the stomach meridian stomach acupoints in CAG patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold syndromes is different, which may reflect the basic pathogenesis of CAG being the weakness of the spleen and stomach, qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Acupuncture Treatment Based on Lung-stomach Theory in Treating Post-infectious Cough / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture by selecting points from the Lung and Stomach Meridians based on the theory of accumulation in stomach and connection with lung in treating post-infectious cough.Method Ninety patients with post-infectious cough were randomized into treatment group 1, treatment group 2, and a control group. Treatment group 1 was intervened by acupuncture at points from the Lung and Stomach Meridians, treatment group 2 was by puncturing points from the Lung Meridian, and the control group was by oral administration of Compound Methoxyphenamine Capsule. Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was adopted for observation before and after intervention, and the symptom and clinical efficacies were compared between the groups.Result The total effective rate was 90.0% in treatment group 1, versus 83.3% in treatment group 2, and 80.0% in the control group. The total effective rate of treatment group 1 was significantly different from that in treatment group 2 and the control group (P<0.05). Regarding cough during the daytime, the total effective rate was 93.3% in treatment group 1, versus 83.3% in treatment group 2 and 76.7% in the control group. The total effective rate in treatment group 1 for cough during the daytime was significantly different from that in treatment group 2 and the control group, and the total effective rate in treatment group 2 was significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). For cough at night, the total effective rate in treatment group 1 was 86.7%, versus 80.0% in treatment group 2 and 80.0% in the control group. The total effective rate in treatment group 1 for cough at night was significantly different from that in treatment group 2 and the control group (P<0.05). The LCQ score in treatment group 1 was markedly different from that in treatment group 2 and the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture based on lung-stomach theory is an effective approach in treating post-infectious cough, and this method has an advantage of general regulation.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture in Treating Functional Dyspepsia / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treating functional dyspepsia (FD).Method Eighty FD patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by needling the specific points of the Stomach Meridian, while the control group was by Itopride hydrochloride tablets. The symptoms score and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated in the two groups.Result There was no significant difference in comparing the symptom score between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05); the symptoms score dropped significantly in both groups after intervention (P＜0.01); the difference in comparing the symptoms score between the two groups was statistically significant after intervention (P＜0.05). The total effective rate was 97.5% in the treatment group versus 67.5% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05), indicating that the total effective rate of acupuncture is higher than that of medication in treating FD.Conclusion Acupuncture at the specific points of the Stomach Meridian can obviously reduce FD symptom score, improve symptoms and enhance the total effective rate.

Survey of Research on Acupuncture Treatment of Peptic Ulcer / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

In reviewing and analyzing the study on the clinical selection of the acupoints for peptic ulcer in the recent ten years,it was found out that peptic ulcer was mostly treated by combination of multiple acupoints clinically,by the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach,and the combination of Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach with Lower He-sea point,indicating that Front-mu point and Back-shu point of the spleen and stomach and Lower He-sea point have the important functions in the treatment of peptic ulcer.