[Effect of electroacupuncture on colonic autophagy and AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in rats with acute ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） at "Zhongwan" （CV12）, "Tianshu" （ST25） and "Shangjuxu" （ST37） （an acupoint prescription "Changbingfang" for treatment of intestinal disorders） on autophagy and expression of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, medication and EA groups, with 8 rats in each group. The UC model was established by free drinking of 5% dextran sulfate sodium salt solution for 7 days. EA stimulation （10 Hz/50 Hz） was delivered to CV12, ST25 and ST37 for 20 min, once a day for 3 consecutive days. Rats of the medication group received gavage of mesalazine suspension （200 mg/kg） once a day, 3 times in total. The rats' general conditions were recorded for calculating the disease activity index （DAI） score （0-4 points）. Histomorphological changes of colon were observed via HE staining. The levels of serum interleukin 6 （IL-6）, tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expressions of LC3B and p62 were tested by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of LC3B, p62 and AMPK/mTOR pathway related proteins in colon tissues. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the DAI score, contents of serum IL-6 and TNF-α, the expression levels of p62 protein and mRNA, ratio of p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly increased （P<0.01）； while the content of serum IL-10, the expression levels of LC3B mRNA, ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ and p-AMPK/AMPK were decreased （P<0.01, P<0.05） in the model group. Relevant to the model group, modeling-induced increases of DAI score, serum IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 contents, expressions of p62 protein and mRNA, LC3B mRNA, ratio of p-mTOR/mTOR, LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ and p-AMPK/AMPK were reversed in both medication and EA groups （P<0.01, P<0.05）. The effect of EA was apparently superior to that of mesalazine in up-regulating ratio of LC3BⅡ/LC3BⅠ and p-AMPK/AMPK, p62 mRNA expression （P<0.01, P<0.05）, and in down-regulating ratio of p-mTOR/mTOR （P<0.05）. H.E. staining showed severe damage of the colonic mucosal barrier with infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells in the model group, which was milder in medication and EA groups. CONCLUSION: EA of acupoint recipe "Changbingfang" can improve the symptoms in UC rats, which may be related to its functions in promoting colonic autophagy, increasing AMPK phosphorylation level, and decreasing mTOR phosphorylation level.

Electroacupuncture Reduces Visceral Pain Via Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors in a Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results in chronic abdominal pain in patients due to the presence of inflammatory responses in the colon. Electroacupuncture (EA) is effective in alleviating visceral pain and colonic inflammation associated with IBD. Cannabinoid CB2 receptor agonists also reduce colonic inflammation in a mouse model of IBD. However, whether EA reduces visceral pain and colonic inflammation via the CB2 receptor remains unknown. Here, we determined the mechanism of the antinociceptive effect of EA in a mouse model of IBD induced by rectal perfusion of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid solution (TNBS). EA or sham EA was performed at the bilateral Dachangshu (BL25) point for seven consecutive days. The von Frey and colorectal distension tests were performed to measure mechanical referred pain and visceral pain. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays were carried out to determine the expression of IL-1ß and iNOS and activation of macrophages in the colon tissues. We found that EA, but not sham EA, attenuated visceral hypersensitivity and promoted activation of CB2 receptors, which in turn inhibited macrophage activation and the expression of IL-1ß and iNOS. The effects of EA were blocked by AM630, a specific CB2 receptor antagonist, and by CB2 receptor knockout. Our findings suggest that EA attenuates mechanical allodynia and visceral hypersensitivity associated with IBD by activating CB2 receptors and subsequent inhibition of macrophage activation and expression of IL-1ß and iNOS.

[Effect of electroacupunture on supplementary analgesia and the levels of serum ß-endorphin and prostaglandin E2 in patients with total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on supplementary analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) treated with electroacupunture, and explore it's mechanism. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. During the operation, patients were given epidural anesthesia in the two groups, conventional patient controlled epidural analgesia and oral celecoxib were applied after the operation. In the observation group, electroacupunture was used at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Qiuxu (GB 40) on the operation side from the 1st to 7th day after the operation to support analgesia, 30 min for each time, once a day. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record postoperative pain of resting state and active state. The levels of serum prostaglandin E2 and ß-endorphin were measured on the 1st and 7th day after surgery in the two groups. RESULTS: In the observation group, the VAS scores of resting state and active state were superior to the control group on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after the operaton (all P<0.05); after the treatment, the level of serum ß-endorphin was increased and the level of serum prostaglandin E2 was reduced in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the change of the observation group was larger than that of the control group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupunture has the effect of supplementary analgesia for patients after TKA, the mechanism may be related to promote the synthesis of ß-endorphin and inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin E2.

Effect of electroacupunture on supplementary analgesia and the levels of serum β-endorphin and prostaglandin E in patients with total knee arthroplasty / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect on supplementary analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) treated with electroacupunture, and explore it's mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 40 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. During the operation, patients were given epidural anesthesia in the two groups, conventional patient controlled epidural analgesia and oral celecoxib were applied after the operation. In the observation group, electroacupunture was used at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Qiuxu (GB 40) on the operation side from the 1st to 7th day after the operation to support analgesia, 30 min for each time, once a day. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record postoperative pain of resting state and active state. The levels of serum prostaglandin E and β-endorphin were measured on the 1st and 7th day after surgery in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In the observation group, the VAS scores of resting state and active state were superior to the control group on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after the operaton (all <0.05); after the treatment, the level of serum β-endorphin was increased and the level of serum prostaglandin E was reduced in the two groups (all <0.05), and the change of the observation group was larger than that of the control group (both <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupunture has the effect of supplementary analgesia for patients after TKA, the mechanism may be related to promote the synthesis of β-endorphin and inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin E.

La electroacupuntura y principales mecanismos asociados al control postural de enfermedades neurológicas: revisión bibliográfica / Electroacupunture and main mechanisms associated with postural control in neurological disease: literature review

El control postural es la capacidad de mantener el cuerpo en una posición sin oscilaciones o caídas, capacidad que es fundamental para el desarrollo de habilidades motoras y la funcionalidad Los enfermedades neurológicos han sido caracterizadas por limitaciones en el control postural, llevando o disfunciones del movimiento,funcionalidad y calidad de vida en la población adulto. la electroacupuntura (EA) es una terapia que podría contribuir a la mejoría del control postural, ligado a mecanismos de analgesia, que facilitarían la movilidad aumentos de circulación cerebral y liberación de factores neurotróficos en zonas asociados al control del movimiento. Sin embargo, es necesario entender con mayor profundidad estos mecanismos. Por esa razón, esta revisión busca identificar y comprender los efectos terapéuticos de la EA en el control postural en enfermedades neurológicos.

Postural control is the capacity to keep the body in a position without oscillation or falls, this ability is important for the development of mobility skilIs and functionality. Neurological diseases have been characterized by limitations in postural control, leading to dysfunction of movement, functionality and quality of ljfe. Electroacupunture (EA) is a therapy which could contribute to the improvement o postural control associated to analgesic mechanisms, that facilitate the mobility, increasing the cerebral circulation and release of neurotrophic factors in area associated with movement control However it is necessary to understand better about these mechanisms. For this reason, this review aimed to identify and comprehend the therapeutic effects of the EA on the control postural in neurological diseases.

Tackling Osteoarthritic Knee Pain with Electroacupuncture.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used in pain relief. Clinical evidence has revealed its unique advantages and effectiveness in alleviating pain. Studies on EA and pain relief have revealed that EA displays greater analgesic effects for different types of pain in comparison to manual acupuncture. Here, we reviewed the clinical application and mechanism of EA in treating osteoarthritic knee pain and its influence factors in curative effect.

Electroacupuncture inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation through CB2 receptors in inflammatory pain.

The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on inflammatory pain has been well recognized clinically. The inflammasome promotes the maturation of the inflammatory cytokines, and EA can stimulate cannabinoid CB2 receptors in inflamed tissues. In this study we investigated whether EA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation through CB2 receptors and thus relieving inflammatory pain. Assay of Caspase-1 activity and western blotting revealed that complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection activated the NLRP3 inflammasome in the skin tissue in rats, which was attenuated by EA treatment. Immunofluorescence labeling showed that NLRP3 inflammasome elicited by CFA in the skin macrophages were decreased by EA. Nociceptive behavioral tests demonstrated that in CB2 receptor knockout mice, the EA effects on NLRP3 inflammasomes were largely attenuated. In addition, in vitro studies in a macrophage cell line showed that CB2 receptor stimulation inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, our results suggest a novel signaling pathway through which CB2 receptors are involved in the analgesic effect of EA on inflammatory pain. Stimulation of CB2 receptors inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation in inflamed skin tissues. These results suggest that EA reduces the inflammatory pain by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through CB2 receptors. Our findings provide novel information about the mechanisms through which EA and CB2 receptor activation reduce inflammatory pain.

Tackling Osteoarthritic Knee Pain with Electroacupuncture / 中国结合医学杂志

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used in pain relief. Clinical evidence has revealed its unique advantages and effectiveness in alleviating pain. Studies on EA and pain relief have revealed that EA displays greater analgesic effects for different types of pain in comparison to manual acupuncture. Here, we reviewed the clinical application and mechanism of EA in treating osteoarthritic knee pain and its influence factors in curative effect.

The effects of electroacupuncture treatment on the postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Many literatures have proven that postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was very common in old patients after the injury of acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (AMIR) clinically such as the off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) without definite mechanism; however, reports on the animal experiments were rarely seen. We hypothesized that AMIR could contribute to cognitive dysfunction, and this severe injury might be impeded by EA via hindering neuroinflammation and oxidative stress response as well as modulating the balance of the autonomic nervous system. The aged male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: sham (sham operation), AMIR, and EA (electroacupunture treatment, acupoints GV20 and ST36+AMIR) groups. The survival rate, heart rate variability analysis, examination of pathology within the hippocampal CA1, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and the behavior testing were evaluated by their corresponding methods. The results showed that the rats subjected to AMIR had lower survival rates, higher malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, more microglial activation, and presented evidence of severe brain injury and cognitive dysfunction on the 1st, 3rd, 7th days after reperfusion compared to sham-operated controls. Most important of all, the above damages induced by the AMIR were significantly improved by the EA treatment. Our findings indicated that EA treatment could be a neuroprotective therapy for the cognitive dysfunction induced by the AMIR event, which might be attributablefor balancing the autonomic nervous system, inhibiting the neuronic apoptosis, hindering microglial activation, attenuating oxidative stress and restraining the central and peripheral inflammation reactions.

Electroacupuncture improves cardiac function and remodeling by inhibition of sympathoexcitation in chronic heart failure rats.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, mainly as a result of neurohumoral activation. Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the sympathetic nerve activity, heart function, and remodeling in CHF rats after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. CHF rats were randomly selected to EA and control groups for acute and chronic experiments. In the acute experiment, both the renal sympathetic nerve activity and cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex elicited by epicardial application of capsaicin were recorded. In the chronic experiment, we performed EA for 30 min once a day for 1 wk to test the long-term EA effects on heart function, remodeling, as well as infarct size in CHF rats. The results show EA significantly decreased the renal sympathetic nerve activity effectively, inhibited cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex, and lowered the blood pressure of CHF rats. Treating CHF rats with EA for 1 wk dramatically increased left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fraction shortening, reversed the enlargement of left ventricular end-systolic dimension and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, and shrunk the infarct size. In this experiment, we demonstrated EA attenuates sympathetic overactivity. Additionally, long-term EA improves cardiac function and remodeling and reduces infarct size in CHF rats. EA is a novel and potentially useful therapy for treating CHF.

Effect of electroacupuncture on ROCK1 and ROCK2 expression in rat peri-infarct cortex after focal cerebral infarction / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on the expression of Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) and Rho-associated kinase 2 (ROCK2) in rat peri-infarct cortex after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), so as to study the underlying mechanism by which EA improves cerebral ischemia. Methods Totally 40 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were equally randomized into four groups, control group, sham-operation group, model group and EA group. MACO in the model group and EA group was successfully established by an improved Longa procedure. EA was given 90 min after resuscitation for the EA group, once a day for 14 days. The modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) of rats in each group were determined on the 1st day, 3rd day, 7th day and the 14th day after operation. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in the brain 14 d after operation. Results Neural dysfunction was not observed in the control group and sham-operation group. The values ofmNSS were significantly different between model group and EA group at 7 d, 14 d after operation (P<0. 05). Both immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting analysis indicated that the expression levels of ROCK1 and ROCK2 were up-regulated in model group, while those in EA group were significantly less than those in the model group (P<0. 05). Conclusion The expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 is up-regulated in rat cortex after focal cerebral infarction, and the up-regulation can be prevented by EA intervention, which might be oneof the mechanisms by which EA promotes the recovery of neurological dysfunction after cerebral infarction.

Comparison and Observation about the Immediate Effect of Postoperative Distension of the Abdomen with Electroacupunctuving Zusanli and Shangjuxu Points / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To contrast the influence of using the electro-needling machine on the Zusanli(ST36) or Shangjuxu(ST37) ,or on the two points both to treat the postoperative distension of the abdomen.And simultaneously to obverse whether using the two points together has the coordination effect or antagonistic effect.[Method] Adopting the stochastic grouping contrastive technique,dividing the 100 patients into the Zusanli group,the Shangjuxu group,the cooperative group and the blank group. To contrastively observe each situation,including the abdominal rumbles sound,the abdominal pain,the transformation of the incidental symptoms and the first time of exhaust,before and after the acupuncture treatment in each group.[Result]The treatment group has the therapeutic effect,with the blank group comparison,having the significant difference(P0.05)with each other.There's no obvious coordination effect or antagonistic effect during the treatment in the cooperative group. [Conclusion] Using the electro-acupunture on Zusanli,Shangjuxu can play an important part in improving the recuperation of the gastrointestinal function after surgical treatment. It also can obviously relieve uncomfortable postoperative symptoms.

Mechanism of Electroacupuncture of Zusanli in Protecting Gastric Mucosa of Dogs / 广州中医药大学学报

To explore the mechanism of electroacupunture (EA) of Zusanli (ST36)in protecting gastric mucosa of dogs.Twenty mongrel dogs were randomly allocated to four groups: blank control group (Group A), non acupoint group (Group B), Shangjuxu (ST37) group (Group C) and Zusanli (ST36) group (Group D). Dynamic gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) was monitored by laser Doppler flowmeter and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) contents in plasma and gastric mucosa were measured simultaneously by radioimmunoassay method. After sixty minutes of EA, GMBF and CGRP contents in plasma and gastric mucosa were increased in Group D (P

MORPHOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF EFFECTS OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON BRAIN INFARCT RAT / 解剖学报

0.05) 1 day after acupuncture.There was a significant difference in the damage neurons of penumbrazone between the acupuncture and control groups(P