Two recent abstracts on AP

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Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2003 Jul 31 [Epub ahead of print].

The Pressor Effect of Electroacupuncture on Hemorrhagic Hypotension. Syuu

Y, Matsubara H, Hosogi S, Suga H. Department of Internal Medicine, University

of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Cardiovascular Physiology,

Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama,

Okayama, Japan. Neiguan (PC-6) is a traditional acupoint in each forearm and

overlies the trunk of the median nerve. Previous studies show that

electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan acupoint could improve not only myocardial

ischemic dysfunction by inducing a depressor response but also recover

hemorrhagic hypotension by inducing a pressor response. However, their

physiological mechanisms are not yet elucidated. We investigated the pressor

effect of Neiguan EA and its mechanism by focusing on left ventricular (LV)

performance in a canine hemorrhagic hypotension model. We hemorrhaged 36

anesthetized and thoracotomized mongrel dogs and decreased LV end-systolic

pressure (ESP) to approximately 70 mmHg (35% decrease). We obtained LV

pressure-volume (P-V) data with a micromanometer catheter and a

conductance catheter. One-hour Neiguan EA significantly recovered the

decreased ESP, end-diastolic volume, and stroke volume by 32+/-13%, 27+/-

13%, and 39+/-17%, respectively (P < 0.05), without changing heart rate and

the slope (Ees) of the end-systolic P-V relation. Neiguan EA inhibited a

hemorrhage-induced increase in plasma catecholamines. However, vecuronium

(neuromuscular blocking agent) administration abolished the anti-hypotension

effect of Neiguan EA. Furthermore, Neiguan EA was much more effective than a

non-acupoint thigh EA. We conclude that Neiguan EA achieved the anti-

hypotension effect by improving LV filling of the hemorrhage-depressed LV

performance despite the inhibition of the hemorrhage-increased plasma

catecholamines. This pressor effect seemed to accompany an increased

venous return by Neiguan EA-increased vasomotor tone and muscle pump. This

study demonstrated a scientific basis for the therapeutic efficacy of

acupuncture in the treatment of hemorrhagic hypotension and shock. PMID:

12893654 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Jul 30 [Epub ahead of print]. Acupuncture for

chronic low back pain in older patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Meng

CF, Wang D, Ngeow J, Lao L, Peterson M, Paget S. Department of

Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if acupuncture is an effective, safe adjunctive

treatment to standard therapy for chronic low back pain (LBP) in older patients.

METHODS: The inclusion criteria for subjects were: (i) LBP >/=12 weeks and

(ii) age >/=60 yr; the exclusion criteria were (i) spinal tumour, infection or

fracture and (ii) associated neurological symptoms. The subjects were

randomized to two groups. The control group of subjects continued their usual

care as directed by their physicians, i.e. NSAIDs, muscle relaxants,

paracetamol and back exercises. Subjects in the acupuncture group in addition

received biweekly acupuncture with electrical stimulation for 5 weeks. Outcome

was measured by the modified Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) at weeks

0, 2, 6 and 9. The primary outcome measure was change in RDQ score

between weeks 0 and 6. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled, with eight

drop-outs. Twenty-four subjects were randomized to the acupuncture group and

23 were randomized to the control group. Acupuncture subjects had a

significant decrease in RDQ score of 4.1 +/- 3.9 at week 6, compared with a

mean decrease of 0.7 +/- 2.8 in the control group (P = 0.001). This effect was

maintained for up to 4 weeks after treatment at week 9, with a decrease in RDQ

of 3.5 +/- 4.4 from baseline, compared with 0.43 +/- 2.7 in the control group (P

= 0.007). The mean global transition score was higher in the acupuncture

group, 3.7 +/- 1.2, indicating greater improvement, compared with the score in

the control group, 2.5 +/- 0.9 (P < 0.001). Fewer acupuncture subjects had

medication-related side-effects compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture is an effective, safe adjunctive treatment for

chronic LBP in older patients. PMID: 12890859 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

 

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