This week's Medline abstracts on acupuncture

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See these:

 

Chen F, Wu S, Zhang Y. [Effect of acupoint catgut embedding on TNF-alpha

and insulin resistance in simple obesity patients][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci

Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):49-52. People's Hospital of Wuhan University,

Wuhan 430060, China OBJECTIVE: To investigate the underlying

mechanism of acupoint-catgut-embedding in the treatment of simple

obesity. METHODS: Eighty simple obesity patients were randomly and

evenly divided into acupoint-catgut-embedding group and acupuncture

group according to the random number table method. Main acupoints

selected on the basis of differentiation of symptoms and signs were Liangqiu

(ST 34), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Shuifen (CV 9), Fenglong (ST

40) and Ashi-point. Catgut embedding was performed once a week, with 4

weeks being a therapeutic course. Acupuncture was given once daily in the

1st 5 days, and once, every other day thereafter. Before and after the

treatment, body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) were detected;

fasting blood samples were collected from the ulnar vein for detecting insulin

(FINS) and glucose (FBG) contents, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha

concentration with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and

insulin resistance index (IR) was calculated by using Homeostasis Model

Assessment (HOMA). RESULTS: Compared with control group, values of

BW, BMI, serum FINS, serum FBG, serum TNF-alpha contents and HOMA-

IR of acupoint-catgut-embedding and acupuncture groups were significantly

higher (P < 0.01) before the treatment. Compared with pretreatment, BW,

BMI, FINS, HOMA-IR and TNF-alpha of both acupoint-catgut-embedding

and acupuncture groups decreased significantly after one course of

treatment (P < 0.05, 0.01), but no significant differences were found

between these two groups in these 6 indexes (P > 0.05). After the treatment,

of the two 40 cases in acupuncture and acupoint-catgut-embedding groups,

12 and 13 were cured, 13 and 15 had a marked improvement, 10 and 8 had

an improvement, 5 and 4 failed, with the effective rates being 87.5% and

90.0% respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups

in the effective rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both acupoint-catgut-

embedding and acupuncture have a definite therapeutic effect in the

treatment of simple obesity, which is closely associated with the decline of

serum insulin, glucose and TNF-alpha levels, and the decrease of insulin

resistance. PMID: 17580441 [PubMed - in process]

 

He J, Shen PF. [Clinical study on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the

treatment of post-stroke depression][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu.

2007 Feb;32(1):58-61. First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of

, Tianjin 300193, China. OBJECTIVE: To observe the

therapeutic effect of " Xingnao Kaiqiao Zhenfa " (Acupuncture Technique for

Restoring Consciousness) in the treatment of post-stroke depression.

METHODS: A total of 256 stroke patients were divided into acupuncture

group (n = 180, male 138, female 42) and medication group (n = 76, male

57 and female 19) according to their visiting sequence to our hospital.

Acupoints used were Neiguan (PC 6), Renzhong (GV 26), Baihui (GV 20),

Yintang (EX-HN 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6,the affected side) and the needles

were retained for 20 min every time. Patients of medication group were

asked to take Amitriptyline (50 mg/d at first, 200 mg/d). Acupuncture

treatment was conducted twice daily, and after one month's treatment the

therapeutic effect was evaluated. Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) were used to assess the

patient's state of depression. RESULTS: After the treatment, of the 180 and

76 cases in acupuncture and medication groups, 31 (17.2%) and 13 (17.1%)

were cured, 73 (40.6%) and 18 (23.7%) had a marked improvement in their

depression state, 27 (15.0%) and 12 (15.8%) had an improvement, 49

(27.2%) and 33 (43.4%) failed, with the effective rates being 72.8% and

56.6% respectively. The markedly effective rate and the total effective rate of

acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of medication group

(P < 0.05). After the treatment, the total scores of SDS and HRSD and the

severity index of two groups decreased pronouncedly in comparison with

those of their individual pre-treatment; and the therapeutic effects of

acupuncture group were significantly better than those of medication group

in reducing SDS, HRSD and severity index (P < 0 .05). In addition, the

decreased values of depression, pessimistic mood and irritability of

acupuncture group were all bigger than those of medication group (P <

0.05). No significant difference was found between two groups in the

decreased value of insomnia (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: " Acupuncture

Technique for Restoring Consciousness " can effectively improve depression

patients' symptoms and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is markedly

superior to that of medication for post-stroke patients. PMID: 17580443

[PubMed - in process]

 

Huang YL, Liang FR, Wu X. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):68-70.

[Evaluation and analysis on the methodology of clinical trials of acupuncture

treatment of dysphagia due to ischemic stroke][Article in Chinese] Chengdu

University of , Chengdu 610075, China. From the angle of

clinical study methodology, the authors of the present paper sum up the

related articles on acupuncture treatment of dysphagia caused by ischemic

stroke published in the past decade from 1) randomized control trials, 2)

non-controlled observation on a group of cases, and 3) case report. The

authors point out some defects as lack of description on the random

method, lack of united standards for acupoint recipes, acupuncture-needle

manipulations, duration of treatment, united and authorized standards for

assessing the therapeutic effect, intent-to-treat analysis, etc in the current

clinical studies on acupuncture treatment of apoplectic dysphagia, and thus,

the rationality and reliability of conclusions about the therapeutic effects of

acupuncture for apoplectic dysphagia in many articles are limited. In order to

further confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture for dysphagia resulting from

ischemic stroke and to provide enough and reliable clinical evidence, it is

necessary to adopt the principles and methods of evidence-based medicine

to improve our clinical trials and particularly to look for the best model

favoring the development of acu-moxibustion study in the coming days.

PMID: 17580445 [PubMed - in process]

 

Li JJ, Chen RM, Liu L, Wang SY, Yu P, Xie Y, Li M, Shi J. [Effects of

electroacupuncture on the immunoreactivity of focal cutaneous CB2

receptor positive cells in arthritis rats][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu.

2007 Feb;32(1):9-15. Dept of Neurobiology, Tongji Medical College of

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

junjun.168 OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of

electroacupuncture (EA) on the immunoreactivity of focal cutaneous

cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) positive cells in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats.

METHODS: A total of 48 adult female SD rats were randomly divided into

control group (n = 12), model group (n = 12), acupoint group (n = 12), and

non-acupoint group (n = 12). Arthritis model was established by hypodermic

injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, 50 microL) into the left ankle

joint. EA (2/ 15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to " Huantiao " (GB 30) and

" Yanglingquan " (GB 34) or two control points 5 mm left to GB30 and GB34

on the diseased side for 30 min, once every other day from the second day

on after injection of CFA. Behavioral performance (pain test score) was

assesed by using dorsiflexion and plantarflexion pain tests. On the 6th and

16th day after injection of CAF, the animals were anesthetized with 20%

urethane (1 g/kg) for collecting the focal skin and subcutaneous tissue

samples which were cut into sections (5 microm) to be stained with HE

(haematoxylin & cosin) method and immunohistochemical technique

respectively for observing changes of the focal cells of the inflamatory tissue

and the immunoactivity of the focal cutaneous CB receptor positive cells.

RESULTS: 1) In comparison with control group, the scores of both

dorsiflexion and plantarflexion pain tests in model, acupoint and non-

acupoint groups increased evidently after modeling (P < 0.05). Compared

with model group, the scores of dorsiflexion test on the 3rd day and 5th day

and plantarflexion test on the 5th day in EA-acupoint group were

considerably lower (P < 0.05), and the scores of the two tests on the 3rd day

and 5th day of acupoint group were also markedly lower than those of non-

acupoint group (P < 0.05), suggesting a marked pain-relief after EA; while

no significant differences were found between non-acupoint and model

groups. 2) HE staining showed that the inflammatory cells in the dermal

layer of the focus of acupoint group were evidently fewer than those of

model and non-acupoint groups on the 6th day and 16th day after modeling.

3) The immunohistochemical results revealed that compared with control

group, on the 6th day, the percentages of CB2 receptor positive cell area in

the focus of model, non-acupoint and acupoint groups were significantly

higher (P < 0.05), and that of acupoint group was markedly higher than

those of model and non-acupoint groups (P < 0.05), suggesting further

upregulation of the expression of CB2 receptor positive cells; no significant

differences of percentages of CB2 receptor immunoreaction positive cell

area among model, non-acupoint and acupoint groups were found on the

16th day (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of GB30 and GB34 can raise the

immunoactivity of cutaneous CB2 receptor positive cells in the inflammatory

tissue which maybe contribute to its effects in relieving inflammatory pain

and suppressing focal inflammation and adjusting the balance of nociception

and antinociception in AA rats. PMID: 17580433 [PubMed - in process]

 

Li W, Lai XS. [Changes of interleukin-1beta and TNF-alpha contents in the

hippocampus and the interventional effect of electroacupuncture in vascular

dementia rats][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):34-7.

Guangzhou University of , Guangzhou 510405, China.

wangli.china OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship between

changes of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

(TNF-alpha) contents in the hippocampus and learning-memory ability in

vascular dementia (VD) rats and the interventional effect of

electroacupuncture (EA) on the contents of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.

METHODS: SD rats were randomized into control group (n = 10), model

group (n = 11) and EA group (n = 12). VD model was established by using

Pulsinelli's 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO) technique. EA (2 mA, 50 Hz) was

applied to " Baihui " (GV 20) and " Dazhui " (GV 14) for 20 min, once a day and

continuously for 15 days. The rats' learning-memory abilities were tested by

Morris water-maze (place navigation test and special probe test)

continuously for 6 days, and then the rats were sacrificed for taking

hippocampus tissue which was homogenized for detecting IL-1beta and

TNF-alpha contents by using radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique.

RESULTS: Place navigation test and special probe test showed that

compared with control group, the mean escape latencies and the times of

crossing the original platform quadrant in model group and EA group were

significantly longer and more (P < 0.01). Comparison between model group

and EA group indicated that the escape latency of the later group was

markedly shorter than that of the former group (P < 0.05), no significant

differences were found between EA group and control group in the staying

duration in the original platform quadrant (P > 0.05), suggesting an

improvement of learning-memory abilities after EA. In comparison with

control group, both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contents in the hippocampus

tissue were significantly higher in model group and EA group (P < 0.05,

0.01), and those of EA group were considerably lower than those of model

group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA can improve VD rats' learning-memory

abilities, which is closely associated with its effects in suppressing VD-

induced increase of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in the hippocampus.

PMID: 17580438 [PubMed - in process]

 

Lin J, Huang H, Ding GH, Zhang D. [Relationship between the function of

mast cells and acupuncture analgesia in adjuvant arthritis rats][Article in

Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):16-9. Dept of Mechanics and

Engineering Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between mast cell

degranulation and acupuncture analgesia. METHODS: A total of 58 SD male

rats were randomly divided into control (n = 12), model (n = 12), needle-

retaining (n = 12), electroacupuncture (EA, n = 12) and manual-acupuncture

(MA, n = 10) groups. Arthritis model was established by injection of

complete Freund's adjuvant (0.05 mL) into the left ankle-joint. The paw

withdrawal latency (PWL) was detected with a radiant heat algesimeter.

Electroacupuncture (EA, 2/100 Hz, 0.5-1.5 mA) or manual acupuncture

(lifting and thrusting force being 240-280 mN, torque being 10-15 mN x mm,

3 times/s) were applied to " Zusanli " (ST 36) on the affected side for 30 min

in the corresponding group. After decapitation (under anesthesia), skin

tissue around the stimulated ST36 was sampled, cut into sections (5

microm), and stained with Toluidine Blue for observing the count of

degranulated mast cells. RESULTS: In comparison with control group, PWL

values of model, needle-retaining, EA and MA groups decreased

significantly after modeling (P < 0.01); while compared with needle-retaining

group, PWL values of EA and MA group increased considerably (P < 0.01),

suggesting production of analgesia. After EA and MA stimulation,

degranulation of mast cells in the stimulated ST36 area appeared

apparently. Compared with needle-retaining group, the degranulation ratios

of mast cells in EA and MA groups were obviously higher (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Both EA and MA stimulation of " Zusanli " (ST 36) can

effectively raise pain threshold, simultaneously, and enhance the

degranulation ratio of mast cells in the stimulated ST36 area. PMID:

17580434 [PubMed - in process]

 

Liu S, Zhou W, Ruan X, Li R, Lee T, Weng X, Hu J, Yang G. Activation of

the hypothalamus characterizes the response to acupuncture stimulation in

heroin addicts. Neurosci Lett. 2007 Jun 2; [Epub ahead of print] Ningbo

Addiction Research and Treatment Center, Ningbo 315010, China.

Acupuncture stimulation elicited a composite of sensations termed deqi that

is related to clinical efficacy. Neurobiological studies have identified the

hypothalamus as an important component in mediating the deqi. Functional

changes in hypothalamus persist after abstinence in addicts. We

investigated the activation in the hypothalamus associated with acupuncture

stimulation in healthy volunteers and heroin addicts by fMRI. Cortisol level

and psychophysical responses, including the deqi sensation (an

acupuncture effect of needle-manipulation), anxiety, and sharp pain, were

also assessed. The activation of the hypothalamus was more robust in the

addicts than that in the healthy subjects during acupuncture stimulation. The

deqi scores of the heroin addicts were significantly higher than those of the

healthy subjects during acupuncture treatment. An acupuncture sensation

scale predicted the activation of the hypothalamus associated with the deqi

sensation. PMID: 17574746 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Manheimer E, Linde K, Lao L, Bouter LM, Berman BM. Ann Intern Med.

2007 Jun 19;146(12):868-77. Meta-analysis: acupuncture for osteoarthritis

of the knee. Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School

of Medicine, Kernan Hospital Mansion, Baltimore, Maryland 21207, USA.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and functional

limitation. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture for treating

knee osteoarthritis. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Central Register of

Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases to January 2007. No

language restrictions were applied. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized trials

longer than 6 weeks in duration that compared needle acupuncture with a

sham, usual care, or waiting list control group for patients with knee

osteoarthritis. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently agreed on

eligibility, assessed methodological quality and acupuncture adequacy, and

extracted outcome data on pain and function measures. DATA SYNTHESIS:

Eleven trials met the selection criteria, and 9 reported sufficient data for

pooling. Standardized mean differences were calculated by using

differences in improvements from baseline between patients assigned to

acupuncture and those assigned to control groups. Compared with patients

in waiting list control groups, patients who received acupuncture reported

clinically relevant short-term improvements in pain (standardized mean

difference, -0.96 [95% CI, -1.21 to -0.70]) and function (standardized mean

difference, -0.93 [CI, -1.16 to -0.69]). Patients who received acupuncture

also reported clinically relevant short- and long-term improvements in pain

and function compared with patients in usual care control groups. Compared

with a sham control, acupuncture provided clinically irrelevant short-term

improvements in pain (standardized mean difference, -0.35 [CI, -0.55 to -

0.15]) and function (standardized mean difference, -0.35 [CI, -0.56 to -0.14])

and clinically irrelevant long-term improvements in pain (standardized mean

difference, -0.13 [CI, -0.24 to -0.01]) and function (standardized mean

difference, -0.14 [CI, -0.26 to -0.03]). LIMITATION: Sham-controlled trials

had heterogeneous results that were probably due to the variability of

acupuncture and sham protocols, patient samples, and settings.

CONCLUSIONS: Sham-controlled trials show clinically irrelevant short-term

benefits of acupuncture for treating knee osteoarthritis. Waiting list-

controlled trials suggest clinically relevant benefits, some of which may be

due to placebo or expectation effects. PMID: 17577006 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Ren XJ, Ma HF, Wang XN, Hong YZ, Shi YC, Tu Y. [Effect of acupuncture

on serum lipid and cerebral neurogrowth factor levels in hyperlipemia rats

with concurrent cerebral ischemia][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007

Feb;32(1):24-8. College of Acu-moxibustion, Beijing University of Chinese

Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of

electroacupuncture (EA) on serum lipid and cerebral neurogrowth factor

(NGF) in rats with hyperlipemia and cerebral ischemia (CI). METHODS: A

total of 36 SD rats were evenly randomized into control, model, EA-I and EA-

II groups with 9 cases in each group. Hyperlipemia plus CI model was

established by feeding the rats with high-fat foodstuff (6 weeks) and FeCI3-

evoked middle-cerebral-artery (MCA) occlusion method. EA (15 Hz, 1-3 mA)

was applied to " Sanyinjiao " (SP 6) and " Fenglong " (ST 40) for 20 min, once

daily, continuously for 7 days, additionally, " Baihui " (GV 20) and

" Shuigou " (GV 26) were punctured and stimulated with hand, which was

conducted first before MCA occlusion for rats of group EA-I and after MCA

occlusion for rats of group EA-II separately. Fasting blood samples (2

mL/rat) were taken for detecting serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride

(TG), low density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipid cholesterol

(HDL-C) levels. After decapitation of the rats, cerebral tissues were taken,

homogenated for detecting NGF content with ABC-ELISA (enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay) and some other cerebral tissues were cut into

sections (6 microm)for observing structural changes of the brain after

staining with haematoxylin and cosin (HE) method. RESULTS: Compared

with control group, serum TC, TG and LDL-C contents of model, EA-I and

EA-II groups increased significantly on day 42 and 59 after modeling (P <

0.01), and HDL-C content of model, EA-I and EA-II groups decreased

markedly on day 42 after modeling (P < 0.01). Compared with model group,

TC contents of both EA-I and EA-II groups, and TG and LDL-C of EA-I

group decreased significantly on day 59 after establishing the model (P <

0.05, 0.01). No significant differences were found between EA-I and EA-II

groups in the 4 indexes of blood lipid (P > 0.05). HE staining showed that in

model group, neuronal ischemic injury including cellular swelling, edema and

nuclear fragmentation in the striatum and the cortex of parietal lobe,

widening of the cellular interspace. vacuolation, irregularity of the kytoplasm

and karyolemma, etc in CA3 region of hippocampus was apparent, while the

situation in EA groups was lighter. Regarding the changes of NGF,

compared with control group, NGF contents of model group and EA-I group

were significantly lower (P < 0.01); while compared with model group, NGF

content of EA-I was significantly higher (P < 0.01); and that of EA-lI group

was markedly lower than that of EA-I group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA

can lower the levels of serum TC, LDL-C and TG and suppress cerebral

ischemia plus hyperlipemia induced decrease of NGF level in the brain,

which may contribute to its effect in relieving ischemic cerebral injury. PMID:

17580436 [PubMed - in process]

 

Sandberg ML, Sandberg MK, Dahl J. Blood Flow Changes in the Trapezius

Muscle and Overlying Skin Following Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve

Stimulation. Phys Ther. 2007 Jun 19; [Epub ahead of print] Dept of

Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Pain and

Rehabilitation Centre, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various researchers have studied the

effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on

hemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of

TENS on local blood flow in the trapezius muscle and overlying skin.

SUBJECTS:/b> Thirty-three women who were healthy, aged 25 to 55 years,

were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 different modes of TENS.

METHODS:/b> Skin and muscle blood flow were monitored noninvasively

using a new application of photoplethysmography for 15 minutes of TENS

applied at high frequency (80 Hz) and sensory-level intensity and at low

frequency (2 Hz) and motor-level intensity and for 15 minutes after

stimulation. Subliminal 80-Hz TENS was used as a control. Blood flow was

monitored simultaneously on stimulated and nonstimulated shoulders.

RESULTS: /b> Blood flow in the trapezius muscle, but not skin blood flow,

increased significantly with motor-level 2-Hz TENS, whereas no increase

occurred with sensory-level 80-Hz TENS or subliminal 80-Hz TENS.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Muscle contractions induced by motor-

level 2-Hz TENS appear to be a prerequisite for increasing blood flow in the

trapezius muscle. However, high stimulation intensity may prevent increased

blood flow in the overlying skin. PMID: 17578938 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

Thayer ML. The use of acupuncture in dentistry. Dent Update. 2007

May;34(4):244-6, 249-50. Dept of Surgical Dentistry, Central Cheshire PCT,

Ashfields Primary Care Centre, Sandbach, Cheshire, UK. Acupuncture is an

ancient technique that has regained popularity in the UK over the last 20

years or so. This paper gives an overview in the concepts of acupuncture,

both traditional and western, and indicates some of the appropriate uses for

the technique in dental practice. Clinical Relevance: Acupuncture has an

important role to play in improving the quality of care that can be delivered

for dental patients, particularly around the management of the gag reflex,

and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). PMID: 17580824

[PubMed - in process]

 

Wang W, Liu L, Zhi X, Huang JB, Liu DX, Wang H, Kong XQ, Xu HB.Study

on the regulatory effect of electro-acupuncture on hegu point (LI4) in

cerebral response with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Chin J

Integr Med. 2007 Mar;13(1):10-6. Radiology Dept, Union Hospital Affiliated

to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology,

Wuhan. OBJECTIVE: To study, through blood oxygen level dependent

functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI), the cerebral activated

areas evoked by electro-acupuncturing (EA) the right Hegu point (L14) or

non-acupoint points on the face, and through comparing their similarities

and differences, to speculate on the specific cerebral areas activated by

stimulating L14, for exploring the mechanism of its effect in potential clinical

application. METHODS: EA was applied at volunteers' right L14 (of 9

subjects in the L14 group) and facial non-acupoint points (of 5 subjects in

the control group), and whole brain 3-dimensional T1 anatomical imaging of

high resolution 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) used was performed with clustered

stimulatory mode adopted by BOLD fMRI. Pretreatment and statistical t-test

were conducted on the data by SPM2 software, then the statistical

parameters were superimposed to the 3-dimensional anatomical imaging.

RESULTS: Data from 3 testees of the 9 subjects in the L14 group were

given up eventually because they were unfit to the demand due to different

causes such as movement of patients' location or machinery factors.

Statistical analysis showed that signal activation or deactivation was found in

multiple cerebral areas in 6 subjects of L14 group and 5 subjects of the

control group (P<0.01). In the L14 group, the areas which showed signal

activation were: midline nuclear group of thalamus, left supra marginal

gyrus, left supra temporal gyrus, right precuneous lobe, bilateral temporal

pole, left precentral gyrus and left cerebellum; those which showed signal

deactivation were: bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala

body area, rostral side/ audal side of cingulate gyrus, prefrontal lobe and

occipital lobe as well as left infratemporal gyrus. In the control group, areas

which showed signal activation were: bilateral frontal lobe, postcentral gyrus,

Reil's island lobe, primary somato-sensory cortex, cingulate gyrus, superior

temporal gyrus, occipital cuneiform gyrus and/or precuneus gyrus and right

brainstem; and the area that showed deactivation was left median frontal

lobe. CONCLUSION: The effects of EA L14 in regulating cerebral activities

could be displayed and recorded through BOLD fMRI, the distribution of

signally deactivated area evoked by EA L14 was similar to the known

distribution of anatomical orientation of pain in brain, and closely related to

the anatomic structure of limbic system, which areas are possibly the

acupuncture analgesic effect's cerebral regulating area. Furthermore,

activated portion of left central anterior gyrus, which represent the

movement of oral facial muscles, and the activated portion of cerebellum are

possibly related with the effect of using EA L14 in treating facial palsy and

facial muscle spasm. As for the mechanism of signal deactivation of

cerebral activities exhibited in the present study that is unable to be

elucidated, it awaits for further research. PMID: 17578311 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Wei YF, Liu YL, Zhang SH, Wang ZO, Liu Y, Wang HC, Yao JF, Li F, Wang

CH. [Effect of electroacupuncture on plasma estrin and bone mineral

density in ovariectomized rats][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007

Feb;32(1):38-41. Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an

710032, China. weiyufang80101 OBJECTIVE: To observe the

effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on plasma estrin (E) 2 and bone mineral

density (BMD) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats for studying its underlying

mechanism in treating osteoporosis. METHODS: Thirty-two female SD rats

were randomized into normal control, model, EA, and medication groups

with 8 rats in each group. Postmenopausal osteoporosis model was

established by removing the uterus under anesthesia (2% Phenobarbital, 40

mg/kg). In EA group, bilateral " Zusanli " (ST 32) and " Sanyinjiao " (SP 6) were

punctured and stimulated electrically for 20 minutes with 1-3 Hz in

frequency, 1 ms in duration of waves, and 0.7-1.0 mA in strength, once daily

and 8 weeks altogether. Rats of medication group were drenched with 5%

Nilestriol, 5 mL/week and for 8 weeks. At the end of experiments, blood

samples were collected after removing the rat eyeball, and the left femoral

bone tissue was taken. Serum E2 was assayed by using enzyme linked

immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and BMD was measured by using double

functional X-ray digital bone density meter. RESULTS: Compared with

normal group, the body weight of model group was significantly bigger (P <

0.05), and that of model group was also significantly bigger than that of EA

and medication groups (P < 0.11). No significant differences were found

among the 4 groups before experiments and among normal control and EA

groups after treatment (P > 0.05). In comparison with normal group, BMD

and serum E2 of model group decreased significantly (P < 0. 01), while

compared with model group, BMD and E2 of EA and medication groups

increased significantly (P < 0.01, < 0.05). No significant differences were

found among normal, EA and medication groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:

Both EA and medication can increase BMD and serum E2 in OVX rats,

which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating

osteoporosis. PMID: 17580439 [PubMed - in process]

 

Wu M, Li Z, Yu JE, Lu WW, Ni JX, Xia YL. Multi-centered clinical study on

effects of nano-amomi paste in treating children's anorexia. Chin J Integr

Med. 2007 Mar;13(1):55-8. Dept of Traditional , Affiliated

Xinhua Hospital of Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University,

Shanghai 200092. minwu OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect

and safety of nano-Amoni Paste (nmAP) in the treatment of children's

anorexia (AR). METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients of AR were

assigned according to the randomized, double-blinded, double-simulated

and parallel controlled principle to three groups, the treated group (TG), the

positive control group (PCG) and the negative control group (NCG), 60 in

each group. The patients in TG were treated by sticking 1.5 ml of nmAP on

the acupoint of Shenque (Ren 8) once a day and orally taking placebo liquid

10 ml twice a day; those in PCG and NCG treated with sticking paste of

placebo on Ren 8, and oral taking of Shanmai Jianpi Oral Liquid and

placebo liquid respectively, 10 ml each time twice per day. The course of

treatment for all was 10 days, all patients were treated for 2 courses.

RESULTS: The total effective rate and the effective rate on cardinal

symptom in TG was 85.0% and 95.0% respectively, that in PCG 86.2% and

96.55% and in NCG 45.5% and 65.45%, respectively, showing significant

difference between groups (P<0.05). Comparison of the clinical

manifestation before and after treatment showed significant improvement in

volume of food intake, appetite, complexion and reduction of restlessness

symptom (P<0.05) in all three groups, and there was no adverse reaction

found in them. CONCLUSION: nmAP is an effective and safe remedy for

treatment of Children's anorexia. PMID: 17578320 [PubMed - in process]

 

Yang XB, Kou ST, Yang XB, Zheng KS. [Effects of " warmth-producing

needling for removing obstruction " on hippocampal morphological changes

and learning-memory abilities in vascular dementia rats][Article in Chinese]

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):29-33. Gansu College of Chinese

Medicine, Lanzhou 730000, China. yangxiaobo538 OBJECTIVE:

To observe the effects of " Warmth-producing Needling for Removing

Obstruction " (WPNRO) on the pathomorphological changes of brain and

learning-memory abilities in vascular dementia (VD) rats. METHODS: A total

of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, model,

medication, needle-twirling, and WPNRO groups, with 10 cases in each

group. VD model was established by repeated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

via repeated occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries under

anesthesia (3% embutal 40 mg/kg, i.p.). " Dazhui " (GV 14), " Baihui " (GV 20)

and " Shuigou " (GV 26) were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated

with twirling technique and WPNRO technique respectively and continuously

for 1 min. Animals of medication group were fed with Nimodipine (0.0108

g/kg). The treatment was conducted once daily continuously for 15 days.

The rats' learning and memory results were detected respectively with step-

down avoidance test in the first 6 days' training and 24 h later. At the end of

experiments and after decapitation, the right brain was taken, cut into

sections (5 microm) and stained with H & E method for observing structural

changes of hippocampus. RESULTS: 1) Behavior reactions: compared with

control group, the latency for finding the safe platform and the times of error

in model group increased significantly, and compared with model group,

both latencies and times of error in WPNRO, needle-twirling and medication

groups decreased considerably (P < 0.05, 0.01). In comparison with needle-

twirling group, both latencies and times of error in WPNRO group were

significantly fewer (P < 0.05, 0.01), and no significant differences were found

between WPNRO and medication groups in these two indexes (P > 0.05). It

indicated that acupuncture particularly WPNRO could improve both learning

and memory abilities in VD rats. 2) Structural changes of neurons in CA1

region of hippocampus: in normal group, the neurons arranged in order and

closely, and were normal in the structure; in model group, the neurons

arranged obviously in disorder, had karyopyknosis and hyperplasia in glial

cells and decreased in the number. In WPNRO group, no evident cellular

karyopyknosis or hyperplasia of glial cells was found, and the structure and

number of cells were close to those of normal group. In acupuncture and

medication groups, fewer neurons, cellular karyopyknosis and hyperplasia of

more glial cells were found. CONCLUSION: " Warming-producing Needling

for Removing Obstruction " can significantly relieve cerebral ischemia

induced disturbance of learning and memory and lessen structural injury of

hippocampal neurons in rats. PMID: 17580437 [PubMed - in process]

 

Zhang JF, Deng BY, Su SY. [Analysis on the channel state in 45 patients

with acute sport injury of external malleolus joint][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci

Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):62-6. Guangxi College of ,

Nanninig 530001, China. Zhangjianfei98 OBJECTIVE: To

observe the channel state in patients with acute sport injury of external

malleolus joint from the cutaneous electrical conductance quantity (ECQ) of

Jing (Well)-points, Yuan (Source)-points and Luo (Collateral)-points of the

twelve regular channels. METHODS: Forty-five patients with acute sport

injury of external malleolus joint were chosen to be used as the observation

group, and 30 healthy people as the control group. The ECQ of the

cutaneous tissue of Jing-points, Yuan-points and Luo-points of the twelve

regular channels was detected by using HB-DET Acupoint Diagnosis-

Therapeutic Apparatus under room temperature. If the difference of ECQ

values between the bilateral limbs exceeded 50%, it was considered to be

imbalance. RESULTS: In observation group, the imbalance state reflected

from ECQ of Jing-points mainly involved Trienergizer Channel of Hand-

Shaoyang and the Kidney Channel of Foot-Shaoyin, with the imbalance rate

being 60.0% (27/45) and 55.6% (25/45) respectively which were significantly

higher than those [0 and 3.3% (1/30)] of control group (P < 0.05). The ECQ

of the Yuan-points of the 12 regular channels indicated that the imbalance

state mainly involved the Bladder Channel (32/45, 71.1%), Gallbladder

Channel (30/45, 66.7%). Liver Channel (28/45, 62.2%), Kidney Channel

(27/45, 60.0%), Stomach Channel (25/45, 55.6%) and Pericardium Channel

(21/45, 46.7%) which were significantly higher than those [1/30 (3.3%), 0,

1/30 (3.3%), 0, 0, and 0] of control group in the number of imbalanced

channels (P < 0.05). The ECQ of the 12 Luo-points showed that the

imbalanced channels were mainly Gallbladder Channel (29/45, 64.4%) and

Bladder Channel (29/45, 64.4%) which were significantly higher than those

[0, and 1/30 (3.3%)] of control group in the number (P < 0.05). Of the 540

Jing-points, 540 Yuan-points and 540 Luo-points tested (12 X 45 each), 93

(17.2%), 181 (33.5%) and 96 (17.8%) indicated imbalance, and the

imbalance rate of Yuan-points was apparently higher than those of Jing-

points and Luo-points (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acute sport injury of

external malleolus joint may lead to imbalance of channels passing through

the injured areas, and also involves the channel (Pericardium Channel)

dominated by the heart and the 12 Yuan-points. PMID: 17580444 [PubMed -

in process]

 

Zhang WP. [Effects of acupuncture on the pulmonary function and heart

rate variability in different state of bronchial asthma][Article in Chinese]

Zhen

Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):42-8. China Academy of Chinese Medical

Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. 168zhwp OBJECTIVE: To

observe the underlying mechanism of acupuncture technique for ventilating

the lung, invigorating the spleen and tonifying the kidney in the treatment of

bronchial asthma (or asthma for short). METHODS: According to the

severity of the disease during the persistent stage and paracmasis, 71

outpatients and inpatients were randomized into treatment group (n = 40)

and control group (n = 31). Patients of treatment group were treated with

acupuncture of Quchi (LI 11), Lieque (LU 7), Yuji (LU 10), Neiguan (PC 6),

Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3), etc., once daily and those of

control group treated with anti-asthma drugs as Cromolyn sodium, Albuterol,

fenoterol, etc. Before and after 12 days of the treatment, heart rate

variability

(HRV) and pulmonary function were detected respectively. RESULTS: In

paracmasis and mild type asthma patients, self-comparison indicated that

after the treatment, total power (TP), very low frequency (VLF), triangular

index (TI) and the percentage of the adjacent R-R intervals (PNN50) of

HRV, and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (% PRED),

forced expiratory flow (FEF) 0.2-1.2 (L/s), FEF(75%-85%) (L/s), peak

expiratory flow (PEF) (% PRED), FEF(25%) (% PRED) in treatment group

increased significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01), while no significant changes of

various components of both HRV and pulmonary function were found in

control group (P > 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed that after

the treatment, the values of TP, VLF, TI and PNN50 of HRV, and FVC (%

PRED), FEV1 (% PRED), FEV1/FVC (% PRED), FEF(0.2-1.2), FEF(25%-

75%), PEF (% PRED) and FEF(25%) (% PRED) in treatment group were

significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). In moderate and

severe type asthma patients, self-comparison showed that after the

treatment, TP, LF, LFnorm, VLF, LF/HF, VLF/HF, (LF + VLF)/HF, TI and

PNN50 of HRV, and FVC (% PRED), FEV1 (% PRED), FEV1/FVC (%

PRED), FEF(0.2-1.2), FEF(25%-75%) (% PRED), FEF(75%-85%), PEF (%

PRED), FEF25% (% PRED) , FEF(50%) (%PRED and FEF(75%) (% PRED)

of the pulmonary function all increased remarkably (P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001);

while in comparison with control group, LF, LFnorm, VLF, (LF + VLF)/HF

and TI of HRV, and all the parameters of the pulmonary function except

FEV1/FVC were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05,

0.01, 0.001). No significant changes of various components of both HRV

and pulmonary function were found in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is significantly superior to medication in

improving the pulmonary function of asthma patients with different state of

disease, which is related to its function in regulating activities of the

autonomic nervous system. PMID: 17580440 [PubMed - in process]

 

Zhao ZQ, Luo Y. [Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of nestin

protein after focal ischemia/reperfusion in rats][Article in Chinese] Zhongguo

Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2006 Jun;26 Suppl:20-4. Dept of Neurology, The

First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences,

Chongqing (400016). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of

electroacupuncturing (EA) Hegu point (LI 4) on proliferation of neural stem

cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) after rat focal ischemia/reperfusion

(I/R). METHODS: Animal model was made by ligating external carotid artery

and inserting a piece of nylon thread into the internal carotid artery. Eighty-

eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n = 4)

,the sham operated group (n =4),the IR groups (contain 1,7,14,21,28 days'

five time points,each point n =8),and the IR + EA group (contain

1,7,14,21,28 days' five time points,each point n = 8). Bilateral Hegu points

on rat were consecutively stimulated for 15 min,once daily, and 7 days as

one treatment course. The protein expression of Nestin in SVZ was detected

by immunochemistry method. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control

group, the number of Nestin positive cell in SVZ in the I/R group increased

strikingly on the 1st day, peaked on the 7 h day after reperfusion (P <0. 05),

began to decrease on the 14th day, and almost reached normal on the 28 h

day. A number of Nestin positive cells were present around the ischemic

core in the cortex on the 7th day after reperfusion. After performed

electroacupuncture, the number of Nestin positive cells in SVZ in the EA

group increased on the 1st day, peaked on the 7th day, and increased 1. 5

times as compared with the IR 7 days group, the difference was obvious (P

<0. 05) ,and began to decrease on the 14 h day, and almost reached normal

on the 28th day. Nestin immunoreactivity around the ischemic core in the

cortex was obviously presented in the EA 7 days group. CONCLUSION: The

results indicate that cerebral ischemia can stimulate the potent of self-

proliferation of neural stem cells and electroacupuncture can obviously

increase the proliferation of neural stem cell. PMID: 17569338 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Zhu QF, Zhang FB, Wang KM, Zhou YP. [CGRP may take part in the effect

of electroacupuncture in resisting acute myocardial ischemic injury][Article in

Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):20-3. Dept of Life Sciences,

Anqing Teachers College, Anqing 246011, China. zhuqf405

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the relationship between " Xinshu " (BL 15)-

" Jueyinshu " (BL 14) of the Bladder Channel and the heart and the underlying

mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in resisting acute myocardial

ischemia (AMI) in rats. METHODS: A total of 24 male Wistar rats were

randomly divided into control, model and EA groups with 8 cases in each

group. AMI model was duplicated by intraperitoneal injection of 2%

isoproterenol (ISO, 100 mg/kg). EA (pulse duration 300 micros, frequency 2-

20 Hz, output voltage 3. 5-5 V) was applied to BL14 and BL15 on the left

side for 30 min, twice in a day (with an interval of 12 h). After decapitation,

blood samples, myocardial tissue and spinal cord (T1-T6) were collected

respectively for detecting serum creatine kinase (CK, with chromatometry)

and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) contents in the plasma,

myocardium and the spinal cord (with radioimmunoassay). RESULTS: In

comparison with control group, serum CK of both model group and EA

group increased significantly (P < 0. 01), and plasma CGRP content of

model group lowered lightly; while compared with model group, CK content

of EA group decreased obviously (P < 0.05) and plasma CGRP of EA group

increased evidently (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among

3 groups in myocardial CGRP contents and between control group and

model group in spinal CGRP contents (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of

" Xinshu " (BL 15)- " Jueyinshu " (BL 14) may suppress isoproterenol-injection

induced myocardial injury and plasma CGRP possibly takes part in the

protective effect of EA in resisting myocardial ischemia injury. PMID:

17580435 [PubMed - in process]

 

Zhuang LX, Zhao MH, Yang JJ, Deng QP. [A study on the time-effect

relationship in the treatment of bronchial asthma with medicinal vesiculation

therapy][Article in Chinese] Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 Feb;32(1):53-7. Dept of

Acu-moxibustion, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of

, Guangzhou 510405, China. zhuanglixing

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of medicinal vesiculation

performed in the dog-days and ordinary-days, as well as " Xin " -days and

" Geng " -days in the treatment of bronchial asthma. METHODS: A total of 162

bronchial asthma patients were divided into ordinary-days group (n = 80)

and dog-days group (n = 82) according to the time sequence. Plasters made

up of Gansui (Radix Euphorbiae Kansui), Baijiezi (Semen Sinapis Albae),

Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae), Xixin (Herba Asari), etc. were applied to Feishu

(BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Pishu (BL 20) Shenshu (BL

23), etc. during ordinary days (spring, summer, autumn and winter), dog

days (the 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-10 day periods of the hot season) for each

group, once every 10 days and with 3 times being a therapeutic course.

After a course of treatment, the curative effect was assessed. Before and 5

days after the treatment, venous blood samples were collected for detecting

serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), lymphocyte transformation rate (LTR) and

the number of eosinophile granulocytes (Eos) separately. In addition, other

80 asthma patients were treated during " Geng " -days ( (n = 42) and " Xin " -

days (n = 38) separately with the same methods mentioned above.

RESULTS: After one course of treatment, or the 82 and 80 cases in dog-

days group and ordinary-days groups, 35 (43%) and 31(39%) experienced

marked improvement in clinical symptoms, 41 (50%) and 37 (46%) had an

improvement, 6 (7%) and 12 (15%) failed, with the effective rates being 93%

and 85% respectively. After the treatment, serum IgE and Eos count of the

two groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01, 0.05), and LTR of the two

groups increased evidently (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found

between two groups in the therapeutic effect and the 3 biochemical indexes.

In other 80 asthma patients, of the 42 and 38 cases in " Geng " -days group

and " Xin " -days group, 23 (54.76%) and 17 (44.74%) experienced marked

improvement in their symptoms, 17 (40.47%) and 19 (50.00%) had an

improvement, 2 (4.76%) and 2 (5.26%) failed, with the effective rates being

95.23% and 94.74% separately. No significant difference was found

between two groups in the therapeutic effect (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:

Medicinal vesiculation therapy can effectively improve asthma patients'

clinical symptoms, lower serum IgE and Eos count and raise LTR whenever

performed in the ordinary days, dog days, " Xin " days or " Geng " days. Thus,

this therapy is applicable all year round. PMID: 17580442 [PubMed - in

process]

 

 

Best regards,