基于血管平滑肌自噬探讨瓜蒌-薤白对ApoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的影响

目的:探究瓜蒌-薤白药对ApoE^-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化(AS)主动脉斑块血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)增殖及自噬水平的影响。方法:高脂饲料饲养ApoE^-/-小鼠40只复制AS动物模型,随机分为模型组、瓜蒌-薤白组、雷帕霉素组、阿伐托他汀组,以普通饮食C57BL/6J小鼠10只为正常组。正常组及模型组给予生理盐水灌胃,瓜蒌-薤白组、雷帕霉素组及阿伐托他汀组每日给予相应药物灌胃,共8周。实验结束后处死小鼠,酶标仪检测小鼠血清,总胆固醇(TC),甘油三酯(TG),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)的水平;主动脉油红O染色观察并测量主动脉斑块面积占总面积之比。蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测主动脉中膜VSMCs增殖相关蛋白增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA),α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)水平。透射电镜观察VSMCs自噬小体并检测VSMCs自噬相关蛋白酵母ATG6同源物(Beclin-1),酶联相关轻链蛋白Ⅱ(LC3Ⅱ),p62蛋白表达。结果:与模型组比较,瓜蒌-薤白组可显著减少AS小鼠主动脉脂质积累及斑块面积,降低TC,TG,LDL-C水平(P<0.01),升高HDL-C(P<0.05)。瓜蒌-薤白显著降低主动脉VSMCs内增殖相关抗原PCNA及α-SMA水平(P<0.01),抑制VSMCs过度增殖;瓜蒌-薤白显著上调主动脉VSMCs内Beclin-1及LC3Ⅱ蛋白表达,降低p62积累(P<0.01),增加VSMCs自噬小体的表达,上调VSMCs自噬水平。结论:瓜蒌-薤白调节AS小鼠体内血脂水平,抑制主动脉VSMCs过度增殖抑制AS小鼠主动脉的斑块形成,其机制可能与其上调VSMCs自噬活性有关。     

丹参提取物对系膜增生性肾小球肾炎大鼠TGF-β1/p38MAPK信号通路的影响研究

目的:观察丹参提取物对系膜增生性肾小球肾炎(Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis,MsPGN)大鼠肾组织转化因子-β1(Transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38MAPK)的影响。方法:将46只SD大鼠分为正常组、缬沙坦组、模型组、丹参提取物组,除正常组外,其余各组大鼠建立MsPGN模型。丹参提取物组按丹参5 g/(kg·d)的剂量灌胃给药;缬沙坦组按缬沙坦0.01 g/(kg·d)的剂量溶于温水灌胃,模型组和正常组每天给予等量温水灌胃,连续灌胃12周后处死大鼠。Western blot检测大鼠肾组织TGF-β1和p38 MAPK蛋白的表达,RT-PCR检测TGF-β1和p38MAPK的mRNA表达。结果:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠24 h尿蛋白水平、TGF-β1和p38MAPK蛋白相对表达量及mRNA表达均显著升高(P<0.05);与模型组比较,给药6周和12周缬沙坦组、丹参提取物组24 h尿蛋白水平显著降低(P<0.05);TGF-β1和p38MAPK蛋白相对表达量及mRNA表达均显著下降(P<0.05);与缬沙坦组比较,丹参提取物组TGF-β1和p38MAPK mRNA表达均下降(P<0.05)。结论:丹参提取物的肾保护作用可能是通过下调TGF-β1、p38MAPK蛋白和mRNA水平,抑制TGF-β1/p38MAPK信号通路激活来实现的。     

黄芪对肝纤维化大鼠肝损伤保护作用及机制研究

目的:研究黄芪对肝纤维化大鼠肝损伤的保护作用及相关机制。方法:将SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、肝纤维化模型组、黄芪后处理组和阳性对照组,检测各组大鼠血清中ALT、AST活性和TBIL水平变化; 逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测各组大鼠肝脏组织5种主要致纤维化因子p38MAPK、TGF -β1、α-SMA、CTGF和Collegen Ⅳ mRNA表达水平; 免疫印迹法检测p38MAPK信号通路上下游蛋白MKK3和ATF-2的表达变化。结果:与肝纤维化模型组比较,黄芪后处理组大鼠血清中ALT、AST和TBIL水平明显降低(P<0.05),肝纤维病理变化明显减轻,p38MAPK、MKK3和ATF-2蛋白表达量均降低(P<0.05)。结论:黄芪通过p38MAPK信号通路对实验性肝纤维化大鼠肝损伤具有效的保护作用。     

24-乙酰泽泻醇A对ox-LDL诱导大鼠VSMCs增殖影响的机制研究

24-乙酰泽泻醇A作为泽泻的主要组成部分有抗动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)作用且AS与血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)增殖密切相关,故该研究通过活体取材及培养大鼠腹主动脉VSMCs,50 mg·L-1ox-LDL诱导VSMCs建立细胞增殖模型,探讨24-乙酰泽泻醇A对ox-LDL诱导大鼠VSMCs增殖影响的作用机制。不同浓度24-乙酰泽泻醇A(5,10,20 mg·L-1)干预细胞增殖模型12,24,48 h,MTT检测VSMCs增殖情况,Western blot法检测VSMCs PCNA,cyclin D1,cyclin E,p21,p27蛋白表达的变化,RT-PCR检测VSMCs PCNA,p21和p27 mRNA表达情况。MTT结果显示ox-LDL诱导VSMCs的增殖(P0.05);ox-LDL促进VSMCs PCNA,cyclin D1,cyclin E蛋白表达的增加(P0.05),抑制p21,p27蛋白及mRNA的表达(P0.05);24-乙酰泽泻醇A可显著抑制ox-LDL诱导VSMCs的增殖(P0.05)及PCNA,cyclin D1,cyclin E蛋白表达,同时提高p21,p27蛋白及mRNA的表达量(P0.05),该现象随着24-乙酰泽泻醇A浓度的增加作用越明显。24-乙酰泽泻醇A可抑制ox-LDL诱导大鼠VSMCs的增殖,其机制可能通过抑制VSMCs细胞周期蛋白(cyclin D1,cyclin E,p21,p27蛋白等)表达有关。     

水蛭粉对动脉粥样硬化大鼠血管平滑肌细胞的影响

目的探讨水蛭粉对动脉粥样硬化(AS)大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)影响及其可能机制。方法将32只健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组,模型组,水蛭粉低、高剂量组。采用高脂饮食复合腹腔注射维生素D3法建立AS大鼠模型,治疗组同时每天给予相应药物灌胃,连续8周。实验末检测血脂[总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)],ELISA法检测主动脉匀浆基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达,取大鼠主动脉作病理学观察,免疫组织化学法观察VSMC收缩表型标志物α-肌动蛋白(α-actin)的表达。结果与模型组相比,水蛭粉可以明显降低TC、LDL-C水平(P0.05或P0.01),下调MMP-2和MMP-9水平(P0.05或P0.01),抑制平滑肌细胞α-actin表达的下调(P0.05或P0.01)。主动脉HE染色显示水蛭粉各组,内膜增厚不明显,有少量泡沫细胞及胆固醇结晶形成,管腔内无明显凸起的斑块形成。结论水蛭粉可能通过调节血脂,减少脂质浸润,抑制平滑肌细胞表型转化、增殖和迁移等环节,抑制内膜增厚,减缓动脉粥样硬化的进展。     

基于TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路探讨益气升清方对糖尿病大鼠肾组织的影响

目的:探讨益气升清方对糖尿病大鼠肾组织TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路的影响。方法:SPF级大鼠60只，正常组10只，其余腹腔注射STZ制备DM模型。成模后随机分为模型组（等量蒸馏水）、厄贝沙坦组［27 mg/(kg·d)］、中药低剂量组［3.465 g/(kg·d)］、中药中剂量组［6.93 g/(kg·d)］、中药高剂量组［13.86 g/(kg·d)］，每组10只，给药8周，检测血糖、Scr、BUN，观察肾组织的病理，用荧光定量PCR和免疫组化法检测TGF-β1、p38MAPK、FN mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果:造模后各组血糖较正常组有显著性升高（P<0.01），但组间比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。模型组大鼠血清BUN、Scr显著增高（P<0.01），肾组织有大量TGF-β1、p38MAPK、FN mRNA及蛋白表达（P<0.01）；与模型组比较，各观察组病理损害明显减轻，血清BUN、Scr明显降低（P<0.01），TGF-β1、p38MAPK、FN mRNA及蛋白表达明显减少（P<0.01），厄贝沙坦组、中药中、高剂量组优于中药低剂量组（P<0.01）。结论:糖尿病大鼠TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路的激活导致肾间质病变，益气升清方可减少TGF-β1、p38MAPK的表达，从而减少FN的沉积，起到保护肾脏的作用。     

补阳还五汤加味预防动脉粥样硬化形成机制

目的:探究补阳还五汤加味对动脉粥样硬化(AS)形成的预防及机制研究。方法:将30只雄性载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠(Apo E-/-小鼠)随机分为Apo E-/-小鼠组、模型组、补阳还五汤加味组和辛伐他汀组,另以正常雄性C57BL/6J小鼠设组。模型组、补阳还五汤加味组和辛伐他汀组采用高脂饮食造模。第4周后,补阳还五汤加味组和辛伐他汀组分别灌以补阳还五汤20 g·kg~(-1)+水蛭粉0.46 g·kg~(-1),辛伐他汀3 mg·kg~(-1)。第9周后,检测血清总胆固醇(TC),甘油三酯(TG),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)值,取动物主动脉根部经苏木素-伊红(HE)常规染色后观察组织形态变化并测量纤维帽厚度和内-中膜厚度、检测主动脉p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)和细胞外信号调节激酶5(ERK5)蛋白表达变化。结果:血脂水平,与C57BL/6J小鼠正常组比较,Apo E-/-小鼠组和模型组TC,TG,LDL-C均升高且HDL-C均降低(P0.01);与模型组比较,补阳还五汤加味组与辛伐他汀组均能降低Apo E-/-小鼠TC,TG,LDL-C水平,同时升高HDL-C(P0.05,P0.01)。HE染色,C57BL/6J小鼠正常组主动脉管壁无斑块形成,Apo E-/-小鼠组管壁有极少斑块形成,内-中膜略有增厚。模型组斑块形成明显,内-中膜明显增厚。补阳还五汤加味组与辛伐他汀组较模型组斑块减少,内-中膜厚度减少。蛋白表达,与C57BL/6J小鼠正常组比较,模型组主动脉组织中p38MAPK的蛋白表达量增多(P0.01),ERK5的蛋白表达量减少(P0.01);与模型组比较,补阳还五汤加味组和辛伐他汀组均能降低p38MAPK蛋白的表达量(P0.01),增加组织中ERK5蛋白的表达(P0.01)。结论:补阳还五汤加味与辛伐他汀均有预防AS的作用。补阳还五汤加味预防AS发生的机制可能与干预MAPK信号通路中的p38MAPK,ERK5途径有关。     

基于TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路探讨益血降浊汤对UUO大鼠肾纤维化的作用机制

目的探讨益血降浊汤对单侧输尿管结扎(UUO)大鼠肾纤维化的作用及TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路相关蛋白的影响,阐明其作用可能的机制。方法建立UUO大鼠模型,将42只大鼠随机平均分为假手术组、UUO组、UUO+依那普利组、UUO+益血降浊汤低、中和高剂量组。于2周后处死,记录尿量、体重数据,采集血液检测氧化应激相关指标MDA、ROS和SOD含量。并取肾组织,Masson染色观察肾组织病理改变;免疫组织化学染色检测COX-2、Collagen I和p-p38MAPK表达情况;蛋白免疫印迹检测炎症、细胞外基质(ECM)以及TGFβ1/p38MAPK通路相关蛋白的表达。结果与UUO组相比,益血降浊汤(低、中、高)均能逆转大鼠尿量和体重的下降;降低ROS和MDA的水平,促进SOD的增加;减轻肾组织病理改变;下调炎症相关蛋白的表达,使抗炎因子的表达增加;减少ECM的沉积;抑制TGF-β1/P38MAPK通路活性;其中,高剂量组效果最为显著。结论益血降浊汤可能通过调控TGF-β1/p38MAPK通路活性改善炎症和氧化应激、抑制肾纤维化来发挥肾保护作用。     

抗纤灵方对体外培养肾成纤维化细胞TGF-β1/p38MAPK信号通路干预的实验研究

目的:观察抗纤灵含药血清对大鼠成纤维细胞TGF-β1和p38MAPK、α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原的抑制作用。方法:将抗纤灵方煎至含原药材2g/ml,氯沙坦钾配成含药0.33mg/ml,给大鼠灌胃(正常组给予蒸馏水灌胃),制备抗纤灵血清、氯沙坦钾血清和正常血清。用DMEM培养基稀释血清,将其分为正常血清组、TGF-β1组、抗纤灵组、抗纤灵组+TGF-β1、氯沙坦钾组和氯沙坦钾+TGF-β1组。以大鼠的成纤维细胞为材料,采用Westernblot法检测大鼠成纤维细胞p38MAPK、α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原和TGF-β1的表达。结果:加入TGF-β1刺激因子的细胞表达TGF-β1和p38MAPK、α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原较正常大鼠血清组明显增强,抗纤灵及氯沙坦钾含药血清可明显抑制其表达。结论:抗纤灵含药血清可以通过抑制大鼠的成纤维细胞TGF-β1的表达,减少细胞外基质p38MAPK、α-SMA、Ⅰ型胶原的沉积,从而延缓肾纤维化的进程。     

大蒜素对PM2.5诱导血管平滑肌细胞增殖的抑制作用及机制研究

目的探讨PM2.5对小鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)增殖的影响及大蒜素(Allicin)的抑制作用及可能机制。方法采集大气PM2.5并分别以0(空白对照组)、20、100、200、400 mg/L(PM2.5 20、100、200、400 mg/L组)作用小鼠VSMCs 24 h,检测VSMCs增殖情况,一氧化氮(NO)、内皮素-1(ET-1)、血管细胞黏附分子-1(VCAM-1)含量和VSMCs中磷酸化p38有丝分裂原活化蛋白激酶(p-p38MAPK)及增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)蛋白表达;VSMCs分别加入Allicin 5、20、40 mg/L(Allicin 5、20、40 mg/L组)、p38 MAPK通路阻滞剂SB203580 20μmol/L(SB203580 20μmol/L组)和Allicin40 mg/L与SB203580 20μmol/L(Allicin+SB203580组),检测Allicin的干预作用及机制。结果与空白对照组比较,PM2.5 100、200、400 mg/L组均诱导VSMCs增殖,VSMCs分泌ET-1及VCAM-1含量升高,NO分泌减少(P0.05,P0.01),细胞内p-p38 MAPK及PCNA蛋白表达增加(P0.05),尤其200 mg/L组效果显著(P0.05,P0.01);与PM2.5 200 mg/L组比较,Allicin 20、40 mg/L组、SB203580 20μmol/L组、Allicin+SB203580组可抑制PM2.5诱导的VSMCs增殖,VSMCs分泌ET-1及VCAM-1含量减少,NO分泌增加(P0.01),VSMCs中p-p38 MAPK及PCNA蛋白表达降低(P0.05,P0.01);与Allicin 20 mg/L组比较,Allicin+SB203580组可进一步抑制PM2.5诱导的VSMCs增殖,VSMCs分泌ET-1及VCAM-1含量减少,NO分泌增加(P0.01,P0.05),VSMCs中p-p38MAPK及PCNA蛋白表达降低(P0.01)。结论 Allicin可能通过抑制p38 MAPK信号通路,抑制PM2.5诱导的VSMCs增殖。     

微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定脉络宁注射液中25种矿物质元素

目的建立微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)直接稀释测定脉络宁注射液中25种矿物质元素(Mg、Ca、Fe、Cu、Zn、Mn、Al、B、Ba、Co、Cr、K、Li、Mo、Na、Ni、P、Pb、Sr、Th、Ti、V、As、Cd和Hg)的方法。方法分别对微波消解条件和测试条件进行考察;样品经微波消解后,采用电感耦合质谱仪测定25种矿物质元素,并对测定方法学进行考察。结果确定最佳消解条件为3步缓慢升温:400 W 80℃升温10 min,保留5 min;600 W 120℃升温10 min,保留5 min;900 W 200℃升温20 min,保留20 min;25种矿物质元素在各自的线性范围内线性关系良好,r≥0.999 6,精密度、稳定性和重复性试验的RSD均符合定量分析要求;加标回收率为94.7%~106.1%,RSD在0.34%~2.79%。脉络宁注射液中检测出Mg、Ca、Fe、Cu、Zn、Mn、Al、B、Ba、Co、Cr、K、Li、Mo、Na、Ni、P、Pb、Sr、Th、Ti、V,未检出As、Cd和Hg。结论该方法简便、迅速、准确,适用于脉络宁注射液中25种矿物质元素的同时测定。     

Die Lateralität und Lateralitätsinstabilität in der Diagnostik und Therapie

The disturbance and instability of laterality are obstacles to diagnostics and therapy. Correction prior to starting therapy is required. They also predispose toward defined health problems and unspecific diseases. Numerous research activities provide evidence of the relevance of undisturbed laterality in diagnostics and therapy. Techniques of testing and therapeutic corrections will allow for optimized therapy success.     

Yerba Mate or Paraguay Tea

正Beverages based on Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil.are used in the south Brazil and other Latin American countries located at the so-called southern cone.It is known as chimarro or mate in south and southeast Brazil,tererêin     

Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Instructions for Authors

The Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science, a journal with an international scope （IS SN 1672-3597, CN 31-1908/R, Bimonthly）, is embodied by ＇Springer Verlag＇ Database, Index Copernicus （IC） and Chinese Scientific and Technical Paper and Citations Data （CSTPCD）. You can search full text on http：//www, springerlink, com/content/1672 -3597.     

Ethnopharmacologic study of chinese rhubarb

This paper deals with an interdisciplinary study covering historic, botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical aspects of rhubarb and related species, to lay stress on the correlation between plant phylogeny, chemical constituents and purgative activity.

It was found that the official rhubarbs were exclusively restricted in the Sect. Palmata e.g. Rheum palmatum R. palmatum var. tanguticum R. officinale; the following criteria may serve as their standard, viz., the presence of sennoside derivatives and rhein, the occurrence of the reduced form of rhein and aloe-emodin, the leaves with any kind of palmate incision. Comprehensive multivariate analyses showed that there is a very close relationship between the leaf incision, existence of sennosides or rhein and purgative activity.     

基于ICP-MS法的加味左金丸中无机元素分析

目的 通过电感耦合等离子体质谱（inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,ICP-MS）法建立加味左金丸中Cd、Pb、As、Hg、Co、V、Ni、Cu、Li、Sb、Ba、Mo、Sn、Cr、Na、Mg、Al、Ca、Ti、Mn、Fe、Zn、Ga、Se、Sr、Tl共计26种无机元素的测定方法。方法 加味左金丸通过微波消解法处理后,根据相对分子质量的大小选择内标物,其中⁷Li、²³Na、²⁴Mg、²⁷Al、⁴⁰Ca、⁴⁸Ti、⁵¹V、⁵²Cr、⁵⁵Mn、⁵⁶Fe、⁵⁸Ni、⁵⁹Co、⁶³Cu、⁶⁶Zn、⁷⁰Ga、⁷⁵As、⁷⁷Se、⁸⁶Sr以⁷²Ge作为内标;⁹⁵Mo、¹¹⁴Cd、¹¹⁸Sn、¹²¹Sb、¹³⁷Ba以¹¹⁵In作为内标;²⁰²Hg、²⁰⁵Tl、²⁰⁸Pb以²⁰⁹Bi作为内标。对标准品溶液、空白溶液与供试品溶液进行分析,采用标准曲线法进行定量分析。通过ICP-MS法进行测定。结果 26种无机元素线性的相关系数r ≥ 0.999 6,检出限为0.001~1.500μg/L,定量限为0.01~5.00 μg/L,精密度与重复性试验的RSD均小于5%,平均回收率在82.64%~106.44%,RSD均小于5%。对3个厂家的12批样品进行了测定,26种元素的含量差异较大,其中Na、Mg、Ca、Fe 4种元素的含量比较高,均大于500 μg/g,Cd、Pb、As、Hg、Co、Li、Sb、Mo、Sn、Cr、Se、Tl的含量比较低,均小于1 μg/g。由结果可知,人体的常量元素,如Na、Mg、Ca的含量比较高,Cd、Pb、As、Hg等有害元素含量比较低。根据《中国药典》2020年版一部的要求,本品中Cd、Pb、As、Hg与Cu均符合规定。结论 该方法快速、准确,可以用于加味左金丸中无机元素的测定。     

Wirksamkeit der Akupunktur bei der Therapie von idiopathischen Schmeckstörungen: Eine randomisierte Placebo-kontrollierte Studie

Background

At present, the state-of-the-art medication in treating idiopathic taste disorder (gustatory dysfunction) is zinc. If zinc medication was unsuccessful, not tolerated or if it is contraindicated the persons affected can hardly be helped.

Objectives

In a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial an attempt was made to determine the efficacy of acupuncture.

Methods

The treatment group was treated with acupuncture needles, the placebo group with an inactive acupuncture-laser. Endpoints of the study were changes in the taste test, the quality of life and the severity of symptoms of depression (BDI) as well as mood changes (ZMS). Satisfaction with the success of the respective therapy was also evaluated. Data were collected before and after therapy and again for the treatment group 10 weeks after completion of the treatment period.

Findings

Treatment with real acupuncture showed a significant improvement in gustatory function as well as a significant improvement in psychological symptoms. Greater satisfaction with the treatment results was evident in the treatment group. The treatment results of acupuncture remained stable over a period of ten weeks after completion of the treatment.

Conclusion

Acupuncture was effective in the therapy of idiopathic taste disorders and therefore it is an effective alternative when zinc medication is not tolerated or unsuccessful. But it is also suitable as a therapy of first choice. Acupuncture can be considered as an extension of the therapeutic spectrum in the difficult treatment of taste disorders.     

Erstaunliches Ergebnis einer Schädelakupunktur nach Yamamoto bei Hemihypsarrhythmie rechts

A girl, three and a half years old at the respective date, premature in 25th week of gestation, had been presented. On day three after birth, she had had a IVH III° right and left with severe involvement of parenchyma and other multiple complications, e. a. infant respiratory distress syndrome up to the 42nd day postpartum, and epileptic attacks with apnoeic events.     

Veränderungen der Herzratenvariabilität (HRV) während Low Level Lasernadelakupunktur: Placebokontrollierte Studie an 19 herzgesunden Probanden

Background

Experimental and clinical studies postulate a neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture by modulating central pain systems, neurohormones and -transmitters. It seems to be quite likely that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important mediating role in this neuromodulation.

Aim

In measuring heart rate variability (HRV), as a non-invasive approach to the ANS-function, the object of this study was to monitor probable acupuncture-induced changes of autonomic balance. The innovative technology of laser-needle acupuncture offers for the first time a stimulation method which fulfils the demands on a placebo-controlled acupuncture trial not requiring controversial sham acupuncture.

Method

19 healthy voluntary subjects underwent 3 treatments in randomized sequence, consisting of placebo-, 1-point- (PC 6) and simultaneous 3-point- (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) laser-needle-stimulation over 20 minutes. Before, during and after placebo-/verum laser-needle acupuncture, HRV-data for normalized HF(high frequency)- and LF(low frequency)-Power (nHF, nLF) and their quotient nLF/nHF obtained by power spectrum analysis (FFT), were measured and analyzed statistically at 5 different time points (ANOVA repeated measures, p < 0,05).

Results

During both verum applications, the 1-point- (PC 6) as well as the simultaneous 3-point- (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) laser-needle stimulation, significant changes of the ANS-activity were found in comparison to the placebo application. The most significant modification of HRV was an increase of nHF (p < 0,05 (PC 6), p < 0,0001 (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3)) as an expression of growing vagal activity during acupuncture.

Conclusion

Laser-needle acupuncture causes in 1-point-stimulation (PC 6) as well as in simultaneous 3-point-stimulation (PC 6, LR 3, SI 3) significant changes in HRV in comparison to placebo application. HRV-monitoring seems to be a suitable approach in exploration of acupuncture-induced changes of ANS and could possibly be established in combination with laser needle acupuncture as a standard for further scientific and clinical acupuncture investigations which are greatly needed.