Regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs in the colon of rats with Crohn’s disease

Objective

To observe the regulatory effects of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on Crohn's disease (CD) rat’s colon inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-23 and their mRNAs, and to investigate the action mechanism of moxibustion in treating CD.

Methods

Forty SPF grade Sprague-Dauley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a Western medicine group, with 10 rats in each group. Except the normal group, rats in the other three groups were used to make CD model by giving an enema in colon with Trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS). When the models were successful made, rats in the model group had no therapeutic intervention; rats in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group were subjected to herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) plus Qihai (CV 6); and rats in the Western medicine group were given oral Mesalazine. After treatment, the histopathological changes and inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were observed in descending colon by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.

Results

Colon tissues of TNBS enema rat models showed cracks-like ulcers accompanied by mucous layer inflammation, granulomas, and inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01); after intervention, colon tissue cracks-like ulcers and inflammation degree reduced, inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions were all significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group.

Conclusion

Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion may improve colon tissue ulcers and relieve intestinal inflammation by down-regulation of IL-17, IL-23 and their mRNAs expressions in CD model rats’ colonic mucosa.

     

Therapeutic efficacy observation on combining herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with plum-blossom needle therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of combining Herbal cakepartitioned moxibustion with plum-blossom needle therapy for cervical radiculopathy. Methods： A total of 150 cases with cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated into a treatment group （n=90） and a control group （n=60） at ratio of 3：2. Cases in the treatment group were treated with combining herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with plum-blossom needle therapy, whereas cases in the control group were treated with combining Dan Shen （Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae） injection with traction. The therapeutic efficacies were evaluated by the third party after three courses of treatments. Results： The recovery and total effective rates in the treatment group were 51.1% and 97.8% respectively, versus 18.3% and 78.3% in the control group, showing statistically significant differences （both P〈0.05）. And there was a between-group statistical difference in the number of recovery cases in different courses of treatments （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with plum-blossom needle therapy was more effective than combining Dan Shen （Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae） injection with traction for cervical radiculopathy, and it took effect more quickly. It is worth further popularization in clinic.     

Effect of electroacupuncture and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on anxiety and depression in patients with crohn’s disease in remission

Objective

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on anxiety and depression in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in remission.

Methods

Sixty CD cases were randomly allocated into an EA group (n=30) and an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (n=30) using the random number table by the ratio of 1:1. In addition, 30 healthy subjects were included in a control group. Bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6) and Zhongwan (CV 12) were used in the EA and herbal cakepartitioned moxibustion groups. The treatment was done 3 times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The efficacy was evaluated using self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores.

Results

Before treatment, the SAS and SDS scores in CD patients were remarkably higher than those in healthy subjects. After EA or herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion treatment, the SAS and SDS scores were significantly decreased in both groups, showing significant intra-group differences (P<0.05); the symptom scores of abdominal pain (severity, frequency and duration), bowel sounds/flatus and general fatigue were significantly decreased, showing significant intra-group differences (P<0.05); however, there were no between-group statistical differences (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Both EA and herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can significantly decrease abnormally high SAS and SDS scores in CD patients as well as TCM symptom scores. The two therapies share similar effects in alleviating common symptoms and improving anxiety and depression.

     

Effect of moxibustion on expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in colon of rats with Crohn’s disease

Objective

To observe the effect of moxibustion therapy on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3) protein expressions in the colonic mucosa of rats with Crohn’s disease (CD), and to explore the intestinal mucosal immune mechanism of moxibustion therapy in treating CD.

Methods

The CD rat model was established using the internationally accepted Morris method. The rats were randomly divided into a model group, a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group, a mild moxibustion group, a cigarette moxibustion group and a hot compress group, which were compared with the normal group. Except the normal group and the model group, rats in the other groups accepted different moxibustion therapies on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted and the pathological changes of the colon were observed under light microscope; the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein in rat’s colonic mucosa were determined by immunohisto-chemistry.

Results

Compared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed mucosal defect, villus destruction or loss, submucosal congestion and edema, glandular destruction or disappearance, reduced goblet cells, ulcer formation, significantly increased positive target area and positive target integral optical density of HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expression (all P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, colonic mucosa was significantly improved in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group, which mainly showed that the intestinal glands were arranged regularly, ulcer surfaces were covered by the neoformative epitheliums, or intestinal ulcers were replaced by the nascent granulation tissue, and submucosal edema was alleviated, with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. The total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were decreased (all P<0.01). Compared with the cigarette moxibustion group and the hot compress group, the total areas and the integral optical densities of the positive targets for rat’s colonic mucosa HO-1 and MCP-3 protein expressions were significantly decreased (all P<0.01) in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and the mild moxibustion group.

Conclusion

Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild moxibustion can significantly improve the inflammatory response of colonic mucosa in CD rats. It can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and MCP-3 proteins in the colonic mucosa of CD rats, which may be one of the mechanism in intestinal mucosal immunity caused by moxibustion therapy.

     

Effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 expressions of gastric tissues in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome

Objective

To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2) and extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK1/2) in gastric tissues of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanisms of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating spleen deficiency syndrome.

Methods

Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A), a model group (group B), a ranitidine group (group C), and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (group D) by random digit, 15 rats in each group. Rat models of spleen deficiency syndrome were made by intragastric administration of 4 °C 200% concentrated Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). After successful modeling, the rats in group C were treated with 25 mg/(kg·bw) ranitidine by intragastric adminstration and rats in group D were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12), for 8 d. Excepted for rats in group A, all the other rats were treated with indomethacin at 5 mg/(kg·bw) at 8:00 a.m. on the second day after finishing all the intervention and sacrificed 7 h later to isolate the stomach. Histopathological changes of the gastric tissues were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

After intervention, the gastric mucosal injury in group B was significantly severer than that in group A, with large breakage and ablating; the damage of gastric mucosa was decreased in group C compared with group B; the gastric mucosal surface remained relatively complete, and the status of breakage and ablating was significantly improved. After intervention, compared with group A, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues of the other groups were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with group B, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group C and D were significantly higher (all P<0.01). Compared with group C, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group D were significantly higher (P<0.01).

Conclusion

Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion promotes the repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, via improving protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues, as well as activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

     

Observation on the efficacy of moxibustion for chronic gastritis and a clinical study of moxibustion’s effects on serum brain-gut peptides

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of moxibustion-based treatment of chronic gastritis (CG), and to provide an objective basis for treating CG using moxibustion.

Methods

A total of 61 CG patients were divided into an herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group and a mild-warm moxibustion group. In both treatment groups, bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6) were selected for moxibustion. Before and after treatment, all the enrolled patients’ gastrointestinal disease-related traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were measured, and the changes in the serum levels of the brain-gut peptides ghrelin, somatostatin (SS) and motilin (MTL) were observed.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the clinical efficacy rate (P>0.05). After treatment, the gastrointestinal disease-related TCM syndrome scores and VAS scores were reduced to varying extents in both groups, the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). In both groups, the serum levels of ghrelin and MTL increased and the serum levels of SS decreased after treatment (all P<0.01). And there were no serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

Both herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and mild-warm moxibustion are effective for CG; these two therapies exhibited similar therapeutic efficacy of epigastric discomfort or pain. And both the two therapies act to anti-inflammation, promote the recovery of gastric mucosa and improve the gastric motility, which is possibly their crucial action mechanism in treating CD.

     

艾炷灸治疗慢性腹泻临床观察

目的：观察艾灸对慢性顽固性腹泻的疗效。方法：将符合纳入标准的60例患者随机分为2组,治疗组30 例,予艾炷灸脾俞、肾俞等穴治疗;对照组予口服中药治疗。治疗1个疗程后比较两组疗效。结果：治疗组总有效率高于对照组,且两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：艾炷灸治疗慢性顽固性腹泻疗效优于口服中药。     

推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床观察

目的:观察推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效.方法:将90例腰椎间盘突出症患者随机分为两组,观察组45例,采用推拿结合温针治疗;对照组45例,采用单纯推拿治疗.结果:观察组的总有效率为88.9％,对照组的总有效率为75.6％,两组总有效率具有统计学差异(P＜0.01).结论:推拿结合温针治疗腰椎间盘突出症疗效优于单纯推拿手法治疗.     

Role of Combining Spreading Moxibustion and Point Injection in Reducing ECP and LPO Levels and Improving Lung Function简

Objective： To observe the effect of combining spreading moxibustion and point injection on serum eosinophil cationic protein（ECP）, lipid peroxidase（LPO） and cellular immunity in patients with cough-variant asthma. Methods： A total of 150 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into three groups, 50 in each group. Spreading moxibustion and point injection were employed in the observation group, spreading moxibustion alone in the spreading moxibustion group and point injection alone in the point injection group. Then the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated after one course of treatment. Results： The recovery rate and total effective rate were 50.0% and 98.0% respectively in the observation group, versus 18.0% and 86.0% in the spreading moxibustion group and 14.0% and 82.0% in the point injection group, showing a statistically significant difference（P 〈 0.01）. Before treatment, there were no inter-group statistically significant differences in levels of ECP, LPO, CD3＋,CD4＋, CD4＋/CD8＋ and CD8＋, forced vital capacity（FCV）, forced expiratory volume 1（FEV1）, and peak expiratory flow（PEF）（P〉0.05）. After treatment, the ECP and LPO levels in the observation group were more significantly reduced than those in the other two groups, showing statistically significant difference（P〈0.01）; the levels of CD3＋, CD4＋ and CD4＋/CD8＋ in the observation group were significantly elevated but CD8＋ was significantly reduced, showing statistically significant differences compared with those in the other two groups（P〈0.01）; and the lung function indexes（FVC, FEV1 and PEF） in the observation group were more significantly elevated than those in the other two groups（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining spreading moxibustion and point injection could remarkably reduce the contents of ECP and LPO in patients with cough-variant asthma, improve cellular immunity, increase the contents of CD3＋, CD4＋ and CD4＋/CD8＋, reduce the content of CD8＋ and improve the lung function.     

Effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on hypothalamus and ovarian leptin and blood lipid levels in menopausal rats

Objective:To observe the changes of hypothalamus, ovarian leptin levels and blood lipid in 12-month-old rats with natural menopause, and the effect of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4). To explore the impact of preventive acupuncture and moxibustion on the internal environment of early menopause disorder. Methods:Menopausal female rats were screened by vaginal smear. Rat model of menopause was obtained by natural aging method. Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4) was used as intervention methods. Hypothalamus and ovarian leptin levels were detected by radioimmunoassay. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were determined by biochemical methods. Results:Compared with the young control group, leptin levels in the hypothalamus and ovarian increased (P<0.01), plasma TC increased (P<0.05), LDL increased (P<0.01), and HDL reduced in 12-month-old rats. Hypothalamus and ovary leptin levels in 12-month-old rats with preventive acupuncture and moxibustion were significantly decreased (P<0.01); plasma TC and LDL levels decreased and HDL levels were increased in rats with preventive acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusion:Preventive acupuncture and moxibustion can improve leptin resistance state and restore the abnormal lipid levels in menopausal body, and therefore can slow down the disorder of inner environment in early menopause.     

灸法疾病谱的文献计量分析

目的：对1954至2007年间有关灸法的针灸论文进行文献计量分析与评价,以期客观地反映灸法的疾病谱及适宜病症。方法：根据《中国现代针灸信息数据库》中的数据,采用文献计量分析方法进行统计。结果和结论：灸法疾病谱涉及 364 种病症。灸法适宜病症为胎位不正、腹泻、结肠炎。常用适宜病症为尿失禁、痛经。次常用适宜病症为膝骨关节炎、颞下颌关节综合征、软组织损伤、足跟痛、哮喘、尿潴留、带状疱疹。灸法疾病谱随着时间的变化也在不断变化。     

悬灸干预对高脂血症患者生化指标的影响

目的：观察艾条悬灸对高脂血症患者生化指标的影响。方法：针对高脂血症患者,采用悬灸神阙和双侧足三里穴治疗,观察治疗前和治疗后空腹血糖（Fasting Blood Glucose,FBG）、甘油三酯（Triglyceride,TG）、总胆固醇（Total Cholesterol,TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol,HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol,LDL-C）的变化。结果：治疗后 FBG、TC、LDL-C 下降（P〈0.01）;TG 下降（P〈0.05）;HDL-C 治疗前后无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。结论：悬灸治疗高脂血症不仅能改善血脂代谢,同时还可以调节糖代谢。     

推拿结合灸法治疗慢性疲劳综合征临床研究(英文)

目的:观察推拿结合灸法治疗对慢性疲劳综合征患者的影响。方法:将60例符合纳入标准的慢性疲劳综合征(Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,CFS)患者,随机分为2组,治疗组30例予推拿结合雷火灸治疗,对照组30例予普通针刺治疗。治疗4星期后进行临床疗效比较。结果:治疗组治愈率为36.7%,总有效率为93.3%,对照组治愈率为16.7%,总有效率为76.7%,两组治愈率和总有效率差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:推拿结合雷火灸治疗CFS疗效优于普通针刺。     

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea with herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave for primary dysmenorrhea （PD）. Methods： One hundred and thirty patients with PD were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 65 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave, while patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of Ibuprofen sustained-release capsules. After completing three courses of treatments, the clinical effects were evaluated by professional researchers. Results： The recovery rate of the treatment group was 58.5%, and the total effective rater was 98.5%; versus 24.6% and 81.5% in the control group. The between-group differences were statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Herb-partitioned moxibustion plus ultra-short wave is an easy-to-operate and effective therapy for PD.     

灸法治疗男科常见病研究进展

目的:总结艾灸治疗男科常见病的临床与实验研究现状.方法:以艾灸、男科病等为关键词进行国内医学生物类数据库检索,总结所得文献,归纳艾灸治疗男科常见病的治疗方法、用穴规律及机理进展.结果及结论:灸法治疗男科常见病安全有效,但治疗方案、诊断及疗效标准有待于进一步规范化.     

不同隔物灸治疗溃疡性结肠炎临床观察（英文）

目的:观察隔药饼灸和隔姜灸治疗溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)的临床疗效和症状评分改善情况。方法:将65例慢性U C患者随机分为隔药饼灸组(n=32)和隔姜灸组(n=33)。两组取相同穴位,即双侧天枢和大肠俞,分别采用隔药饼灸和隔姜灸治疗,每天治疗1次,12次为1疗程,疗程间休息3d,共治疗6个疗程。观察并比较两组临床疗效、症状评分以及M ayo评分改善状况。结果:治疗过程中,隔药饼灸组脱落2例,隔姜灸组脱落3例,最终每组30例纳入统计。治疗后,隔药饼灸组总有效率为93.3%,隔姜灸组总有效率为86.7%,两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。隔药饼灸组腹痛时间和腹泻频度改善情况均优于隔姜灸组(P=0.032,P=0.044)。治疗后,总体症状评分,主要症状评分,生活质量改善,腹痛频度、程度评分以及腹泻次数、性状评分比较,组间差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。隔药饼灸组患者M ayo评分改善情况优于隔姜灸组(P=0.048)。结论:隔药饼灸和隔姜灸均是治疗慢性U C的有效方法,两者总体疗效相当;隔药饼灸在改善腹痛时间评分、腹泻频度评分和M ayo评分方面优于隔姜灸组。     

Observation on therapeutic effect of mild moxibustion plus acupoint injection for optic atrophy

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of mild moxibustion plus acupoint injection for optic atrophy.Methods:Ninety-four patients with optic atrophy were divided into a treatment group(51 cases)and a control group(43 cases).The treatment group was treated with mild moxibustion plus acupoint injection,and the control group was treated with medications.After three courses,the change of vision was observed.Results:The total effective rate was 82.4%in the treatment group and41.9%in the control group,with a statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion plus acupoint injection is an effective method to treat optic atrophy.     

Analgesic effect of different moxibustion durations in rheumatoid arthritis rats

Objective

To observe the influence of different moxibustion durations on hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and prodynorphin (PDYN) mRNA expressions and plasma β-endorphin (β-EP) content in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats, to understand the mechanism of moxibustion analgesia and its dose-effect relationship.

Methods

Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly selected from 48 male Wistar rats as a normal control group. The RA model was created by raising rats in a windy (blowing with electric fan), cold (6°C ± 2°C), and wet (80%-90% humidity) environment for 20 days, 12 h each day. This was followed by injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (0.15 mL) into the ankle. Then, rats were randomly divided into a model group, moxibustion group I, and moxibustion group II, with 12 rats in each group. In moxibustion groups I and II, moxibustion was given at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 and 40 min, respectively, once daily for 15 days. Hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma β-EP content were determined.

Results

Compared with the normal group, the pressure pain threshold decreased, while the hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma β-EP content increased in the moxibustion groups (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the pressure pain threshold, hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma β-EP content in the moxibustion groups increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared the moxibustion group I, the pain threshold, hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma β-EP content in moxibustion group II significantly increased (P<0.01).

Conclusion

Moxibustion has an analgesic effect and increases hypothalamic POMC and PDYN mRNA expression levels and plasma β-EP content in RA rats. The analgesic effect in moxibustion group II is better than that in moxibustion group I.     

Effect observation on heat-sensitive moxibustion for abdominal distension following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on abdominal distension following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods： A total of 240 cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group according to their admission sequence, 120 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with conventional care, glycerol enema and heat sensitive moxibustion, whereas cases in the control group were only treated with conventional care and glycerol enema. Then the passage of gas by anus within 24 h and improvement of abdominal distension were observed in both groups. Results： There were statistical differences in the emergence time of bowel sounds and the initial passage of gas by anus between the two groups（both P〈0.05）. The therapeutic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Heat-sensitive moxibustion has reliable effect for abdominal distension following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

针刺配合雷火灸治疗颈型颈椎病临床研究

目的：观察针刺配合雷火灸治疗颈型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法：将符合纳入标准的60例颈型颈椎病患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。治疗组采用针刺配合雷火灸治疗;对照组采用单纯针刺治疗。观察治疗前后症状、体征积分及视觉模拟量表（Visual Analogue Scale,VAS）评分的变化。结果：治疗组在提高临床疗效、降低VAS评分,改善临床症状、体征积分方面均优于对照组（P〈0.01 或P〈0.05）。差异均有统计学意义。结论：针刺配合雷火灸能明显减轻颈型颈椎病患者的疼痛症状,改善颈椎功能。