Differential involvement of GABA system in mediating behavioral and neurochemical effect of acupuncture in ethanol-withdrawn rats

In our previous study we demonstrated that acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) points suppressed a decrease of accumbal dopamine (DA) release in ethanol-withdrawn rats. Furthermore, here we found that it inhibited behavioral withdrawal signs of ethanol. In an effort to better understand the mechanisms underlying this inhibition, the potential role of GABA receptor system in acupuncture was investigated. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with 3 g/kg/day of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injection for 21 days. Following 48 or 72 h of ethanol withdrawal, acupuncture was applied at bilateral HT7 for 1 min. The selective GABA_A antagonist bicuculline and the selective GABA_B antagonist SCH 50911 were injected intraperitoneally 20 min before acupuncture, respectively. Importantly, suppressive effects of acupuncture on DA deficiency were completely abolished by SCH 50911, but not by bicuculline, whereas ameliorating effects of acupuncture on ethanol withdrawal syndrome were completely blocked either by SCH 50911 or bicuculline. These results suggest that acupuncture at specific acupoint HT7 may normalize the DA release in the mesolimbic system and attenuate withdrawal syndrome through the GABA_B receptor system in ethanol-withdrawn rats.     

An immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of the grass lizard, Takydromus wolteri Fischer (Laceridae)

Distribution patterns and the relative frequency of different types of endocrine cells were demonstrated in the alimentary tract of the grass lizard, Takydromus wolteri, using nine specific antibodies raised against mammalian regulatory peptides. The alimentary tract of the lizard was divided into six portions from the esophagus to the rectum. Most endocrine cells were found in the epithelial lining and were generally spindle shaped with long cytoplasmic processes ending in the lumen (open cell type), whereas cells that were spherical in shape (closed cell type) were occasionally found in gastric, esophageal and intestinal glands. Endocrine cells were stained for the following regulatory peptides: bovine Sp-1/chromogranin (BCG), serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, glucagon, insulin, human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) and secretin. Cells stained for BCG and serotonin were present throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract and they occurred with the highest frequency in stomach and pylorus, respectively. Somatostatin-positive cells were detected throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract except for the esophagus and large intestine, and were most predominant in pylorus and duodenum. Cells stained for gastrin were restricted to the pylorus and duodenum and occurred with a relatively low frequency. CCK-8-positive cells were observed from pylorus to small intestine and showed the highest frequency in the pylorus. Glucagon- and insulin-containing cells were located in duodenum and small intestine but were found only rarely. HPP-stained cells were detected in duodenum and small intestine with the highest frequency in duodenum. Cells stained for secretin were restricted to duodenum and were found only rarely. In conclusion, distribution patterns and the relative frequency of these endocrine cells correspond well with previous reports on distribution patterns of endocrine cells in reptile species but some deviating patterns were also observed.     

Efficacy of various forms of acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purposeEvidence regarding the efficacy of various forms of acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in women is outdated and inconclusive. This review aims to determine the efficacy of different forms of acupuncture for the treatment of UI in women.MethodsMultiple databases were searched from inception to June 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared various forms of acupuncture to control were included.ResultsTen trials were included in this review. The pooled analysis demonstrated that an increased proportion of women with stress UI (SUI) reported fewer UI episodes (1.73 [95% CI 1.46, 2.04]; p < 0.00001) in the electroacupuncture group than in the sham group. The meta-analysis also revealed a significantly increased number of women who reported the complete cure of SUI in the electroacupuncture combined with pelvic floor muscle training group than in the medication group (RR 2.67 [95% CI 1.51, 4.71]; p = 0.0007). Body and laser acupuncture caused significant decreases in the number of urge accidents (-2.70 [95% CI -4.86, -0.54]; p = 0.01) and the occurrence of urgency symptoms (-3.60[95% CI -5.34, -1.86]; p < 0.0001), compared with sham acupuncture.ConclusionsBased on the findings of this review, electroacupuncture may be able to improve SUI in women in clinical settings. This review also identified evidence supporting the use of body, electro,- and laser acupuncture for the treatment of urge UI; however, these results were obtained from single studies, and further research remains necessary to confirm the effects of these interventions on the treatment of urge UI in women.     

The efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Guilu Erxian Jiao in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveA systematic review was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Guilu Erxian Jiao (GEJ) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Electronic Periodical Services, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify relevant randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials, from the inception of each source to April 20, 2021. Primary outcome included overall efficacy, pain score, and Lequesne index score; secondary outcome included adverse events. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 1.0). The meta-analysis was performed based on a random-effects model due to anticipated clinical heterogeneity. The grading of overall evidence was assessed using the GRADE system. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021233573).ResultsEight studies were included. Compared to controls, GEJ exhibited superior overall efficacy for treating OA (risk ratio (RR) = 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.35). Regarding pain score, there was no statistical difference between GEJ and controls (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.27; 95% CI = −0.91 – 1.46). No significant difference was found in Lequesne score between GEJ and controls (MD = −0.25; 95% CI = −0.52 – 0.01). No statistical difference in adverse reactions was observed between GEJ and controls (risk difference (RD) = −0.01; 95% CI = −0.05–0.03).ConclusionOur findings suggest that GEJ may have positive effects on overall efficacy in treating OA. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding pain score, Lequesne score, and knee joint function score.     

Roles of serum in innate immune responses of human leukocytes to synthetic lipopeptide

Tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-l-Cys-Ser-(Lys)₄ (Pam₃CSK₄) is a highly conserved molecular motif found in various classes of lipoproteins. The requirement for leukocyte to respond to synthetic Pam₃CSK₄ were studied. Pam₃CSK₄ primed neutrophils for a respiratory burst in a serum-dependent manner. Pam₃CSK₄ upregulated CD11b, CD14, and cytochrome b₅₅₈, and downregulated Leu-8. Treatment of neutrophils with anti-CD14 antibodies and treatment of serum with anti-LPS binding protein (LBP) antibodies resulted in the inhibition of priming for respiratory burst by Pam₃CSK₄. It should be noted that LBP could not replicate the effects of serum in priming of neutrophils for respiratory burst by Pam₃CSK₄. Serum LBP bound to immobilized Pam₃CSK₄. Pam₃CSK₄ induced the interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by leukocytes in a serum-dependent manner. Further, Pam₃CSK₄-induced priming of neutrophils for respiratory burst was not inhibited by the LPS antagonists LA-14-PP, Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS, or E5531, and Pam₃CSK₄-induced IL-8 production by leukocytes was not affected by LPS antagonist, E5531, indicating that Pam₃CSK₄ was recognized by a different receptor than LPS. Thus, Pam₃CSK₄ and LPS had similar biological activities and similar requirement to act on leukocytes, but were recognized by different receptors. Serum in the action of Pam₃CSK₄ on leukocytes was not replicated by LBP, suggesting that Pam₃CSK₄ might be disaggregated by serum to result in the activation of leukocytes.     

NXCL‐4950, a novel composite applicable to peripheral skin,is capable of increasing skin temperature by enhancing capillary circulation

Background. Rapid skin warming and prompt correct medical treatment lead to dramatic improvement in patients with peripheral capillary‐related damage, such as injuries, Raynaud disease and frostbite. Aim. To characterize a novel composite, NXCL‐4950, for use in a cosmetic lotion. Methods. The effects of NXCL‐4950 on enhancing skin blood flow, skin temperature warming, and expansion of peripheral blood vessels and scalp microvessels were investigated. Results. Monitoring by laser Doppler perfusion imaging and thermal imaging showed that application of NXCL‐4950 to the hands increased skin blood flow and temperature relative to the control (or placebo) group. For the 20 participants with a high Raynaud Condition Score, application of NXCL‐4950 to the skin resulted in a mean increase of 215.53% in microvessel diameter and mean increase of 164.96% in the speed of blood flow. When NXCL‐4950 was applied to the scalp, the microvessels around the hair roots were clearly visible after 20 min. Conclusion. NXCL‐4950 is a potential candidate for enhancing peripheral skin temperature, and might be useful in the treatment of capillary‐related disorders.     

Melatonin inhibits neuronal dysfunction‐associated with neuroinflammation by atopic psychological stress in NC/Nga atopic‐like mouse models

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is chronic pruritic skin disease. AD can increase psychological stress as well, increasing glucocorticoid release and exacerbating the associated symptoms. Chronic glucocorticoid elevation disturbs neuroendocrine signaling and can induce neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and cognitive impairment; however, it is unclear whether AD‐related psychological stress elevates glucocorticoids enough to cause neuronal damage. Therefore, we assessed the effects of AD‐induced stress in a mouse AD model. AD‐related psychological stress increased astroglial and microglial activation, neuroinflammatory cytokine expression, and markers of neuronal loss. Notably, melatonin administration inhibited the development of skin lesions, scratching behavior, and serum IgE levels in the model mice, and additionally caused a significant reduction in corticotropin‐releasing hormone responsiveness, and a significant reduction in neuronal damage. Finally, we produced similar results in a corticosterone‐induced AD‐like skin model. This is the first study to demonstrate that AD‐related psychological stress increases neuroendocrine dysfunction, exacerbates neuroinflammation, and potentially accelerates other neurodegenerative disease states.