Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture Combining Standard Swallowing Training for Post-stroke Dysphagia: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective

To assess the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combining standard swallowing training for patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Methods

A total of 105 consecutively admitted patients with post-stroke dysphagia in the Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine were included: 50 patients from the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation received standard swallowing training and acupuncture treatment (acupuncture group); 55 patients from the Department of Neurology received standard swallowing training only (control group). Participants in both groups received 5-day therapy per week for a 4-week period. The primary outcome measures included the scores of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) and the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA); the secondary outcome measure was the Royal Brisbane Hospital Outcome Measure for Swallowing (RBHOMS), all of which were assessed before and after the 4-week treatment.

Results

A total of 98 subjects completed the study (45 in the acupuncture group and 53 in the control group). Significant differences were seen in VFSS, SSA and RBHOMS scores in each group after 4-week treatment as compared with before treatment (P<0.01). Comparison between the groups after 4-week treatment showed that the VFSS P=0.007) and SSA scores (P=0.000) were more significantly improved in the acupuncture group than the control group. However, there was no statistical difference (P=0.710) between the acupuncture and the control groups in RBHOMS scores.

Conclusions

Acupuncture combined with the standard swallowing training was an effective therapy for post-stroke dysphagia, and acupuncture therapy is worth further investigation in the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

     

Changes in Small Intestinal Motility and Related Hormones by Acupuncture Stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) in Mice

Objectives

To clarify the effects of acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) on the hormonal changes.

Methods

Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice received acupuncture stimulation at acupoint ST 36 or Quchi (LI 11) once a day for 3 or 5 days in the acupuncture-stimulated groups, but not received in the normal group (n=6 in each group). On day 3 or 5, animals were given 0.1 mL of charcoal orally with a bulbed steel needle, 30 min after the last acupuncture stimulation. Ten minutes later, mice were anesthetized, and the intestinal transit and the concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), motilin, ghrelin and gastrin in the serum were measured.

Results

Compared to no acupuncture stimulation, acupuncture stimulation at ST 36 for 5 days increased the intestinal transit and down-regulated the concentration of VIP and up-regulated the concentrations of motilin, ghrelin and gastrin (P<0.05 or 0.01), whereas acupuncture stimulation at LI 11 did not change them signifificantly (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture stimulation at ST 36 for 5 days enhances the small intestinal motility and regulates the secretion of hormones related to small intestinal motility.

     

Acupuncture Alters Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in the Plasma of Maternally Separated Rat Pups

Objective: To investigate the potential alleviating effects of acupuncture on maternal separation(MS)-induced changes in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of rat pups. Methods: On postnatal day 15, rat pups were randomly assigned to 4 groups(n=6 per group) using a random number table: normal, MS, MS with acupuncture stimulation at Shenmen(HT 7) acupoint(MS+HT 7), and MS with acupuncture stimulation at Chengshan(BL 57) acupoint(MS+BL 57) groups. Rat pups in the normal group were housed with their mothers under standard conditions; those in the MS, MS+HT 7 and MS+BL 57 groups were maternally separated and individually maintained. Acupuncture stimulation was performed at HT 7 or BL 57 acupoints once a day for 7 consecutive days. A tail suspension test was performed to measure immobility time of rats and the plasma was collected on postnatal day 21, then levels of corticosterone(CORT), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) in plasma were measured. Results: Compared with the normal group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF in the MS group were significantly increased(P0.05 or P0.01). Compared with the MS group, the immobility time and the plasma levels of CORT, IL-1β, IL-6 and GDNF were significantly reduced in the MS+HT 7 group(P0.05 or P0.01). Moreover, the immobility time and plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the MS+HT 7 group were significantly lower than those in the MS+BL 57 group(P0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation at HT 7 can alleviate the behavioral impairment and changes of the cytokines by MS, indicating that acupuncture can help to relieve MS-induced depression.     

Acupuncture for Moderate to Severe Allergic Rhinitis: A Non-randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture therapy on patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.

Methods

A non-randomized controlled design was used to compare between the acupuncture group and the medication group. The acupuncture group received 8-week acupuncture therapy, and the medication group received budesonide nasal spray with cetirizine tablets for 8 weeks. The clinical symptoms and signs were analyzed before treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks after the start of treatment, and at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Furthermore, the clinical efficacy and safety indicators were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 76 participants consisting of 38 in each of the two groups were enrolled. The scores of each clinical symptom and sign, including sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, nasal itching, and turbinate edema, and the total scores decreased over time in both groups (all P<0.05); and no difference was found in the scores between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the effective rates of the acupuncture group at 4 and 8 weeks after the start of treatment as well as at 12-week follow-up compared with those of the medication group (83.3% vs. 91.2%, and 94.4 % vs. 85.3%; and 80.6 % vs. 82.4%, all P>0.05). Experimental items including blood routine, urine routine, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, urea nitrogen and creatinine were all in the normal reference ranges during the treatment in the acupuncture group.

Conclusions

Acupuncture therapy has a comparable effect to the medication treatment on patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis, and it is safe with no severe adverse effects.

     

Wet Cupping Therapy Improves Local Blood Perfusion and Analgesic Effects in Patients with Nerve-Root Type Cervical Spondylosis

Objective

To observe wet cupping therapy (WCT) on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis (NT-CS).

Methods

Fifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture (JA) group according a random number table. WCT group (30 cases) was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group (27 cases) was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood perfusion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) acupoints (affected side) was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well.

Results

In both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.01), while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05); however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA (P<0.05).

Conclusions

WCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.

     

Effect of Artemisia annua Extract on Treating Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To investigate the effect and safety of the complementary use of the extract of Artemisia annua L. (EAA) on treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. All the 159 participates with active RA were randomly assigned to the control group (80 cases) and EAA group (79 cases) using concealed random allocation method. In the control group, patients were medicated with leflflunomide and methotrexate for 48 weeks; and patients in the EAA group were administrated with leflflunomide, methotrexate plus EAA (30 g/d). At the time points of 0, 12, 24 and 48 weeks, the clinical outcome measures, including objective pain score, tenderness score, number of painful joints, number of swollen joints, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score for quality of life, levels of serum rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibodies (CCP-Ab), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), visual analogue score for pain (VAS), and the overall effificacy were detected and recorded.

Results

The objective pain score, number of painful joints and ESR at 12 weeks, tenderness score and HAQ at 24 weeks, and the tenderness score, number of painfull joints, number of swollen joints, HAQ, CRP, RF and CCP-Ab at 48 weeks were signifificantly improved in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). At 24 and 48 weeks, the overall effificacy of the EAA group was signifificantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There were signifificantly higher withdrawal rate of corticosteroids within 12 weeks post-treatment and lower incidence rate of adverse effects in the EAA group compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

Conclusion

EAA plus methotrexate and leflflunomide were more effective and safer than the routine use of methotrexate and leflflunomide in the treatment of active RA.

     

Can Ashi Points Stimulation Have Specific Effects on Shoulder Pain? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: To provide an evidence-based overview regarding the efficacy of Ashi points stimulation for the treatment of shoulder pain. Methods: A comprehensive search [Pub Med, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Chongqing Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals(VIP) and Wanfang Database] was conducted to identify randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of Ashi points stimulation for shoulder pain compared with conventional treatment. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Rev Man 5.0 was used for data synthesis. Results: Nine trials were included. Seven studies assessed the effectiveness of Ashi points stimulation on response rate compared with conventional acupuncture. Their results suggested significant effect in favour of Ashi points stimulation [odds ratio(OR): 5.89, 95% confidence interval(CI): 2.97 to 11.67, P0.01, heterogeneity: χ2=3.81, P=0.70, I2=0% ]. One trial compared Ashi points stimulation with drug therapy. The result showed there was a significantly greater recovery rate in group of Ashi points stimulation(OR: 9.58, 95% CI: 2.69 to 34.12). One trial compared comprehensive treatment on the myofascial trigger points(MTr Ps) with no treatment and the result was in favor of MTr Ps. Conclusions: Ashi points stimulation might be superior to conventional acupuncture, drug therapy and no treatment for shoulder pain. However, due to the low methodological quality of included studies, a firm conclusion could not be reached until further studies of high quality are available.     

Chinese Medicine Yishen Jiangu Granules(益肾健骨颗粒)on Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Yishen Jiangu Granules(益肾健骨颗粒, YSJGG) on aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms(AIMSS). Methods: A single-arm, open-label study was conducted in 34 postmenopausal women with breast cancer who experienced AIMSS. Patients were treated with YSJGG for 12 weeks(12.4 g orally twice daily). The primary outcome was a change in the mean worst pain score of Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form(BPI-SF) over 12 weeks, and the second outcomes included changes in pain severity and pain-related interference of BPI-SF and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC), Modified Score for the Assessment of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands(M-SACRAH), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast(FACT-B), bone mineral density(BMD) and blood indices such as calcium(Ca), phosphate(P), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). Results: Of 37 women recruited, 30 initiated the therapy and 24 were evaluable at 12 weeks. The primary outcome(BPI-SF worst pain scores) achieved a 2.17-point reduction compared with baseline(5.75±1.87 vs 3.58±2.15, P0.01). There were reductions in pain severity(decreased 1.65, P0.01) and pain-related interference(decreased 2.55, P0.01). The changes in WOMAC and M-SACRAH scores were similar to BPI-SF(P0.05). In the FACT-B, only physical wel-being and functional wel-being were improved compared with baseline(P0.05). No clinical differences were found in BMD, Ca, P and ALP. Conclusion: YSJGG is an effective and wel-tolerated agent to reduce AIMSS.     

Effects of Shenfu Injection (参附注射液) on Cerebral Metabolism in A Porcine Model of Cardiac Arrest

Objective:To investigate the effects of Shenfu Injection(参附注射液,SFI) on cerebral metabolism in a porcine model of cardiac arrest(CA).Methods:Thirty Wuzhishan minipigs were randomly assigned to the control group(n=6),epinephrine group(EP group,n=12) and SFI group(n=12).After8 min of untreated ventricular fibrillation(VF),pigs in the EP group or SFI group were administered with either EP(0.02 mg/kg) or SFI(1.0 mL/kg),respectively.After successful resuscitation,cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) levels of glucose,pyruvate,lactate,glutamate and glycerol were measured at 1,6,12 and 24 h after recover from spontaneous circulation(ROSC).In addition,neurologic deficit score(NDS) was calculated at 24 h after ROSC.Surviving pigs were killed at 24 h after ROSC,and the brain tissue was obtained for ultra-microstructure examination.Results:Compared with the EP group,CSF glucose and pyruvate levels were higher(all P0.01),and lactate levels were lower in the SFI group(P0.01).Meanwhile,CSF glutamate and glycerol levels in the SFI group were lower in comparison to the EP group(all P0.05).In addition,SFI decreased NDS at 24 h after ROSC(P0.01),and alleviated the histopathological damage of the brain.Conclusions:SFI could alleviate brain injury after CA,which may be associated with improving cerebral metabolism.     

Effects of Senegenin against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Injury in PC12 Cells

Objective:To investigate the effect and the potential mechanism of Senegenin(Sen) against injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) in highly differentiated PC12 cells.Methods:The cultured PC12 cells were treated with H/R in the presence or absence of Sen(60 μmol/L).Four groups were included in the experiment:control group,H/R group,H/R+Sen group and Sen group.Cell viability of each group and the level of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in culture medium were detected for the pharmacological effect of Sen.Hoechst 33258 staining and annexin V/propidium iodide double staining were used to analyze the apoptosis rate.Moreover,mitochondrial membrane potential(△Ψm),reactive oxygen species(ROS) and intracellular free calcium([Ca~(2+)]i) were measured by fluorescent staining and flow cytometry.Cleaved caspase-3and activity of NADPH oxidase(NOX) were determined by colorimetric protease assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,respectively.Results:Sen significantly elevated cell viability(P0.05),decreased the leakage of LDH(P0.05) and apoptosis rate(P0.05) in H/R-injured PC12 cells.Sen maintained the value of△Ψm(P0.05) and suppressed the activity of caspase-3(P0.05).Moreover,Sen reduced ROS accumulation(P0.05) and[Ca~(2+)]i increment(P0.05) by inhibiting the activity of NOX(P0.05).Conclusion:Sen may exert cytoprotection against H/R injury by decreasing the levels of intracellular ROS and[Ca~(2+)]_i,thereby suppressing the mitochondrial pathway of cellular apoptosis.     

Contribution of Water and Lipid Soluble Substances in the Relaxant Effects of Tymus Vulgaris Extract on Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle in Vitro

Objective:To examine the relaxant effects of hydro-ethanolic,macerated aqueous(MA) and lipidfree macerated aqueous(LFMA) extract of Tymus vulgaris on tracheal chains of guinea pigs.Methods:The relaxant effects of five cumulative concentrations of each extract(0.4,0.8,1.2,1.6 and 2.0 g/100 mL) were compared with saline as negative control and five cumulative concentrations of theophylline(0.1,0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8 mmol/L) on precontracted tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig with 60 mmol/L KCI(group 1) and 10 μmol/L methacholine(group 2,n=6 for each group).Results:In group 1 all concentrations of theophylline,three higher concentrations of hydro-ethanolic,two concentrations of LFMA and last concentration of MA extracts showed significant relaxant effects compared with that of saline(P0.05 or P0.01).Two lower concentrations of LFMA and all concentrations of MA except higher one caused contraction compared with saline(P0.05 or 0.01).In group 2 experiments,all concentrations of theophylline,hydro-ethanolic,MA and LFMA extracts showed significant relaxant effects compared to that of saline(P0.05 or P0.01).In both groups,the relaxant effect of all concentrations of hydro-ethanolic extract were significantly higher than most concentrations of others(P0.05 or P0.01).The relaxant effect of different concentrations of three extracts were significantly greater in group 2 compared with group 1 experiments(all P0.01).There were significantly positive correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations for theophylline and ail extracts in both groups(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion:Hydro-ethanolic extract has a potent weaker relaxant effect for other extracts from Tymus vulgaris on tracheal chains of guinea pigs.     

Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers., A Medicinal Mushroom, Activates Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Objective

To study the ability of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mushroom in the treatment of nerve injury following peroneal nerve crush in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods

Aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus was given by daily oral administration following peroneal nerve crush injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways; and c-Jun and c-Fos genes were studied in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) whereas the activity of protein synthesis was assessed in peroneal nerves by immunohistochemical method.

Results

Peripheral nerve injury leads to changes at the axonal site of injury and remotely located DRG containing cell bodies of sensory afferent neurons. Immunofluorescence studies showed that DRG neurons ipsilateral to the crush injury in rats of treated groups expressed higher immunoreactivities for Akt, MAPK, c-Jun and c-Fos as compared with negative control group (P <0.05). The intensity of nuclear ribonucleoprotein in the distal segments of crushed nerves of treated groups was significantly higher than in the negative control group (P <0.05).

Conclusion

H. erinaceus is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Potential signaling pathways include Akt, MAPK, c-Jun, and c-Fos, and protein synthesis have been shown to be involved in its action.

     

Effects of Modified Qing'e Pill (加味青娥丸) on Expression of Adiponectin, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 and Coagulation-Related Factors in Patients with Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head

Objective: To observe the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine, Modified Qing'e Pill(加味青娥丸, MQEP), on the expression of adiponectin, bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), osteoprotegerin(OPG) and other potentially relevant risk factors in patients with nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH). Methods: A total of 96 patients with nontraumatic ONFH were unequal randomly divided into treatment group(60 cases) and control group(36 cases). The treatment group were treated with MQEP while the control group were treated with simulated pills. Both groups were given caltrate D. Six months were taken as a treatment course. Patients were followed up every 2 months. The levels of plasma adiponectin, BMP2, OPG, von Willebrand factor(vWF), von Willebrand factor cleaving protease(vWF-cp), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1(PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator(tPA), C-reactive protein(CRP), blood rheology, bone mineral density(BMD) of the femoral head and Harris Hip Score were measured before and after treatment. Results: After 6 months of treatment, compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group had significantly higher adiponectin and BMP2 levels(P0.01 and P=0.013, respectively), lower vWF, PAI-1 and CRP levels(P=0.019, P0.01 and P0.01, respectively), and lower blood rheology parameters. BMD of the femoral neck, triangle area and Harris Hip Score in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Moreover, plasma adiponectin showed a positive association with BMP2(r=0.231, P=0.003) and a negative association with PAI-1(r=–0.159, P0.05). Conclusions: MQEP may play a protective role against nontraumatic ONFH by increasing the expression of adiponectin, regulating bone metabolism and improving the hypercoagulation state, which may provide an experimental base for its clinical effects.     

Chinese Tuina Downregulates the Elevated Levels of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Sciatic Nerve Injured Sprague-Dawley Rats

Objective

To elucidate the mechanism of Chinese tuina in treating sciatic nerve crush injury, and to detect the levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which is thought to play an important role in nerve regeneration.

Methods

Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sciatic nerve crush injury and 16 rats (sham-operated group) went through a sham operation. Control group was given no treatment while tuina group received tuina therapy since day 7 post-surgery. Tuina treatment was performed once a day and lasted for 20 days. The sciatic functional index was examined every 5 days during the treatment session. The rats’ gastrocnemius muscles were evaluated for changes in mass and immunohistochemistry techniques were performed to detect the levels of tPA and PAI-1.

Results

Tuina therapy improved the motor function of sciatic nerve injured rats (P<0.05), however, it did not increase muscle volume (P<0.05). Tuina downregulated the levels of tPA and PAI-1 (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The present study implies that tuina treatment could accelerate rehabilitation of peripheral nerve injury.

     

Synchronous Dynamic Research on Respiratory and Intestinal Microflora of Chronic Bronchitis Rat Model

Objectives

To investigate the mechanism of the Chinese medicine theory that Fei (Lung) and Dachang (Large Intestine) are exteriorly and interiorly related via synchronous observation on the dynamic changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflora.

Methods

Forty specific pathogen free Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into blank (10 rats) and chronic bronchitis model groups (30 rats). The blank group rats were put into the smoke-free environment and the model group rats were put into the smoke environment in order to establish pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis) model. Then the corresponding changes of the respiratory and intestinal microflflora of the model on 20th, 50th and 70th days were synchronously observed.

Results

The respiratory tract microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic and Staphylococcus aureus and reduced anaerobic amount signifificantly on 20th day in the respiratory tract microflflora (P<0.05 or 0.01). On 50th day, total aerobic, total anaerobic amount and bififidobacterium signifificantly increased (P<0.05). On 70th day, Staphylococcus aureus reduced and lactobacillus increased signifificantly (P<0.01). The intestinal microflflora showed an increase in the total aerobic, Clostridium perfringens, enterobacter and enterococcus significantly increased on 20th day (P<0.05 or 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus on 50th day increased significantly (P<0.05). Total aerobic and enterococcus increased, total anaerobic and Clostridium perfringens reduced signifificantly on 70th day (P<0.05 or 0.01).

Conclusion

The microecosystem of respiratory tract and intestine of rat model during the pathological process showed a dynamic disorder, indicating an interaction between the lung and large intestine which may be one of the connotations as they exteriorly and interiorly related.

     

Hot Compress with Chinese Herbal Salt Packets Reducing PICC Catheter Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To explore the preventive effect of applying hot compress with Chinese herbal salt packets(CHSP) to puncture vessels under aseptic conditions during peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC) on postoperative phlebitis. Methods: A total of 720 hospitalized patients undergoing first PICC were assigned to treatment and control groups(360 cases each group) according to a random number table. The control group received conventional catheterization and nursing care. The treatment group was first given hot compress with CHSP(which consisted of honeysuckle 30 g, Semen brassicae 30 g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 30 g, Angelica dahurica 30 g, Semen raphani 30 g, Evodia rutaecarpa 30 g, and coarse salt 20 g) on the punctured vessel under aseptic conditions for 5–10 min before conventional catheterization. The main efficacy indices were the vessel diameters before and during catheterization and the success rate of a single catheter, and the secondary efficacy indiex was the incidence of superficial phlebitis within 1 week after catheterization. Results: The vessel diameter during catheterization of the treatment group was remarkably increased compared with the control group [(7.96±0.42) mm vs.(4.39±0.54) mm, P0.01]. The success rate of the single catheter of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group [94.00%(329/350) vs. 73.72%(244/329), P0.01]. The incidence of superficial phlebitis within 1 week after catheterization in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P=0.007). There was no adverse event with CHSP. Conclusion: Hot compress with CHSP during PICC is applicable as it can effectively improve the success rate of a single catheter and reduce the incidence of superficial phlebitis after catheterization(Trial registration No. ChiCTR-ONC-17010498).     

Suppression of Oxidative Stress of Modified Gongjin-Dan (WSY-1075) in Detrusor Underactivity Rat Model Bladder Outlet Induced by Obstruction

Objective

To investigate the anti-oxidative stress and preventive effect of modified Gongjin-dan (WSY-1075) in a detrusor underactivity rat model.

Methods

Rats were randomly allocated to three groups: shamoperated (control), bladder outlet obstruction-induced detrusor underactivity (BOO-DU), and BOO-DU with WSY-1075 (WSY) groups. WSY-1075 was orally administrated to rats 200 mg daily for 2 weeks prior to the operation and 4 weeks after the operation. Bladder outlet obstruction was surgically induced in rats by ligation around the urethra avoiding total obstruction. Cystometrography was conducted on rats in each group for examination of bladders.

Results

Compared with the control group, bladder outlet obstruction led to a significant increase in oxidative stress with consequent changes to molecular composition, and decrease in maximal detrusor pressure (P<0.05). WSY-1075 treatment significantly suppressed oxidative stress and prevented degenerative and dysfunctional changes in bladder, as compared with BOO-DU group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

WSY-1075 had beneficial effect on prevention of BOO-DU.

     

Efficacy and Safety of Qiaoshao Formula(翘芍方) on Patients with Lifelong Premature Ejaculation of Gan(Liver) Depression and Shen(Kidney) Deficiency Syndrome:A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of Qiaoshao Formula(翘芍方, QSF) on patients with lifelong premature ejaculation(LPE) of Gan(Liver) depression and Shen(Kidney) deficiency syndrome. Methods: A total of 60 LPE patients were randomly divided into treatment(QSF) and control(dapoxetine) groups. The treatment group received QSF twice a day and the control group received dapoxetine 1 to 2 h prior to planned sexual intercourse for 4 weeks. The outcomes included intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time(IELT), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool(PEDT), clinical global impression of change(CGIC), scores of Chinese medicine symptoms(CMSS), sex life satisfaction(SLS) and adverse events(AEs). Results: In the treatment group, the median IELT was 3 min vs. 1.5 min before and after treatment(P0.05). PEDT in the treatment group was reduced to 11.76±1.68 from 15.83±2.30 after treatment(P0.05). Besides, patient's SLS was improved from 1.30±0.05 to 6.30±0.04(P0.05), and spouse's SLS was increased from 1.30±0.08 to 6.10±0.06(P0.05); CMSS was decrease from 14.86±3.02 to 9.62±2.87(P0.05). In addition, no significant AE was observed in both groups. Conclusion: QSF may be effective and safe on LPE patients with Gan depression and Shen deficiency syndrome.     

Non-Invasive Treatment to Grade 1 Essential Hypertension by Percutaneous Laser and Electric Pulse to Acupoint with Music: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To study a non-drug therapy for hypertension disease by combining percutaneous laser and electric pulse stimulation to acupoint with music, and to test the efficiency of the combining treatment to grade 1 essential hypertension.

Methods

A total of 174 patients with grade 1 essential hypertension were randomly assigned to 3 groups with a random number table after Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome differentiation: the photoelectric and musical treatment group (Group 1, with a self-developed multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus), acupuncture group (Group 2), and oral placebo group (Group 3), 58 cases per group. The curative effect of each group was evaluated by the changes of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral before and after treatment.

Results

Compared with Group 3, there were significant decrease of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral in Group 1 and Group 2 (P<0.01). Compared with Group 2, Group 1 showed the highest decrease in systolic pressure (P<0.017). The total effective rate of anti-hypertension in Group 1 (91.38%, 53/58) was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (74.13%, 43/58) and Group 3 (18.97%, 11/58, P<0.05 or P<0.01); and that in Group 2 was also significantly higher than that in Group 3 (P<0.01). There were significant difference in the total effective rate of CM syndrome integral in both Group 1 (93.10%, 54/58) and Group 2 (84.48%, 49/58) as compared with Group 3 (17.24%, 10/58, P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P>0.05).

Conclusions

The multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus, combining music, laser and electric pulse stimulation, is clinically useful for grade 1 essential hypertension. This "three in one" therapy method is non-invasive, easy and simple to handle. It is expected to be popularized as a new alternative treatment.

     

Evaluation of Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Aqueous Extract of Armadillidium vulgare Latreille

Objective

To assess the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Armadillidium vulgare (AV).

Methods

The antinociceptive effect of AV (400, 600 and 800 mg/kg) was investigated in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced nociceptive, and hot plate tests. Phlogogen-induced paw edema using carrageenan, dextran, or compound 48/80 as phlogogen was used as inflammatory models to evaluate AV's anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, the bioactive substances glucosamine (GLcN) and taurine in AV were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Oral treatment of the mice with AV (600 and 800 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes in the acetic acid-induced writhing test (P<0.01) but not the hot plate test (P>0.05). All doses tested significantly inhibited paw-withdrawal during the second phase of the formalin-induced nociceptive model (P<0.01). AV demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect in all those inflammatory models (P<0.05).

Conclusions

AV has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, providing scientific evidence of the efficacy of its traditional use in pain treatment. Furthermore, GLcN and taurine contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity of AV.