Effect of needle-retaining time on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia

Objective： To observe the effect of needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture on therapeutic efficacy for post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods： A total of 82 cases who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into a control group （22 cases）, a short-time needle- retaining group （30 cases） and a long-time needle-retaining group （30 cases）. Conventional Bobath therapy was employed in the control group while the scalp acupuncture was combined in the short-time （0.5 h） needle-retaining group and long-time （24 h） needle-retaining group. Then functional assessments were made 1 month and 3 months after treatment using FugI-Meyer motor scale {FMMS）, FugI-Meyer assessment of balance （FMA-B） and modified Barthel index （MBI） score. Results： Cases in the long-time needle-retaining group obtained better effects in motor function of the limbs and activities of daily living （ADL） than the other two groups （P〈0.05）. In addition, there was no statistical significance between the short-time needle-retaining group and the control group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： The needle-retaining time in scalp acupuncture is substantially associated with the effect for post-stroke hemiplegia and long-time needle-retaining is more advisable.     

Clinical observation on scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia after stroke

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of the scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for hemiplegia. Methods： One hundred and thirty-six cases with hemiplegia after stroke who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into three groups according to visiting sequence. Forty-eight cases in the observation group were treated by scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, 35 cases in the medicine group were treated by Chinese and Western medicines, and 53 cases in the medicine plus rehabilitation group were treated by Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Patients＇ consciousness, speech and limb functions were scored before and after treatment, and the results were compared. Results： After treatment, the scores of consciousness, speech and limb functions after treatment were lower than those before treatment. And their decrease in the observation group were more statically significant than that in the medicine group and the medicine plus rehabilitation group （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rates of the three groups were significantly different （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the other two groups （both P〈0.01）. Conclusion： Scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation therapy has better effect for stroke hemiplegia.     

Treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia by acupuncture plus rehabilitation training

Objective： To observe the clinical effects of acupuncture plus rehabilitation training for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia. Methods： Eighty patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia in conformity with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Both two groups were given treatments of routine Western medicine and rehabilitation training. Those in the treatment group were treated by puncturing antagonistic muscles, and those in the control group were given routine acupuncture treatment, to observe the changes in the scores of modified Ashworth scale （MAS）, Fugl-Meyer assessment （FMA） and Barthel index （BI） after treatments in the two groups. Results： After treatment, the scores of MAS, FMA and BI in the two groups were statistically different from those of the same group before the treatment （all P〈0.02）. After treatment, the differences in the scores of MAS, FMA and BI were all statistically significant （P〈0.01 or P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture of antagonistic muscles plus rehabilitation training is better than routine acupuncture plus rehabilitation in the treatment of post-stroke spastic hemiplegia.     

Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for post-stroke flaccid paralysis

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating post-stroke flaccid paralysis. Methods:Forty patients with post-stroke flaccid paralysis were randomized by the random number table into a treatment group and a control group, 20 cases in each. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1), Tianquan (PC 2), Ququan (LR 8), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and Yongquan (KI 1), and the control group was treated by acupuncture with conventional acupoint selection. Barthel index (BI) was adopted for evaluating the activities of daily living (ADL), and therapeutic efficacy was analyzed. Results:The two groups both had marked increases of BI score after treatment. Compared to the control group after 1 treatment course and 2 treatment courses respectively, the treatment group had significant differences in BI score (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group versus 90.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion:EA at Jiquan (HT 1), Tianquan (PC 2), Ququan (LR 8), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Yongquan (KI 1) is an effective approach in treating post-stroke flaccid paralysis.     

Clinical observation on acupuncture treatment for cerebral infarction sequela

Objective:To observe the clinical effects of the warm-dredging needling method for cerebral infarction sequela.Methods:Sixty patients with cerebral infarction sequela in conformity with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,30 cases in each group.The control group was given the basic treatment of Western medicine.The treatment group was added with acupuncture treatment based upon the treatment of Western medicine.The neurological defects of the patients were assessed before and after the treatments by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS).Results:The remarkable curative rate was 83.3%and the total effective rate was 93.3%in the treatment group,versus 56.7%and 70.0%in the control group,with statistical differences in the remarkable curative rate and the total effective rate between the two groups(P<0.05).After the treatment,NIHSS scores decreased in both groups(P<0.01 or P<0.05),and the difference was statistical significant between the two groups(P<0.01).Conclusion:The warm-dredging needling method was better than single treatment of Western medicine in the treatment of cerebral infarction sequela.     

Effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction

Objective： To observe the effect of relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training on post-stroke upper limb dysfunction. Methods： Sixty-eight eligible subjects with post-stoke upper limb dysfunction were randomized into 2 groups by the random number table, 34 in each group, to respectively receive relaxing needling method or ordinary needling method in addition to rehabilitation training for 2 months. FugI-Meyer assessment of upper limb motor function, neurological defect score, and clinical efficacies were observed and compared. Results： The two groups both showed effects. The total effective rate in the relaxing needling group was 93.8% versus 84.9% in the ordinary needling group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The relaxing needling group was better than the ordinary needling group in improving the motor function of upper limb and neurological defect （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Relaxing needling plus rehabilitation training can significantly improve the post-stroke motor dysfunction of upper limb, better than ordinary needling plus rehabilitation training.     

Clinical Study on Puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） for Post-stroke Dysfunction of the Lower Limbs

Objective： To observe the clinical effects in the treatment of post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40）. Methods： One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated by puncturing Weizhong （BL 40） plus functional rehabilitation training, once every day. Those in the observation group were treated by Shi Xue-min＇s needling technique, while others in the control group were treated with routine needling technique. The therapeutic effects were assessed by the scores of lower limb functions of Lovett scale of grading muscle strength （LSGMS） and short-form FugI-Meyer assessment （SFFMA）. Results： The instant and post-treatment effective rates in the observation group were 83.3% and 93.3%, versus 6.7% and 53.3% in the control group, indicating that the therapeutic effect was better in the observation group （P〈0.01）. The instant and post-treatment scores of Lovett muscle strength grading scale were better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.05）. SFFMA score of lower limbs function was better in the observation group than that in the control group （P〈0.0s）. Conclusion： Different needling methods at Weizhong （BL 40） can produce different therapeutic effects in treating post-stroke dysfunction of lower limb, and Shi＇s needling technique has obvious instant effect and therapeutic function.     

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture-moxibustion for Alzheimer ’s Disease

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating AIzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Methods： Forty-eight eligible AD patients were enrolled to receive acupuncture plus herb-partitioned moxibustion. Mini-mental state examination （MMSE） was adopted for evaluation before and after intervention, and the therapeutic efficacy was observed. Results： After intervention, the MMSE score changed significantly （P〈0.01）, and the total effective rate was 83.3%. Conclusion： Acupuncture-moxibustion can significantly improve the cognitive function of AD patients, beneficial to the general promotion of the quality of life.     

Moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8） Improves Effect of Acupuncture for Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D）. Methods： A total of 60 IBS-D patients were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8）, whereas patients in the control group only received acupuncture treatment. Six days made up a course of treatment, and the clinical effects were statistically analyzed after 4 courses. Results： The overall response rate in the treatment group was 96.7%, versus 76.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance （P〈0.05）. In the intra-group comparison of the symptom scores after treatment, there were statistical differences in both groups （both P〈0.01）, and in the inter-group comparison, the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture combined with ginger and salt-partitioned moxibustion on Shenque （CV 8） can obtain better effect for ISB-D than acupuncture alone.     

Clinical observation on Dong’s extraordinary points for tinnitus due to cervical spondylosis

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of Dong＇s extraordinary points in treating tinnitus due to cervical spondylosis. Methods： Totally 140 eligible subjects diagnosed with tinnitus due to cervical spondylosis were randomized into two groups, seventy in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture at Dong＇s extraordinary points; seventy in the control group were intervened by acupuncture at cervical Jiaji （EX-B 2） and distal points on limbs. Therapeutic efficacy was observed after a treatment course. Results： The total effective rate was 95.7% in the treatment group versus 85.7% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Compared to traditional point selection, acupuncture at Dong＇s extraordinary points has advantages of fewer points, less pain, faster effect, and better therapeutic efficacy.     

Clinical study on Fu’s subcutaneous needling with laser for postherpetic neuralgia

Objective： To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Fu＇s subcutaneous needling （FSN） with laser for postherpetic neuralgia and analyze its action mechanism. Methods： A total of 102 cases with postherpetic neuralgia were randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group, 51 in each group. FSN with laser was used for patients in the treatment group, whereas electroacupuncture was used for patients in the control group. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rates, action time and cure courses in recovery cases were compared between the two groups. Three months after the treatment was completed, a follow-up was done to compare relapse rates between the two groups. Results： The recovery and total effective rates in the treatment group were 56.9% and 94.1% respectively, versus 35.3% and 68.6% in the control group, showing statistical differences （P〈0.05）; the action time and cure courses in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group （P〈0.05）; the relapse rate in the treatment group was 6.9%, versus 44.4% in the control group, showing a statistical difference （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： FSN with laser can obtain better effect for postherpetic neuralgia than electroacupuncture and pose lower relapse risks.     

Influence of Electroacupuncture at Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8） on Hepatic Hemodynamics

Objective： To observe the influence Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8） on patients with chronic hepatic diseases. of electroacupuncture hepatic hemodynamics （EA） at in the Methods： Sixty cases with chronic hepatic diseases were randomly divided into a Taichong （LR 3） group and a Ququan （LR 8） group, 30 cases in each group, and were respectively treated with electroacupuncture at Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8）. The blood flow results of the hepatic artery and portal vein by color ultrasonic test were used as the objective indexes, to compare and observe the hemodynamics changes of the hepatic artery and portal vein in the patients before and after EA. Results： After EA, in Taichong （LR 3） group, the average velocity, the lowest velocity, resistance indexes and the highest velocity of blood flow of the hepatic artery, and the highest velocity, average velocity of blood flow of the portal vein, blood flow volume of the portal vein （PVBF）, total blood flow volume of the liver （TLBF）, and Doppler blood perfusion indexes of the hepatic artery （DPI） were all statistically different from those before intervention （all P~O,O5）, In Ququan （LR 81 group, the highest velocity, average velocity, lowest velocity and resistance indexes of blood flow of the hepatic artery, and the highest velocity and average velocity of blood flow of the portal vein, and PVBF were significantly different from those before intervention （P〈0.05）. The TLBF and DPI were significantly different from those before intervention （P〈0.01）. All various indexes were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion： EA at Taichong （LR 3） and Ququan （LR 8） can speed up blood flow velocity of the portal vein, increase PVBF, increase the TLBF, increase the resistance indexes of the hepatic artery, decrease the blood flow velocity of the hepatic artery, and decrease DPI in the liver.     

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 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.

     

Study of the Effect of Acupuncture on the Total Acidity of Gastric Juice and Pepsin＇s Activity

To know the effect of the total acidity of gastric juice and pepsin‘s activity. Methocls:By observing the effect on gastric mucosa through puncturing and moxibusting the acupuncture points of Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25) chronic shrinking gastritics in rat model. Results: We found acupuncture can cut down the quantity of emission of the total acidity of gastric juice effectively,decrease the activity of pepsin, remove superoxygen negative ion effectively, reduce the damage to the organism and increase the activity of SOD. Conclusions: The study showed that the activity can play a role in protecting the gastric mucosa.     

Effect of Acupuncture-moxibustion on TNF-α, sTNFR-I and sTNFR-Ⅱ of Rats with Crohn＇s Disease

目的：观察针灸对克罗恩病大鼠血清TNF—α、sTNFR—I、sTNFR-II的影响。方法：采用TNBs制备大鼠克罗恩病模型,随机分为模型组、隔药灸组、电针组,并与正常大鼠作对照,采用HE染色观察结肠黏膜组织病理学变化,应用ELISA方法检测血清TNF-α、sTNFR-Ⅰ、sTNFR—Ⅱ的含量。结果：与正常组比较,CD大鼠血清TNF—α显著升高、sTNFR-Ⅰ和sTNFR-Ⅱ无显著变化。经隔药灸和电针治疗后血清TNF—α水平显著降低,sTNFR-Ⅰ和sTNFR-Ⅱ无显著变化。CD大鼠结肠组织的炎症病变和异常的组织结构在隔药灸、电针治疗后得到明显改善。结论：隔药灸与电针均能够显著降低血清TNF-α的含量,该作用可能是隔药灸与电针治疗CD的作用机制之一。     

Clinical Observation on Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment for Melanoderm＇s Peripheral Facial Paralysis at Remission Stage

采用传统针灸的方法治疗黑种人缓解期周围性面瘫32例，有效率为93．8％，说明针灸对不同种族的人群均有效。     

Neuroprotective effects of kukoamine A on 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson’s model through apoptosis and iron accumulation inhibition

Objective: Parkinson’s disease(PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra(SN). Our previous study demonstrated kukoamine A(KuA) to exhibit strong neuroprotective effects through antioxidative stress, and autophagy in MPTP/MPP+-induced PD models in vivo and in vitro. It is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the anti-PD effects under various models.Methods: In the present study, total chemical synthesis was used to obtain KuA, which performed low content in Lycii Cortex. Then, 6-OHDA-induced PD model of PC12 cells was used to investigate the effects of KuA on PD.Results: Our results demonstrated that KuA ameliorated cell loss and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) loss, and inhibited Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increase that were induced by 6-OHDA. Iron accumulation in SN is thought to participate in neuronal death in PD, which subsequently resulted in oxidative stress and overexpression of a-synuclein caused by iron metabolism protein disorder. In our study, KuA could chelate cellular iron content and decrease iron influx. Moreover, KuA could upregulate the expression of ferroportin1 and Hephaestin, downregulate the expression of DMT1, TfR, and Ferritin to maintain cellular iron homeostasis avoiding neuronal death from cellular iron deposition. Moreover, KuA could decrease the expression of a-synuclein in cells. All the results indicated that KuA protected against neurotoxininduced PD due to the apoptosis inhibition and iron homeostasis maintaining.Conclusion: KuA treatment might represent a neuroprotective treatment for PD.     

Effect of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease measured by St. George＇s respiratory disease questionnaire scores and forced expiratory volume

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD） by observing its influences on patients＇ quality of life and airway inflammation.METHODS： Seventy patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group（n=35） treated with Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction plus Seretide and a control group（n=35） treated with Seretide only.The dosage of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction was 100 mL each time, twice a day, and the dosage of Seretide was salmeterol 50 μg/fluticasone 250 μg twice a day. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, St George＇s respiratory disease questionnaire（SGRQ）scores,forced expiratory volume,and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity（FEV1/FVC）were measured.RESULTS：The SGRQ scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment（P〈0.05）. After treatment, the total SGRQ scores and each subscore in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group（P〈0.05）. The percentage of the predicted FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were higher in both groups, but no statistical differences were detected from before to after the treatment or between the two groups（P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction could significantly decrease the SGRQ scores in patients with stable COPD, which suggests that it is able to improve patient symptoms.     

Antioxidant activity of Cat’s whiskers flavonoid on some reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generating inflammatory cells is mediated by scavenging of free radicals

AIM: To find out the effect of Cat’s whiskers (Cleome gynandra L., Capparidaceae) flavonoid (CWF) for the scavenging of free radicals in some inflammatory cells. METHODS: Mouse erythrocyte’s hemoglobin, peritoneal macrophage, and peripheral blood lymphocytes were oxidized either by some of toxic chemicals (nitrite, carbon tetrachloride) or by enzymatic stimulation (glu- coseoxidase) to produce oxidative damage to cells. The protective effect of the CWF was examined, and the biochemical mechanism of action was also investigated in terms of the scavenging of free radicals. RESULTS: CWF (1 20 μg mL 1 ) decreased glucoseoxidase and nitrite induce oxidative damage in a concentration dependent manner in an in vitro model and inhibited the lysis of RBC [(28.64 ± 13.03)% and (70.31 ± 1.80)%] when mice were treated with CWF (25 and 50 mg kg 1 ). To assess the antioxidant potential of CWF in the lymphocytes and macrophages in living animals, the effect of CWF was measured on the elevated level of superoxide anions production in the cells. CWF scavenged the superoxide anion (O 2 ) production and inhibited the O 2 induced destruction of protein and lipid biomolecules. CONCLUSION: The study has established that the CWF mediates its antioxidant activity in some chronic inflammatory cells via its free radical scavenging activity.