ELECTROACUPUNCTURE REVERSES HEROININDUCED DISRUPTION OF THE MEDICAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX INPUTS TO THE VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA:AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY

Objective: The medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC) inputs to the ventral tegmental area(VTA) are important to the function of the dopiamine(DA) system.Acupuncture or electroacupuncture(EA) has been applied successfully to attenuate various conditions related to drug addiction.However, the effects of EA on the drug-induced electrophysiological alterations in DA neurons have not been well investigated.In the present study, using in vivo extracellular single-unit recording, we investigated the effects of EA treatment on the responsivity of VTA DA neurons to electrical stimulation on mPFC after repeated heroin treatment followed by withdrawal(2-4 weeks).Methods: EA of 2 Hz was administered daily during heroin withdrawal.Results: We found that VTA DA neurons in heroin- and salinetreated animals exhibited a similar fire rate before, during and after the PFC electric stimulation.However, 2-4 weeks of abstinence decreased baseline of percentage of spikes firing in burst(abstinent rats vs.saline rats: 29.47±5.34 vs.40.16±4.67, P0.05), and the change in percentage of spikes firing in burst during ventral mPFC stimulation showed significant differences between heroin-abstinent rats and saline-pretreated rats(abstinent rats vs.saline rats: 7.5±0.7 vs.-7.7±0.9, P0.01).Furthermore, the proportion of VTA DA neurons exhibiting short latency excitations was higher in saline-treated rats than heroin-abstinent rats(47.1% vs.15.0%).In contrast to saline-treated rats, herointreated rats exhibited longer long-onset latency activation(abstinent rats vs.saline rats:(315±48) ms vs.(132±11) ms, P0.05).EA treatment restored baseline of percentage of spikes firing in burst and the change in percentage of spikes firing in burst during ventral mPFC stimulation.Conclusion: The results of this study provide the direct evidence that repeated heroin treatment followed by withdrawal disrupts mPFC inputs to VTA, and this disruption can be reversed by EA treatment, a nonpharmacological approach that also prevents drug relapse.     

Effect of acupuncture－like stimulation on cortical cerebral blood flow in anesthetized rats

The effect of acupuncture-like stimulation of the forepaw on cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) was examined using a laser Doppler flowmeter in anesthetized rats. One or two acupuncture needles were inserted into the skin and underlying muscles at a depth of about 5 mm. One needle was manually twisted to the right and left once a second for 1 min and two needles were used to pass an electrical current. Stimulation of the forepaw produced increases in CBF and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in spinal cord-intact rats After spinal transection at the first to second thoracic level, the blood pressure response to manual or electrical stimulation of the forepaw was suppressed, whereas an increase in CBF still occurred. The increase in CBF induced by forepaw stimulation was abolished by severing the somatic nerves at the brachial plexus. Forepaw stimulation enhanced the activity of the radial, ulnar, and median nerves.An increase in CBF was elicited by excitation of group II (At3) and group 1V (C) somatic afferent fibers. The CBF responese was almost abolished by the i.v. administration of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic blocking agents (atropine 5 mg/kg and mecamylamine 20 mg/kg), and by bilateral lesions in the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Acupuncture-like stimulation of a forepaw increased acctylcholine release in the cerebral cortex. We concluded that the increase in CBF, independent of systemic blood pressure, elicited by acupuncture-like stimulation is a reflex response in which the afferent nerve pathway is composed of somatic groups Ⅱand Ⅳ afferent nerves,and the efferent nerve pathway includes intrinsic cholinergic vasodilators in the nucleus basalis of Meynert.     

ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES LEARNING AND MEMORY IN A RAT MODEL OF YANG-DEFICIENCY(AGING) THROUGH NMDA-PKC PATHWAY

Objective: To observe the effects of Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture method on the spatial learning and memory, LTP, and expressions of NMDA receptor 1(NMDAR1) protein and PKCγ mRNA in a rat model of Yang deficiency(aging).Methods: D-galactose injection and hydrocortisone injection were used to induce the aging with Yang-deficiency symptom in rats.Normal rats were injected with same amount of saline.EA rats were treated with Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture methods, and EC rats were stimulated with electroacupuncture control therapy.Morris water-maze task was used as the judging standard for spatial learning and memory behavior.Population spike was used to detect the changes of potential amplitude induced by high-frequency stimulation.Synaptic structural parameters were analyzed by electron microscopy and biological image analysis system; NMDAR1 protein and PKCγ mRNA expressions were measured.Results:(1) Compared with model rats, in the EA rats, the escape latency was shorter, the first time of spatial probing of the former platform was shorter, and the number of spanning of the former platform was increased(P0.05).(2) Compared with model rats, record after HFS indicated that the incidence of LTP induction in the EA rats was higher(P0.01).(3) Compared with model rats, synaptic structural parameters were improved in EA rats(P0.01).(4) PKCγ mRNA expression of the EA group was increased(P0.01).(5) NMDAR1 protein expression of EA group was increased(P0.05).Conclusion: Effects of Double-reinforcing and One-unblocking acupuncture method can improve the spatial learning ability, memory and the hippocampal synaptic structural parameters ofrats.The treatment can increase the expressions of NMDAR1 protein and PKCγ mRNA in Yang-deficiency(aging) model rats.     

文摘(英文)

Reflex modulation of visceral functions by acupuncture-likestimulation in anesthetized rats【Abstract】　 Our recent studies of the neural m echanisms of the reflex effects on visceral functions of acupuncture-like stimulation ap-plied to the skin and underlying muscle by twisting a needle in anesthetized rats are reviewed.Gastric m otility was inhibited by acupunc-ture-like stim ulation of the abdominal areas and facilitated by limb stim ulation.The rhythmic micturition contractions of the ur…     

Oleuropein Improves Long Term Potentiation at Perforant Path-dentate Gyrus Synapses in vivo

Objective To investigate the effect of oleuropein(OE) on long term potentiation(LTP) at hippocampal perforant path-dentate gyrus synapses in vivo. Methods An outer guide cannula, a monopolar recording electrode, and a bipolar stimulating electrode were implanted in the skull and extracellular recording technique was used to record the population spike in the dentate gyrus of anesthetized rats. Results Oleuropein significantly increased the basal synaptic transmission and the amplitude of population spike was increased from(117.6 ± 2.3)% to(134.9 ± 3.7)% after administration with OE.OE also accelerated LTP induction and maintenance, the population spike amplitude after high frequency stimulation was increased from(167.2 ± 12.8)% to(225.5 ± 15.5)% and the maintenance phase of LTP was from(182.1 ± 15.1)% to(210.5 ± 9.0)% respectively after administration with OE. Conclusion Present study showed that OE significantly improved different stages of LTP, which could be the molecular mechanism of its efficacy on attenuating AD-like pathology and delaying cognitive decline. OE can be a promising drug for AD and dementia.     

Investigation of the Role of Mast Cells in Acupuncture Effects and Their Sensitivity to Physical Stimuli During TCM Treatment

Objective： To better understand the function of mast cells in acupuncture points （acupoints） in acupuncture-induced analgesia. The author tested their sensitivity to mechanical, thermo and light stimulation. Methods： The tail flick model was applied to measure analgesia in rats, and the author determined the density of mast cells in tissue slices and their degranulation ratio before/after acupuncture. The author also applied the patch-clamp technique to investigate activation of human mast cells （HMC1 cell line） by mechanical stress or noxious heat, and the author optically observed degranulation phenomena of mast cell in response to red laser light. Results： Manual stimulation by acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36） of the rat resulted in analgesia and the effect was more pronounced than after stimulation of a sham point nearby the acupuncture point. A higher density of mast cells was found at Zusanli （ST 36） than at the sham point,     

经皮耳穴迷走神经刺激对功能性消化不良大鼠的肠道连接蛋白的作用

Objective:Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS) can relieve the symptoms of functional dyspepsia(FD) and improve the quality of life of patients,however,the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effects of taVNS on the expression of intestinal mucosal ligandins.Methods:This study was conducted on 24 specific Spathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats(12 males and12 females).The rat model of FD was established by tail-clip stimulation.After FD was established successfully,all rats were randomized to either the normal group(n=6),model group(n=6),taVNS group(n=6),or sham-taVNS group(n=6).After two weeks of the respective intervention,the score of their general conditions,3 h food intake,gastric emptying rate,and the histology of gastric antrum tissues were observed to evaluate modeling success,and then the effect of taVNS was evaluated.Western blotting was used to assess the expression of the tight junction ligandins-ZO-1 and occludin-and the adhesion ligandin-β-catenin-in the duodenum.The effect of taVNs on the expression of intestinal mucosal barrier ligandins-ZO-1,occludin,and β-catenin-in FD rats was preliminarily investigated.Results:When the model-induced period was finished,the manifestations of FD in the model group rats were mental exhaustion,reduced activities,decreased score of the general conditions,and decreased3 h food intake,compared to the normal group rats.In addition,minimal eosinophil infiltration,without any mucosal erosion or ulcer,was observed in the gastric antrum mucosa.At the end of the study,the mental state of the FD rats improved,and their activities and gastric emptying rate increased in the taVNS group rats.Compared to the normal rats,the duodenal mucosa had less expression of the tight junction ligandins ZO-1 and occludin,but β-catenin expression remained unchangedin the model rats.The expression of the tight junction ligandins ZO-1 and occludin were increased in the duodenal mucosa of model rats after the taVNS intervention.Conclusion:TaVNS can improve the gastric motility and mental state of rats with FD.It may play a therapeutic role by improving the expression of the tight junction ligandin ZO-1 and occludin in the duodenal mucosa,while also repairing the duodenal mucosal barrier.     

经皮耳迷走神经刺激干预功能性消化不良模型大鼠的效应及机制研究（英文）

Objective:To explore the effect and its possible mechanism of the intervention of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS) for the functional dyspepsia(FD) model rats.Methods:Of the 25 male SD rats,6 rats were set as blank group,the other 19 rats were established to be the functional dyspepsia(FD) model by iodoacetamide intragastric administration,and 18 FD models were successfully established.The 18 model rats were randomly divided into a model group,a shamtaVNS group,and taVNS group,with 6 rats in each group.There was no intervention applied to the rats in the blank and model groups.Whereas,the rats in sham-taVNS group received stimulation to the rim of auricular concha of both sides,and those in taVNS group received stimulation to the cavity of auricular concha of both sides,for 30 min each time,once a day,7 days in succession.After the intervention,the gastric sensitivity of the rats in each group under different pressure conditions in the stomach,the expressions of serum brain-gut peptide motilin(MTL),cholecystokinin(CCK),glucagon-likepeptidel(GLP-1),and inflammatory factors IL-4,IL-10,and IL-1β were detected.Results:(1) Gastric sensitivity:compared with the blank group,the gastric sensitivity of the model group was higher(P 0.05).Compared with the model group,the gastric sensitivity of the taVNS group was lower(P0.05).Compared with the sham-taVNS group,the gastric sensitivity of the taVNS group was lower(P 0.05).(2) Expression of brain-gut peptide:compared with the blank group,MTL was lower,CCK and GLP-1 were higher in the model group(all P 0.05).Compared with the model group,MTL was higher,CCK and GLP-1 were lower in the taVNS group(all P 0.05).Compared with the shamtaVNS group,CCK and GLP-1 were lower in the taVNS group(both P0.05).(3)Expression of inflammatory factors:compared with the blank group,IL-4 and IL-10 were lower and was higher in the model group(all P 0.05).Compared with the model group,IL-10 was higher and IL-1β was lower in the shamtaVNS group(all P 0.05),while IL-4 and IL-10 were higher and IL-1β was lower in the taVNS group(all P 0.05).Compared with the sham-taVNS group,IL-4 and IL-10 were higher and IL-1β was lower in the taVNS group(all P 0.05).Conclusion:TaVNS can reduce the gastric sensitivity of FD model rats by peripheral anti-inflammatory action and regulating the abnormal secretion of brain-gut peptide.     

Effect of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) on the activity of myosin light chain kinase in the middle meningeal artery of migraine modeled rats

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of acupuncture at Fengchi(GB 20) on the activation of myosin light chain kinase(MLCK) in the middle meningeal artery of migraine modeled rats.METHODS:Forty-four clean grade healthy female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups:the control group,blank control group,Fengchi(GB 20) acupuncture group,and Fengchi(GB 20) prevention group.Neurogenic inflammation of these rats was induced by electrical stimulation.The γ-~(32)P infiltration method was then used to detect MLCK activation in the middle meningeal artery,and immunocytochemistry was applied to detect the structural protein expression of MLCK.RESULTS:The migraine model was successfully established in the rats.Compared with the control group,MLCK activation was significantly decreased in the blank control group(P 0.01).CONCLUSION:The activation of MLCK in the middle meningeal artery was increased by acupuncture at Fengchi(GB 20),indicating its effectiveness in preventing and curing on acute migraine attacks.     

Curative efficacy of extract from Ganjiangdazao recipe on functional dyspepsia in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the extract from Ganjiangdazao recipe(EGR) on functional dyspepsia in rats with spleen-stomach deficiency cold pattern(SSDCP) in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and to investigate its pharmacodynamics.METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, SSDCP group, low-EGR SSDCP group, high-EGR SSDCP group, probiotics group, EGR group. SSDCP model was induced by gavage with the 0 ℃ edible vinegar. The symptoms and manifestations were scored by method from the relative literature, the ecological changes in cecal microflora was analyzed by16 SrRNA high-throughput sequencing technology,gastric tissues were treated by immunohistochemistry, the levels of related biochemical components related to the gastrointestinal functions were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetry, gastric juice was measured by pH meter, blood pressure measurement by trapping tail method, surface temperature measured by infrared thermal imaging, and the content of 6-gingerol in the serum was determined by liquid-mass chromatography before and after EGR was given.RESULTS: It was found that EGR could effectively relieve the symptoms and manifestations of the SSDCP rats(P 0.05); the value of the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Coprobacillus increased, while the value of the relative abundance of Clostridium decreased(P 0.05) in the cecal microflora in the SSDCP rats after high-EGR administration; It was also found that EGR had no substantial effect on the related biochemical components related to the gastrointestinal functions of in the SSDCP rats; and a certain amount of 6-gingerol was detected in the serum of EGR group.CONCLUSION: The pharmacodynamic site of EGR is the intestinal tract, and the mechanism behind the effect of EGR on SSDCP rats, involves increasing the beneficial bacteria and decreasing the proinflammatory bacteria in the intestinal tract. The blood pharmacodynamics of EGR remains to be further studied in the future.     

Effect of electro-acupuncture on relapse to heroin-seeking in the heroin self-administrating rats

To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture on the relapse to heroin-seeking induced by heroin-related cues after withdrawal from heroin self-administration in rats.MethodsSixty male Wistar rats were randomized into physiological saline group,withdrawal group A,withdrawal group B,electro-acupuncture(EA)treatment group A and EA treatment group B,with 12 rats in each group.The rats were trained by nose-poke response to self administer heroin (50 μg/kg/per infusion) or saline with one daily 4-h session for 14 consecutive days,the session ended after 25 infusions were eamed or 4 hours had passed,the reinforcement schedule was a progressive ratio.Then rats in withdrawal group A and withdrawal group B were withdrawn from heroin for 1 week and 2 weeks respectively,and then they were reintroduced to their training chambers for 4-h relapse testing which was induced by heroin-related environmental cues;And rats in EA treatment group A and EA treatment group B were also withdrawn from heroin for 1 week and 2 weeks respectively,during which they were given EA treatment for 20 min daily,then they received relapse testing;In the meantime,rats in saline group were trained with saline instead of heroin for 14 days as control.after 7 days of withdrawal from saline,they received relapse testing.ResultsFollowing 7-8 days of drug training,the rats began to establish the stable intravenous heroin self-administration behavior;For the stable heroin self-administrating rats that received EA treatment,when they were reintroduced to their training chambers,their heroin-seeking behaviors were obviously inhibited,and this inhibitory effect related to the cumulativeness of EA stimulation.ConclusionThe results suggested that EA could prevent relapse to heroin-seeking to a certain extent.     

Xiaoyaosan decoction regulates food intake and body weight via the leptin-leptin receptor-proopiomelanocortin pathway in rats with chronic immobilization stress

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the Xiaoyaosan(XYS) decoction on the food intake and body weight of rats with chronic immobilization stress(CIS), as well as the concentration of serum leptin and the expression of feeding-related neuropeptides [leptin receptor(Ob-R), proopiomelanocortin(POMC), and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone(α-MSH)] in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus(ARC).METHODS: We subjected rats to CIS for 3 h a day.The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, 7-day stress group, 21-day stress group and XYS-treated group. The rats in the two stress groups were exposed to CIS for 7 or 21 d.The rats in the XYS-treated group were also exposed to CIS for 21 d and were intragastrically administered the XYS decoction before stress. The body weight and food intake of the rats were measured every day. The content of leptin in serum andα-MSH in the ARC were detected by ELISA, and the expression of neuropeptides in the ARC was assayed by immunofluorescence, Western blot and q RT-PCR.RESULTS: The food intake and body weight of rats exposed to CIS were lower than those of control rats. The serum leptin, and expression levels of ObR, POMC and α-MSH in the ARC were significantly higher than those in the control rats. Treatment with the XYS decoction improved the appetite and the body weight, and down-regulated serum leptin and Ob-R, POMC and α-MSH in hypothalamus ARC.CONCLUSION: The leptin-Ob-R-POMC pathway might be the part of the mechanism underlying XYS's improvement of somatic symptoms such as reduction in food intake and body weight related to CIS.     

Efficacy of needling Baihui(GV20), Neiguan(PC6), Shenmen(HT7) and Taichong(LR3) on cerebral cortical blood oxygen level in rats with insomnia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of needling Baihui(GV20), Neiguan(PC6), Shenmen(HT7) and Taichong(LR3) on cerebral cortical blood oxygen level in rats with insomnia identified as liver-Qi stagnation pattern in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group(n = 10), the rest of the rats were clamped tail as stimulation combined with injected intraperitoneally p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA) to establish sleep deprivation model. After the suc...     

Efficacy of Shenfu decoction on sepsis in rats with condition induced by cecal ligation and puncture

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Shenfu decoction(SFD) prepared with a traditional Chinese formula, on sepsis in rats with the condition induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP), and to study the possible mechanism underlying its action.METHODS: Forty clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups:normal control group(NCG, n = 10), model control group(MCG, n = 15) and Shenfu decoction group(SFDG, n = 15). Sham-operated rats in NCG were served as operation control, while rats in both MCG and SFDG were exposed to CLP, a procedure to develop experimental sepsis. Rats in SFDG were administered with SFD by gavage(3 mg/g of body weight, twice a day) 2 h prior to CLP and directly after successful CLP, while rats in NCG and MCG were gavaged with equivalent volume of sterilized water. Rats in all groups were starved with free access to drink. After 24 h of administration, the mortality of rats in each group was assessed. The indicators of inflammatory response [the peritoneal inflammation by Simon's method Classification as well as serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)] in survival rats were evaluated. The indicators of gut barrier [The intestinal mucosal injury index, serum concentrations of D-lactic acid and secretory IgA(sIgA) in intestinal mucosa by ELISA, as well as gut microbiota by16 S rRNA gene sequencing] in survival rats were evaluated.RESULTS: The mortality(20%) of rats in SFDG was lower than that(33.3%) of the MCG(P 0.01). The mortality(20%) of rats in SFDG was lower than that(33.3%) of the MCG(χ2= 6.533, P = 0.011). Compared with the MCG,the peritoneal inflammation as well as serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly in SFDG(all P 0.01). Compared with the MCG, the IMII, serum concentrations of D-lactic acid, s Ig A in intestinal mucosa were alleviated by SFD treatment(all P 0.01). Increase in levels of Proteobacteria and reduction levels of Bacteroidetes induced by sepsis were observed, and these two disturbed gut microbiota phyla could be regulated after SFD treatment. Increase in levels of Proteobacteria and reduction levels of Bacteroidetes induced by sepsis were observed, and these two disturbed gut microbiota phyla could be regulated after SFD treatment.CONCLUSION: SFD may play a protective role in sepsis by alleviating sepsis-induced inflammatory response and gut barrier damage in rats.     

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Chronic Visceral Pain and Involvement of Spinal NMDA Receptor in IBS Rats

Objective： To clarify effect of electroacupuncture （EA） on relieving chronic visceral pain and the underlying neurobiological mechanism for such an effect, we observed the effect of EA on the Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） rat and then examined spinal expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate （NMDA） receptor-1 in rats. Methods： Daily mechanical colon distention was performed on male Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats to produce IBS model. EA was applied at acupoints of Zusanli （ST 36） and Shangjuxu （ST 37） in each hind leg. Abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） assessment or rectus abdominis electromyograms （AEMG） recordings were then performed after EA treatment. The mRNA expression of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors in the spinal dorsal horn （L4-5） before and after EA was investigated by RT-PCR analysis in IBS rats. Results： The results demonstrated that EA could significantly decreased both AWR scores from behavioral test and AEMG discharges from electrophysiological recording in IBS model rats elicited by colorectal distension （CRY）） stimuli with strengths of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mmHg, respectively （P〈0.05）. Meanwhile there was a significant decrease in mRNA expression of NMDA receptor-1 in the spinal dorsal horn of IBS rats treated by EA （P〈0.05）, but no such effect was observed in IBS rats treated by sham EA （inserting needles without electrical stimulation）. Conclusion： These results indicate that EA can relieve chronic visceral hyperalgesia in IBS rats and this effect might be correlated with the down-regulation of NMDA receptor-1 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.     

Effect of Yinlai Decoction on the metabolic pathways in the lung of high-calorie diet-induced pneumonia rats

Objective:To search for specific metabolites in the lungs of pneumonia rats fed with a high-calorie diet,as well as explore the changes in the lung metabolites of young rats treated with Yinlai Decoction(YD)and its effects on inflammation-related metabolic pathways.Methods:Lipopolysaccharides(LPS)and a special high-calorie diet were used to induce Sprague Dawley(SD)rats to simulate the intestinal state of infant pneumonia.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology(LC-MS/MS)was used to detect metabolites in each group.Supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)model values were used for the detection results to find the differential metabolites.The metabolic pathways that are involved with the differential metabolites were clarified through enrichment analysis and topological analysis.Finally,the T cell receptor signaling pathway(TCR)signal conversion was analyzed by the network pharmacology method.Results:In the high-calorie diet combined with pneumonia group(M3),a total of 55 metabolites were determined to be different from the normal group(N).A total of 36 metabolites were determined to be different from those in the lung metabolites of the YD treatment group(T1).YD had a regulatory effect on glutathione metabolism,arginine and proline metabolism,ascorbic acid and aldehyde metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism.And the small molecule metabolites could act on the FYN and lymphocytespecific protein tyrosine kinase(LCK)target proteins in the TCR signaling pathway,thereby affecting the immune function of the lungs.Conclusion:A high-calorie diet can cause abnormal sphingolipid metabolism in the lungs of young rats,thereby creating chronic lung inflammation in young rats.YD has a beneficial effect when used to treat young rats with LPS-induced pneumonia fed on high-calorie diets.Its mechanisms of action may affect the body’s immune pathways by regulating the oxidative stress pathway affected by glutathione metabolism.     

Medulla Oblongata Mechanism of Inhibitory Effect of Thermal Stimulation to Nociceptive Colorectal Distention in Rats

Objective: To discuss mechanism of moxibustion(thermal stimulation) effect and best moxibustion stimulus parameter.Methods: Experiments were performed on 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Unit discharges from individual single neuron were recorded extracellularly with glass-microelectrode in Subnucleus Reticularis Dorsalis(SRD). Visceral-intrusive stimulation is done by colorectal distension. Thermal stimulation with different temperature(40°C, 42°C, 44°C, 46°C, 48°C, 50°C, 52°C) and different stimulus area(diameter of circle : 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.0 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.0 cm) was applied around RN12 during nociceptive colorectal distension.Results: SRD neurons could be activated by visceral stimulation within noxious range. Under low temperature of stimulus, especially under45°C of pain threshold to ordinary people, visceral nociceptive afferent facilitated thermal stimulus from the body surface. While after thermal stimulation reached a harmful degree, the thermal stimulus will inhibit visceral nociceptive afferent. Moreover, statistics show that the higher the temperature is, the smaller the size of stimulation area is needed, and they correlate with each other negatively.Conclusion: Visceral nociception could be inhibited by somatic thermal stimulation with specific parameter at medulla level. According to our finding, best thermal stimulation temperature is around 48°C and the best size of stimulation area is around 3.14-7.07 cm2(with 2.0-3.0 cm diameter).     

EXPLICATION OF CLINICAL EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURER BY ADAPTING MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND IMAGE-TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS: FOCUSING ON THE RELATIONSHIP WITH STRESS-RELATED DISEASES

Effects of acupuncture on the brain function of 80 healthy adults and patientswere analyzed using EEG topography and possitron CT (PET). Though changes in EEG topogramcaused by acupuncture stimulation were seen all over the cortex, they were prominent in the area fromthe frontal lobe to the parietal lobe. Positron CT image revealed that acupuncture stimulation tem-porarily activated from the paleocoretx to the neocortex, affecting wide range of the cranial nerve cellsincluding A10 nerve. These results suggest that comfortable stimulations by acupuncture have sucheffects as to remove the friction between the neocortex and the paleocortex, regulate the autonomicnervous system, and activate the Healer (the healing force of nature) at the brain stem level includingthe hypothalamus.     

INFLUENCE OF “WARMING YANG AND NOURISHING QI” ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT ON SERUM IL-12 AND IL-18 EXPRESSION LEVELS IN RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE MYASTHENIA GRAVIS AND ITS MECHANISM

Objective: To observe the influence of the "Warming yang and Nourishing qi" acupuncture treatment on the serum interleukin-12(IL-12) and interleukin-18(IL-18) expression levels in rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG) and to analyze the mechanism of acupuncture in treatment of myasthenia gravis(MG).Methods: AchRα1 129-145 peptide fragments were used to immune the female Lewis rats to establish EAMG rat models.Thirty EAMG model rats were randomly divided into acupuncture treatment group, drug control group and model control group(n=10); the unmodeled 10 rats purchased at the same period were used as the blank control group.The rats in acupuncture treatment group were treated by "Warming yang and Nourishing qi" acupuncture treatment, 30 min, once a day, 7 d for a period, 1 d rest between two periods, and two periods of continuous treatment.The rats in drug control group were treated by the pyridostigmine lavaged treatment, 18.5 mg/(kg·d), continuous treatment for 15 d.The rats in the other two groups had no any special treatments.After treatment, the blood samples from the vein of tail root of the rats in 4 groups were collected, and the serum expression levels of IL-12 and IL-18 were detected with ELISA method.Results: After treatment, compared with the model control group, the serum IL-12 and IL-18 expression levels of the EAMG rats in the acupuncture treatment group and the drugcontrol group were significantly decreased(P0.05 or P0.01).Compared between the acupuncture treatment group and the drug control group, the serum IL-12 and IL-18 expression levels of the EAMG rats were not significantly different(P0.05).Conclusion: "Warming yang and Nourishing qi" acupuncture treatment can reduce the serum IL-12 and IL-18 expression levels of EAMG rats.For the treatment of MG, the effect of acupuncture was similar to pyridostigmine.