Observation on Therapeutic Effects of Acupuncture plus Psychological Intervention for Postpartum Depression

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression. Methods： By random number table, 85 patients with postpartum depression were divided into a treatment group and a control group. Forty-three cases in the treatment group were treated by acupuncture plus psychological intervention, once every day, five sessions per week, and rest at weekend. Forty-two cases in the control group were treated by oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, 20 mg, once per day. The two groups were treated continuously for six weeks. The change of the score in Hamilton depression scale （HAMD） was observed and the therapeutic effect was summarized. Results： The total effective rate was 90.7% in the treatment group and 90.5% in the control group. The difference in the total effective rate between two groups was not statistically significant （P〉O.05）. In the intra-group comparisons of HAMD scores two, four and six weeks after treatment in both groups with those before treatment, the differences were statistically significant （all P〈0.05）. In comparison between the two groups at the same time point, the differences in HAMD scores were not statistically significant （all P〉0.05）. Regarding the adverse events, 5 cases had nausea, 3 cases had dizziness, and 6 cases had poor appetite in the control group; no obvious adverse events happened in the treatment group. Conclusion： Acupuncture plus psychological intervention for postpartum depression is as same as oral administration of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride in therapeutic effects, but it does not have adverse reaction.     

The reproductive toxicity of saponins isolated from Cortex Albiziae in female mice

Saponin frsom Cortex Albiziae(SCA) are extensively used in the clinical treatment of tumor and depression. However, SCA may cause several adverse effects, including reproductive toxicity. The present study was designed to assess the mechanism by which SCA cause reproductive toxicity in female mice. The general reproductive toxicity testing was accomplished in female Kunming mice. The animals were divided into four groups: three groups that were treated by oral gavage with 135, 270, and 540 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCA prepared in physiological saline, respectively, and one vehicle control group that was treated with physiological saline only. The gestational toxicity tests were conducted at 540 mg·kg-1·d-1. The general reproductive toxicity results showed that the pregnancy rate of the SCA-treated group decreased with the pregnancy rate being decreased by 70% at 540 mg·kg-1·d-1. SCA elicited maternal toxicity in the ovary and the uterus, but no fetal toxicity or teratogenicity was observed. The rates of implantation in the early, middle, and late pregnancy were all decreased, with stillbirths and maternal deaths being observed. Histopathological changes showed that SCA adversely affected the ovary and the uterus. In conclusion, SCA-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice is most likely caused by its damage to the ovary and the uterus.     

Clinical study on tuina combined with auricular point sticking for cervical radiculopathy

Objective： To observe the clinical effect of tuina combined with auricular point sticking on cervical radiculopathy and evaluate in health economics. Methods： Using randomized single-blind controlled clinical design, a total of72 cases with cervical radiculopathy were randomly allocated into an observation group or a control group by the ratio of 1：1, 36 in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with tuina combined with auricular point sticking, whereas cases in the control group were treated with tuina alone. Then the clinical effects in the two groups were observed and the cost of health economics was evaluated. Results： The drop-out, recovery, improvement and failure cases, recovery rate and total effective rate in the observation group were 1, 15, 20, 0, 42.9% and 100% respectively, versus 2, 6, 23, 5, 17.6% and 85.3% in the control group, showing significant differences in recovery rate and total effective rate （P〈0.05）. As for health economics, the cost-effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group. Conclusion： Compared with tuina alone, tuina combined with auricular point sticking can obtain better effect and lower cost in health economics for cervical radiculopathy.     

Effects of Blood-Activating and Stasis-Removing Drugs Combined with VEGF Gene Transfer on Angiogenesis in Ischemic Necrosis of the Femoral Head

Objective： To observe the promoting effects of blood-activating and stasis-removing Chinese drugs combined with vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） gene transfer on angiogenesis in ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Methods： Forty Japanese giant-ear rabbits were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a Chinese drug group, a gene group, and a combined group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the rate of VEGF positive cell expression in the synovium of the femoral head was measured using the immunohistochemical method, and the number of blood vessels in the femoral head was measured by digital subtraction angiography. Results： The rate of VEGF positive cell expression in the model group was significantly lower than that in the Chinese drug group （P〈0.05） and very significantly lower than those in other groups （P〈0.01）; but in the combined group it was significantly higher than in the Chinese drug group （P〈0.05）. The differences in the number of blood vessels in area A between the model group and other groups were not statistically significant. However, in area B, the number of blood vessels significantly increased in the control group, the gene group and the combined group as compared with the model group （P〈0.05）, and in the combined group the number of blood vessels was significantly more than in the gene group （P〈0.05）; but in the Chinese drug group it was not significantly different than the model group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： Either the blood-activating and stasis-removing Chinese drugs or VEGF gene transfer can promote the angiogenesis and building of collateral circulation for femoral head ischemic necrosis, and the combined therapy with Chinese drugs or VEGF gene transfer may show a better therapeutic effect. The present study provides an experimental basis for clinical application of the combined therapy with the blood-activating and stasis-removing Chinese drugs and VEGF gene transfer.     

Effect of direct current pulse stimulating acupoints of JiaJi (T10-L3) and Ciliao (BL 32) with Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator on labour pain in women: a randomized controlled clinical study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effect and safety of direct current(DC) pulse produced by Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator in reduction(HANS) of labor pain.METHODS: Totally 120 participants were enrolled in this clinical trial, and were randomly divided into4 groups including: HANS group, patient controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA) group, patient-controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA) group and control group. The HANS group was treated by stimulating the acupoints of Jia Ji(T10-L3) and Ciliao(BL 32)with DC pulse of 100 Hz and 15-30 m A produced by a portable battery-powered Han's Acupoint Nerve Stimulator for 30 min. The PCIA group was intravenously infused Ondansetron(8 mg) for 5 min,then tramadol injection(1.5 mg/kg) was slowly dripped by using Baxter APⅡ electronic pump with50 m L tramadol(0.70%) + ondansetron(8 mg),background infusion 2 m L/h, PCA dose of 2 m L,lockout interval of 10 min. In PCEA group, women received intrathecal injection ropivacaine(3 mg) in L2-3, and epidural catheter was connected to Baxter APⅡ electronic pump, with 100 m L Ropivacaine(0.1%) and Sufentanil(50 ug), background infusion5 m L, Patient controlled analgesia(PCA) dose of 5m L, lockout interval of 10 min. The control group was not received analgesia. The visual analogue scale(VAS), stage and manner of labor, Apgar score of newborn, neonatal weights, oxytocin dosage,postpartum hemorrhage and side effects were monitored in all groups.RESULTS: The vital signs were all stable in the four analgesic groups. After analgesia, there was statistical difference in VAS score between HANS group and control group, between PCEA group and the control group, between PCIA group and control group. The analgesic effect in the PCEA group was significantly better than that of other two groups.The second stage of labor in the PCEA group was longer than the other three groups, showing significant difference between them. The Apgar score of newborn 1min after birth in the PCIA group was slightly lower than that of the other two groups,showing significant difference between them. The neonatal weights between four groups were not significantly different. The rate of cesarean sectionin the control group was significantly higher than that of the labor analgesia group, there was statistically difference in four groups. The number of PCIA group that used oxytocin was lower than that of other three groups. There was no significant difference in postpartum hemorrhage between four groups. The side effects of the PCEA group were itching, uroschesis and neonatal asphyxia and PCIA group were nausea and vomiting and neonatal asphyxia. However, fewer side effects were observed in the HANS group.CONCLUSION: The DC pulse produced by HANS may be a non-pharmacological alternative to labor pain with fewer side effects.     

Qi-guiding Needling Based on Meridian Differentiation for Lumbar Disc Herniation:A Multi-centered,Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective： To observe differentiation plus qi-gu （LDH）. the efficacy of acupoint ding needling in treating selection by meridian lumbar disc herniation Methods： By using the random number table, 549 patients with LDH were randomized into two groups. Two hundred and eighty participants in the observation group were intervened by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling method, and the other 269 participants in the control group were by selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture. At the end of intervention, the changes of conduction velocities of the common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, and tibial nerve were observed, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared. Results： The total effective rate was 87.5% in the observation group versus 86.6% in the control group, and the difference was statistically insignificant （P〉0.05）. The recovery rate was 51.8% in the observation group versus 37.2% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation associated with qi-guiding needling can produce a similar total effective rate to selecting acupoints by meridian differentiation plus electroacupuncture, while its recovery rate is comparatively higher.     

Therapeutic Efficacy Observation on Combining Foot Bath and Massage with Auricular Point Sticking for Community Senile Insomnia简

Objective： To observe the therapeutic efficacy of combining foot bath and massage with auricular point sticking for community senile insomnia. Methods： A total of 210 cases treated in our community health center were randomized into an observation group and a control group by their visit sequence numbers, 105 cases in each group. Cases in the observation group were treated with foot bath and massage plus auricular point sticking, whereas cases in the control group were treated with auricular point sticking alone. After four courses of treatment, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated. In addition, the sleep quality was also assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index（PSQI）. Results： The total effective rate in the observation group was 95.2%, versus 68.6% in the control group, showing a statistical significance（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Combining foot bath and massage with auricular point sticking could obtain better effect for community senile insomnia than auricular point sticking alone.     

Therapeutic evaluation on needling method of regulating the conception vessel and calming the mind for perimenopausal sleep disorder

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of needling method of regulating the Conception Vessel and calming the mind in treating sleep disorder in perimenopausal women, and to provide clinical evidence for future treatment of the disease, Methods： Sixty eligible subjects with perimenopausal sleep disorder were enrolled and randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The observation group was intervened by needling method of regulating the Conception Vessel and calming the mind, and the control group was treated by taking Yi Kun Yin orally. Two-week treatment was considered as a treatment course. Major symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） were observed, and clinical efficacies were compared. Results： After treatment, the difference in total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）; except for flaccidity of lumbar and knees, both groups achieved significant improvements in the other 5 symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）; PSQI global score and component scores dropped in both groups, and the improvements in the observation group were markedly superior to that in the control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The needling method of regulating the Conception Vessel and calming the mind is better than Yi Kun Yin in improving traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and sleep quality in patients with perimenopausal sleep disorders.     

Physical and mental health conditions of young college students with different Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions in Zhejiang Province of China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) constitutions of youths in colleges,and their physical and mental health conditions of different TCM constitutions, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the TCM way to improve young people's physical and mental health.METHODS: The Standard TCM Constitutions' Classification and Determination Questionnaire was used to measure the body health condition, and the Symptom Checklist 90 Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of the National Student Physical Health Standards were used to determine mental and physical health conditions respectively in 1421 young participants validly answering the questionnaires in Zhejiang Province.RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 19.96years(SD = 0.95 years) with the majority of females(55.10%). One fourth of the 1421 participants were the Ping-he constitution and others were the tendency constitutions. Participants with Ping-he module(which has characteristics of moderate posture,rosy, energetic and is a healthy condition in TCM)were healthier than those with tendency constitutions in physical and mental health, with 65.81 ±7.83(men) and 77.99 ± 7.24(women) scores in the physical test and around 1.25 scores in the mental health test. College students with combined biased constitutions were more likely suffer force, sensitive, depression and anxiety.CONCLUSION: Most of college students have a tendency or biased constitution which could be more likely to suffer suboptimal health status and diseases. Youths in college themselves and health providers should pay more attention to their potential health issues and make proper healthcare plan according to their own TCM constitution.     

Protective effect of Sijunzi decoction on neuromuscular junction ul- trastructure in autoimmune myasthenia gravis rats

OBJECTⅣE： To investigate the protective role of Sijunzi decoction in neuromuscular junction（NMJ）and muscle cell mitochondria ultrastructure; as well as its effects on the amount of adenosine triphosphate（ATP） and the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ in autoimmune myasthenia gravis rats.METHODS： An experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis（EAMG） rat model was established by inoculating rats with acetylcholine receptors extracted from Torpedo. Rats were divided into three groups： model, prednisone, and Sijunzi decoction, and were fed physiological saline, prednisone, or Sijunzi decoction, respectively. NMJ and muscle cell mitochondria ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope. The amount of ATP was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography. The activities ofmitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, Ⅱ, Ⅲ,and Ⅳ was determined using the Clark oxygen electrode method.RESULTS： In the model group, there were sparse muscle fibers, with decreased mitochondria, and sparse, diffluent, or absent NMJ folds. After intervention with Sijunzi decoction, the above pathology changes were improved： muscle fiber structure was clear and complete; the mitochondria count was higher; and the NMJ structure was close to normal. Gastrocnemius muscle mitochondria in the model group produced significantly less ATP than those in the prednisone group（P0.01）. Conversely, the ATP of Sijunzi decoction group was significantly higher than prednisone group（P0.01）. The activities of gastrocnemius muscle mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ in both the prednisone and Sijunzi decoction groups was dramatically higher compared with the model group（P0.05）. The activities of complexes I and Ⅲ in the Sijunzi decoction group were significantly higher than those in the prednisone group（P0.05）, but there was no obvious difference in complex Ⅱ or Ⅳ activities between the two groups（P0.05）.CONCLUSION： Sijunzi decoction improved pathological changes in muscle mitochondria and NMJ,enhanced the amount of ATP in gastrocnemius muscle mitochondria, and improved the activities of respiratory chain complexes I, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ（especially I and Ⅲ） of the EAMG rats.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA AND MET- ENKEPHALIN OR DYNORPHIN

subjective: The effect of 4～5 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) on alterations of both met-enkephalin (MEK) and dynorphin (Dyn) in the patient plasma or mouse spinal cord and its relation with analgesic effect were studied. Methods: In acupuncture clinic 10 patients with acute pain were treated with 4 Hz EA at Zusanli(ST 36) and/or Hegu(LI 4) acupoints for 30 min. 20 BALB/C mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: a. EA group(n=10), treated with 4～5 Hz EA at bilateral “Zusanli“(ST 36) for 15 min; b. control group(n=10) treated with no EA, but also restrained for 15 min. Before and after EA or restraining acupoints, the pain threshold of the patients or mice was detected. 10 μI of the patient plasma before and after EA and each mouse spinal cord suspension, of the 2 groups were blotted onto nitrocellulose membrane (NCM) respectively. The protein dot blot signals were detected by immunoreactivity (IR) and using Shimadu TLC Scanner and analyzed statistically. Results: The results showed that an increase in patient plasma MEK-IR or Dyn-IR and a decrease in mouse spinal MEK-IR or Dyn-IR could be detected, and the alteration of plasma or spinal MEK-IR was more significant than that of plasma or spinal Dyn-IR. There was a positive correlation in alteration between plasma or spinal MEK-IR and plasma or spinal Dyn-IR with respective parallel levels in individuals. The increased plasma MEK-IR or the decreased spinal MEK-IR was positively or negatively correlated with the analgesic effect, while the correlation between plasma or spinal Dyn-IR and analgesic effect was insignificant. Conclusion: The results suggest that under lower frequency EA the met-enkephalin may play an important role in analgesia.     

Effects of Chinese herbs combined with in vitro fertilization and em- bryo transplantation on infertility： a clinical randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE： To assess the effects of using Chinese herbs in assisted reproductive technology. METHODS： Four hundred and thirty-three subjects aged less than 42 years with infertility due to Fallo- pian tube or male-related factors who were willing to undertake in vitro fertilization and embryo trans- plantation were randomly allocated to a Chinese herb intervention group （n=216） or a conventional treatment control group （n=217）. All subjects re- ceived one of four routine ultra-ovulation-promot- ing therapies at the Reproductive Center in the Third Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University ac- cording to their physician＇s assessments. The sub- jects in the intervention group received various Chi- nese herbs depending on their conventional treat- ment. Endometrial thickness, number of acquired eggs, and rates of normal fertility, high-quality em- bryos, biochemical and clinical pregnancy of sub- jects were assessed in both groups.RESULTS： The high-quality embryo rate of 51.9%, biochemical pregnancy rate of 51.0%, clinical preg- nancy rate of 44.2% and endometrial thickness of （10.84± 1.75） mm in the intervention group were all significantly higher than those in the control group [48.7%, 38.9%, 34.8%, and （10.52±1.50） mm, respec- tively; P〈O.05]. The normal fertility rate of 58.5% in the Chinese herb group was also significantly supe- rior to the 54.7% achieved in the control group （P〈 0.01）. There were no statistically significant differ- ences （P〉0.05） in the average number of acquired eggs within a single cycle, incidence of excessive stimulation of ovary, rates of embryo transplanta- tion or early abortion and birth of living babies be- tween the two groups. CONCLUSION： Our findings indicate that Chinese herbs increase endometrial thickness, improve the quality of fertility and embryo, and promote embry- onic nidation, thus enhancing the success rate of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injec- tion-embryo transplantation cycle. Using Chinese herbs improves th     

Clinical study on acupuncture in treating perimenopausal insomnia

Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for insomnia in perimenopausal women. Methods： According to simple randomized controlled principle, sixty female patients with perimenopausal insomnia were randomized into two groups： 30 in the treatment group were intervened by acupuncture and the other 30 in the control group were intervened by taking sleeping pills. Therapeutic efficacies were compared between the two groups at the end of treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 100.0% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Acupuncture has better therapeutic efficacy than taking sleeping pills in treating perimenopausal insomnia.     

Clinical Study on the Treatment Efficacy of Cerebral Hemorrhage with Xingnaojing Injection in Real World

Objective:The purpose of this study was to understand the clinical efficacy of Xingnaojing Injection in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage in the real world.Methods:The hospitalized patients with cerebral hemorrhage mainly diagnosed in the hospital information system(HIS)of 223 A hospitals in the country were selected as the research subjects.The patients with cerebral hemorrhage using Xingnaojing Injection were used as the Xingnaojing group.The group was matched with the same sex,age±5 years old,similar hospital admission conditions,matched according to 1:1 ratio.The patients with cerebral hemorrhage without using Xingnaojing Injection were used as the control group,and the therapeutic effects after treatment were used as outcome evaluation index.A total of 3 Logistic regression methods were used to analyze the effects of Xingnaojing Injection in the treatment outcome of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Results:The statistical results showed that there was a difference in the efficacy of the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage by the use of Xingnaojing Injection(P<0.05).Conclusion:Based on the existing analytical methods and data,the effects of Xingnaojing Injection on cerebral hemorrhage are better than that of the non-use control group,which provides reference for the clinical drug use of cerebral hemorrhage.     

Effects of Bushenyiqihexue formula on the endometrial gland apoptosis in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction

Objective: To observe the effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula (补肾益气和血方 Formula for Tonifying the Kidney, Replenishing qi and Harmonizing Blood, FTKRQHB) on the endometrial gland apoptosis in the mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction. Methods: The mice with the first-day pregnancy were divided into the control, model and treatment groups, with 30 in each group, and blastocyst implantation dysfunction was induced by subcutaneous injection of mifepristone in the mice of the model and treatment groups. The pregnancy rate and implantation number of blastocysts were measured and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 were detected in all the three groups. Results: The model group had significantly depressed pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index, and elevated proliferation index of endometrial gland as compared with the control group (P0.05 or P0.01). Administration of FTKRQHB (the treatment group) resulted in significant increases in pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index of the endometrial gland, and a significant decrease in the proliferation index of the endometrial gland as compared with the model group (P0.05 or P0.01). The differences in the four indexes between the treatment group and control group were not significant statistically. The Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland in the model group became significantly lower than that of the control group (P0.01), whereas those in the treatment group were significant higher than that of the model group (P0.01). However, the Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland were similar in both treatment and control groups. Conclusion: Promoting the increases in Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in the endometrial gland and bringing into balance between apoptosis and proliferation of the glandular cells at the implantation window phase by FTKRQHB may contribute to the effects of promoting the establishment of endometrial receptivity and improving blastocyst implantation dysfunction.     

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.     

The proliferation,differentiation, and mineralization effects of puerarin on osteoblasts in vitro

AIM： Osteoblasts are key functional cells in the process of bone metabolic balance. Phytoestrogens have an important influence on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Puerarin, a plant estrogen, has a wide range concentration in vitro on the func- tion of osteoblasts. The current study investigates the effect of the phytoestrogen puerarin on the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts in vitro. METHODS： The calvaria bone of eight-ten Wistar rats which were born within 24 h were obtained in aseptic condition. After en- zyme digestion, isolation, purified osteoblasts of rats were cultured for further study. The cells of the first to third generation were divided into a control group and a puerarin-treated group with 10^-3-10^-10mol.L^-1 puerarin. The cells were exposed to the medium containing a low level of carbohydrates, 10% （V/V） FBS for 24 h. After 1 to 4 days of culture, the OD values on the proliferation of osteoblasts in each group were determined by microplate reader. The cells were cultured in the medium containing 50 μg.mL^-1 vi- tamin C, 10^-2mol.L^-1 sodium glycerophosphate, 10% FBS and the medium was changed every 3 to 4 days. After 2 to 8 days of culture, expression of alkaline phosphatase were tested and compared by microplate reader. The mineral nodes of osteoblasts were dyed using alizarin red or improved Von Kossa way after four weeks. RESULTS： Compared with those in the 10^-5-10^- 9 mol.L^-1~ puerarin, the proliferation of osteoblasts, the expression of alkaline phosphatase, and the number of mineral nodes of osteoblasts were significantly decreased in the control group. The increase was the fastest in the third day, while on the fourth day it was decreased, and arrived at statistical significance compared with the alka- line phosphatase activities and control group. The 10 6 mol.L ^-1 group was the most distinct, and formed the most mineralized no- dule. Compared with the 10.3 mol.L^-1 puerarin group, those changes were markedly increased in the control group. CONCLUSIONS： Puerarin has proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization effects on osteoblasts in a dose-dependent man- ner, and has a double-way effect on the osteoblasts in vitro. A low-dose showed positive effects on the development of osteoblasts, and high-dose puerarin could inhibit the formation of bone.     

Clinical Observation on the Effects of Electroacupuncture at Shaoze （SI 1） in 46 Cases of Postpartum Insufficient Lactation

Objective： To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture at Shaoze （SI 1） for insutlicient lactation after delivery, and further study the influence of this method on the different types of syndromes and on such patients of different ages. Methods： The 92 cases of postpartum insufficient lactation were randomly divided into the treatment group （46 cases） and the control group （46 cases）. The former was treated by electroacupuncture at bilateral Shaoze （SI 1）, and the latter by electroacupuncture at bilateral Shangyang （LI 1）. Both groups were treated for 2 courses, each course consisting of 5 times of treatment, and followed up for 1 month. Results： The total effective rate of the treatment group and control group was 100% and 69.6% respectively, showing a significant difference （P〈0.01）. For different types of syndromes and different ages of patients, the treatment group obtained a better effect than the control group in increasing lactation quantity and maintaining prolactin level with a significant difference （P〈0.01）. Conclusions： Electroacupuncture at Shaoze （SI 1） was obviously effective for postpartum insufficient lactation.