Highlights
The mechanism of auricular concha area (EA-ACR) between the melatonin and insomnia has rarely been studied before. The present study observed the effects of EA-ACR on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in p-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA) induced insomnia rats, and demonstrate that EA-ACR can improve the quality of life (weight), ameliorate exploring irritable and anxiety behaviors in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. The underlying effects of EA-ACR may be excited on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. These findings may provide a scientific and practical evidence for the EA-ACR treatment in insomnia.
Abstract
Backgroud: The electroacupuncture of auricular concha area (EA-ACR) proved to have a good regulatory effect on insomnia and the release of melatonin, which is most closely related to sleep. However, there is little research to demonstrate the relationship between EA-ACR and melatonin. The objective of present study is to observe the effects of EA-ACR on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia rats. Methods: The study divided 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly into three groups: 12 in blank group, 12 in model group, and 12 in EA-ACR group. By using PCPA intraperitoneal injection for 2 days, insomnia model was established. EA-ACR group was treated for 28 days. We observed the effects of EA-ACR on the rats' behavioral changes, open-field test and weight during the experiment. After the experiment, the rat tail and heart blood were collected, and the melatonin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with the blank group, 28-30 hours after PCPA intraperitoneal injection, the circadian rhythm of sleep and the total sleep time of model rats decreased. Compared with the model group, electrical stimulation in the ear concha region could effectively reverse the behavioral changes of rats, and increase the trend of weight growth (P = 0.010), the crossing score (P = 0.014), vertical motion score (P = 0.015) and the level of plasma melatonin secretion (P = 0.020 ) with the trend showing a rhythmic pattern (0-60 minutes upward , 60-120 minutes downward, 120-150 minutes upward). Conclusion: EA-ACR can improve the quality of life (weight), ameliorate exploring irritable and anxiety behaviors in PCPA-induced insomnia rats. The underlying effects of EA-ACR may be excited on the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion in PCPA-induced insomnia rats.
The study established the acupoints database and complex network of acupoints compatibility for acupuncture treatment of hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG). The results found that the main acupoint compatibility of acupuncture therapy for HMG was the local and remote acupoints, and the selected core acupoints for acupuncture treatment of HMG were Danzhong (CV 17), Wuyi (ST 15), Zusanli (ST 36) and Jianjing (GB 21).
Backgroud: Clinical studies on acupuncture treatment of hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) have proved its effectiveness, but most studies have paid little attention to acupoints prescription and acupoint compatibility. The clinical prescription is not identical, the curative effect also has the difference. Therefore, through data mining and network analysis, this study explored the core acupoints and the compatibility law of acupoints in acupuncture treatment of HMG. Methods: To search and select qualified literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria for relevant clinical research literature on acupuncture treatment of HMG in CNKI, VIP database, WanFang database and PubMed, etc. Then extract relevant information and establish a database. Using the method of statistical and complex network analysis, this paper studies the core acupoints and the law of acupoint compatibility. Results: A total of 104 Chinese literatures and 0 English literatures were included and 106 acupuncture prescriptions were extracted. The core acupoints in the treatment of HMG are Danzhong (CV 17), Wuyi (ST 15), Zusanli (ST 36), Jianjing (GB 21). Danzhong (CV 17) and Zusanli (ST 36), Danzhong (CV 17 ) and Wuyi (ST 15), Jianjing (GB 21) and Tianzong (SI 11), Jianjing (GB 21) and Wuyi (ST 15) have the highest correlation degree. The method of acupoint matching mainly consists of local-remote acupoints, upper-lower acupoints and front-rear acupoints. Conclusion: The results of a network analysis substantially accord with the general rules of acupuncture theories in traditional Chinese medicine, able to reflect the points-selection principles and features in acupuncture treatment of HMG and provide evidence for the acupoints selection in the treatment of HMG in acupuncture clinic.
The purpose of this paper is to explore more effective treatment of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. The combination of acupuncture and medicine broadens the clinical treatment ideas, but it is more limited to the theoretical level, less clinical practice support, and lack of basic experimental evidence. Based on the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine and the research results of modern medicine, this paper is expected to help patients to solve the pain to the greatest extent.
Shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) is one of the common complications of ischemic stroke. The pathogenesis is not completely clear and the therapeutic effects are not very satisfactory. As one of the Five-Shu acupoints (the general terms of acupoints that the twelve meridians are located below the elbow and knee of the body), Jing acupoints is distributed at the end of fingers and toes where the twelve meridians of the human body pass by, and has the functions of stimulating the meridians and dredging the channels and collaterals. For the effects of discharging neurons, promoting cerebral blood flow and improving the brain micro-circulation, Jing acupoints bloodletting therapy can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of the patients with SHS after stroke. Sangzhi (Mori Ramulus), with the ability of dredging the meridian and relieving the pain, is also has certain treatment functions to the SHS. In clinical practice, the combination of Jing acupoints bloodletting and Sangzhi (Mori Ramulus) have been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, and in terms of their mechanism of action, the combined treatment has a positive effect on post-stroke SHS, but there are few reports on this. Therefore, it is worth affirming the efficacy of combined treatment of SHS after stroke. This article elaborates the theoretical basis of Jing acupoints bloodletting on SHS after stroke, and the research progress of Sangzhi (Mori Ramulus) in treating SHS after stroke, which provide the theoretical guidance for the combination.
This paper summarized the common acupuncture methods and explored the effects of the combination of different acupuncture methods and modern rehabilitation in the treatment of post-stroke flaccid paralysis, in order to effectively promote the recovery of motor function and significantly improve their life quality.
Editor’s Summary
With the aging of the social population, the incidence rate of stroke has increased year by year in China. Though with the development of modern disease diagnosis and rescue techniques, the mortality rate of stroke has been effectively controlled, about 80% of the surviving patients have different degrees of limb dysfunction. As one of the most important non-drug therapy, acupuncture could prevent muscle atrophy, improve the relaxed muscle tension and improve the motor functions. This article lists the treatment of different acupuncture methods combined with modern rehabilitation, providing clinical guidance for the involvement of acupuncture treatment in the comprehensive treatment of post-stroke flaccid paralysis.
Stroke has been in a high incidence, and stroke sequelae have become the main cause of motor dysfunction. The treatment of flaccid paralysis is critical to stroke recovery. In recent years, traditional treatment, especially acupuncture therapy has achieved certain effects for the treatment of post-stroke flaccid paralysis. Acupuncture treatment can promote the recovery of nerve conduction, increase muscle strength and improve joint flexibility, and correct abnormal movement patterns of limbs. Acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training will be the focus for the treatment of post-stroke flaccid paralysis. In this review, the combination of different acupuncture therapies with modern rehabilitation for the treatment of post-stroke flaccid paralysis has been summarized in order to effectively promote the recovery of motor function and significantly improve their life quality.
This research finds that dredging the collaterals, dispelling wind-evil and restoring consciousness are the main principle of acupuncture for the treatment of stroke. Specific acupoints in head, face and climbs maybe the main targeted acupoints. Combination of Yang meridians with other meridians is needed to improve the effects. The acupoints Yangming meridian and Yangming-Shaoyang meridian are most used meridians, Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) are the most used acupionts.
With complex network and point mutual information method, the authors explored the characteristics of meridian points in the treatment of stroke. This study found that the most commonly used treatment method is to dredge the meridian through multiple acupoints to improve the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. The traditional meridian treatment for stroke is mainly to dredge meridian Qi and blood to recover the motor function of paralyzed limbs. Researches have shown that the frequency of Yang meridian is much higher than that of Yin meridian. Yang meridian and Shaoyang meridian counts the most meridians. For the treatment of limbs powerless and activity obstacle, it should combine the Yang meridians with other meridians in order to obtain better curative effects. Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) are the most used acupionts.
Objective: Explore the characteristics of acupoints in the treatment of stroke with complex network and point mutual information method. Methods: The complex network and point wise mutual information system-developed by Chinese academy of Chinese medical sciences wereused to analyze the specific acupoints, compatibility, frequency etc. Results: 174 acumoxibustion prescriptions were collected, including 163 acupoints. among them eighteen acupoints were used more than 30 times such as Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Quchi (LI11) and Fengshi (GB31). The combinations of 31 acupoints were used more than 15 times, such as the combination of Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36), the combination of acupoint Quchi (LI11) and Jianyu(LI15) , Hegu and Quchi (LI11). The most commonly used treatment method for stroke treatment is to dredge the Yangming meridian and Shaoyang meridian through acupuncture the multiple acupoints located on these two meridians.. The commonly used acupoints are mainly distributed in the limbs, head and face. The most commonly used specific acupoint is intersection acupoint. The usage frequency of specific acupoints are higher than that of non-specific acupoints. Conclusion: Dredging the collaterals, dispelling wind-evil and restoring consciousness are the main principle for the treatment of stroke. Specific acupoints in head, face and climbs maybe the main targeted acupoints. Combination of Yang meridians with other meridians is needed to improve the effects. The Yangming meridian and Shaoyang meridian are most used meridians and Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) are the most used acupionts.
The goal of the meta-analysis in this paper is to compare the effects of moxibustion and lipid-lowering drugs on the patients with hyperlipidemia. The results showed that the moxibustion had a more significantly effect compared with statins and fibrates on Total cholesterol (TC) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but the results didn't show statistically significant difference on Triglycerides and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In the comparison of adverse reactions, moxibustion had advantages. In terms of the comparison between moxibustion and proprietary Chinese medicine, it was impossible to show therapeutic differences between moxibustion and proprietary Chinese medicine in various indicators.
By systematically comparing the effects of moxibustion and lipid-lowering drugs on hyperlipemia, the authors found that moxibustion had a better effect to reduce the TC and LDL-C compared with statins and fibrates, but no advantages in lowing triglyceride level and HDL-C. While, there was no robust evidence that moxibustion was superior to Chinese patent medicine in improving the blood lipid indexes of patients with hyperlipidemia.
Objective: Systematically compared the effects of moxibustion and lipid-lowering drugs on hyperlipemia. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before December 2018 were all aggregated, focusing on evaluation of moxibustion and lipid-lowering drugs for hyperlipemia from PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, WANFANG database and VIP databases. The quality of the included studies was assessed basing on Cochrane handbook 5.1.0, and the available data were analyzed with RevMan software (version 5.3). Results: Totally 8 RCTs were included with 561 patients. Compared with statins, moxibustion had a better effect to reduce the total cholesterol (TC) (MD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.24, 0.13, P < 0. 001). Moxibustion also had a better effect to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in compared with statins and fibrates (MD = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.15, -0.25, P < 0. 001), but there were no significant differences between statins, fibrates and moxibustion in lowering triglyceride (TG) (MD = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.09, 0.05, P = 0.61) and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.13, P = 0.51). While, compared with the Chinese patent medicine, there was no significant difference in the efficacy of lowering TC (MD = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.27, P = 0.67), TG (MD = -0.08, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.24, P = 0.61), LDL-C (MD = -0.14, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.11, P = 0.28) and HDL-C (MD = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.22, P = 0.06). Conclusion: Compared with statins and fibrates, moxibustion had advantages in lowering TC and LDL-C, but there was no robust evidence that moxibustion was superior to Chinese patent medicine in improving the blood lipid indexes of patients with hyperlipidemia.
