[Involvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in moxibustion-induced changes of NF-kappaB signaling in the synovial tissue in rheumatic arthritic rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion of "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) on synovial nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 expression, and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol (CS) contents in rheumatic arthritis (RA) rats with adrenalectomy (ADX) so as to study the underlying mechanism in ameliorating RA.

Methods: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into control (n=10), model (n=10), moxibustion (n=10), ADX (n=10) and false ADX (n=10) groups according to SPSS-aided random digits table. RA model was established by injecting 0.

[Effect of pricking blood therapy at Ashi points on peripheral pain mediums in the acute gouty arthritis rat].

Objective: To study the analgesic mechanism of pricking blood therapy at Ashi points in the acute gouty arthritis rat.

Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an indomethacin group and a pricking blood group. Except the blank group, other groups were injected with sodium urate liquor into the ankle cavity to develop the acute gouty arthritis rat model, and the indomethacin group received gastric perfusion of indomethacin, and the pricking blood group were treated with pricking blood therapy at Ashi points.

[Preparation, manipulation and clinical application of prof. HUANG Di-jun's moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone].

Manipulation method and clinical application of Prof. HUANG Di-jun's moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone are introduced from preparation of argyi wool, manipulation, matters needing attention, indications, and clinical characteristics of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone, etc. So as to popularize moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone.