Antihistamine promotes electroacupuncture analgesia in healthy human subjects: A pilot study.

Background And Aim: We have previously reported that histamine H receptor antagonists facilitate electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in experimental animals. In this pilot study, we sought to determine whether the histamine H receptor antagonist dexchlorpheniramine (DCPA) facilitates EA analgesia in healthy human subjects.

Experimental Procedure: Forty healthy subjects aged 20-30 years were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups: (1) sham EA at acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) (sham EA; n = 10); (2) EA at ST36 and GB34 (n = 10); (3) EA at ST36 and GB34 plus low-dose DCPA (2 mg, n = 10); (4) EA at ST36 and GB34 plus high-dose DCPA (4 mg, n = 10).

Electroacupuncture improves TBI dysfunction by targeting HDAC overexpression and BDNF-associated Akt/GSK-3β signaling.

Background: Acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) appears to be a potential treatment in acute clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it remains uncertain whether acupuncture affects post-TBI histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression or impacts other biochemical/neurobiological events.

Materials And Methods: We used behavioral testing, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis to evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of EA at LI4 and LI11 in both weight drop-impact acceleration (WD)- and controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced TBI models.

Results: Both WD- and CCI-induced TBI caused behavioral dysfunction, increased cortical levels of HDAC1 and HDAC3 isoforms, activated microglia and astrocytes, and decreased cortical levels of BDNF as well as its downstream mediators phosphorylated-Akt and phosphorylated-GSK-3β.

Activation of peripheral TRPM8 mitigates ischemic stroke by topically applied menthol.

Background: No reports exist as to neuroprotective effects associated with topical activation of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a noted cold receptor. In the present study, we identified whether activating peripheral TRPM8 can be an adjuvant therapy for ischemic stroke.

Methods: Menthol, an agonist of TRPM8, was applied orally or topically to all paws or back of the mouse after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

In situ slow-release recombinant growth differentiation factor 11 exhibits therapeutic efficacy in ischemic stroke.

Systemic growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) treatment improves the vasculature in the hippocampus and cortex in mice in recent studies. However, systemic application of recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) cannot cross the brain blood barrier (BBB). Thus, large doses and long-term administration are required, while systemically applied high-dose rGDF11 is associated with deleterious effects, such as severe cachexia.

Melatonin Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Osteolytic Bone Metastasis: Implications for Osteoporosis.

Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are major cellular components in the bone microenvironment and they play a key role in the bone turnover cycle. Many risk factors interfere with this cycle and contribute to bone-wasting diseases that progressively destroy bone and markedly reduce quality of life. Melatonin (-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) has demonstrated intriguing therapeutic potential in the bone microenvironment, with reported effects that include the regulation of bone metabolism, acceleration of osteoblastogenesis, inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and the induction of apoptosis in mature osteoclasts, as well as the suppression of osteolytic bone metastasis.

Electroacupuncture prevents cocaine-induced conditioned place preference reinstatement and attenuates ΔFosB and GluR2 expression.

Acupuncture has been used for treating drug addiction since the 1970s, but little is known about the mechanisms by which acupuncture affects drug cue-induced relapse. The transcription factor delta-FosB (ΔFosB) plays a critical role in behavior and pathology after chronic use of cocaine. ΔFosB regulates glutamate receptor signaling and dendritic spine morphology in animal models.

Targeting CCN Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.

The CCN family of matricellular proteins (CYR61/CCN1, CTGF/CCN2, NOV/CCN3 and WISP1-2-3/CCN4-5-6) are essential players in the key pathophysiological processes of angiogenesis, wound healing and inflammation. These proteins are well recognized for their important roles in many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, adhesion, migration and differentiation, as well as the regulation of extracellular matrix differentiation. Substantial evidence implicates four of the proteins (CCN1, CCN2, CCN3 and CCN4) in the inflammatory pathologies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

The Endocannabinoid System Contributes to Electroacupuncture Analgesia.

The extensive involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in vital physiological and cognitive processes of the human body has inspired many investigations into the role of the ECS and drugs, and therapies that target this system and its receptors. Activation of cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB and CB) by cannabinoid treatments, including synthetic cannabinoids, alleviates behavioral responses to inflammatory and neuropathic pain. An increasing body of scientific evidence details how electroacupuncture (EA) treatments achieve effective analgesia and reduce inflammation by modulating cannabinoid signaling, without the adverse effects resulting from synthetic cannabinoid administration.

Reconsidering the Role of Melatonin in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory joint disorder characterized by synovial proliferation and inflammation, with eventual joint destruction if inadequately treated. Modern therapies approved for RA target the proinflammatory cytokines or Janus kinases that mediate the initiation and progression of the disease. However, these agents fail to benefit all patients with RA, and many lose therapeutic responsiveness over time.

An update on current and future treatment options for chondrosarcoma.

: Human chondrosarcomas (CS; a malignant cartilage-forming bone tumor) respond poorly to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Expanded treatment options are urgently needed. : This article updates our 2014 review, in which we evaluated the CS treatments available at that time and potential treatment options under investigation.

Implications of Angiogenesis Involvement in Arthritis.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is essential in the pathogenesis of joint inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), facilitating the invasion of inflammatory cells and increase in local pain receptors that contribute to structural damage and pain. The angiogenic process is perpetuated by various mediators such as growth factors, primarily vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), as well as proinflammatory cytokines, various chemokines, matrix components, cell adhesion molecules, proteases, and others. Despite the development of potent, well-tolerated nonbiologic (conventional) and biologic disease-modifying agents that have greatly improved outcomes for patients with RA, many remain resistant to these therapies, are only partial responders, or cannot tolerate biologics.