Effect of electroacupuncture on myocardial electrical remodeling in rats with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC6) in impro-ving myocardial electrical remodeling in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by enhancing transient outward potassium current.

Methods: A total of 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. The AMI model was established by subcutaneous injection with isoprenaline (ISO, 85 mg/kg).

Analysis of the mechanism of propagated sensation along meridians based on gene expression profiles.

Background And Aim: Propagated sensation along meridians (PSM) is an important basis for the formation of the meridian theory, but its mechanism is still unclear. The study explored the mechanism of PSM from the perspective of gene expression.

Procedures: PSM induced by moxibustion was determined and classified according to the Modern Study of Meridians of Chinese Medicine.

Effects of electroacupuncture on rats with cognitive impairment: An iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis.

Objective: The study explores the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the governing vessel (GV) on proteomic changes in the hippocampus of rats with cognitive impairment.

Methods: Healthy male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham, model and EA. Cognitive impairment was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion in the model and EA groups.

Thermotherapy for knee osteoarthritis: A protocol for systematic review.

Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of pain and disability among adults. Thermotherapy has been widely used to treat knee osteoarthritis. But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated.

Wide Pulse Width Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Rats via IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Pathway.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the pulse width of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of denervation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in rats and examine the role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway during EA.

Methods: Sciatic nerve functional index (SFI), muscle wet weight and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the gastrocnemius muscle were analyzed after treatment in model rats with EA of various pulse widths (0.5, 50, 100 and 200 ms).

Effects of TAT-SOD at Acupoints on Essential Hypertension by Monitoring Meridians Electrical Potential.

Objectives: To investigate the effect on essential hypertension of the topical application of TAT-Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (TAT-SOD) at left acupoint Zusanli (ST 36), and to observe whether the change of electrical potential difference (EPD) can be related to the change of blood pressure.

Methods: Sixteen patients with essential hypertension and 16 healthy subjects were included in the study. EPD between the left acupoints of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Qiuxu (GB 40) was firstly screened out for the EPD detection.

[Analysis on the specificity of the relevant points along the governor vessel in chronic gastritis based on tenderness reaction and tenderness threshold].

Objective: To explore the specificity of the relevant points along the governor vessel in chronic gastritis through the synchronous observation of the tenderness reaction and tenderness threshold on the back along the governor vessel in the volunteers with chronic gastritis and make the comparison with healthy volunteers.

Methods: A chronic gastritis group and a healthy volunteer group were prepared, 30 cases in each one. Using synchronous comparison, the tenderness reaction at the point inferior to each of the spinous processes from T to L along the governor vessel was observed.

[Involvement of hippocampal miR-664-3p in electroacupuncture induced improvement of learning-memory ability of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning-memory ability and its correlation with miR-664-3p levels in the hippocampus in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) rats.

Methods: A total of 27 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, CI/RI model and EA groups (＝9 in each group). The CI/RI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MACO) according to the modified Longa methods.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Zhongwan(CV 12) on skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units along the conception vessel in yang-deficiency volunteers].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zhongwan(CV 12) on the energy metabolism along the conception vessel(CV) in volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution,and to explore the relationship of electroacupuncture regulation and body constitution.

Methods: Eighteen volunteers with mild constitution and 18 volunteers with yang-deficiency constitution were collected out of 200 students of Fujian University of TCM by body constitution questionnaire. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan(CV 10) and Qihai(CV 6) of CV were measured by a laser Doppler flowmetry in the normal condition and after EA stimulation at Zhongwan(CV 12) for 20 min.

[Changes of Skin Temperature of Acupoint Regions of the Governor Meridian after Moxibustion Stimulation].

Objective: To observe changes of skin temperature along the Governor Vessel (GV) after moxibustion stimulation.

Methods: A total of 36 healthy volunteer subjects were recruited in the present study. The skin temperature of Mingmen (GV 4), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Zhiyang (GV 9), Zhongshu (GV 7), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) regions and their bilateral control sites (1.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Acupoints at the Distal Limbs on Heart Function of Volunteers with Acute Hypoxia].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of different acupoints at the distal ends of the limbs on cardiac function in volunteers with acute hypoxia, so as to determine if its actions are realized by way of segmental innervations or meridians.

Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were divided into control, Quze (PC 3), Shousanli (LI 10), Guangming (GB 37) and Zusanli (ST 36) groups (both PC 3 and LI 10 are innervated by spinal C3-C6, and both ST 36 and GB 37 innervated by L5-S1). Acute hyoxia (simulating the conditions of about 5,000 m height above the sea level) was induced by asking the volunteers to inhale low-oxygen gas mixture (10.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) on Skin Microcirculatory Blood Perfusion Levels along the Conception Vessel in Yin-deficiency Constitution Volunteers].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at Zhongwan (CV 12) on the skin microcirculatory blood flow along the Conception Vessel (CV) in yin-deficiency constitution volunteers.

Methods: A total of 16 yin-deficiency constitution volunteers (9 woman and 6 men) from 200 students of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine finished a body constitution questionnaire and showed a yin-deficiency constitution. Skin microcirculatory blood perfusion units (MBPU) at Danzhong (CV 17), Xiawan (CV 10) , and Qihai (CV 6) of the CV were measured by using a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (Peri Flux 5000) in normal constitution, before and after EA stimulation of Zhongwan (CV 12) for 20 min.

[Effects of different-frequency-electroacupuncture and moxibustion stimulation of "Neiguan" (PC 6) on arrhythmia in rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of different-frequency-electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion stimulation on rabbits' arrhythmias.

Methods: Newzealand rabbits were randomly divided into arrhythmia model (n = 18), EA-3 Hz (n = 19), EA-20 Hz (n = 19), EA-100 Hz (n = 18) and moxibustion (n = 18) groups. The arrhythmia model was induced by intravenous injection of 25 μg/kg aconitine.

Monitoring the Effects of Acupoint Antioxidant Intervention by Measuring Electrical Potential Difference along the Meridian.

Previous studies suggest that superoxide anions are possibly traveling along acupuncture meridians. The electrical potential difference (EPD) between acupoints may be related to the movement. To test the above hypothesis, we conducted a study investigating the effects of acupoint antioxidant interventions on the meridian EPD.

[Development on research of acupuncture effects on microcirculation].

The Chinese and English published literature regarding the effects of acupuncture on microcirculation in recent years were analyzed, and it was found out that the theory of TCM meridian had subtle connection with microcirculation on structure and function, which could provide a possible breakthrough for the research of meridian essence. Acupuncture, through multiple links, multiple paths and multiple levels, could regulate microcirculation under physiological or pathological condition, which was a bidirectional benign adjustment function, and reflected the characteristic of acupoint specificity. Due to many shortcomings in the current studies, studies with rigorous design, large sample size and multicenter are expected in the further to make a standard systematized research.

Variations in energy metabolism along the pericardium meridian and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during electroacupuncture.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment guided by meridian theory. As it gradually gains more worldwide acceptance, a clarification of its mechanisms is extremely urgent. We observed variations in transcutaneous oxygen pressure/carbon dioxide pressure (tcpO2/tcpCO2) and microcirculation blood perfusion units (BPU) along the pericardium meridian, and cardiac function during EA at Neiguan (PC6) to explore variations in energy metabolism and its relationship with visceral function adjustments during EA.

[Comparison of microcirculatory blood perfusion between acupoints of the stomach meridian and their bilateral control points and changes of blood flow after electroacupuncture in 21 volunteer subjects].

Objective: To observe the difference of the microcirculatory blood perfusion between acupoints and non-acupoints of the Stomach Meridian and its bilateral control points and to analyze the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on subcutaneous microcirculatory perfusion in healthy volunteers.

Methods: A total of 21 healthy adult volunteers were recruited in the present study. Subcutaneous microcirculatory blood perfusion units (BPU) of Shangjuxu (ST 37), Liangqiu (ST 34), Yinshi (ST 33), Futu (ST 32) and non-acupoint (the midpoint between ST 33 and ST 32) of the Stomach Meridian and their bilateral on-meridian points were measured by using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF, PeriFlux 5000).

[Regular pattern of pain reaction by pressing along the Governor Vessel on the back in patients with digestive system disease].

Objective: To find out the regular pattern of pain reaction by pressing along the Governor Vessel at the levels of T3 to L4 on the back in patients with digestive system disease, so as to provide references for diagnosis of the disease.

Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with digestive system disease by gastroscopy and colonoscopy as well as 16 patients with digestive symptoms without accurate diagnosis by endoscopy checks were observed. Pressing was applied from Zhiyang (GV 9) to Yaoyangguan (GV 3), including non-acupoints along the Governor Vessel.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of different acupoints on electroretinogram and cerebral visual evoked potentials in healthy subjects].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoints on electroretinogram (ERG) and cerebral visual evoked potentials (VEP) in healthy subjects so as to evaluate the relative specificity of the function of acupoints.

Methods: A total of 33 healthy adult volunteers were observed in the present study. The subject was asked to lie on a testing bed for a while, two disk electrodes were respectively fixed to the suborbital region and the occiput (the crossing point, 5 cm apart from the right median line of the head and 5 cm above the ear), and the reference electrode was fixed to the medial side of the earlobe for recording ERG and cerebral VEP separately.

[Comparison between governor meridian and its bilateral control points in microcirculatory blood perfusion in 53 volunteer subjects].

Objective: To observe the difference of the microcirculation blood perfusion volume between the Governor Vessel (GV) running course and its bilateral control points in healthy volunteers.

Methods: A total of 53 healthy volunteers were recruited in the present study. Cutaneous and muscular microvascular blood perfusion units (BPU) of Mingmen (GV 4), Jizhong (GV 6), Zhiyang (GV 9), Shenzhu (GV 12) and non-acupoint (at the 12th thoracic vertebra level) of GV and their bilateral non-meridian points (1 cm lateral to the above mentioned GV-acupoints and non-acupoint on both sides) were measured by using a Laser Doppler Flowmetry (PeriFlux 5000).

[Determination of trace elements in 13 traditional Chinese medicines in medicated diet for diabetes mellitus by ICP-MS].

Objective: To investigate six trace elements including Cr, Zn, Mn, Se, Cu and V of 13 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) commonly used in diet therapy of diabetes mellitus.

Method: The samples were prepared through digesting in a microwave oven and determined with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Result: The correlative coefficients of the calibration curves were above 0.

One-step immunochromatographic separation and ELISA quantification of glycyrrhizin from traditional Chinese medicines.

The bioactive constituent, glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizic acid (GA), was purified from two traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), Shaoyao gancao tang and Dahuang gancao tang, and from crude extracts from licorice roots by means of immunoaffinity chromatography using anti-GA monoclonal antibody (MAb) and was quantified with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Laboratory preparations included the synthesis of conjugate GA-human serum albumin (GA-HSA), the production of anti-GA-MAb, the optimization of the immunoaffinity column packed with the anti-GA-MAb coupled to hydrazide gel and the determination of the GA content in TCM and crude drugs from five different sources by ELISA and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental results reveal that the anti-GA-MAb coupled to Affi-Gel Hz gel results in a coupling efficiency of 95.

[Comparison of the thermal conductivity of the related tissues along the meridian and the non-meridian].

Objective: To compare the thermal conductivity of the related tissues along meridian line and non-meridian area.

Methods: Forty healthy volunteers were observed with a infrared thermal imaging system.

Results: During heating the acupoint or the non-acupoint along the meridian line, the velocity of spreading of the temperature-increasing response along the meridian line was more easy and rapid, with a definite direction.

[Embryonic stem cell test in screening of medicine and other chemicals].

The technique of embryonic stem cell test (EST) has been developed and used in vitro to screen new medicines and other chemicals. According to toxicity, such medicines and chemicals can be classified as: non-toxic, weak toxic and/or strong toxic. EST shows merits such as no requirement of the sacrifice of pregnant animals, no side-effects on human or animals for candidate medicines and chemicals, higher sensitivity of embryonic stem cells when compared with the sensitivity of ordinary tissues of adult samples in toxicologic researches, higher accuracy when combined with computing techniques, and possible quantitation based on techniques of molecular biology.