[Problems of acupoint injection therapy].

There are a large number of clinical reports that acupoint injection therapy is effective, but there are still some basic problems that have not been effectively resolved, such as the type, dosage, concentration and compatibility of acupoint injection drugs. This article analyzes and discusses the problems of acupoint injection therapy in five aspects: the effect of acupoint injection on local tissues, the study of mechanism, the best treatment plan and advantages, and the similarities and differences with local injection therapy.

[Myofascial trigger point: an indicator of acupoint sensitization].

Objective: The present study is to investigate the characteristic distribution of primary pain points and referred pain areas in patients with knee-joint pain diseases, therefore revealing the correlation between the myofascial trigger point and acupoint sensitization.

Methods: A total of 483 patients (320 men and 163 women, 36 to 72 years in age) with knee-joint pain recruited from 4 clinical centers were observed from July, 2017 to April, 2019 in the present study. The areas of primary and referred pain in these patients were detected by thumb-pressing and marked on human anatomic atlas.

Acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints enhances jejunal motility in constipated and diarrheic rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect and mechanism of acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints on jejunal motility, particularly in pathological conditions.

Methods: Jejunal motility was assessed using a manometric balloon placed in the jejunum approximately 18-20 cm downstream from the pylorus and filled with approximately 0.1 mL warm water in anesthetized normal rats or rats with diarrhea or constipation.

Changes in responses of neurons in spinal and medullary subnucleus reticularis dorsalis to acupoint stimulation in rats with visceral hyperalgesia.

The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of acupoints sensitization phenomenon at the spinal and medulla levels. Experiments were performed on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats and visceral noxious stimuli was generated by colorectal distension (CRD). The activities of wide dynamic range (WDR) and subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD) neurons were recorded.

[Colorectal nociceptive signal input facilitates impact of acupoint stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on electrical activities of wide dynamic range neurons in lumbar spinal cord in rats].

Objective: To observe changes of electrical activities of wide dynamic neurons (WDR) in the lumbar spinal cord after electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) during colorectal distension in rats, so as to analyze alternations of acupoint's functions under pathological conditions.

Methods: Experiments were performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Visceral nociceptive information input was generated by colorectal distension (CRD).

Neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius mediate the acupuncture analgesia in visceral pain rats.

The study investigated the role of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons in electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in colorectal distension (CRD) rats. NTS neurons responding to both CRD test and EA conditioning stimulations were considered somato-visceral convergent neurons. The neuronal activities evoked by graded CRD showed multiple firing patterns indicating multisynaptic connections.

[Effects of acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) on electro-activity and mechanical motility of migrating motor complex during jejunal digestion period in rats with detached jejunum].

Objective: To observe the effects of acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) on electro-activity and mechanical motility at different phases of migrating motor complex (MMC) during jejunal digestion period in rats with detached jejunum, so as to explore the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on regulating intestinal movement.

Methods: Sixteen adult SD rats were selected. Electrodes were implanted in the serous membrane of intestinal smooth muscl.

[Effects of acupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST 25) on electrical and mechanical motor of jejunum smooth muscles at different phases of the interdigestive migrating motor complex in normal rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of "Tianshu" (ST 25) on electrical and mechanical activities of jejunum smooth muscle at different phases of interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in normal rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying regulation of intestinal function.

Methods: A total of 16 adult SD rats were used in the present study. After 18-24 hours' fasting (with free access to water), the rats were subjected into experimental observation.

[Experimental study on functional connection between the lung and large intestine meridians in the rat: cross-talk between the lung and large intestine meridians].

Objective: According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine about "close association between the lung and the large intestine", the present study was designed to investigate the functional relationship between the Lung and Large Intestine Meridians and the colorectum by using electrophysiological methods.

Methods: A total of 40 SD rats were used in the present study. Under anesthesia, the cardiopulmonary branch of the left sympathetic nerve (CPSN) was separated for recording the electrical activities with a pair of platinum wire electrodes.