[Serumimmunological study of moxibustion on helicobacter pylori gastritis in rats].

Objective: To explore the immune mechanism of moxibustion on protecting gastric mucosa injury.

Methods: Forty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a blank group, a model group, a moxibustion acupoint group and a moxibustion non-acupoint group, 10 rats in each one. Eight days before model establishment, moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Zhongwan" (CV 12), "Guanyuan" (CV 4), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Weishu" (BL 21) was applied in the moxibustion acupoint group while these acupoints' controlled points were selected in the moxibustion non-acupoint group, and no treatment was given in the model group, once a day in three groups for continuous 16 days.

[Effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on gastric motility, and SP and motilin activities in gastric antrum and nucleus raphe magnus in gastric hyperactivity and hypoactivity rats].

Objective: To observe the changes of gastric motility and levels of substance P (SP) and motilin (MTL) in the gastric antrum and Nucleus Raphe Magnus (NRM) after manual acupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) in gastric hyperactivity and hypoactivity rats, so as to analyze the role of NRM in acupuncture mediated adjustment of gastric motility.

Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control, gastric hyperactivity (G-Hypera) model, gastric hypoactivity (G-Hypoa) model, acupuncture + G-Hypera and acupuncture + G-Hypoa groups (10 rats/group). G-Hypera model was established by intravenous (tail vein) injection of Maxolon (0.

[Clinical observation on therapeutic effects of mild moxibustion in superficial gastritis patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold pattern].

Objective: To observe the curative effect of different duration of mild moxibustion in superficial gastritis patients with deficiency cold pattern of spleen and stomach.

Methods: A total of 84 superficial gastritis patients were randomly divided into moxibustion-20 min group, moxibustion-40 min group and medication (Ranitidine) group, with 28 cases in each group. Mild moxibustion was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12, odd days), Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21, even-numbered days) for 20 min and 40 min respectively, once daily for 20 days.

[Effect of moxibustion on motility, absorption and content of ATP in small intestine of spleen-deficiency rats].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of reinforcing function of moxibustion to spleen-stomach.

Methods: Forty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (blank group), group B (model group), group C (moxibustion group) and group D (herbs group). The rat model of spleen-deficiency was established by intragastric administration with 200% Dahuang (Rhubarb) infusion.

[Effects of moxibustion on gastric mucosal EGF and TGF-alpha contents and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in rats with gastric mucosal lesion].

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion on contents of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the gastric mucosa tissue in rats with gastric mucosal lesion.

Methods: Thirty-six SD rats were randomly and equally divided into control, model and moxibustion groups. Gastric mucosal lesion model was duplicated by restraint and cool water immersion stress.

[Effect of plasma of healthy subjects undergoing moxibustion on ethanol-injured human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells in vitro and the involved mitochondrial apoptosis pathway].

Objective: To observe the effect of plasma derived from healthy volunteers undergoing moxibustion (moxibustion plasma) on alchol-injured human gastric epithelial GES-1 cells in vitro, and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70, cell apoptosis inhibitory protein), apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), Smac (a mitochondrial protein), and Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 (the latter 3 proteins are also involved in cell apoptosis) in order to study its mechanisms underlying protecting gastric mucous membrane.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy volunteer subjects (half men and half women) were randomized into acupoint-moximustion (A-M) [Zhongwan(CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36)] group and non-acupoint-moxibustion (NA-M, 3 cun right to CV 12 and CV 4.1 cun medial to ST 36 ) group (n = 12/group).

[Progress of studies on acu-moxibustion stimulation-induced cellular transmembrane signal transduction of the target-organs].

Abundant research results have shown that multiple levels and links of cellular transmembrane signal transduction pathways in the target organs were involved in the efficacy of acupuncture. For instance, 1) various extra-cellular growth factors for initiating signal transduction by activating tyrosine protein kinase and non-receptor tyrosine kinase, 2) G protein-coupled protein kinase-second signal messengers, 3) ligands acting on intra-nuclear receptors to activate transduction pathway of nuclear transcription factors of the target genes, have been demonstrated in the favorable regulating process of acupuncture and moxibustion in different pathological animal models. In the present paper, the authors review the progress of studies on the abovementioned mechanism of acu-moxibustion underlying improving some disorders as 1) pain, cerebral ischemia, and senile dementia, 2) inflammation and tumor, and 3) myocardial ischemia.

[Effect of different frequency electroacupuncture on the expression of substance P and beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus in rats with gastric distension-induced pain].

Objective: To observe the effect of different frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on hippocampal substance P (SP) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in rats with gastralgia so as to explore its underlying mechanism in preventing and relieving visceral pain.

Method: Fifty rats were randomly divided into control, sham operation, model, low- frequency-EA and high frequency-EA groups. Gastralgia model was duplicated by gastric distension (a pressure of 40 mmHg) with a latex balloon.

[Observation on changes of the intragastric protein phosphorylation level involving electroacupuncture-induced improvement of the injured gastric mucosa in the rat].

Objective: To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of Stomach Meridian acupoints on changes o of the related protein phosphorylation in the gastric mucosa involving the repair of the injured gastric mucosa in the rat.

Methods: A total of 20 SD rats were divided into control, model, acupoint and non-acupoint groups, with 5 cases in each. Gastric mucosa injury model was established by intragastric perfusion of dehydrated alcohol (0.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of opposing needling for treatment of poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome].

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of opposing needling and routine acupuncture for treatment of poststroke shoulder-hand syndrome.

Methods: Sixty cases were randomly divided into an opposing needling group and a routine acupuncture group, 30 cases in each group. In the two groups, Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), etc.

[Effects of pricking bleeding at "Weizhong" (BL40) on sciatic nerve conduction velocity and interleukin-1alpha content in the lumbar vertebral nucleus pulposus in experimental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of "Weizhong" (BL40) bleeding on sciatic nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) content of the lumbar vertebral nucleus pulposus tissue in experimental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) rabbits so as to explore the underlying mechanism of blood letting in the treatment of LIDP.

Methods: Forty healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to control, model, BL40 and non-point (1 cm medial to BL40) groups, with 10 cases in each group. LIDP model was established by pushing the intervertebral disc tissue rightward to protrude the posterior longitudinal ligament with a self-made instrument after exposing the L6-7 vertebrae and intervertebral space.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Neiguan" (PC 6) on Na+-K+-ATPase activity and its gene expression in cardiocyte membrane in rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury].

Objective: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" and other acupoints on Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity and its gene expression in ischemic myocrardial cell membrane in rats.

Methods: A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into pseudo-operation (control), model, Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7) and Hegu (LI4) groups, with 10 rats in each group. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model was duplicated by occlusion of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery and reperfusion.

Association of high expression in rat gastric mucosal heat shock protein 70 induced by moxibustion pretreatment with protection against stress injury.

Aim: To study the effect of moxibustion on Zusanli or Liangmeng point on gastric mucosa injury in stress-induced ulcer rats and its correlation with the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70).

Methods: Sixty healthy SD rats (30 males, 30 females) were divided into control group, injury model group, Zushanli point group, Liangmeng point group. Stress gastric ulcer model was induced by binding cold stress method.

[Expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling substances in gastric mucosal cells influenced by serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints].

Objective: To study the effects of serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints on the expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling substances phospholipase C gamma-1 (PLC gamma-1), protein kinase C (PKC) and c-myc in gastric mucosal cells.

Methods: Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal group, stomach meridian group, gallbladder meridian group, stomach meridian plus PD153035 group and gallbladder meridian plus PD153035 group. Water-immersion and restrained stress methods were adopted for inducing gastric mucosal injury in the rats.

Effect of acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric motility and brain-gut peptide.

Aim: To observe the effect of acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF), gastric motility and brain-gut peptide.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group, model group (group with gastric mucosal damage, GMD), Sibai group (with acupuncture at Sibai point + GMD), Tianshu group (with acupuncture at Tianshu point + GMD), Zusanli group (with acupuncture at Zusanli point + GMD) and non-acupoint group (with acupuncture at non-acupoint + GMD). The GMD model group was induced by infusing pure alcohol into gastric cavity.

Effect of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosa cells.

Aim: To observe the effects of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosal cell in rats with stress-induced ulcer, and to analyze the relationship between those effects and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70).

Methods: Sixty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups, namely group A, B, C and D. The animal model of stress ulcer was established by water immersion and restraint stress.

The effect of EA on the gastric mucosal histology and ITF mRNA expression in stress-induced rats.

This study focuses on the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the gastric mucosal histology and ITF (intestinal trefoil factor) mRNA in stress-related rat, and the relationship between the gastric protective mechanism of EA at acupoints of Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (SMFY) group and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (GMFS) group. Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank control group (BCG), model control group (MCG), SMFY group (EA at acupoints of SMFY for 7 days before model inducing), and GMFS group (EA at acupoints of GMFS for 7 days before model inducing). All rats (except normal group) were made model by water immersion and restriction (WRS) on day 7, then the gastric mucosal lesion index (GUI) was accessed, ITF mRNA expression of the tissue was detected by reverse- transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, and the histological change under light microscope was observed.

Enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor receptor gene in gastric mucosal cells by the serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints.

Aim: To investigate the effect of serum derived from rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in gastric mucosal cells.

Methods: The stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rat model was established by water-immersion and restrained stress methods. 52 rats were randomly divided into: normal group (n = 8), model group (n = 8), model serum group (n = 12), stomach serum group (n = 12), and gallbladder serum group (n = 12).

Effect of electroacupunture on gastric mucosal intestinal trefoil factor gene expression of stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

Aim: To investigate electroacupuncture(EA) at the acupoints of Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (SMFY), Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Yangming (SMFY) on gastric mucosal intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) gene expression detection in stress-induced rats with gastric mucosal lesion, and to explore the regulatory mechanism and significance of EA-related gastric mucosal protective effect.

Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Blank group, Model group, Model group+EA at acupoints of SMFY group ("SMFY group"), and Model group+EA at acupoints of GMFY group(GMFY group). All rats (except blank group) were made model by water immersion and restraint stress (WRS).

Effect of electro-acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on somatostatin and expression of somatostatin receptor genes in rabbits with gastric ulcer.

Aim: To discuss the protective effect of electroacupuncture at the Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal lesion, somatostatin (SS) and the expression of SS receptor genes (SSR(1)mRNA ) in rabbits with gastric ulcer and to further explore the relative specificity of meridians and viscera at gene expression level.

Methods: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into control group (A), gastric ulcer model group (B), Foot-Yangming Meridian group (C), Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group (D) and Foot-Taiyang Meridian group (E). The gastric ulcer model was prepared by infusing alcohol into stomach.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on gastric mucosal intestinal trefoil factor gene expression in the rat of gastric mucosal injury induced by stress].

Objective: To investigate effects of electroacupuncture on gastric mucosal intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) gene expression in the rat of gastric mucosal injury induced by stress.

Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank group, model group, stomach channel group, gallbladder channel group. The normal group did not receive any processing, and the model group were fixed for 7 sessions and both the stomach channel group and the gallbladder channel group received 7 sessions of electro-acupuncture before modeling.

Effect of acupuncture at different meridian acupoints on changes of related factors for rabbit gastric mucosal injury.

Aim: To explore the regularity of multi-meridians controlling a same viscus (MMCSV).

Methods: The rabbit gastric ulcer model was established by ethanol intragastric instillation. Fifty-six rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, model group (MG), model plus acupuncture at Foot Yangming Meridian group (YMG), model plus acupuncture at Foot Taiyin Meridian group (TYG), model plus acupuncture at Foot Shaoyang Meridian group (SYG), model plus acupuncture at Foot Jueyin Meridian group (JYG), model plus acupuncture at Foot Taiyang Meridian group (TYMG), with eight rabbits in each group.

[Effects of cake-separated moxibustion on ultrastructures of endothelial cells of aorta in the rabbit of hyperlipemia].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of cake-separated moxibustion in treatment of hyperlipemia.

Methods: Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, a blank group,a model group, a direct moxibustion group and a cake-separated moxibustion group. Hyperlipemia model was developed by high fat diet of cholesterol.

Effects of electroacupuncture on gastric myoelectric activity and substance P in the dorsal vagal complex of rats.

Acupuncture has been widely applied to treat gastrointestinal diseases in the clinic. However, its precise mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli acupoints (ST36) on gastric myoelectric activity and substance P (SP) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) were observed.