[Effects of electroacupuncture on the blood-brain-barrier and proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-18 in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the hippocampus of vascular dementia (VD) rats, so as to explore the mechanism of EA on treatment of VD.

Methods: SD male rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, and EA groups, with 15 rats in each group. The VD rat model was established by permanently occlusion of the bilateral middle cerebral artery.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on ROS-NLRP3 inflammatory pathway and autophagy related proteins in hippocampus of vascular dementia rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning-memory ability, ultrastructural changes of hippocampal CA1 neurons, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and auto-phagy-related proteins expression in the hippocampus of vascular dementia (VD) rats, so as to reveal its partial mechanisms in treating VD.

Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, and EA groups (=10 rats in each group). The VD model was established by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on gut microbiota and serum IL-1β and IL-18 in rats with vascular dementia based on principle of "curing brain disorders by treating intestines"].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Baihui"(GV20), "Dazhui"(GV14), "Shenshu" (BL23)and "Zusanli"(ST36) on the intestinal flora and serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 contents in vascular dementia (VD) rats.

Methods: SD rats were randomized into sham operation, VD model, GV20+GV14+BL23 (EA-basic acupoints), and EA-basic acupoints+ST36 and EA-basic acupoints+probiotics groups (=10 in each group). EA (10 Hz/50 Hz) was conducted for 30 min, once daily for 4 consecutive weeks.

[Micromovement characteristic of distal tibiofibular joints in normal Chinese].

Objective: To analyze micromovement of distal tihiofihular joints in different motion range of ankle joint ,and define the micromovement characteristic and range of distal tibiofihular joints.

Methods: Twelve normal Chinese were chosen. There were 9 males and 3 females, aged from 19 to 37 years old with an average (26.