Acupuncture, an effective treatment for post-stroke neurologic dysfunction.

Stroke episodes represent a significant subset of cerebrovascular diseases globally, often resulting in diverse neurological impairments such as hemiparesis, spasticity, dysphagia, sensory dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, aphasia, and other sequelae. These dysfunctions markedly diminish patients' quality of life and impose substantial burdens on their families and society. Consequently, the restoration of neurological function post-stroke remains a primary objective of clinical treatment.

Mechanisms of acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in rats.

Objectives: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling pathway of uterus tissue in rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PDM), so as to investigate its mechanisms underlying improvement of PDM.

Methods: Thirty healthy non-pregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model and EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. The PDM model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol diphenhydrate combined with intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and mitogen activated protein kinase in spinal cord of rats with primary dysmenorrhea].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the spinal cord of rats with primary dysmenoramia (PDM), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA treating PDM.

Methods: Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The PDM rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate and oxytocin into the thigh.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis protein GSDMD in uterine tissue in rats with primary dysmenorrhea].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream protein gastermin D (GSDMD) in rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), and to explore the potential mechanism of EA on the treatment of PDM.

Methods: Forty healthy female SD rats without pregnancy were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an EA group and an ibuprofen group, 10 rats in each group. PDM model was prepared by injection of estradiol benzoate and oxytocin.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on relieving pain and inflammation by suppressing TLR4/NF-κB signaling in rats with primary dysmenorrhea].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) intervention in rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PDM) based on the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor(NF)-κB signaling pathway.

Methods: Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, EA and medication groups, with 10 rats in each group. PDM rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate combined with intraperitoneal injection of oxytocin.

[Acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians for primary insomnia: a multi-center randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the clinical effect differences among different acupoint selection methods for primary insomnia.

Methods: A total of 333 patients with primary insomnia were recruited from 3 study centers and randomly divided into a group A (111 cases, 7 cases dropped off), a group B (111 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a group C (111 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the group A were treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) and Baihui (GV 20), the patients in the group B were treated with acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Baihui (GV 20), and the patients in the group C were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint and Baihui (GV 20).

[Manual Acupuncture Stimulation of Paired Acupoints Can Relieve Sleep Disorder Possibly by Upregulating Pineal Melatonin Protein and Its Receptor mRNA Levels in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in Insomnia Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of paired "Baihui" (GV 20)+ "Shenmen" (HT 7), GV 20+ "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), and GV 20+ non-acupoint on expression of melatonine (MT) and suprachiasmatic melatonin receptor 1 (MT) and melatonin receptor 2 (MT) mRNAs in insomnia rats, so as to explore their action difference and the underlying mechanism in improving insomnia.

Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (=12), mo-del (=8), GV 20+HT 7(=12), GV 20+SP 6(=11), and GV 20+ non-acupoint (=10) groups. The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Para-chlorophenylalanine suspension (50 mg/mL, 50 mg/100 g), once daily for 2 days.

[Effect of Different Stimulating Strength of Electroacupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility and RhoA/ROCK Signaling in Gastric Antral Smooth Muscle in Diabetic Gastroparesis Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of different strength of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on gastrointestinal motility and Ras homolog gene family member (RhoA)/Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to reveal the underlying mechanisms of EA for improving DGP.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into blank control, DGP model, weak EA, medium EA, and strong EA groups (＝12 rats in each). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mmol/kg, 2%) and high-sugar and high-fat fodder feeding for 8 weeks.

[Effects of Herbal-cake-separated Moxibustion on Blood Lipid Protein Levels and Expression of Toll-like Receptor and Nuclear Factor Genes in Atherosclerotic Plaques in Hyperglycemia Rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on blood lipid-apoprotein levels and the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4 and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) mRNAs in atherosclerotic (AS) vulnerable plaques of hyperglycemia rabbits, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of atherosclerosis.

Methods: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, model, direct moxibustion, herbal-cake-separated moxibustion and medication groups(＝12 rabbits in each group). The AS vulnerable plaque model was established by high-fat forage feeding plus balloon-induced abdominal aorta injury and gene transfection of Ad 5-p 53 recombinant vector.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture on Ultrastructure of Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Stem Cell Factor-kit Signal Pathway of Gastric Antrum in Diabetic Gastroparesis Rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on gastrointestinal motility and the ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and the expressions of c-kit receptor protein and stem cell factor (SCF) mRNA in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism.

Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, acupoint, non-acupoint and metoclopramide groups (n＝10 rats/group). DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 2%), and raised with high-sugar high-fat diet irregularly.

[Effect of Acupuncture Stimulation of Different Acupoint Combinations on Sleep and Expression of Circadian and Bmal 1 Genes in Hypothalamus of Insomnia Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation (MAS) of "Baihui"(GV 20)-"Shenmen"(HT 7)or GV 20-"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) on sleep and expression of circadian rhythm genes ( and Bmal 1) in the hypothalamus in insomnia rats, so as to select a better acupoint group for insomnia.

Methods: A total of 53 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (=12),insomnia model (=8), GV 20-HT 7(=12), GV 20-SP 6(=11),and GV 20-non-acupoint (=10) groups. The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA,500 mg/kg,100 mg/mL) once daily for 2 days.

[Effect of Point-moxibustion and Electroacupuncture on the Expression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase mRNA and Angiotensin 2 mRNA in Gastric Antrum in Diabetic Gastroparesis Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of point-moxibustion and electroacupuncture(EA) on gastrointestinal motility, and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) mRNA and angiotensin 2(AT Ⅱ) mRNA in gastric antrum in diabetic gastroparesis(DGP) rats, so as to reveal the different effect between point-moxibustion and EA, and explore the mechanism underlying improvement of DGP.

Methods: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, point-moxibustion and EA groups, 10 rats in each group. The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 2%, 55 mmol/kg) and fed with high-sugar and high-fat fodder.

[Clinical evaluation study on long-term effect of acupuncture with pattern/syndrome differentiation on functional dyspepsia].

Objective: To compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of functional dyspepsia between acupuncture at the acupoints selected by pattern/syndrome differentiation and domperidone.

Methods: Seventy cases were randomized into an acupuncture group (35 cases) and a western medication group (35 cases). In the acupuncture group, Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) were selected.

[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.

[Comparative study on effects between electroacupuncture and acupuncture for spastic paralysis after stroke].

Objective: To observe the differences of therapeutic effect of spastic paralysis after stroke between electroacupuncture and acupuncture and explore the mechanism.

Methods: Sixty-four cases were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (n = 33) and an acupuncture group (n = 31). Both groups were treated with Bobath facilitation techniques and medicine treatments.

The effect of herb-partition moxibustion on Toll-like receptor 4 in rabbit aorta during atherosclerosis.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Toll-like receptor (TLR4) inhibition in the delay of formation of atherosclerosis by herb-partition moxibustion.

Method: Seventy-five rabbits were randomly assigned to one of five groups: blank, atherosclerosis (AS) model, direct moxibustion, herb-partition moxibustion, and drug treatment. With the exception of the blank group, all rabbits were given a high-fat diet in addition to immunologic injury to create the AS model.

[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.

[On needle-sticking method].

Needle-sticking method has essential differences from stuck needle induced by acupuncture accident. This manipulation refers to the needle-sticking manifestation induced by twirling the needle in one direction after arrival of qi so as to tangle muscle fibers, which can combined with some compound methods such as trembling, shaking, flying, lifting, plucking, dragging and so on. It is effective for excessive syndrome, pain syndrome, arthralgia syndrome, etc.

[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 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.