[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Taichong" (LR 3) on liver function in mild alcoholic liver injury rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Taichong" (LR 3) on liver function in rats with mild alcoholic liver injury (MALI) so as to explore the feasibility of acupuncture in improving mild alcoholic liver injury.

Methods: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA-LR 3 and EA-non-acupoint groups (10 rats/group). MALI model was duplicated by intragastric administration of distillate spirit (14 mL/kg) for 12 hours.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of different regions of the auricle on epileptic seizures in epilepsy rats].

Objective: To observe the anti-seizure effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at different sites regions of the auricle in awake rats.

Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into model, ear-apex, ear-outer-margin, earlobe, cymba-concha, cavitas-conchae groups (n = 10 in each group). A metal microelectrode (diameter: 50 microm) was implanted into the somatosensary cortex for recording the field potentials (FPs).

[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Futu" (LI 18), etc. on expression of spinal 5-HT 1 AR mRNA, 5-HT 2 AR mRNA and protein in rats with neck incision pain].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral "Futu" (LI 18), etc. on the expression of 5-HT 1 A receptor (R) mRNA, 5-HT2 AR mRNA and protein in the spinal cord of rats with neck incision pain, so as to explore its underlying mechanism in relieving incision pain.

Methods: A total of 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model (incision pain), Futu (LI 18), Hegu (LI 4)-Neiguan (PC 6, LI 4-PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36)-Yanglingquan (GB 34) cervical cord (ST 36-GB 34 C) and lumbar cord (ST 36-GB 34 L) groups.

Acupuncture effects on the hippocampal cholinergic system in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

The present study observed the effects of repeated electroacupuncture of Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) on expression of hippocampal acetylcholinesterase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and muscarinic M1 receptor mRNA in chronic constrictive injury (neuropathic pain) and/or ovariotomy rats. Results demonstrated increased expression of hippocampal acetylcholinesterase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and muscarinic M1 receptor mRNA, as well as decreased pain threshold, in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain after electroacupuncture. The effects of electroacupuncture increased with prolonged time, but the above-mentioned effects decreased in memory-deficient animals.

[Development of studies on neurochemical mechanism of acupuncture underlying improvement of depression].

Chronic stress often results in neurochemical changes in the central nervous system and may lead to the onset of depression. These neurochemical changes refer to alterations of activities of neurotransmitters, neuromediators, hormones and neuronal plasticity, etc. The underlying mechanism of acupuncture in the antidepressant effect is related to its regulatory effect on the neurochemical imbalance.

[Effect of acupuncture on contents of beta-endorphin in the plasma and hypothalamus in rats with stress-induced gastric mucosal injury].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in preventing and treating stress-induced gastric mucosal injury from the view of brain-gut axis.

Methods: Forty male Wister rats were randomly divided into normal control, model 1, treatment, model 2 and prevention groups (n=8). Gastric mucosa injury model was established by intragastric perfusion of dehydrated alcohol (1.

[Effect of moxibustion-like thermal stimulation with different temperature and covering different areas of "zhongwan" (CV 12) on discharges of neurons in medullary subnucleus reticularis dorsalis of rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of regional thermal (moxibustion-like) stimulation on discharges of neurons in the medullary subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD) and to study the best thermal stimulation parameters in the rat.

Methods: Experiments were performed on 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats under anesthesia (10% urethane, 1.0-1.

[Neuroanatomical basis of clinical joint application of "Jinggu" (BL 64, a source-acupoint) and "Dazhong" (KI 4, a Luo-acupoint) in the rat: a double-labeling study of cholera toxin subunit B conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488 and 594].

Objective: To study the specific correlation between "Jinggu" (BL 64) and "Dazhong" (KI 4) in the nervous system by using a double-labeling of cholera toxin subunit B conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488 and 594 (CTB-Alexa 488, 594) in rats, so as to investigate its neuroanatomical basis for clinical joint-application of Yuan-Source and Luo acupoints.

Methods: Three male SD rats were used in the present study. Under anesthesia (10% urethane), 0.

[Effect of acupoint-injection of stem cell factor antibody on electroacupuncture induced changes of count and degranulation of subcutaneous mast cells in the local region in rats].

Objective: To observe the alternations of local mast cells (MCs) in the number and functional activities after electroacupuncture (EA) and injection of stem cell factor (SOF) antibody into "Weishu" (BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal, EA, and EA + SCF antibody injection (EA-ABI) groups (n=10). EA was applied to the left "Weishu"(BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min.

[Effect of moxibustion on colonic TNF-alpha content and influence of colonic supernatant of crohn's disease rats undergoing moxibustion on expression of occludin, claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1 proteins and genes in cultured colonic epithelial cells].

Objective: To observe the effect of moxibustion on colonic tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level in Crohn's Disease (CD) rats and the effect of colonic supernatant of CD rats experiencing moxibustion on the expression of the tight junction proteins ocoludin, claudin-1 and zonula occiludens (ZO)-1 and their genes in the cultivated colonic epithelial cells derived from CD rats, so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in resisting colonic epithelial barrier defects.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, moderately warm moxibustion (MWM), herbs-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) and medication (salazosulfapyridine, SASP) groups (n=12). CD model was established by intra-annual perfusion of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) solution (TNBS: 50% alcohol = 2:1, 0.

[Effect of electroacupuncture of auricular concha on inflammatory reaction in endotoxaemia rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of the auricular concha (EA-AC) on serum cytokines contents and pulmonary transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced endotoxaemia rats so as to study its mechanism underlying cholinergic anti-inflammatory efficacy.

Methods: Male SD rats were randomized into normal control, model (LPS), simple EA-AC, EA-AC + LPS, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) + LPS, and EA-Zusanli (ST 36) + LPS groups (n = 12/group). Endotoxaemia model was duplicated by intravenous (tail vein) injection of LPS (0.

[A proportional bone measurement of acupuncture in 100 healthy volunteers].

Objective: To compare the difference of bone proportional cun of acupuncture between the description in book Lingshu Gudu (Miraculous Pivot Proportional Bone Measurement) and the current National Standard for Locating the Acupoint ("National Standard" in short), so as to determine the proportional relationship of the distance between two positions of the human body in terms of bone proportional cun.

Methods: A total of 100 volunteers [age: 18 - 25 years, body weight: (64.0 +/- 8.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on efficacy of estrogen in regulating hypothalamic reproductive endocrine activity in rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the efficacy of estrogen-induced regulation of reproductive endocrine in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into control, model (OVX), EA-Guanyuan(CV 4), Estrogen (E) and EA+ E groups (n = 6 in each group). OVX model was duplicated by removing the bilateral ovaries.

[Elementary introduction to the development of acu-moxibustion implements].

In the treatment of various clinical conditions, acu-moxibustion implements are absolutely necessary. In the present paper, the authors make a systemic investigation on the developmental course of acu-moxibustion implements from (1) acupuncture needles, (2) moxibustion materials and tools, and (3) modern therapeutic apparatuses for acu-moxibustion. Regarding the acupuncture needle, the authors reviewed its histological evolution from the Bian-needle (stone needle), bone needle, metal needle, nine types of needles, etc.

[Afferent nerve connection among "Hegu" (LI4), "Neiguan" (PC6), "Futu" (LI18) and thyroid gland region: fluorescent double labelling method].

Objective: To observe the peripheral and central neural connection of acupoint "Hegu" (LI4), "Neiguan" (PC6), "Futu" (LI18) and the thyroid gland (TG) region with fluorescence double-labelling method.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into LI4-LI18 group, PC6-LI18 group, TG-LI 18 group, LI 4-TG group, and PC 6-TG group, with 6 rats in each. Fluorescence dyes Propidium Iodide (PI, 10 microL) and Bisbenzimide (Bb, 10 microL) were, separately, injected into those acupoints mentioned above and the TG region.

[Research and identification of the concept and terminology of "tender-point"and "Ashi-point"].

It is generally acknowledged that "tender-point is taken as the acupoint" (tender-point) and "Ashi-point" belong to the same one concept. Through a series of research and analysis, it was found that these two nomenclatures contain both identical and different points in connotation, and reflect different experience in the treatment of abundant clinical conditions. "Tender-point" is involved in the general experience, for which the affected site is punctured directly by using an acupuncture needle or stimulated by using a moxa-stick or moxa-cone.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of "source-" plus "collateral-" acupoints on the cardiac function and myocardial enzymes in acute myocardial ischemia rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Source-" + "Collateral-" acupoints ["Shenmen" (HT 7) + "Zhizheng"(SI 7)] and single acupoints "Neiguan"(PC 6) and HT 7 on cardiac function and myocardial enzymes in acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) rabbits.

Methods: Sixty Chinchilla rabbits were randomized into normal control, model, Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), HT 7 + SI 7 groups, with 8 rabbits in each. AMI model was duplicated by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery under anesthesia.

[Effects of electroacupuncture of different acupoints on changes of blood pressure and autonomic nerve system after colorectal distension in rats].

Objective: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoints on changes of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in colorectal distension (CRD) rats, so as to analyze the specificity of actions of acupoints in relieving visceral pain and regulating activities of the autonomic nerve system.

Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats were randomized into control, Zusanli (ST 36), non-acupoint, Neiguan (PC 6) and Taichong (LR 3) groups (n = 9/group). Under anesthesia, CRD was given to the rats by using an aerostat for 5 min.

[Mast cell and substance P are involved in the process of acupoint sensitization induced by acute gastric mucosal injury].

Objective: To observe changes of mast cells (MCs) number and morphology, and substance P (SP) expression in Evans blue (EB) extravasated region around acupoint "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Weishu" (BL 21) after acute gastric mucosal injury (AGMI) so as to investigate the mechanism underlying visceral problems-induced acupoint activation.

Methods: Thirty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (n = 15) and AGMI groups (n = 15). AGMI model was duplicated by perfusing the rats with 0.

[Observation on the leptin level in the subcutaneous tissues of the high temperature reaction zone along the abdominal gallbladder Meridian in rabbits with cholecystitis].

Objective: To observe the content of leptin in the abdominal subcutaneous tissues of the higher temperature zone along the Gallbladder (GB) Meridian in cholecystitis rabbits so as to explore the correlation between the temperature response and the leptin level.

Methods: Twenty-five rabbits were randomized into normal control group (n = 10) and cholecystitis model group (n = 15). Cholecystitis model was established by injection of Escherichia coli solution (0.

[Clinical application and research on ziwu-liuzhu (midnight-noon ebb-flow) acupuncture therapy].

Ziwu-liuzhu (Midnight-noon Ebb-flow) acupuncture therapy is a natural therapy by taking the time as a princi-Ziwu-liuzhu (Midnight-noon Ebb-flow) acupuncture therapy is a natural therapy by taking the time as a principal condition. It has been being widely applied in clinical practice. In the present paper, the authors review the progress of clini-pal condition.

[Analysis on the key factors affecting the inheritance of the acupuncture learning].

On the basis of systematicly reviewing the developmental history of acupuncture and moxibustion and profoundly understanding its academic connotations, the authors of the present article make a summary and analysis on the key factors influencing the development of acupuncturology. These key factors are (1) the emergence of "microacupuncture needle regulating-Qi" and the establishement of their corresponding theory system, (2) a large number of practitioners who inherited the learnings of acupuncturology generations by generations, and abundant medical classical works which recorded the valuable academic thoughts and clinical experience of the predecesors, (3) the application of acupuncture charts and manikins, and (4) modernizing changes of acupuncture learnings after introduction of western medicine to China. Just under the influence of these key factors, the acupuncture medicine separates itself from the level of the simple experience medicine, and has formed a set of special theory system and developed into a mature subject.

Effects of repeated electroacupuncture on beta-endorphin and adrencorticotropic hormone levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary in rats with chronic pain and ovariectomy.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA)-induced cumulative analgesic effects on chronic pain in rats with or without ovariectomy (OVX).

Methods: A total of 110 female Wistar rats were randomized into normal control (n=10), chronic constrictive injury (CCI, n=10), CCI+EA (n=30), OVX+CCI (n=30), and OVX+CCI+EA (n=30) groups. Each of the latter 3 groups was further divided into 2 days (2 d), 2 weeks (2 W) and 3 weeks (3 W) subgroups, respectively (n=10 in each subgroup).

[Influence of electroacupuncture on myocardial NO and NOS and intracellular Ca2+ contents in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on contents of myocardial nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and intracellular Ca2+ levels in experimental myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) rats, so as to provide some evidence for acupuncture treatment of cardiovascular disorders and for the correlation between the acupoints and the internal organs.

Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operation (sham), model, Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7), and Hegu (LI 4) groups (n = 10/group). MI/RI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery for 40 min and reperfusion for 60 min.