Objective] To trace the source of the original state of acupoints from classical TCM acupuncture documents, exposing breakthrough direction of acupuncture acupoints study. [Method] Based on classical TCM acupuncture documents, tease the interrelated thesis of factors concerning concept, origin, position, function and attribution of acupoints, explore the location and function of acupoints, and define the breakthrough direction of acupuncture acupoints study. [Result] In classical TCM acupuncture documents, the description to acupoints position is sketchy, while to that of function is in detail and develops continually. The function of acupoints concerns acupoint selection and correct position, on the other hand, it is closely related with application methods, concerning acupuncture time, Qi and blood function, acupuncture reinforcing and reducing, and stimulating amount, and other many factors;whether“bringing about the desired sensation”is very important to exert acupoints function. [Conclusion] Acupoints have many attributes, i.e. the location reflecting physiological condition, pathological state, disease treatment; just the different reactions of acupoints to physiological and pathological conditions, continual exploration and study, summarization and generalization, and repeated practice to functions of acupoints, promote the constant development of acupuncture science and clinic; the original state study of acupoints shall be the breakthrough direction of acupuncture acupoints research.

[Objective] To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats and explore the partial mechanism via regulating blood rheology.[Methods] Bovine type II collagen was intradermally injected into the back of anesthetized rats to induce arthritis,the animal model of rheumatoid arthritis.Electroacupuncture(continuous waves,2 Hz,5 mA) was applied unilaterally and alternatively to Zusanli(ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) for 30min,given once a day for 30 days.The paw edema,pain threshold and joint pathological changes in CIA rats were observed.Some indexes in blood rheology such as viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation were also examined.[Results] EA at point Zuansanli(ST 36) and Sanyinjiao(SP 6) reduced paw swelling and increased pain threshold significantly.Pathological damages of joint in CIA rats were effectively prevented by EA treatment.Meanwhile,the low blood viscosity in EA group were lower obviously than that in control group,and the erythrocyte aggregation indexes were down-regulated by EA.[Conclusion] EA has a pronounced therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.Regulating the blood rheology in CIA rats may be the mechanism of EA.

There are many eminent acupuncture masters in modern times in the regions of Zhejiang province, which has developed the acupuncture schools of numerous characteristics and induces the important impacts at home and abroad. Through the literature collection on the acupuncture schools in Zhejiang and the interviews to the parties involved, it has been discovered that the acupuncture manipulation techniques of acupuncture masters in modern times are specifically featured. Those techniques are developed on the basis of Neijing (Internal Classic), Jinzhenfu (Ode to Gold Needle) and Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). No matter to obey the old maxim or study by himself, every master lays the emphasis on the research and interpretation of classical theories and integrates the traditional with the modern. In the paper, the acupuncture manipulation techniques of Zhejiang acupuncture masters in modern times are stated from four aspects, named needling techniques in Internal Classic, feijingzouqi needling technique, penetrating needling technique and innovation of acupuncture manipulation.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; instrumentation ; methods ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature

Objective] Metabolomics is a genomics research methods, has good prospects in the study of mechanisms of acupuncture. In this paper, the progress of the research on the mechanism of the action of metabolism in the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion were reviewed. [Methods] Retrieve acupuncture mechanism studies,which use metabolic technology in nearly 15 years, and to summarize. [Results]Nearly 15 years metabolomics research techniques and tools developed rapidly. But the acupuncture metabomoic studies were still based on the research of animal experiments mainly, relative clinical research less. [Conclusion] With the deepening development of metabolomics studies, the metabolic characteristics of various diseases will gradually clear. Acupuncture clinical mechanisms research combined with metabolomics technology will have broader prospects. But the research strategy of metabololic technology on acupuncture clinical efficacy is yet to be further explored and improved.

Objective] To explore teacher Zhou Zhiying’s clinical experience in treating tinnitus by using the electric acupuncture with Gongxue point to improve the blood flow of posterior circulation. [Method] By following teacher Zhou ’s clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as organizing previous clinical cases, to sum up teacher Zhou’s academic thoughts and clinical experience on tinnitus by acupuncture and moxibustion, and with proven cases. [Result] Teacher Zhou believes that the treatment of tinnitus must first clear etiology, discern the actual situation, and then find right selected acupuncture prescription with acupoints along meridians and sydrome differentiation. Teacher Zhou considers that tinnitus is related to the cerebral circulatory insufficiency. And Gongxue point has the effect of improving the brain circulation, therefore Teacher Zhou uses the methods of needling Gongxue point to improve posterior cerebral circulation in the clinical treatment of tinnitus, so it can improve inner ear microcirculation, and promote the recovery of neurological function and promote inflammation subsided. Coupled with electric acupuncture, moxibustion and acupuncture for reinforcing and reducing ,it will bring about a significant effect.[Conclusion] The clinical treatment by using the electric acupuncture with Gongxue point to improve the blood flow of posterior circulation for tinnitus curative effect is distinct. Teacher Zhou has unique clinical experience on tinnitus which is worthy our deep study and reference.

Pain, as one of the most common clinical symptoms, seriously affects the quality of life of patients.Transient Re-ceptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 (TRPV1) and Purinergic receptor(P2X3)are both involved in the transmission of a variety of patho-logical pain signals.Their interaction is less reported.This article reviews the interaction between TRPV1 and P2X3 in the pain signal transduction, and provides a new way for the treatment of pain.

Objective To observe clinical therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical point stimulation (TEPS) on scapulohumeral periarthritis of adhersion type. Methods Criteria of standardized diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic effects were adopted, various treatment parameters were fixed, and pain of shoulder and activity of shoulder joint were taken as observed indexes, TEPS and electroacupuncture (EA) were applied respectively in the treatment of 194 cases of scapulohumeral periarthritis of adhersion type. ResultsTEPS and EA had a similar good therapeutic effect, with the total effective rat 96.9% and 97.9% separately. TEPS could improve both pain index and activity of shoulder joint. Conclusion TEPS is a better therapy for scapulohumeral periarthritis of adhersion type, with ease of administration.

[Objective]To observe the intervention of Electroacupuncture at Point Jianyu(LI15) on Rabbit Model of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis for receiving possible mechanism.[Methods ]Thirty healthy rabbits(male or female) were randomly divided into three groups:scapulohumeral periarthritis model group,EA Jianyu group and Ibuprofen control group.Each group respectively were detected the concentrations of serum PGE2 before model and treatment and after treatment,and then killed them to achieve tendons of shoulder which were detected the concentrations of Hydroxyproline.And achieve tissues around shoulder which were studied by HE to investigate the changes of the histology.[Results]The concentrations of serum PGE2 had no notable difference between EA Jianyu and model group,Ibuprofen control group and model group after treatment.But it was lowered after treatment than before treatment by EA Jianyu.There were no significantly difference among the three groups about concentrations of Hydroxyproline in tendons,but Ibuprofen control group was higher than EA Jianyu group.Tissues of the shoulder were observed that EA Jianyu restrained reaction of inflammation and degenerescence of tissues,and promoted it better.[Conclusions] EA Jianyu has anti-inflammatory effect and cuts back on the degree of degenerescence of tissues on scapulohumeral periarthritis model in rabbit.

In the present paper,the authors review progresses of researches on the protective effect of acupuncture in resisting acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients and animals from 1) resisting injury of oxygen-derived free radicals,2) reducing intracellular Ca2+ overload,3) relieving dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells of the myocardium,4) regulating immune functional activity and reducing inflammatory injury,5) reducing cardiocyte apoptosis,6) upregulating the expression of heat shock protein(HSP 70) in the myocardium,and 7) regulating activities of multiple cardiovascular protection factors and intracellular signaling pathways.The abovementioned results are mainly obtained from experimental animal studies.For this reason,the authors hold that the coming researches on acupuncture therapy for cardiovascular disorders should pay more attention to its clinical application,for example,controlled blood-pressure decline induced lower perfusion of the coronary artery,cardiac surgery(percutaneous tranluminal coronary angioplasty,intracardiac operation underdirect vision) etc.

[Objective]The intervention of electroacupuncture (EA) on chronic inflammation and cyclooxygenase-1/-2 mRNA expressions in rats with II collagen-induced arthritis was observed in vivo, so as to discuss the effect of EA on chronic inflammation and its pivotal mechanism. [Method]Wistar rats immunized intradermally with bovine type II collagen, were served as the animal models of chronic inflammation. EA stimulation, begun on day 11 after the injection, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to ST36 for continuous 10 times. Indomethacin and refecoxib were used respectively as the control treatments of NSAID inhibitor and COX-2 selective inhibitor. The arthritic index, swelling volume of paw and concentrations of prostaglandin E_2 (PGE_2) of local tissue were investigated. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of EA on the levels of COX-1 mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in synovial tissues and gastric mucosa of inflammatory rats by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). [Results]All collagen-injected rats developed chronic inflammation of paws. EA remarkably reduced the paw swellings of rats on day 16 and day 21 and attenuated the severity of arthritis from the day 14 to day 21. The levels of PGE_2 in the inflammatory tissues of swollen paws were also lowered by EA. EA stimulation obviously down-regulated the expression of COX-2 mRNA in synovial tissue, but did not influence the level of COX-1 mRNA expressed in gastric mucosa. Indomethacin and refecoxib also strongly down-regulated COX-2 expression in synovial tissue. However, either indomethacin or refecoxib strongly affected the COX-1 mRNA expressions in gastric mucosa. [Conclusion] EA has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect on collagen-induced arthritis, and the pivotal mechanism and also the advantage of its therapeutic result may be due to selective suppression of COX-2 gene activation, without destroying COX-1 activity in stomach.