ObjectiveTo observe the effect ofTong Du acupuncture-moxibustion, conventional acupuncture, and medication on the bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) mobilization markers CD34+and CD133+, neurological deficit score in patients with ischemic stroke.Method Totally 120 eligible subjects with ischemic stroke were randomized into aTong Du acupuncture-moxibustion group (group A), a conventional acupuncture group (group B), and a medication group (group C), 40 in each group. In addition to the conventional medication given to all three groups, patients in group A also received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), bloodletting at Dazhui (GV14), and acupuncture at Fengchi (GB20), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6); patients in group B also received acupuncture at Fengchi, Quchi, Hegu, Zusanli, and Sanyinjiao; group C received patent Chinese medicine Tong Xin Luo capsules. The intervention lasted 14 d in all three groups. The CD34+and CD133+and neurological deficit score were evaluated and compared before and after intervention.Result The three treatment methods all significantly increased the level of CD34 + and CD133+in peripheral blood (P<0.05,P<0.01); the intergroup comparisons showed significant differences among the three groups (P<0.05), and the level in group A was significantly different from that in group B and C (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.05); the three treatment methods all improved the neurological deficit score to various extent, and the result in group A was significantly different from that in group B and C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and there was also a significant difference between group B and C (P<0.05).ConclusionsTong Du acupuncture-moxibustion, conventional acupuncture, and medication can influence the BMSCs and neurological deficit to different extent; the effect ofTong Du acupuncture-moxibustion on the BMSCs and neurological deficit is more significant than that of the conventional acupuncture and medication, suggesting thatTong Du acupuncture-moxibustion method should have advantage in treating cerebral infarction.

AIM:To analyze the correlation between serum angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) levels and different stages of coronary heart disease (CHD), and to explore the change of serum ACE2 level during the development of CHD.METHODS:The control group included 85 non-CHD samples, and 174 CHD samples were divided into light stenosis (ls-CHD, stenosis degree <50%) group, moderate stenosis (ms-CHD, stenosis degree 50%~75%) group and severe stenosis (ss-CHD, stenosis degree ≥75%) group.The ACE2 level in each serum sample was detected by ELISA.The relationship between the ACE2 level and the development of coronary heart disease was explored by statistical analysis of serum ACE2 levels in different stages of CHD.RESULTS:The serum ACE2 levels in ls-CHD group, ms-CHD group and ss-CHD group were all higher than that in control group.The more severe the coronary artery stenosis existed, the higher the ACE2 level was observed.The serum ACE2 level in the males was higher than that in the females.In a single sex, the serum ACE2 levels in ls-CHD group, ms-CHD group and ss-CHD group were higher than that in control group with significant differences.Regression analysis found that sex, diabetes and CHD were associated with the serum ACE2 levels.Among them, sex and CHD were the independent factors to affect serum ACE2 levels.CONCLUSION:The serum ACE2 level of males was higher than that of females.Compared with the non-CHD samples, the serum ACE2 level of CHD patients was higher than that of the non-CHD samples.During the development of coronary heart disease, the serum ACE2 level increased constantly.