Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intensive needling stimulation at external Laogong (EX-UE 8) in treating post-stroke hand hypermyotonia.Method Sixty patients with post-stroke hand hypermyotonia were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by ordinary acupuncture plus strong stimulation at external Laogong (EX-UE 8), while the control group was by ordinary acupuncture. After 8-week treatment, the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess the muscular tension of the affected limbs, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was for assessing motor function of the affected hand, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to evaluate the activities of daily living before and after the intervention.Result The MAS, FMA, and ADL scores were significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05). The MAS, FMA, and ADL scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at external Laogong (EX-UE 8) with intensive stimulation is an effective approach in treating post-stroke hand hypermyotonia.

To investigate the neurobiological mechanism of depression pathogenesis and reveal the mechanism of acupuncture treatment of depression. Methods: Wistar rats were selected for subjects. A rat model of depression was made by individually housing with unpredicted chronic moderate stimuli. Changes in behavior and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis were examined in rat models of stress-induced depression. Meanwhile, the intervening effect of acupuncture was evaluated and the curative effects of different acupuncture methods compared. Results: CORT and ACTH contents of serum were significantly higher in the model and normal saline groups than in the control group (P＜0.05), significantly lower in the hand acupuncture and electroacupuncture groups than in the model group (P＜0.05) and significantly lower in the medication group than in the normal saline group (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between the hand acupuncture, electroacupuncture and medication groups. Conclusion: Acupuncture of Baihui(GV 20) and Taichong (LR 3) has a marked antidepressant effect. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of HPA axis by acupuncture.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling at Tianshu (ST25) with electroacupuncture in treating post-stroke constipation. Method Forty-eight patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a medication group, 24 cases in each group. The EA group was intervened by deep needling at Tianshu with EA, while the medication group was by Cong Rong Tong Bian oral liquid. After 1 treatment course, the constipation symptom score was observed and the clinical efficacy was calculated. Result After 1 treatment course, the symptom score, total effective rate, recovery plus markedly-effective rate of the EA group were superior to that of the control group, and the inter-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Deep needling at Tianshu with EA can significantly enhance the clinical efficacy in treating post-stroke constipation and improve the quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the protective effects of acupuncture pretreatment on ischemic myocardium,the protective mechanism of acupuncture pretreatment on ischemic myocardium was explored by observing the cardiac muscle cell apoptosis and the expression of HSP70 mRNA of ischemia-reperfusion injury rats treated with acupuncture pretreatment.Methods:Sixty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups:control group,sham surgery group,ischemia-repertusion group,ischemia pretreatment group,manual acupuncture pretreatment group(once a day),electroacupuncture pretreatment group(once a day),manual acupuncture pretreatment group(twice a day),and electroacupuncture pretreatment group(twice a day).The reperfusion model of rat myocardial ischemia was made.Expression of HSP70 mRNA was assayed by in situ hyrbridization,and cell apoptosis by TUNEL.Results:Compared with those in the control group and the sham surgery group,the apoptosis and the expression of HSP70 mRNA were increased in the ischemia-reperfusion group.Compared with those in the ischemia-reperfusion group,the cardiac muscle cell apoptosis was decreased and the HSP70 mRNA was increased in the rats treated with acupuncture pretreatment;meanwhile,acupuncture pretreatment twice a day had stronger effects than acupuncture pretreatment once a day and ischemia pretreatment.Conclusion:Acupuncture pretreatment can inhibit the cardiac muscle cell apoptosis,and up-regulate the expression of HSP70 mRNA in ischemia-reperfusion rats.Acupuncture pretreatment twice a day has stronger effects than pretreatment once a day.

This paper reviewed the domestic and foreign progress of needling Renying (ST 9) for hypertentsion in clinical and experimental researches. It has been confirmed that needling Renying showed the remarkable clinical effects, with bi-directional benign regulative action, protecting target organs, improving quality of life and so on. Based on the review, the author looks forward to offer the direction for the future researches.

Objective: To observe the effect of Yufeng Capsule (Radix Astragali, Radix Salviae Mitiorrhizae, Rhizoma Gastrodiae, etc) on the moisture content, activity of Na +,K + AT Pase and Ca 2+ ATPase in brain tissue of rat with ischemia reperfusion.Methods:the model with ischemia reperfusion was established by line embolism method, the moisture content and activity of ATPase in brain tissue of model rat were determined respectively at ischemia 2h reperfusion 1h and ischemia 2h reperfusion 24h.Results:Yufeng Capsule could significantly decrease moisture content of rats brain, increase the activity of Na +,K + ATPase and Ca 2+ ATPase.Conclusion:Yufeng Capsule could prevent and treat the cerebral edema caused by ischemia reperfusion, its mechanism may be related to improving cytomembrane ionic transport after ischemia reperfusion.

Objective To explore the effects of Jiaji electroacupuncture on the cortical somatosensory evoked potentials(CSEP) and promotion of the function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury(SCI).Methods The experiment was performed in the Medical Experimental Center of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from November 2008 to February 2009. ①Allen's injury model of T10 spinal cord was established in SD rats with strike force of 50 g·cm. Fifty SD rats were divided into sham operated group (group A), only SCI group (group B), MP treatment group (group C), MP treatment+6 hours after SCI electroacupuncture treatment group (group D) and MP treatment+2 weeks after SCI electroacupuncture treatment group (group E) by means of random number table, ten rats in each group. For groups C, D and E first administration of MP (30 mg/kg) was taken within half hour after SCI, followed by 23 successive administration of MP(5.4 mg/kg·h) for every each hour. Equal amount of normal saline was given group B as that for group B. For groups D and E, electroacupuncture treatment was began 6 hours and 2 weeks after SCI respectively. ② Acupuncture method: The filiform needles of 0.25 mm×25 mm were vertically inserted into the acupoints 5 mm deeply, which were located at 4 mm away from the bilateralis of the lower margin of T8 and T12spinous process. KWD-808Ⅱ Electroacupuncture instrument was adopted with dilatational wave of AC PULSE current. The current intensity was 2 mA and the frequency was 2/100 Hz. Needles were kept in muscles for 30 minutes once a day, until the 8th week. ③Observation index: BBB score was used once a week at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th weeks and CSEP was observed once a week at 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th weeks after SCI. Results 50 SD rats were all involved in the result analysis. The BBB score and the latency period of P1 in CSEP in each group were normal, there was no significant difference among them(P>0.05); The BBB score was less and the latency period was longer in SCI groups than that in group A, the difference was significant(P<0.05); At 1st week after SCI: The score was less than 7 in SCI groups (P>0.05); At 2nd week: the score in groups C, D and E was more than that in group B (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference among groups C, D and E (P>0.05); There was no significant difference among the latency period of SCI groups (P>0.05); From 4th to 8th weeks the score was the most and the latency period was the shortest in group D among SCI groups (P<0.05); At 4th week: The score was more and the latency period was shorter in groups E and C than that in group B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups C and E (P>0.05); At 6th week: The score was more and the latency period was shorter in group E than that in groups C and B (P<0.05), the score was the fewest and the latency period was longest in group B among SCI groups (P<0.05); At 8th week: The score was more and the latency period was shorter in group E than that in groups C and B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among group C and B (P>0.05).Conclusion The Jiaji electroacupuncture has promotion of the function recovery in rats with SCI and the effects of early electroacupuncture intervention are better than the later stage.

ObjectiveTo approach effects of acupuncture on ganglioside in rats with acute cerebral ischemia.Methods204 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, acupuncture group and medicine group, and middle cerebral artery embolism has been made by thread-ligation method in the latter three groups. Ganglioside content in the rat brain had been measured respectively after cerebral ischemia 1,2,3,5,7,12 and 24 hours.ResultsThe content of lipid-bound sialic acid (LBSA) has decreased significantly after the acute cerebral ischemia, but LBSA contents of the acupuncture group and medicine group were higher significantly than that of the model group, and these two groups have been similar in curative effect, and have difference only at embolism 2,3 and 5 hours.Conclusion Acupuncture can regulate ganglioside and play the role of cerebral protection and neuroplasticity.

Objective To explore the effects of early acupuncture on the expression of neurofilament protein (NFP) in the brain and the neurobehavior of the neonatal rats with brain injury. Methods The pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group and control group, which were consecutively injected intraperitoneally with LPS or saline. The full-term newborn rats from LPS group were randomly divided into acupuncture group and model group. Acupuncture group was acupunctured from postnatal 8 d. They were evaluated with hanging test, and the expression of NFP was detected with immunohistochemical stain 21 d after birth. Results Both the scores of hanging test and the expression of NFP were the highest in the control group, the lowest in the model group and medium in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture may increase the expression of NFP and improve locomotor function of the neonatal rats with brain injury caused by intrauterine infection.

Objective To investigate principles of acupoint selection for the ancient acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of facial paralysis.Methods The ancient literature about acupuncture and moxibustion was collected and reviewed from the pre-Qin period to the late Qing Dynasty. According to the data selection criteria, acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions of facial paralysis were collected and input into an ancient acupuncture and moxibustion prescription database. By use of frequency analysis and factor analysis, the principles of acupoint selection were obtained.ResultsTotally 257 prescriptions were collected which involve 74 acupoints. Through frequency analysis, 19 acupoints were obtained whose frequencies were equal or greater than 9, such as Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Tinghui (GB 2), Shuigou (GV 26), Hegu (LI 4), etc. Through factor analysis of acupoint variables, 6 common factors were obtained.Conclusion Based on analysis of the common factors, the principles of acupoint selection are summarized which were according to meridian, part and etiology for the ancient acupuncture treatment of facial paralysis. The results could provide a reference for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. It is feasible that factor analysis was applied to study principles of acupoint selection for acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions.