Acupoint possesses both diagnosing and treating functions according to the acupuncture theory. Acu point plasticity refers to a patho-physiologically dynamic change which is manifested mainly as a neuronal inflammatory reflection in the special area(s) of the body surface under pathological conditions. These responses of acupoint sensitization could activate simultaneously self-healing system in the body and induce the curative effects.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Sensation

Brain ; physiopathology ; Female ; Foot ; anatomy & histology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Meridians

According to the records in Neijing (Internal Classic), this article discusses the relationship during the connotative evolution of mai (vessel) and jing (meridian) in the three aspects, named mai (vessels), the evolution from mai (vessel) to jing (meridian), and the connotation replacement of jing (meridian) with mai (vessel). The study results show that the connotation of Jingmai is originated from mai (vessel), but more enriched, which cannot be confused with each other. The recognition on the connotation of jingmai from mai (vessel) to jing (meridian) is the process of TCM understanding from concretization to abstraction, and from the entity to the concept. Jing (meridian) represents the law on the longitudinal and invariable running course of meridian, differenti from the perspective in western medicine in human body. This law results from the naive observation and is based on the rational summary and thinking, and it stands up the approval from practice. The description of jing (meridian) as mai (vessel) is just the superficial description of this term. In fact, its concept infers to the connotation of meridian.
China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Qi ; history

Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion

Objective To investigate the effects of Shugan Huoxue Huatan Decoction (SHHD) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) of rats. Methods 32 SD male rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups:normal group, model group, Dongbao Gantai (DBG) group, SHHD group. NASH model was induced by hyperlipid diet. General condition and pathological changes of liver tissues were observed. Liver function, blood lipids, liver tissue Hyp and serum LEP were dectected. Fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI) was evaluated according to the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting serum insulin (FINS). Results Compared with model group, SHHD had the effects of improving liver function and blood lipids, decreasing liver tissue Hyp, LEP and FIRI siginificantly. Conclusion Inhibiting leptin and insulin resistances, enhancing the lipid metabolism are probably the main mechanisms of SHHD in preventing and treating NASH.

AIM: To investigate the effect of platycodin D on Candida albicans infection in oral epithelial cells.METHODS:The viability of the oral squamous carcinoma KB cells was detected by MTT assay after treated with different concentrations of platycodin D .The KB cells were infected with Candida albicans, and then were incubated with platycodin D at different concentrations .Adherent numbers of the Candida albicans were counted by Gram staining , and the bacterial activity and conversion were measured by Trypan blue staining .Furthermore , the protein levels of IL-18 and hu-man β-defensin 2 ( HBD-2) were analyzed by ELISA , and the expression of HBD-2 at mRNA and protein levels was deter-mined by RT-qPCR and Western blot , respectively .RESULTS:The viability of the KB cells was not affected by platycod-in D at the concentrations used .The adherent numbers , bacterial activity and conversion were decreased by treatment with platycodin D in a dose-dependent manner .In addition, the protein level of IL-18 in the culture supernatant and the mRNA expression of HBD-2 in the KB cells were also reduced after platycodin D treatment .CONCLUSION:Platycodin D has a bacteriostasis effect and prevents oral epithelial cells from Candida albicans infection.

CYP3A plays central roles in the oxidative and reductive metabolism of a variety of enogenous as well as exogenous compounds, it is very important to study about regulation of CYP3A geneexpression. This article reviews the recent development of molecular mechanism of regulation of CYP3A gene expression and CYP3A mutation. The relationships between CYP3A mutant and some diseases are also introduced.

Radiotherapy is one of the three main therapies for carcinomas. The techniques of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy signify a new age of precise localization, planning and treatment. The author reviewed the development of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy and its related new techniques nowadays.

BACKGROUND: Vascular injury is a common complication after balloon dilatation. The development of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) provides a new method for treating vascular injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism underlying the repair of damaged blood vessels by human UC-MSCs (hUC-MSCs) transfected with interleukin-8RA/B (IL-8RA/B) adenovirus. METHODS: hUC-MSCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (hUVECs) were collected and transfected with adenovirus vectors containing human IL-8RA and/or IL-8RB cDNAs and green fluorescent protein. A rat model of carotid artery injury was established. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: IL-8RA/B-hUCMSCs group, Il-8ra/B-hUVECs group, Null-hUCMSCs group, and control group, followed by injection of 0.5×106 corresponding cells (500 μL) and same volume of normal saline via the tail vein respectively at 1, 3, and 5 hours post-surgery. After 30 minutes of injection, the carotid artery was taken and the expression of green fluorescent protein was observed. After 24 hours, the serum levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA; and the infiltration of neutrophil cells and mononuclear macrophages was observed by immunohistochemistry. After 14 days, Evans blue staining was used to observe vascular endothelialization and fibrosis. After 28 days, the neointimal hyperplasia was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After 30 minutes of IL-8RA/B-hUC-MSCs infusion, the expression of green fluorescent protein was observed in the injured vascular intima, and the fluorescence expression was higher than that of the other three groups. (2) After 24 hours of IL-8RA/B-hUC-MSCs infusion, the expression of inflammatory factors in the serum was significantly lower than that of the other three groups, while the expression of anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 was higher than that of the other three groups (P < 0.05). In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration in the IL-8RA/B-hUC-MSCs group decreased significantly. (3) hUC-MSCs overexpressing interleukin-8 receptor promoted re-endothelialization of injured vessels and reduced vascular fibrosis after 14 days of infusion. (4) IL-8RA/B-hUC-MSCs reduced vascular neointimal hyperplasia after 28 days of infusion. (5) Interleukin-8 receptor enhances the targeted homing ability of hUC-MSCs, allowing MSCs to migrate to the site of vascular injury, inhibit inflammation, reduce neointimal hyperplasia, and promote vascular repair.

Athletes ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Muscles ; physiology ; Sports