Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39) are considered as the lower He-sea points, which are located along the leg lines of stomach meridian of foot Yangming from top to bottom. According to the corresponding zang-fu of lower He-sea points, the distribution order from top to bottom is stomach, large intestine and small intestine. This is significantly different from digestive physiology function sequence of stomach, small intestine and large intestine in modern medicine. However, it conforms to their anatomical position from top to bottom. In order to make a further confirmation that the indication specificity of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39) is closely associated with anatomical location, a great number of ancient and modern literature is reviewed. It is found that the functions of the three acupoints are obviously related to stomach, large intestine and small intestine, respectively, indicating that the sequence of Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39) is related to anatomical position of corresponding zang-fu. This study conclusion could play an important role for exploring the significance of anatomical location in indication specificity of acupoints.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; physiopathology ; Medicine in Literature ; Meridians ; Stomach ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvement of the quality of life (QOL) of patients with bronchial asthma treated with acupuncture based on the interior-exterior relationship of the lung and large intestine, in terms of meridian-collateral theory and through the lung and large intestine meridians.

METHODSAccording to the random number table, 52 cases of bronchial asthma at chronic persistent stage of the middle degree in accordance with the inclusive criteria were divided into a lung meridian acupoint group (group A), a large intestine meridian acupoint group (group B), a lung and large intestine meridian acupoint group (group C) and a control group at the ratio of 1:1:1 = 1, 13 cases in each one. In the control group, according to the requirement, Ventolin aerosol was used, one spray/time, < or = 4 times/day. The treatment of 12 weeks was required. In the first 3 groups, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, acupuncture was supplemented. In group A, Chize (LU 5), Kongzui (LU 6), Lieque (LU 7), etc. were selected. In group B, Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Tianshu (ST 25), etc. were selected. In group C, Chize (LU 5), Kongzui (LU 6), Lieque (LU 7), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI4), etc. were selected. Acupuncture was given once every two days, 3 times a week. Totally, 12 treatments made one session and 3 sessions (12 weeks) were required. The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) was adopted to assess the total score and four subscales, named activity limitation, environment stimulation, emotion and symptom, and determine the efficacy.

RESULTSIn comparison before and after treatment in the same group, AQLQ total score, emotion score and symptom score were all increased significantly in group A and group C separately (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The environment stimulation score was increased in group C (P < 0.05). In group B, AQLQ total score and the activity score were increased remarkably (both P < 0.05). In comparison among groups: compared with the control group, AQLQ total score and symptom score in group A and group C were improved obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the emotion score was increased obviously in group B and group C (both P < 0.01) and the environment stimulation score was increased obviously in group C (P < 0.05). Compared with group B, the symptom score was improved much obviously in group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture improves the quality of life much more obviously for the patients with bronchial asthma in terms of the lung and large intestine theory.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo explore correlation between lung and large intestine and the two meridians under pathological condition in the view of meridian theory.

METHODSNinety-six cases of bronchial asthma were applied palpation at the running course of 12 regular meridians under the elbow and knees and back-shu points. And abnormal reactions were recorded, the affected meridians and back-shu points were discovered.

RESULTSThe abnormal reactions most frequently appeared on the Lung Meridian, followed by the Large Intestine Meridian, the Spleen Meridian, the Liver Meridian, the Stomach Meridian and the Triple Energizer Meridian. And the unusual reaction of the back-shu points most frequently appeared on Feishu (BL 13), and Dachangshu (BL 25) and Pishu (BL 21) followed as the next two.

CONCLUSIONThe existence of correlation between the Lung Meridian and the Large Intestine Meridians under pathological condition can be proved through meridian and acupoint palpation on bronchial asthma patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; physiopathology ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Ankle ; Cognitive Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Large ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Diseases ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Wrist

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bowel wall thickening on CT has been reported to reflect colorectal carcinoma and colitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the large intestinal wall thickening on CT. METHODS: Between January 2006 and August 2010, medical records of 815 patients who underwent endoscopy after CT scans within 1 month were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients were included. The wall thickening was actually associated with abnormal endoscopic findings in 81.1% of the cases. The accuracy rate on diagnosis between CT and endoscopy was 63.5%. The discrepancy in diagnosis was higher in cases with left colon abnormality and short segment lesion. Abdominal pain was significantly more common in cases suspected malignancy on CT compared with colitis (p=0.047). Most of the malignancy diagnosed on CT involved the left side colon and most of the colitis involved the entire colon (p<0.001). The length of lesion was below 5 cm in 86.5% of the malignancy. Malignancy was more common in patients aged over 50 years with hemoglobin below 12 g/dL. The CT findings significantly suggestive of malignancy were lymph node enlargement and length of lesion below 5 cm (p=0.027 and p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The large intestinal wall thickening on CT was limited in the differential diagnosis of malignancy and colitis. Additional endoscopic evaluation is needed in patients with bowel wall thickening associated with lymph node enlargement and short segment lesion on CT in order to exclude malignancy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colitis/*diagnosis/radiography ; Colonic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/radiography ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Hemoglobins/analysis ; Humans ; Intestine, Large/*physiopathology ; Lymph Nodes/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult