Objective To observe expression levels of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and cholecystokinin (CCK) in the hippocampus and spinal cord in morphine withdrawal or tolerance mice treated by electroacupuncture or catgut embedding and explore the difference between the regulating effects of electroacupuncture and catgut embedding on morphine withdrawal and tolerance.Methods Fifty-six male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to withdrawal control, withdrawal model, withdrawal catgut embedding and withdrawal electroacupuncture groups, and tolerance control, tolerance model, tolerance catgut embedding and tolerance electroacupuncture groups, 7 mice in each group. A model of morphine withdrawal was made by subcutaneous injection of morphine hydrochloride using 7-day increasing addiction method. The withdrawal control group was injected with an equal volume of normal saline at the same time points. In the withdrawal electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture at bilateral points Shenshu was performed using a Han’s acupoint nerve stimulation device (HANS-200) at 15 min after an injection of morphine hydrochloride. In the withdrawal catgut embedding group, 0.5 cm chromic catgut was embedded in bilateral points Shenshu at 15 min after an injection of morphine hydrochloride. Addiction was promoted by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone 4 mg/kg at 10 o’clock on the seventh day’s morning and Withdrawal reactions were observed in the mice. The score was recorded using the Ryuta Tomoji opioid withdrawal symptoms evaluation scale. NMDA receptor and CCK contents in the hippocampus and spinal cord were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A model of morphine tolerance was made by subcutaneous injection of morphine 10 mg/kg. The tolerance control group was injected with tolerance normal saline 10 ml/kg at the same time. In the tolerance catgut embedding group, catgut was embedded in point Shenshu at the first day after model making. In the tolerance electroacupuncture group, point Shenshu was given electroacupuncture at the first day after model making. After seven days of treatment, NMDA receptor and CCK contents in the hippocampus and spinal cord were measured by ELISA.Results There were statistically significant differences in hippocampal NR2B and CCK expressions between the withdrawal model and withdrawal control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal NR2B expression between the withdrawal electroacupuncture and withdrawal model groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal CCK expression between the withdrawal catgut embedding or withdrawal electroacupuncture group and the withdrawal model group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in spinal cord NR2A, NR2B and CCK expressions between the withdrawal model and withdrawal control groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in spinal cord NR2A and NR2B expressions between the withdrawal electroacupuncture and withdrawal model groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in hippocampal NR2A, NR2B and CCK expressions between the tolerance model and tolerance control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal CCK expression between the tolerance catgut embedding and tolerance model groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in hippocampal NR1 expression between the tolerance electroacupuncture group and the tolerance model or tolerance catgut embedding group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in spinal cord CCK expression between the tolerance catgut embedding or withdrawal electroacupuncture group and the tolerance model group (P<0.05).Conclusions Both catgut embedding and electroacupuncture at point Shenshu have a reducing effect on morphine tolerance and withdrawal. The therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture is better than that of catgut embedding.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong on mammary estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions in rats with dimethylbenzanthracine (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty female SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into a model group of 60 rats and a blank group of 30 rats. The model group received an oral gavage of DMBA for model making. The blank group received an oral gavage of equal volume of sesame oil. At 15 weeks after model making, the model group of rats was randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong, and the control and blank groups, only the same grasp and release. After the completion of acupuncture treatment (twenty-seventh week), abdominal venous blood was taken and serum tumor markers were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Tumor masses were counted and their shapes were recorded. The mass was taken and its height, maximum diameter and vertical diameter were measured using a 1 mm precision vernier caliper. Pathological changes in tumor tissues, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities were observed under an Olympus optical microscope.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the average number and volume of mammary tumors between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the concentrations of various tumor markers (CA724, CA125, CA199, AEP, CA15-3, CEA and CA50) between the treatment or control group and the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in CA15-3 concentration between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01).Conclusions Acupuncture can reduce the occurrence of rat DMBA-induced mammary tumor (including the number and volumes of the tumors). The mechanism of its action may be related to decreasing the concentrations of tumor markers CA724, CA125, CA199, CA15-3, AEP, CEA and CA50 and especially to decreasing CA15-3 concentration, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expressions of serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and its mRNA, to discuss the predominant and secondary factors that influence the efficacy of acupuncture, and to explore the optimal combination of acupuncture parameters.Method The rat model of kidney yang deficiency was made by muscular injection with hydrocortisone. Serum CRH, pituitary ACTH and its mRNA expressions were taken as the observation indexes, and 4 influential factors (i.e. selection of acupoints, angle of needle twisting, frequency of needle twisting, and time of needle twisting) plus 3 levels of each factor were arranged to L9(34) orthogonal table. A computer-controlled acupuncture manipulation device was used to treat the kidney yang rats. Serum CRH and pituitary ACTH were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and pituitary ACTH mRNA expression by real time fluorescent quantitative PCR, to illustrate the primary and secondary factors that affect the acupuncture effectiveness.Results Regarding the effect on acupuncture effectiveness, the time of needle twisting ranked the top, followed by frequency of needle twisting, angle of needle twisting, and selection of acupoints. Angle of needle twisting, frequency of needle twisting, and time of needle twisting should be the predominant factors or secondary factors in influencing acupuncture effectiveness (P<0.01 orP>0.05). Selection of acupoints should be an important factor or secondary factor in influencing acupuncture effectiveness (P<0.05 orP>0.05).Conclusion For rats with kidney yang deficiency, the optimal acupuncture parameters combination should be acupuncture at Shenshu (BL 23), with twisting angle by 90°, twisting frequency at 180/min, and needle twisting time 120 s. Different factors can produce different effects on the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture in treating rats with kidney yang deficiency; among the factors, the time of needle twisting produces the most significant effect, followed by frequency of needle twisting, angle of needle twisting, and selection of acupoints.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion plus bloodletting in treating chronic ankle sprain.Method Sixty-six patients with chronic ankle sprain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 33 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture with distal points plus warm needling and bloodletting method in the topical area; the control group was by warm needling plus ultrashort wave applied to the topical area. The ankle joint symptom and sign score was evaluated before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The recovery-markedly-effective rate in the treatment group was 51.6%, 74.2%, and 93.5% respectively after 1, 2, and 3 treatment courses, versus 26.7%, 46.7%, and 70.0% in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion is an effective method in treating chronic ankle sprain.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of different doses of warm needling in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method Sixty-seven KOA patients were randomized into group A of 16 cases, group B of 17 cases, group C of 18 cases, and group D of 16 cases. Group A, B, and C were intervened by warm needling, 1 moxa cone for group A, 2 cones for group B, and 3 cones for group C. Group D was intervened by intra-articular injection with Sodium hyaluronate. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (LKSS) were evaluated before and after intervention.Result The VAS and LKSS scores were significantly changed in the four groups after intervention (P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group A (P<0.05,P<0.01). After intervention, the VAS and LKSS scores in group B and C were significantly different from that in group D (P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Warm needling is an effective method in treating KOA, and warm needling with 2 moxa cones can produce the best effect.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles in treating acute lumbar sprain.Method Seventy-six patients with acute lumbar sprain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 38 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles, while the control group was by warm needling. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris Dysfunction Questionnaire (RMDQ) were adopted to evaluate lumbar pain and dysfunction after 1-day and 5-day treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result Respectively after the first treatment session and 5 treatment sessions, the VAS and RMDQ scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). Respectively after the first treatment session and 5 treatment sessions, the VAS and RMDQ scores in the treatment group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate and recovery rate were respectively 94.7% and 63.2% in the treatment group, versus 86.8% and 42.1% in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion Pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles is an effective method in treating acute lumbar sprain, and it can produce a significant real-time analgesic effect.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of deep needling with long needles plus electroacupuncture in treating lower-limb pain due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH).Method Totally 139 patients with lower-limb pain due to LIDH were randomized into a treatment group of 76 cases and a control group of 63 cases. The treatment group was intervened by stimulating spinal nerve by deep needling with long needles (75 mm) plus electroacupuncture, while the control group was by conventional needling plus electroacupuncture. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The total effective rate was 80.3% in the treatment group versus 57.1% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The VAS scores were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference in comparing the VAS score between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Deep needling with long needles plus electroacupuncture is an effective method in treating lower-limb pain due to LIDH.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation in intervening early-stage swelling limb after breast cancer operation.Method A hundred patients undergone radical mastectomy for breast cancer were divided into a treatment group and a control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by ordinary post-operative nursing, while the treatment group was additionally given transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation. By measuring the circumference of both upper arms, the incidence rate and degree of swelling arm in 2 weeks after operation were compared, meanwhile, the accompanied symptoms such as tightness of skin, pain in upper limb, numbness in upper limb, and heaviness of upper limb were observed.Result The occurrence rate of abnormal upper-limb sensations was 22.0% in the treatment group versus 84.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The occurrence rate of upper-limb swelling was 4.0% in the treatment group, versus 24.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation can effectively prevent and release the early-stage upper-limb swelling after breast cancer surgery.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of wrist-ankle acupuncture in treating pain due to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Method Totally 150 patients who were going to receive laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into group A, group B, and group C, 50 cases in each group. Group A was intervened by wrist-ankle acupuncture prior to anesthesia, with the needles retained for 12 h; group B was by subcutaneous needling at the area nearby the points prior to anesthesia, with the needles retained for 12 h; group C didn’t receive any intervention before anesthesia. For the three groups, general inhalational and intravenous anesthesia was adopted for surgery, and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for post-operation analgesia. The incision pain and visceral pain in the three groups were recorded by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) respectively 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h after the operation. The total effective rate, analgesics consumption after operation, and incidence rate of adverse reaction were compared.Result There were significant differences in comparing the VAS scores of incision pain and visceral pain between group A and group C 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation (P<0.01,P<0.05). Between group A and group B, there were significant differences in comparing the VAS score of incision pain 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation and the VAS score of visceral pain 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after the operation (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.0% in group A, which was significantly different from 84.0% in group B and 86.0% in group C (P<0.05). The consumption of Fentaneyl citrate injection was (52.4±10.8)μg in group A, which was significantly different from (92.2±11.0)μg in group B and (107.2±11.5)μg in group C (P<0.05,P<0.01). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was 12.0% in group A, which was significantly different from 58.0% in group B and 66.0% in group C (P<0.01).Conclusion Wrist-ankle acupuncture plus patient-controlled intravenous analgesia can mitigate pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and thus it can be taken as one of the post-operational analgesic approaches.

Objective To explore the influence of optimizing practical teaching of on improving the application ability and clinical thinking of acupuncture professional students.Method The students of four 2012 acupuncture and massotherapy classes in the college were randomized into experiment and control groups. In the experiment group, practical teaching reform was implemented to adopt Whole course module teaching system, establish practice teaching resource database of and construct the training teaching mode of medical records as guidance, objective and “three observations, seven practices and one comparison”. In the control group, lessons were given in sequence of “meridian and acupoints first” and “needling and moxibustion methods next” of traditional course system, and the training teaching mode of teacher demonstration-student group practice-teacher comment and the teacher-led mode of operation assessment were used. At the end of term, grades were awarded by examining based meridian drawing and acupoint location, puncturing with filiform needles and based operation. Assessment was made by the teachers and experimental group students.Result There were statistically significant differences in the grades of meridian drawing and acupoint location, based puncturing with filiform needles and based operation between the experiment and control groups (<0.01). Both the teachers and experimental group students responded that the application ability was improved to a larger extent.Conclusion The practical teaching reform of is very helpful in improving students’ comprehensive quality of skills and application abilities. standardization of based based.