Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu on the expressions of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in serum and nicotinic acetylcholine receptorα 7 (α 7 nAchR) in duodenal tissues in a rat model of duodenal ulcer (DU) and preliminarily explore the relative specificity of He-Sea point in “treating visceral diseases with He-Sea point”.Methods Forty healthy SD rats were randomized into blank (A), model (B), Xiaohai (C) and Xiajuxu (D) groups, 10 rats each. A rat model of DU was made by subcutaneous injection of 10% cysteamine hydrochloride at the right buttock. After successful model making, group C was given electroacupuncture at point Xiaohai and group D, at point Xiajuxu. Duodenal tissue ulcer was macroscopically observed and scored in every group of rats. Rat serum expression of TNF-α was determined by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); rat serum expression of ChAT, by ultraviolet spectrophotometry & colorimetry; rat duodenal expression ofα7 nAchR, by Western blot.Results After model making, the duodenal ulcer score was significantly higher in groups B, C and D than in group A (allP<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). TNF-α expression was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P<0.01) and significantly lower in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01) and in group D than in group C (P<0.01). ChAT expression tended to increase in group C compared with group B but there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) and was significantly higher in group D than in group B (P<0.01) or C (P<0.05).α7 nAchR expression was significantly higher in groups C and D than in group B (bothP<0.01). There was a positive correlation between ChAT andα7 nAchR expressions in every group (r=0.444,P=0.007).Conclusions Electroacupuncture at both points Xiaohai and Xiajuxu can reduce the duodenal ulcer score and serum TNF-α expression and increase serum ChAT and duodenalα7 nAchR expressions in DU rats. The results show that the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on duodenal ulcer may be produced by regulating TNF-α. Its mechanism may be activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway to produce an anti-inflammatory effect. The effect being better in group D than in group C suggests that Xiajuxu has the relative specificity.

Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion on the learning ability and memory of rat models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the expression of amyloidβ protein (Aβ)-42, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-2, for unveiling the function and mechanism of moxibustion in treating AD.Method Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Western medication group, and a moxibustion group, 12 rats in each group. The AD model rats were established by injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) into bilateral ventricles. From the 10th day after the operation, the moxibustion group started to receive moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20), Mingmen (GV 4), Changqiang (GV 1), and Guanyuan (CV 4); meanwhile, the Western medication group received Donepezil hydrochloride via intragastric administration. After 30-day treatment, the learning and memory ability was tested by using water maze, the hippocampal Aβ-42 was examined by immunohistochemical method, and the expression of hippocampal IL-1β and IL-2 was by double-antibody sandwich ELISA.Result Compared to the model group, moxibustion significantly down-regulated the levels of Aβ-42 (P<0.05) and IL-1β protein (P<0.05), up-regulated the level of IL-2 protein (P<0.05) in hippocampus, and markedly improved the learning and memory of AD rats (P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can enhance the immunity and learning ability, which is plausibly related to the down-regulation of IL-1β, up-regulation of IL-2, and improvement of Aβ-42 in hippocampus.

Objective To observe and compare the clinical efficacies between electroacupuncture and warm needling in treating low back pain.Method Seventy-eight eligible low back pain patients were randomized into group A of 28 cases, group B of 26 cases, and group C of 24 cases. Group A was intervened by electroacupuncture, group B was by warm needling, and group C was by medication. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and Oswestry Disability Index were observed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared.Result In group A, the McGill item scores [Sensory Pain Rating Index (S-PRI), Affective Pain Rating Index (A-PRI)] respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment as well as in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). In group B and C, the McGill item scores after 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment in the same group (P<0.01,P<0.05). The JOA and Oswestry scores were significantly changed respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up in the three groups compared with that before treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). After 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA and Oswestry scores in group A were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05,P<0.01). In the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA scores in group B were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 85.7% in group A and 73.1% in group B, both significantly higher than 58.3% in group C (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture and warm needling both can produce a significant efficacy in treating low back pain, but warm needling acts comparatively slowly and is less safe.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular acupuncture plus acupoint injection at Zusanli (ST 36) in treating shoulder pain due to gynecologic laparoscopy.Method Totally 120 patients with shoulder pain due to gynecologic laparoscopy were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by auricular acupuncture plus acupoint injection at Zusanli (ST 36), while the control group was by ordinary analgesics. The clinical efficacies were compared after 2 treatment courses.Result The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Present Pain Intensity (PPI), and the item scores of the Short-Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were significantly changed in both groups after treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were no significant differences in comparing the VAS score, PPI, and the item scores of SF-36 between the two groups (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 95.0% in the treatment group versus 75.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Auricular acupuncture plus acupoint injection at Zusanli (ST 36) is effective in treating shoulder pain due to gynecologic laparoscopy, and it can effectively reduce the occurrence of complications.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Yang’s pricking-cupping bloodletting in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and its effect on trapezius tension.Methods Seventy-eight patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 39 cases each. The treatment group received pricking-cupping bloodletting and the control group, conventional acupuncture plus cupping. The nerve function was scored, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was recorded and trapezius tension was measured in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the nerve function score, the VAS score and trapezius tension in the two groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the VAS score and trapezius tension between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 94.9% in the treatment group and 89.7% in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference in theclinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions Yang’s pricking-cupping bloodletting can effectively improve pain symptoms and trapezius tension in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at phenomaxillary ganglia in treating allergic rhinitis. Method Sixty patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Loratadine plus Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray, while the treatment group was by acupuncture at phenomaxillary ganglia in addition to the medicines given to the control group. Before treatment and after 4-week treatment, the peripheral blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) level and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) were observed in the two groups, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The IgE levels and RQLQ scores were significantly changed after treatment in both groups (P<0.01). After treatment, the IgE level and RQLQ score of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.01,P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at phenomaxillary ganglia is an effective method in treating allergic rhinitis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of medicinal moxibustion plus oral administration of Chinese medication in treating chronic eczema.Method Seventy patients with chronic eczema were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by medicinal moxibustion plus oral administration of Chinese medication, while the control group was by conventional moxibustion plus Chinese medication. The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD) was observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared.Result The total effective rate was 72.7% in the treatment group versus 56.3% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The SCORAD scores were significantly changed after treatment in both groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the SCORAD score of the treatment group was significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Medicinal moxibustion plus oral administration of Chinese medication is an effective method in treating chronic eczema.

Objective To investigate the effect of fire needling on tumor marker CA-125 levels and endometrial antibody (EMAb) in endometriosis patients.Methods Eighty endometriosis patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 43 cases and a control group of 37 cases. The treatment group received fire needling and the control group took gestrinone capsules. CA-125 levels and EMAb were measured in the two groups before and after treatment.Results CA-125 levels and EMAb positive rate decreased significantly in the two groups after treatment compared with before (P<0.05) but there were no statistically significant post-treatment differences between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Fire needling has a good interference effect on CA-125 levels and EMAb in endometriosis patients.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion in treating perimenopausal syndrome (PMS).Method Totally 108 PMS patients of yang deficiency or yin deficiency constitution were randomized into a treatment group of 56 cases and a control group of 52 cases. The treatment group was intervened by moxibustion, while the control group was by medication. The modified Kupperman Index (KI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were observed before and after treatment for comparison.Result The KI score, HAMA score, SCL-90 total score, and SDS score were significantly changed in both groups after intervention (P<0.01,P<0.05). After treatment, the KI score, HAMA score, SCL-90 total score, and SDS score in the treatment group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion is effective in treating PMS, and it can improve the anxiety and depression symptoms of the patients.

Objective To observe the safety and severity of heat-sensitive moxibustion in treating poisonous snakebites-induced bladder dysfunction of different degrees.Method Twenty-six patients diagnosed with bladder dysfunction due to poisonous snakebites were examined by type-B ultrasonic scanning for residual urine volume and uroflowmetry. The patients were treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion. The residual urine volume and uroflowmetry parameters were compared between different severity degrees of bladder dysfunction before and after treatment.Result The residual urine volumes were changed significantly in the mild group and moderate group after treatment (P<0.01); the residual urine volume showed insignificant change after treatment in the severe group (P>0.05). The maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) was significantly changed in the mild group after the treatment (P<0.05); the Qmax was insignificantly changed in the moderate and severe groups after treatment (P>0.05).Conclusion Heat-sensitive moxibustion is significantly effective in treating mild-moderate bladder dysfunction due to poisonous snakebites, and it’s safe and reliable.