Objective To study the influences of acupuncture in different acupoints on activities of hypothalamus GnRH-related neurons in female rats.compare the validity of different acupoints in body's different parts to the neuron activities,and provide experimental basis for the treatment of the diseases of propagative and incretory system with acupuncture.Methods The discharge of GnRH-related neurons in the medial preoptic area,arcuate nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus were recorded extracellularly by using glass microelectrode to study the difference of 15 acupoints in body's different parts in activation and activation intensity to neurons.Results The percentage of activated neuron discharge changes before and after acupuncture in 15 acupoints showed a descending order as follows:Zigong(EXCA1),Guanyuan(CV4),Daimai(GB26),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Erjia,Zusanli(ST36),Xiaguan(ST7),Guanyuanshu(BL26),Shenshu(BL23),Zhongwan(CV12),Quchi(LI11),Hegu(L14),Neiguan (PC6),Ganshu(BL18)and Danzhong(CV17).The acupuncture positions with obvious changes included low abdominal,hind limbs and lower back.The influence of acupuncture on inhibited neurons was as the same as that on activated ones.Conclusion Acupuncture can regulate effectively the activity of hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal endocrine axis,but the effect is different in different acupoints.The regulation effect of acupuncture in an acupoint is related closely to the spinal segment dominated position of the same acupoint.The acupoints with the same spinal segment domination of the genital organs have the largest activation on hypothalamus GnRH-related neurons.

The main content of the 61st Academic Conference of Japanese Acupuncture Association is introduced and summarized in this article. Different from former conferences, it focuses on the academic activity which take patient into the major consideration, and on the feasibility study of aerospace acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, study on Japanese technique of shallow insertion with fine needle and its results are also introduced. The developing tendency of Japanese Acupuncture Association is discussed at the meeting as well.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; trends ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo compare the regulatory effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (LI4) on the visceral hyper-sensitivity in the rat model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to explore the acting targets and specialty of acupoints.

METHODSExcept 8 rats of the normal control group, the rest 32 rats were prepared to set up the IBS models. IBS animal model was prepared by enema with acetic acid. Model rats were divided into three groups. Except for rats in the model group for control, those in the other two groups were treated 20 min by EA on ST36 (EA-ST36) and LI4 (EA-LI4) respectively for 2 weeks to observe the effect on behavior response of viscera sensitivity. The changes of neuropeptide (NPY), the somatostatin (SS) levels in blood and tissues of brain and intestine were monitored as well.

RESULTSThe volume thresholds for abdomen uplifting and back hunching were obviously increased after EA-ST36 (P<0.05), but showed insignificant change after EA-LI4. NPY contents lowered and SS contents increased in model rats; both EA-ST36 and EA-LI4 could raise the level of thalamic NPY (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), but showed insignificant effects on NPY in colonic tissue. As for SS content, its colonic level could be reduced by EA-S36 and EA-LI4 (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), however, its blood level was affected only by EA-ST36 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA-ST36 or EA-LI4 could regulate the NPY in thalamus and SS in colonic tissue, the former could affect blood level of SS as well. It is deemed that NPY and SS may be the key substances for regulating the action of acupuncture in the brain-intestinal axis; their different levels could be regarded as an indicator for the functional difference between the acupoints.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Neuropeptide Y ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Somatostatin ; metabolism ; Viscera ; physiopathology

To confirm the mechanism of exosomes as tumor vaccines inducing immunity response, dendritic cells (DCs) were induced from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while exosomes were isolated from DC loaded tumor antigen. The effect of exosomes on priming T cell proliferation was analysed under conditions with or without DCs, or DCs at different mature stages. The function of exosomes in immunity was detected through block test after blocking some molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83). The effect of DCs on embedded exosomes was observed by confocal microscopy, the effect of blocking surface molecules on exosomes on DC-embedding exosomes was assayed by flow cytometry. The results indicated that both exosomes derived from imDC (imDex) and exosomes derived from mDC (mDex) could not prime T cells without DC or with imDC. The exosomes derived from mDC induced with different cytokines (LPS, TNF-alpha, CpG, CD40L) were no significant difference in concentrations but were different in effect. The immunity function of exosomes depended on CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83 molecules, the effect of priming T cells is reduced when these molecules were blocked. Confocal microscopy and FACS assay showed that blocking CD11a and CD54 could inhibit exosome-targeted DC and DC-embedded exosomes. It is concluded that the exosomes target DCs through their surface molecules, therefore results in immune response of T cells.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; secretion ; Exosomes ; immunology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pollution of hexavalent chromium in the electroplating workplace and screen the biomarkers of chromium exposure.

MATERIALField occupational health investigation was conducted in 25 electroplating workplaces. 157 electroplating workers and 93 healthy unexposed controls were recruited. The epidemiological information was collected with face to face interview. Chromium in erythrocytes was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

RESULTSThe median of short-term exposure concentration of chromium in the air at electroplating workplace was 0.06 mg/m(3) (median) and ranging from 0.01 (detect limit) to 0.53 mg/m(3)). The median concentration of Cr (VI) in erythrocytes in electroplating workers was 4.41 (2.50 ∼ 5.29) µg/L, which was significantly higher than that in control subjects [1.54 (0.61 ∼ 2.98) µg/L, P < 0.01]. After stratified by potential confounding factors such as gender, age, smoking status and alcohol consumption, significant differences still existed between electroplating workers and control subjects, except for the subjects of age less than 30 years old (P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONThere was hexavalent chromium pollution in electroplating workplace. Occupational hazards prevention measures should be taken to control the chromium pollution hazards.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromium ; blood ; Electroplating ; Environmental Monitoring ; Erythrocytes ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Workplace ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Sanyinjiso" (SP 6), "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Xuehai" (SP 10) in dysmenorrhea rats so as to investigate the functional specificity of acupoint.

METHODSOne hundred SD female rats aged three-month-old in the diestrus examined by the vaginal smear screening were randomly divided into a saline group, a model group, a Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group, a Hegu (LI 4) group and a Xuehai (SF 10) group, 20 rats in each group. The rats in the last four groups were given Estradiol Benzoate combined with Oxytocin to prepare the models of dysmenorrhea and in the saline group were given the same dose of saline. Last three groups were treated with electroacupuncture (EA) at Sanyinjiao" (SF 6), "Hegu" (LI 4) and 'Xuehai" (SF 10) respectively. The writhing behaviors of the rats in each group were observed within 20 min performing electroacupuncture from the start of the pain and the waveforms of uterine contraction were recorded.

RESULTSIn terms of the writhing behaviors, the writhing latency in the Hegu (LI 4) group was extended significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the writhing numbers in the Hegu (LI 4) group were decreased significantly (both P < 0.05) as compared with those in the Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group and in the Xuehai (SF 10) group. In terms of the waveforms of uterine contraction, compared with that in the model group, the amplitude and the activity of uterine contraction in both Sanyinjiao (SF 6) group and Hegu (LI 4) group were decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), and with no significant difference between the Xuehai (SF 10) and the model group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor comprehensive assessment of the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture at different acupoints by using the writhing behaviors and the waveforms of uterine contraction, "Hegu" (LI 4) is the best, "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) is the next and "Xuehai" (SP 10) is the third. showing a relatively functional specificity of the acupoint.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture on kidney function and oxygen free radical metabolism in rats with simulated weightlessness.

METHODSTwenty male clean-grade Wister rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a pre-acupuncture group and an immediate acupuncture group, 5 rats in each one. The rats in the normal control group did not receive any treatment but free activities for 4 weeks. The rats in the rest groups received 4-week tail suspension to establish the model of simulated weightlessness. One week before the tail suspension, the rats in the pre-acupuncture group were treated with electroacupuncture at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once a day for 7 days. The rats in the immediate acupuncture group received tail suspension and acupuncture at the same time; during the tail suspension, the electroacupuncture was applied at "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 30 min per treatment, once every other day for 14 days. The colorimetric method was used to measure the content of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum as well as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in renal tissue in each group.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the content of BUN in the model group was increased significantly (P<0.01), the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in nephridial tissue was significantly reduced (both P<0.01), and the content of MDA was increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the content of BUN in the pre-acupuncture group and immediate acupuncture group was significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), the activity of GSH-PX in the pre-acupuncture group was obviously increased (P<0.05) and the content of MDA in the immediate acupuncture group was increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with the immediate acupuncture group, the content of MDA in the pre-acupuncture group was lower (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe pre-acupuncture and immediate acupuncture both have the capacity to improve the kidney function and anti-oxygen free radical injury in rats with simulated weightlessness, however, the capacity to increase the protection ability of the kidney and eliminate free radical in the pre-acupuncture group is superior to that in the immediate acupuncture group, which is likely to be related with improving antioxidant ability of kidney.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Space Flight ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Weightlessness ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVEIn order to study the diagnosis and treatment of HBV and HCV infection.

METHODSWe retrospectively analysed clinical data of 680 patients with cholangiocarcinoma from 1995 to 2001 and stated by SPSS software.

RESULTS(1) The fastigium of cholangiocarcinoma was 60 - 65 years old. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma was higher in aged males and the sex ratio (male:female) was 1.36:1. (2) The proximal cholangiocarcinoma was most (41.6%) and distant cholangiocarcinoma was secondly (28.7%). (3) Most patients of cholangiocarcinoma were late. The resection rate was low and the rate of radical operation was 21.6% (147/680). (4) The incidence of proximal cholangiocarcinoma was higher in the positive Serologic marks for HBV and HCV and course of diseases was short. Moreover, the pathology of. positive Serologic marks for HBV and HCV trended to low-differentiation and invasion, metastasis and the resection rate was lower.

CONCLUSIONSCholangiocarcinoma is common in the aged males. The infection of HB(C)V and hilar cholangiocarcinoma are correlated and incline to the proximal bile duct. The hilar cholangiocarcinoma infected HB(C)V may have higher malignant degree in biological characteristics and more badly prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To compare and observe the effects of acupotome dissolution therapy and electro- acupuncture on central neurotransmitters of 5-hyproxytryptamines (5-HT) and catecholamine (CA) in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis. Method The content of 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), noradrenaline (NA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the endbrain, hypothalamus, brain stem and spinal cord were determined by applying HPLC. Result There was no significant difference but a downward trend in the content of 5-HT in the endbrain, hypothalamus, brain stem and spinal cord between the model group and normal group. There was no significant difference in the content of 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus and brain stem between the model group and normal group. The content of 5-HIAA in the endbrain and spinal cord decreased significantly in the model group compared with that in the normal group, increased significantly in the acupotome group compared with that in the model group, increased significantly in the endbrain in the electro-acupuncture group compared with that in the model group, and decreased significantly in the spinal cord in the electro- acupuncture group compared with that in the model group. The content of NA in the endbrain decreased significantly compared with that in the normal group, increased significantly in the acupotome group or electro-acupuncture group compared with that in the model group, increased significantly in the hypothalamus and brain stem in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and decreased significantly in the acupotome group or electro-acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in NA content in the spinal cord between the model group and normal group. The content of HVA in the endbrain decreased significantly in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and increased significantly in knife group or electro-acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in HVA content in the endbrain between the acupotome group and electro- acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in HVA content in the hypothalamus, brain stem or spinal cord between the model group and normal group. The content of DOPAC in the endbrain or spinal cord had no significant changes in the model group compared with that in the normal group, increased significantly in the hypothalamus or brain stem in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and decreased significantly in the acupotome group or electro-acupuncture group compared with that in the model group. Conclusion The acupotome dissolution therapy and electro-acupuncture can regulate the content of neurotransmitters of 5-HT and CA in the brain and spinal cord in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis, which indicates that the two therapies can relieve the injury to the articular cartilage, as well as abates joint pain and stops osteoarthritis development based on the regulation of the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.

The study was aimed to explore the roles of exosomes derived from regulatory dendritic cells of mice in the induction of immune tolerance. Immature DC (iDC) from mouse bone marrow cells and regulatory DCs (rDC) were induced by treating iDC with TGF-beta1 and IL-10. The phenotype of regulatory DCs and normal DCs were assayed by flow cytometry. Exosomes from immature DCs (iDex) and regulatory DCs (rDex) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration. A skin transplantation model was established with the recipients BALB/c mice and the donor C57BL/6 mice. Recipients were divided into PBS control group, iDex group (injection 10 microg iDex of donor C57BL/6 mice via tail vein at days 7 and 3 before skin transplantation), rDex group (injection 10 microg rDex of donor C57BL/6 mice via tail vein at days 7 and 3 before skin transplantation). The capacity of the donor mice and the unrelated allogeneic donor mice to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation was examined by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLR). The results showed that TGF-beta1 and IL-10 could down-regulate the expressions of costimulatory molecules, including CD80, CD86 and CD40. The graft mean survival time (MST) in control group, iDex group and rDex group was 7.8, 10.7 and 18.8 days, respectively. There was significant difference in MST between iDex group and control group (p<0.05), and between rDex group and iDex group (p<0.01). The results of MLR assays indicated donor-specific hyporeactivity especially in rDex group, while the tolerant B/C mice were still immunocompetent to unrelated allogeneic DBA mouse. It is concluded that injection iDex or rDex of donor mice via tail vein before skin transplantation induces immunotolerance, and the effect of rDex is more significant.
Animals ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; transplantation ; Exosomes ; immunology ; transplantation ; Female ; Graft Enhancement, Immunologic ; methods ; Graft Survival ; Immune Tolerance ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Skin Transplantation ; Transplantation Immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous