Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasonic elastography for diagnosis of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods From March to September, 2016, 32 patients diagnosed as chronic nonspecific low back pain and other 32 healthy people (controls) were measured lumbar erector spinae with ultrasonic elastography, and calculated Yang's modulus. The correlation between Yang's modulus and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score in the patients were investigated with Pearson's analysis. Re-sults There was no significant difference in Yang's modulus between bilateral lumbar erector spinae in both the patients and the controls (t<1.849, P>0.05), but it was more in the patients than in the controls (t=9.931, P<0.001). The Yang's modulus was positively correlated with VAS score in the patients (r=0.614, P<0.001), but not with the JOA score (r=-0.243, P=0.180). Conclusion Ultrasonic elastography can be applied to differentiate low back pain from the healthy, and measure the intensity of pain.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between mild moxibustion and specific electromagnetic spectrum therapy apparatus (TDP) for obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly divided into a mild moxibustion group and a TDP group, 30 cases in each one. In the mild moxibustion group, pure moxa sticks were used at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. In the TDP group, TDP was applied at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. The treatment was given once a day for two courses, and 10-day treatment was made into a course. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, swelling degree of the affected digital joints before and after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe excellent rate was 56.7% (17/30) and the excellent and, good rate was 83.4% (25/30) in the mild moxibustion group,which were better than 36.7% (11/30) and 76.7% (23/30) in the TDP group respectively (both P < 0.01). After treatment the score of VAS and digital joints swelling degree were improved than those before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improvements of the mild moxibustion group were better than those of the TDP group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMild moxibustion can apparently relieve the painful and swelling degree of obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints, which is superior to TDP.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; therapy ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pain Measurement ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the difference in the regulating effect of electroacupuncture on serum insulin (Ins) and fat consumption between male and female simple obesity rat and the possible mechanism of its action.Methods A rat model of simple obesity was made by induction with sodium glutamate. The rats were randomized into model and electroacupuncture groups (male and female), 10 rats each. A normal group of 10 rats (male and female) was established as a control. Points Quchi, Zhongwan, Guanyuan, Housanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao were selected in the electroacupuncture group. Stimulation with a low frequency of 2 Hz was provided after needle insertion. The treatment was given once daily for 28 consecutive days. Serum Ins content, and greater omentum, pericardiac and perirenal fat weights were measured in the male and female groups of rats before and after electroacupuncture intervention. The comparisons were made.Results Serum Ins content, and greater omentum, pericardiac and perirenal fat weights were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture male and female groups of rats than in the model male and female groups of rats (P<0.01) and also in the electroacupuncture male group of rats than in the electroacupuncture female group of rats (P<0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture has different degrees of weight-reducing effect in both male and female obesity rats. The reducing effect on serum Ins content, and greater omentum, pericardiac and perirenal fat weights is better in male obesity rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion in treating old interphalangeal collateral ligament injury.MethodSixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The treatment group of 30 patients received gentle moxibustion 20-30 min once daily for two consecutive courses of treatment. The control group of 30 patients received TDP irradiation 20-30 min once daily for two consecutive courses of treatment.ResultThe excellent rate and the total excellent rate were 56.7% and 83.3%, respectively, in the treatment group and 36.7% and 76.7%, respectively, in the control group; there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.01).ConclusionGentle moxibustion has a marked therapeutic effect on old interphalangeal collateral ligament injury.

Objective: To observe the effects of ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4) on the expression levels of endocrine-related molecules and their receptors in rats with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) due to cold-dampness stagnation, thus to explore their analgesic mechanisms. Methods: Thirty-two female Wistar rats were divided into a normal group, a model group, a ginger-partitioned moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Except for rats in the normal group, all other rats were treated with oxytocin combined with ice-water bath to establish the rat models of PD due to cold-dampness stagnation. After successful modeling, rats in the normal group and the model group did not receive treatment; rats in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group received treatments with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) and Guanyuan (CV4); rats in the Western medicine group received ibuprofen by intragastric administration. The writhing response of rats was compared among groups, and the serum levels of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), estrogen (estradiol, E2), progesterone (P), and the mRNA expression of PGF2α and E2 receptors in the uterine tissues were detected. Results: No writhing behavior was observed in the normal group; compared with the normal group, the serum PGF2α and E2 levels in the model group were increased (P<0.01), while the P level was decreased (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression levels of the uterine PGF2α and E2 receptors were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the writhing behavior latency was prolonged, and the writhing response score was decreased in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group (P<0.01); the serum PGF2α and E2 levels in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group were decreased, while the P level was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); the mRNA expression levels of the uterine PGF2α and E2 receptors in the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group and the Western medicine group were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the Western medicine group, the ginger-partitioned moxibustion group showed a prolonged writhing behavior latency, reduced writhing response score (P<0.05), and decreased serum E2 level (P<0.05), while no statistical differences in the serum PGF2α and P levels, or the mRNA expression levels of uterine PGF2α and E2 receptors (P>0.05).Conclusion: The analgesic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on PD due to cold-dampness stagnation may be related to regulating the mRNA expression levels of PGF2α and E2 receptors in the uterine tissues.

Objective: To observe the immediate effect of small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation in improving the correction of braces for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A total of 50 cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were selected and given brace correction first. The whole spine anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were taken, the Cobb angle was measured, and the visual analog scale (VAS) score of pain caused by brace wearing was recorded. After removal of the brace, small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation was performed once. After treatment, the same brace was put on again to take a whole spine anteroposterior radiograph, the Cobb angle was measured, and the VAS score was recorded. The changes in Cobb angle and VAS score after manipulation were compared, and the immediate efficacy was evaluated. Results: After the manipulation, the Cobb angle was significantly smaller than that before treatment (P<0.01) and the VAS score was significantly lower than that before treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Small-angle Tui-Pushing and An-Pressing anti-rotation bone-setting manipulation can improve the immediate efficacy of brace in treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and relieve the pain caused by brace wearing at the same time.

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion in myocardial protection of rats undergoing long-term fatigue exercise based on observing the classical pyroptosis pathway mediated by nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase-1).Methods: A total of 50 specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were bought. Ten unqualified rats were excluded, and the remaining 40 rats were divided into a normal group, a normal + Shenque (CV8) group, a model group, a model + non-meridian non-point group, and a model + Shenque (CV8) group according to the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Except for rats in the normal group and the normal + Shenque (CV8) group, rats in the other three groups were trained with an incline running table exercise protocol to create a long-term fatigue exercise model, 1 h/time, once a day for 5 d with 2 d off, for a total of 8 weeks. Rats in the normal group received no modeling or intervention. Rats in the normal + Shenque (CV8) group were not modeled but received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV8); those in the model group were modeled only without intervention; those in the model + non-meridian non-point group received moxibustion at non-meridian and non-point spots after the modeling; those in the model + Shenque (CV8) group received moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) after modeling. The above moxibustion interventions were performed for 15 min/time once daily, for 5 d with 2 d off per week and a total of 8 weeks. Blood was collected from the femoral artery 4 h after the last exercise, and the serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels were measured. The NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression levels were detected by Western blotting. Myocardial morphology and pyroptosis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy. Results: The HE staining results showed that the myocardial cells in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group were disorganized with blurred transverse lines, widened interstitial spaces, interstitial edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The structure of myocardial cells in the model + Shenque (CV8) group was clearly visible, with slightly widened interstitial spaces and occasional infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitium. Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels were increased, and myocardial NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and GSDMD expression levels were elevated in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the above indicators did not change significantly in the model + non-meridian non-point group, while all the above indicators were decreased in the model + Shenque (CV8) group (P<0.01). Compared with the model + non-meridian non-point group, all the above biochemical indicators were decreased in the model + Shenque (CV8) group (P<0.01). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria number was increased in the model group and the model + non-meridian non-point group, some of the mitochondrial lumen was irregularly enlarged, the cell membrane structure was unclear, and chromatin was aggregated. The mitochondria number was increased, the swelling was reduced, and the nuclear membrane structure was more intact in the model + Shenque (CV8) group. Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) regulates the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and reduces the pyroptosisin the myocardium of rats with long-term fatigue exercise, thus reducing the myocardial injury caused by long-term fatigue exercise.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual headache and to discuss its mechanism.

METHODSEighty-five patients with menstrual headache were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases) and a control group (42 cases). The observation group was treated with body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking and the control group was treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally. The treatments of 3 menstrual cycles were required. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups. The content of serum prostaglandin F2α, (PGF2α) and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the menstrual periods of some patients randomly selected in the two groups was tested before and after treatment and was compared with that of 20 cases in a normal group. Results The total effective rate was 95.4% (41/43) in the observation group which was obviously superior to 81.0% (34/42) in the control group (P<0.01). Before treatment, the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP of patients in the two groups was higher than that in the normal group (all P<0.01). After treatment,the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of serum PGF2α in the observation group was decreased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) and returned to the level of the normal group.

CONCLUSIONBody acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking achieves positive efficacy for menstrual headache and its mechanism could be related to regulating the abnormal levels of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Arginine Vasopressin ; blood ; Dinoprost ; blood ; Female ; Headache ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different times on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), in the uterine tissues of rats with dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention, and to explore the differences and possible mechanisms of moxibustion at different times in easing pain in dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention. Methods: Forty-three female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (n=7), a model group (n=9), a pre-moxibustion group (n=9), an immediate-moxibustion group (n=9) and a pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (n=9). Rat models of primary dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention were established using (0±1) ℃ ice water immersion method combined with injection of estradiol benzoate for 10 d, followed by injection of oxytocin on the 11th day. Rats in the 3 intervention groups received moxibustion to Shenque (CV 8) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 10 min for each acupoint, once a day. Rats in pre-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling, for 3 continuous days; rats in immediate-moxibustion group were given one time mild moxibustion, immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling; rats in pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group were given mild moxibustion, beginning on the 8th day during modeling till immediately after injection of oxytocin on the 11th day during modeling, for 4 continuous days. The level of PGF2α in the rat uterine tissues was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the levels of PGE2 and AVP in rat uterine tissues were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the levels of PGF2α and AVP, the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the rat uterine tissues in the model group. Compared with the model group, the writhing latency was significantly prolonged, the writhing number and the total writhing score were all decreased in the pre-moxibustion group, the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (all P<0.01); the levels of PGF2α and AVP, and the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were all significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the rat uterine tissues of the 3 treatment groups. Compared with the pre-moxibustion group, the writhing number and the total writhing score were all decreased in the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group (all P<0.01), the writhing latency was significantly prolonged in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group(P<0.01); the levels of PGF2α and PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in rat uterine tissues in the immediate-moxibustion group and the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group. Compared with the immediate-moxibustion group, the writhing latency was significantly prolonged and the writhing number was decreased (all P<0.05), and the total writhing score was decreased (P<0.01) in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group; the PGF2α level and the PGF2α/PGE2 ratio were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the PGE2 level was significantly increased (P<0.01) in rat uterine tissues in the pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion group. Conclusion: Moxibustion at different times all can produce obvious analgesic effects on dysmenorrhea due to cold-dampness retention in rats, and pre-moxibustion plus immediate-moxibustion ranks the top. The mechanism of this analgesic effect may be via the regulation of abnormal PGF2α, PGE2 and AVP levels, to effectively inhibit the spastic contraction of uterine smooth muscle in dysmenorrhea rat, thereby improving the ischemia and hypoxia in uterus.

Objective:To observe the effects of sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)on the writhing reaction and score,the temperature and blood flow perfusion of moxibustion point area and uterus,the serum levels of arginine vasopressin(AVP),prostaglandin(PG)F2α,and thromboxane(TX)B2 in rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)due to cold-dampness stagnation,and to explore the possible mechanism of sparrow-pecking moxibustion in treating PD.Methods:Thirty-two healthy non-pregnant female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,an ibuprofen group,and a sparrow-pecking moxibustion group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the other three groups were subjected to modeling with cold water bath combined with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin injection.Rats in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group were treated with sparrow-pecking moxibustion at Shenque(CV8)and Guanyuan(CV4)on the 8th day of modeling,30 min/time,once a day for 3 d;those in the ibuprofen group were treated with 0.8 mL ibuprofen solution(a specification of 125 mg in 10 mL)on the 8th day of modeling,once a day for 3 d;those in the normal group and the model group were given 0.8 mL normal saline,once a day for 3 d.On the 11th day,rats in each group were intraperitoneally injected with oxytocin(2 U/rat),and the writhing incubation period and writhing score in 20 min were observed;the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus in vivo were detected;the serum levels of AVP,PGF2α,and TXB2 were determined.Results:The writhing incubation period was significantly longer(P<0.01)and the writhing score was significantly lower(P<0.01)in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group and the ibuprofen group than in the model group;compared with the ibuprofen group,the writhing incubation period was prolonged(P<0.01)and the writhing score was decreased(P<0.01)in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group;compared with the normal group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly decreased,while the serum PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 levels were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group;compared with the model group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly increased,and the serum levels of PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 were significantly decreased in the ibuprofen group and the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with the ibuprofen group,the temperature and the blood perfusion of Shenque(CV8),Guanyuan(CV4),and uterus were significantly increased(P<0.05),the serum AVP and TXB2 levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the serum PGF2α level had no statistical difference in the sparrow-pecking moxibustion group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Sparrow-pecking moxibustion had a remarkable analgesic effect on the rats with PD due to cold-dampness stagnation,and the mechanism may be related to the increased temperature and blood perfusion of the moxibustion point area and uterus,as well as the decreased serum PGF2α,AVP,and TXB2 levels.