Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the influence of dexmedetomidine on expressions of protein kinase c (PKC)γ, cal?cium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)Ⅱαand pCaMKⅡαin spinal cord in rats with incisional pain (IP) and remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia. Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 240-260 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 each):blank control group (group C), remifentanil+incisional pain group (group R+I), dexmedetomidine + remifentanil + incisional pain group (group D+R+I), dexmedetomidine + remifentanil + incisional pain+phorbol myristate acetate+DMSO group (group D+R+I+P+DMSO) and dexmedetomidine+remifentanil+incisional pain+DMSO group (group D+R+I+DMSO). The incisional pain rat model was established by a plantar incision in left hind paw. Remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1.2μg·kg-1·min-1 for 90 min via the caudal vein. Dexmedetomidine was adminis?tered subcutaneously at a dose of 50μg/kg at 30 min before plantar incision. Phorbol myristate acetate and DMSO were intra?thecally injected at a dose of 10 μL. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to thermal stimulation and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to von Frey hair stimulation were measured 24 h before remifentanil infusion (T0) and at 2, 6, 24 and 48 h (T1-4) after intraveonus remifentanil injection. The rats were sacrificed after the last behavioral test and the L 4-6 segment of spinal cord was removed to determine the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαin spinal cord by Western blot analysis. Re? sults Compared with group C, the value of PWL was significantly shortened and PWT was significantly decreased except T0, and the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαwere up-regulated in other groups. Compared with group R+I, the value of PWL was significantly prolonged and PWT was significantly increased, the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαwere down-regulated in group D+R+I and group D+R+I+DMSO. Compared with group D+R+I, the value of PWL was significantly shortened and PWT was significantly decreased, the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαwere up-regulated in group D+R+I+P+DMSO. Compared with group D+R+I+P+DMSO, the value of PWL was significantly prolonged and PWT was significantly increased, the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαwere down-regulated in group D+R+I+DMSO. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine can reduce the expressions of PKCγ, CaMKⅡαand pCaMKⅡαin spinal cord in rats with IP and hyperalgesia induced by remifentanil.

AIM: To observe the expressions of aquaporin 2 (AQP2) in kidney tissues and the contents of endotoxin (ET), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum in emphysema model rats, and to investigate the relationship between lungs and kidney in humoral metabolism. METHODS: The rats of emphysema were treated by injecting lipopolysaccharide into the trachea with cigarette smoking. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were used to observe the expression of AQP2 in kidney tissues. RT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of AQP2 mRNA in kidney tissues. Blood sample and lung tissue were taken and the levels of ET, IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: AQP2 expression in the kidney tissue in model group was greater than that in control group, and the expression of AQP2 mRNA showed the same results (P<0.01). ET, IL-1β and TNF-α levels in serum and lung tissue in model group were markedly higher than those in control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In the emphysema model rats, AQP2 expression is up-regulated in the kidney tissue. The mechanism of emphysema may be related to increasing the levels of ET, IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and lung tissue obviously.

Objective To investigate the characteristic of movement disorders,so as to improve their diagnosis and treatment. Methods The clini?cal data of patients with movement disorders that admitted in the dystonia and Botox outpatient department were analyzed. Results Cases of involun?tary movement were significantly more than the primary dystonia,and case of primary hemifacial spasm was dominant(163 cases,61.05%). Among the 66 cases of primary dystonia,blepharospasm was ranked the first(19 cases),the second was spasmodic torticollis(18 cases),and the third was Meige syndrome(12 cases).There was no statistical significance in the gender distribution among primary hemifacial spasm,blepharospasm,spas?modic torticollis and Meige syndrome. Instead,there was statistical significance in the treatment methods(P<0.05),and there was statistical signifi?cance in the mean treatment and onset age(P<0.05). Of the 163 cases with primary hemifacial spasm,the mean onset age was 44.22±12.22 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1∶2.4. There were statistical significances in the mean onset age and duration among the patients with different severity degrees(all P<0.05). Conclusion Primary hemifacial spasm,blepharospasm,spasmodic torticollis and Meige syndrome are the com?mon disease in outpatient department. The primary hemifacial spasm is dominant,women are more than men,and the onset age and/or duration are proportional to the severity degree.

Objective To observe the effects of eye acupuncture and body acupuncture on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) expression in the cerebral cortex of rats after ischemia-reperfusion injury,in order to investigate the differences in therapeutic function between eye acupuncture and body acupuncture against acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Method 48 Rats established by suture method were randomly divided into control group,sham operation group,model group,eye-acupuncture in point area group,eye-acupuncture outside point area group and body acupuncture group. After reperfusion 24 h,the neurophysical behaviours were accessed by ZeaLonga neurophysical impairment marks;the levels of plasma TNF-αwere determined by ELISA method;the expression of ischemic cerebral cortex TNF-αmRNA was measured by RT-PCR method;the expression of ischemic cerebral cortex TNF-αprotein was detected by western blot. Results After reperfusion 24 h,compared with control group,neurologic impairment marks of eye-acupuncture therapy in point area group and body acupuncture group both decreased obviously (P<0.01),however there were no significant differences between the eye-acupuncture in point area group and body acupuncture group;the levels of plasma TNF-αin rat cerebral cortex after the eye acupuncture therapy and body acupuncture therapy were obviously decreased (P<0.01),however there were no significant differences between the eye-acupuncture in point area group and body acupuncture group; the expressions of TNF-α mRNA and protein in rat cerebral cortex after the eye acupuncture therapy and body acupuncture therapy were also obviously down-regulated (P<0.01),however there were no significant differences between the eye-acupuncture in point area group and body acupuncture group.Conclusion The eye and body acupuncture therapy show the same effects on treating cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The mechanisms of these two therapies may be related to up regulating TNF-αexpression in rat cerebral cortex with ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the central regulation of the circulation is known to be a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator, but its actions on baroreceptor reflex function are not fully resolved. The present study examined the role of ANP (6, 60 ng/0.2 microl) by direct microinjection into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in conscious rats. OPC-21268 (0.45 microg/3 microl), an antagonist of the V(1) receptor, was microinjected into the lateral ventricle to examine whether the effect of ANP on baroreflex sensitivity is mediated by vasopressin (VP). ANP significantly increased the baroreflex sensitivity, and OPC-21268 attenuated the increase of baroreflex sensitivity induced by ANP. Intravenous injections of ANP (60 ng/0.04 ml) did not affect baroreflex sensitivity. These results suggest that ANP in the PVN may produce a facilitative effect on baroreflex, and the effect may be via, at least in part, the central vasopressin.
Animals ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Baroreflex ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Microinjections ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND:Significant increasing of intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 expression can promote the occurrence of inflammatory response and increase brain tissue injury.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of eye acupuncture point and non-point therapy on intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 expression in rat hippocampus of acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model.
METHODS:Forty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into normal group, sham-operation group, model group, eye acupuncture point group and eye acupuncture non-point group. Rats in the model group, eye acupuncture point group and eye acupuncture non-point group were used to establish the acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model with suture method, the suture was deep for 1.8-2.2 cm. In the eye acupuncture point group, the acupuncture points of hepatic region, upper energizer area, lower energizer area and kidney area were selected when cerebral ischemia-reperfusion occurred immediately and 30 minutes before drawing materials, then horizontal needling the acupuncture points around the orbit for 20 minutes. In the eye acupuncture non-point group, the puncture site was selected at 3 mm away from eye acupuncture non-point area, and then needled the puncture site with the same method in the eye acupuncture point group.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After eye acupuncture point therapy, the neurological deficit scores were decreased, and the intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 expression in rat hippocampus was significantly decreased (P<0.01). After eye acupuncture non-point therapy, there were no significant changes in neurological deficit scores and the expression of intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 protein and mRNA in rat hippocampus. The results indicate that eye acupuncture can significantly improve the rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism may relate with reducing the intercel ular adhesion molecule 1 expression in rat hippocampus.

Objective: To discuss the correlation between myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and hepatic trans-planted tumor and to explore new ways to inhibit the development of hepatic cancer. Methods: We established the animal models with H_(22) hepatic carcinoma cells transplanted to the anterior right limb. Then the MDSCs morphology was observed with confocal microscopy and the proportion of MDSCs in blood and spleen was measured with flow cytometry. The 36 mice were divided into three groups: the control group, the low-dose group (2mg/kg) and the high-dose group (4mg/kg). Then As_2O_3 was injected twice a week to the mice before repeating the aforementioned measures. The direct effects of As_2O_3 on MDSCs cultured with H_(22)-ascites supernatant was observed. Results: At 25 days after transplantion, the tumor weight was increased to 5.67g, and the proportion of MDSCs in blood and spleen was increased to 20.46% and 9.50%, re-spectively. There was a positive correlation between hepatic transplanted tumor and MDSCs in blood and spleen and the relative factors were 0.95 and 0.96, respectively (t=-5.270 and 5.939, P<0.05). With the effect of As_2O_3, the proportion of MD-SCs in blood in low-dose group and high-dose group was 11.31% and 10.00% at 28 days after treatment, lower than that in the control group (t=3.193 and 5.486, P<0.05), and there was also a statistical difference between the high-dose group and low-dose group (t=3.066, P<0.05). The proportion of MDSCs in the spleen in low-dose group and high-dose group was 10.90% and 9.04% at 28 days, lower than that in the control group (t=3.586.and 5.279, P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the high-dose group and low-dose group (1=1.298, P>0.05). In vitro, the proportion of MDSCs in nutrient fluid was increased to 12.67% at 12 days after treatment with H_(22)-ascites supematant, and was decreased to 7.44% at 18 days after treatment with As_2O_3. Conclusion: The proportion of MDSCs in H_(22) tumor-bearing mice is increased because of tu-mor development. There is a positive correlation between MDSCs and hepatic transplanted tumor. As_2O_3 can decrease MD-SCs and inhibit tumor growth.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of manual acupuncture for memory loss and sleep quality in chronic insomniacs.Methods:A total of 60 eligible participants were enrolled and randomized into either a treatment group or a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The treatment group was intervened by manual acupuncture whereas the control group was given sham acupuncture.In the two groups,the interventions were offered once every other day and three times a week,for 8 weeks in total.Before and after the treatment,Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and eventrelated potentials (ERPs) were used to assess the patients' sleep quality and memory,respectively.Meanwhile,adverse events were monitored and recorded.Results:After 8-week treatment,both the treatment group and the control group showed a significant decrease in the PSQI global score (P＜0.001,P＜0.01),and the decrease in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P＜0.001).The intra-group comparisons of ERPs indicated that,the latencies of N1 and P3 were shortened and the amplitudes of N1 and P3 were increased in the treatment group after the intervention,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05,P＜0.001);in the control group,there were no significant changes in the latency and amplitude after the treatment (P＞0.05).The between-group comparisons of ERPs showed that the treatment group was more effective than the control group in shortening the latency of P3 (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture can be a safe and effective treatment option for chronic insomnia coupled with memory impairment.

To understand the neurochemical mechanisms underlying the vestibular compensation, we determined the levels of amino acids such as aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, taurine, alanine in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) following unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL), by using in vivo brain microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography technique. Rats were pretreated by infusing 2% lidocaine 1.2 mL or 10 mg arsanilic acid into the tympanic cavity to obstruct uni-periphery vestibular organ, and then the levels of amino acids were determined in MVN of normal control and ipsilateral or contralateral lesional (ipsi-/contra-lesional) rats. In the control experiment, the levels of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, taurine, and alanine were (6.15 +/- 0.59), (18.13 +/- 1.21), (33.73 +/- 1.67), (9.26 +/- 0.65), (9.56 +/- 0.77) and (10.07 +/- 0.83) pmol/8 muL sample, respectively. The concentrations of aspartate and glutamate decreased, while the concentration of taurine increased in the ipsi-lesional MVN of rats 10 min after infusing 2% lidocaine into middle ear to obstruct uni-periphery vestibular organ. Whereas the concentration of glutamate increased, the concentrations of glycine and alanine decreased in the contra-lesional MVN, accompanied by imbalances of glutamate, glycine and alanine in the bilateral nuclei. In contrast, the levels of glutamate and alanine decreased, the level of glutamine increased in the ipsi-lesional MVN, and the level of glutamate decreased in the contra-lesional MVN of rats 2 weeks after infusing 10 mg arsanilic acid into the tympanic cavity to obstruct uni-periphery vestibular organ. Furthermore, the level of glutamine in the ipsi-lesional MVN was obviously higher than that in the contra-lesional MVN. These results demonstrate that an imbalance of different amino acids appeared in bilateral MVN after UL, and this imbalance decreased after the development of vestibular compensation. Whereas the imbalance of glutamine release in bilateral nuclei appeared after vestibular compensation.
Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; metabolism ; Ear, Inner ; physiology ; surgery ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Taurine ; metabolism ; Vestibular Nuclei ; metabolism ; physiopathology