OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on hyperlipidemia in mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet (HFD) group, and EA group. The changes in blood lipids and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the mice were evaluated, and histopathological changes and lipid accumulation in the liver were observed using Oil red O staining (ORO). The expressions of NLRP3, TLR4, and IL-1β proteins in the colon tissues were detected with Western blotting, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: In mice with HFD feeding, 16 weeks of EA treatment significantly lowered body weight and serum TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA levels, obviously reduced lipid accumulation in the liver, and ameliorated HFD-induced elevations of protein expressions of NLRP3, TLR4, and IL-1β. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that EA significantly altered gut microbiota composition, and increased the diversity and relative abundance of beneficial bacterial groups such as Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture at ST36 alleviates blood lipid disorders in hyperlipidemic mice possibly by improving intestinal microbiota structure, promoting degradation of high-caloric carbohydrates, cholesterol lipid metabolism and intestinal mucosa repair, and reducing toxin leakage, lipid peroxides, and liver fat deposition.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Hyperlipidemias/blood* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Diet, High-Fat ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Lipids/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of vacuum packaging technique for storing sterilized packs in order to extend the period of valid storing.METHODS From 420 sterilized packages 210 were randomly taken as a test group,and the other 210 packages as the control group.According to aseptic techniques the packages of test group were vacuumized and the control group was packed as by outine protocol.Two groups were simultaneously stored in aseptic closet,and then regularly taken out 30 samples from two groups respectively for microbial(culturing).RESULTS Bacterial growth was seen in the control group at first month.But none of the specimens in test group showed any microbial growth until the eighth month.There was a statistically significant difference((P

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of smearing catheter surface with chloramphenicol for preventing catheter -associated urinary tract infections. METHODS Totally 100 cases of preoperative patients needed for indwelling urethral catheters were randomly grouped, 50 of 100 cases as test group, and the others 50 cases as the control group. Catheters after smearing surface with chloramphenicol were inserted using aseptic technique in the test group, urinary catheters without using chloramphenicol were inserted in the control group according to routine aseptic technique protocol, and then regularly taken out urinary specimen from two groups respectively for microbial culture. RESULTS The observation showed bacterial growth positive rate was 30%, and 66.7%, respectively in the control group, but positive rate was 6.7%, and 30%, respectively in the test group after the seventh day and the tenth day. There was a statistic significant difference (P