ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the classical Chinese medicine compound prescription Erjingwan on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells in a mouse model of sarcopenia and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57/BL6 male mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， and groups with different doses of Erjingwan （8，16，32 g·kg^-1）. The mouse model of sarcopenia was established by D-gal-induced skeletal muscle senescence. The body weight and grip strength of mice treated with different doses of Erjingwan were examined to evaluate their physiological functions. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the serum samples of mice， and biochemical tests were conducted to quantify the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione （GSH） in the serum. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， B-cell lymphoma （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of drug intervention， the model group exhibited significant reductions in body weight and grip strength （P0.01） compared with the control group. Compared with the model group， all doses of Erjingwan increased the body weight in mice at week 8 （P0.01） and grip strength from week 6 （P0.01）. HE staining revealed clear muscle fiber structure in the control group， muscle fiber rupture and atrophy in the model group， and dose-dependent repair of muscle fiber structure in the Erjingwan groups. Masson staining showed minimal collagen fibers and mild fibrosis in the control group， collagen fiber proliferation and severe fibrosis in the model group， and collagen proliferation with dose-dependent inhibition of fibrosis in the Erjingwan groups. ELISA results showed that serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in the model group compared with those in the control group （P0.01）. After intervention， the low-dose Erjingwan group exhibited a decreased TNF-α level （P0.05）， while the medium and high-dose groups showed decreases in both TNF-α and IL-6 levels （P0.01）. Biochemical assays revealed that the model group had decreased SOD and GSH levels （P0.01） and an increased MDA level （P0.01） compared with the control group. The medium and high-dose Erjingwan groups exhibited increases in SOD and GSH levels （P0.01） and decreases in MDA level （P0.01）， compared with the model group. WB and Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group， the model group presented down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in the muscle tissue （P0.01） and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bax （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， Erjingwan at different doses up-regulated the protein levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 （P0.01） and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax （P0.01） in the muscle tissue. Low-dose Erjingwan elevated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P0.05， P0.01）， and medium and high-dose Erjingwan up-regulated the mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 （P0.01）. ConclusionErjingwan reduced the content of inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle cells， improved the antioxidant capacity， and attenuated pathological changes and fibrosis in the muscle of the mouse model of sarcopenia by regulating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway， inflammatory response， and apoptosis network.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the classical Chinese medicine compound prescription Erjingwan on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of skeletal muscle cells in a mouse model of sarcopenia and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsForty C57/BL6 male mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， and groups with different doses of Erjingwan （8，16，32 g·kg^-1）. The mouse model of sarcopenia was established by D-gal-induced skeletal muscle senescence. The body weight and grip strength of mice treated with different doses of Erjingwan were examined to evaluate their physiological functions. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes and fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was adopted to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the serum samples of mice， and biochemical tests were conducted to quantify the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione （GSH） in the serum. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， B-cell lymphoma （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. ResultsAfter 4 weeks of drug intervention， the model group exhibited significant reductions in body weight and grip strength （P0.01） compared with the control group. Compared with the model group， all doses of Erjingwan increased the body weight in mice at week 8 （P0.01） and grip strength from week 6 （P0.01）. HE staining revealed clear muscle fiber structure in the control group， muscle fiber rupture and atrophy in the model group， and dose-dependent repair of muscle fiber structure in the Erjingwan groups. Masson staining showed minimal collagen fibers and mild fibrosis in the control group， collagen fiber proliferation and severe fibrosis in the model group， and collagen proliferation with dose-dependent inhibition of fibrosis in the Erjingwan groups. ELISA results showed that serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were elevated in the model group compared with those in the control group （P0.01）. After intervention， the low-dose Erjingwan group exhibited a decreased TNF-α level （P0.05）， while the medium and high-dose groups showed decreases in both TNF-α and IL-6 levels （P0.01）. Biochemical assays revealed that the model group had decreased SOD and GSH levels （P0.01） and an increased MDA level （P0.01） compared with the control group. The medium and high-dose Erjingwan groups exhibited increases in SOD and GSH levels （P0.01） and decreases in MDA level （P0.01）， compared with the model group. WB and Real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group， the model group presented down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 in the muscle tissue （P0.01） and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bax （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， Erjingwan at different doses up-regulated the protein levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 （P0.01） and down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Bax （P0.01） in the muscle tissue. Low-dose Erjingwan elevated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 （P0.05， P0.01）， and medium and high-dose Erjingwan up-regulated the mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 （P0.01）. ConclusionErjingwan reduced the content of inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle cells， improved the antioxidant capacity， and attenuated pathological changes and fibrosis in the muscle of the mouse model of sarcopenia by regulating the SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway， inflammatory response， and apoptosis network.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules （CXG） in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model， Fufang Banmao （0.21 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （1.87 g·kg^-1） CXG， medium-dose （3.74 g·kg^-1） CXG， and high-dose （7.49 g·kg^-1） CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days， and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations （0， 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500， 1 000 mg·L^-1） of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM， DCFH-DA， and C11-BODIPY^581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and lipid peroxide （LPO）， respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione （GSH） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 （P<0.01）. After treatment， the Fufang Banmao and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume， relative tumor volume， and tumor weight than the model group （P<0.05）， with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%， 79.93%， 91.38%， and 97.36%， respectively. Moreover， the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume （P<0.05 in all the three dose groups） and lower tumor weight （P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups） than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells， necrotic foci with karyopyknosis， nuclear fragmentation， and nucleolysis， and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment， compared with the blank group， CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY^581/591， which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， ROS （P<0.05）， and LPO （P<0.01）， respectively. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD （P<0.05）. In addition， the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 （P<0.05）， and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe²⁺and LPO levels.

By examining the records related to the Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint in BIAN Que Heart Book （《扁鹊心书》） compiled by the Song Dynasty physician DOU Cai， this study analyzed various aspects， including the differentiation of conditions treated with Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint， the theoretical foundation for selection of Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint， the application of needling manipulation， and the sensation of obtaining qi during acupuncture. The findings suggest that DOU Cai's approach to utilizing Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint differs from traditional methods， particularly emphasizing the effectiveness of achieving a sensation of heat and numbness. His unique techniques include transverse insertion at Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint and penetrated insertion to Fengchi （GB 20） and Yifeng （TE 17） acupoints. The records of Fengfu （GV 16） acupoint in BIAN Que Heart Book provide a valuable reference for its modern clinical application and further development.

Given the current ethical issues such as unknown high risks in the clinical application of new biomedical technology， thus， medical institutions need to establish new technology management systems， including clarifying the concept， the assessment and admission mechanism， and ethical management systems of new technology. According to the direction of the development of new technology in the medical institution， the ethics review committee should also perfect the management system of ethics committees and the professional composition of ethics review committee members， improve the ability of ethics committee members to evaluate new biomedical technology， increase the assessment of ethical risks of new technology in the preliminary review stage， strengthen the requirements for emergency plan formulation， as well as set the frequency of the follow-up review based on the risk level of new technology. The ethics review committee should work together with the medical management department to formulate an ethical standardization training system for the clinical application of medical technology in the institution， and regularly conduct training for all staff， to promote medical workers’ understanding of the management requirements of biomedical technologies. Different types of new biomedical technology have different ethical risks. Therefore， the medical management departments and ethics review committees of medical institutions should formulate specific management rules based on the characteristics of new technology types. However， it should be noted that when new biomedical technology generally is first introduced into clinical practice， there are often issues regarding fairness and justice in the use of the technology.

ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy of multiple discriminant analysis （MDA） versus fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） in assessing liver fibrosis degree in patients with HBV infection， as well as the possibility of MDA as an indicator for disease progression. MethodsA total of 263 patients with HBV infection who underwent liver biopsy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from April 2010 to April 2024 were included， and their clinical data were collected. According to the results of pathological examination， they were divided into non-significant fibrosis group （F<2） with 126 patients and significant fibrosis group （F≥2） with 137 patients. The correlation of MDA and FIB-4 with liver fibrosis degree was analyzed， and MDA and FIB-4 were compared in terms of their accuracy in assessing significant liver fibrosis. A total of 62 patients completed follow-up， and according to the presence or absence of progression to liver cirrhosis at the last follow-up visit， they were divided into progressive group with 21 patients and non-progressive group with 41 patients； the efficacy of MDA and FIB-4 in diagnosing disease progression was analyzed and compared. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. The Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used for the analysis of baseline data and data at the end of follow-up， and the binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for progression to liver cirrhosis. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of indicators， the Z-test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve （AUC）， and the paired chi-square test was used for comparison of the sensitivity， specificity， and accuracy of the two indicators. ResultsThe correlation coefficient between FIB-4 and liver fibrosis degree was 0.378， while the correlation coefficient between MDA and liver fibrosis degree was -0.325 （both P<0.001）. FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.688， a sensitivity of 64.96%， a specificity of 68.87%， a positive predictive value of 67.42%， a negative predictive value of 63.36%， an accuracy of 65.40%， and a cut-off value of 1.01， while MDA had an AUC of 0.653， a sensitivity of 52.55%， a specificity of 78.57%， a positive predictive value of 72.73%， a negative predictive value of 60.37%， an accuracy of 65.02%， and a cut-off value of 0.29， suggesting that compared with FIB-4， MDA had a lower sensitivity （P=0.004） and a higher specificity （P=0.001）. The progressive group had a significantly higher age than the non-progressive group at baseline （t=2.611， P=0.011）. For the progressive group， there was an increase in FIB-4 and a reduction in MDA from baseline to the end of follow-up （both P<0.001）， while the non-progressive group showed no significant changes （both P>0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase （odds ratio ［OR］=0.940， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.885‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.998， P<0.05） and MDA （OR=0.445， 95%CI： 0.279‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.710， P<0.001） were independent influencing factors for disease progression. MDA had an AUC of 0.893 and an optimal cut-off value of -0.01 in diagnosing the disease progression of liver cirrhosis. ConclusionMDA has a comparable accuracy to FIB-4 in the diagnosis of significant liver fibrosis， and MDA<-0.01 has a high accuracy in diagnosing the progression of liver fibrosis to liver cirrhosis， which can help to reduce the need for liver biopsy in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.

BACKGROUND:Synthetic polymers,such as polypropylene and polyester,used for the treatment of abdominal wall defects not only lack biodegradability and bioactivity but also fail to meet the demands of complex and irregular wounds.Therefore,finding bioactive materials with low immunogenicity and good histocompatibility has become a hot spot in the repair of abdominal wall defects. OBJECTIVE:To prepare methacryloyl modified dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel and explore its potential application in abdominal wall defect. METHODS:(1)The porcine dermis was acellular with 0.25%trypsin and 1%Triton X-100 in turn to obtain the dermal extracellular matrix.After pepsin digestion and methacrylic anhydride modification,the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel was formed by photocrosslinking.The microscopic morphology of the hydrogel was observed by scanning electron microscope,and its rheological properties,swelling properties and other physical and chemical properties were tested.(2)Mice fibroblasts(L929)were inoculated into methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel to detect the cell compatibility.(3)Totally 12 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups(n=6)to create abdominal wall defect model with peritoneum preserved.The defect site of the polypropylene group was filled with polypropylene material,and the hydrogel group was filled with methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel.The wound skin of both groups was covered with polypropylene material.The wound healing was observed and histological analysis was carried out. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Enzymatic hydrolysis had a good decellularization effect on porcine dermis after decellularization,and the original glycosaminoglycans and collagen were well retained.Scanning electron microscope observation revealed that the dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel presented loose and porous structure.The aperture was between 70 and 120 μm.The swelling ratio was(16.88±3.24)%and the water absorption was(94.24±1.11)%.The rheological property test showed that the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel was stable and had shear thinning characteristics,with injectability.(2)CCK-8 assay and live/dead staining showed that methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel had good cell compatibility.(3)The results of animal experiments showed that the skin wound healing rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group at 7,10,and 14 days after operation(P<0.05).Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining of skin and muscle tissue exhibited that compared with the polypropylene group,the skin wound epithelialization,hair follicle formation,collagen fiber arrangement,and neovascularization were better in the hydrogel group 14 days after surgery.The skin wound new tissue structure was similar to the normal tissue at 28 days after surgery,and scar hyperplasia was less.A small amount of muscle regeneration was observed on day 28 after operation.(4)The results show that the methacrylated dermal extracellular matrix hydrogel can promote wound skin healing and muscle tissue regeneration in rats with abdominal wall defect.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at different temperatures on cognitive function and blood glucose levels in patients with cognitive impairment associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 66 T2DM patients with cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to a high-temperature group (22 cases, 1 case dropped out, 1 case was eliminated), a medium-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated), and a low-temperature group (22 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). All groups received moxibustion at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), and Shenting (GV24) based on their existing glycemic control treatment. Moxibustion temperatures were maintained at 44-46 ℃ (high-temperature group), 41-43 ℃ (medium-temperature group), and 38-40 ℃ (low-temperature group), respectively, for 20 min per session, every other day, 3 times a week for 3 months. The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, short-term memory (STM) accuracy and average reaction time, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) score, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, MMSE scores in all three groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the high-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, naming, language, and abstraction were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of ROCF copy, immediate recall, and delayed recall were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05); the HbA1c level was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). In the medium-temperature group, the total MoCA score and the scores of memory and delayed recall, attention, and language were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). STM accuracy was higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than before treatment (P<0.05) in both the high-temperature and medium-temperature groups. After treatment, the total MoCA score and the scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory and delayed recall, attention, and language in the high-temperature group were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); MMSE score, STM accuracy, and ROCF immediate recall and delayed recall scores were higher than those in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the medium- and low-temperature groups (P<0.05); HbA1c level was lower than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). The total MoCA score, attention score, and MMSE score in the medium-temperature group were higher than those in the low-temperature group (P<0.05), and STM average reaction time was shorter than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in FPG within or between the three groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The total effective rates were 75.0% (15/20) in the high-temperature group, 50.0% (10/20) in the medium-temperature group, and 15.0% (3/20) in the low-temperature group; the total effective rate in the high-temperature group was significantly higher than that in the low-temperature group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at different temperatures has a dose-effect relationship in treating cognitive impairment in T2DM patients. A temperature range of 44-46 ℃ is more effective in improving cognitive function and stabilizing average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology* ; Cognition ; Temperature ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Adult ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of Jiuci renmai therapy (moxibustion and acupuncture on the conception vessel) combined with bladder function training in treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder (PSNB). METHODS: Sixty patients with PSNB were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional treatment with western medication, bladder function training was delivered in the control group, once a day for 4 weeks. In the observation group, Jiuci renmai therapy was supplemented besides the regimen as the control group. The main acupoints were Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Qihai (CV6) and Qugu (CV2); and the supplementary acupoints were Henggu (KI11), Zhongwan (CV12), Xiawan (CV10) and Shuifen (CV9). Warm needling and moxibustion were operated, once every other day, for 4 weeks. Separately, before treatment and in 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the urodynamic parameters were detected in the two groups, including maximal urine flow rate (Qmax), maximal detrusor pressure (PdetQmax), residual urine volume (RUV), maximal bladder capacity in the filling phase (MCC), and maximal intravesical pressure in the voiding phase (Pvesmax); the voiding parameters (the average daily number of micturition, urinary leakage episodes, and single voiding volume) were recorded; neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), lower urinary tract symptom score (LUTS) and the score of quality of life scale for incontinence of urine (I-QoL) were evaluated, as well as the clinical effect and safety in the two groups. RESULTS: In 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, Qmax, PdetQmax, MCC, Pvesmax, and average daily single voiding volume were increased compared with the levels before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and the above indexes in the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). RUV, the average daily number of micturition, urinary leakage episode, NBSS and LUTS scores of the two groups were reduced in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05 ), and these indexes in the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the average urinary leakage episode was reduced largely in comparison with the control group (P<0.05); and the improvement in RUV for the patients with retention of urine in the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the score of each dimension in I-QoL and the total score were elevated compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores in the observation were higher when compared with the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 90.0% (27/30) which was higher than 70.0% (21/30) of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 3.3% (1/30) in the observation group, which was not significantly different from that in the control group [10.0% (3/30), P>0.05]. CONCLUSION The combination of Jiuci renmai therapy and bladder function training can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, recover bladder voiding function, and improve the quality of life in the patients with PSNB, presenting the favorable safety profile in treatment.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Moxibustion