OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with medication on orthostatic hypotension (OH) of yang -qi deficiency in the elderly. METHODS: Sixty elderly patients with OH of yang -qi deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (30 cases). The patients in the control group were treated with oral midodrine hydrochloride tablets, 2.5 mg each time and twice daily, while the patients in the observation group were treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion in addition to the treatment in the control group. Acupoints selected included Dazhui (GV 14), Fengfu (GV 16), and Baihui (GV 20), with each session lasting 30-40 min, once daily. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Blood pressure in the supine and standing positions, as well as the decrease of blood pressure when the position changing from supine to standing, were measured before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Clinical efficacy was also evaluated. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, both groups showed an increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in both the supine and standing positions (P<0.05), and the decrease in SBP and DBP when the position changing from supine to standing was reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had higher SBP and DBP in both positions and a smaller decrease in SBP and DBP when the position changing from supine to standing (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 96.6% (28/29) in the observation group, which was higher than 70.0% (21/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with medication could increase the blood pressure in both supine and standing position, and decrease the reducing of blood pressure when the position changing from supine to standing in elderly patients with OH of yang-qi deficiency.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Hypotension, Orthostatic/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Yang Deficiency/therapy* ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Midodrine

Background:Inflammation plays an important role in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI),and erythropoietin (EPO)has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. Aims:To explore the protective effect of EPO on intestinal IRI and its potential mechanism. Methods:Thirty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group(sham group),IRI group,EPO group and 740Y-P group. Rats in IRI,EPO and 740Y-P groups were injected intraperitoneally with 0. 9% NaCl,EPO and EPO + 740Y-P,respectively,one hour before the establishment of intestinal IRI model by superior mesenteric artery clamping(45 min)-reperfusion. All rats were sacrificed one hour after reperfusion. Histopathological changes of small intestine were observed;expression of proteins in PI3K/ Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways was measured by Western blotting;expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-8(IL-8),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)were examined by real-time PCR and ELISA. Results:Compared with sham group,the damage score of small intestine,protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt and p-NF-κB p65,as well as mRNA expressions and serum levels of IL-8,TNF-α and MCP-1 in IRI group were significantly increased(P < 0. 05). EPO pretreatment could ameliorate the histopathological changes of small intestine in IRI model rats,inhibit PI3K/ Akt and NF-κB signaling activation and down-regulate expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. When 740Y-P,a PI3K agonist,was used combinedly,the effect exerted by EPO was diminished. Conclusions:EPO pretreatment can protect against intestinal IRI by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/ Akt/NF-κB signaling and the subsequent inflammatory response.

To survey the serum uric acid (SUA) levels and associated risk factors of hyperuricemia among youth and middle-aged residents in Guangzhou.A total of 1420 subjects,aged from 20 to 60 years,receiving health check-up at our hospital in 2010 were enrolled.The total prevalence of hyperuricemia was 22.04％,32.01％ in males and 14.07％ in females.The average SUA was (388 ±78) μmol/L in males and (288 ± 63) μ mol/L in females.The prevalence of hyperuricemia in males was 30.11％ before 40 years of age and 33.81％ between 40 and 60 years of age.The average level of SUA in males was significantly higher than that of females.logistic regression analysis showed that BUN,body mass index (BMI) and hypertriglyceridemia were the independent risk factors of disease while HDL-C and gender (females) the protective factors.