DNA methylation is the first epigenetic modification found in humans.Abnormal changes in DNA methylation are closely associated with the development and progression of diseases.Acupuncture,an important component of traditional Chinese medicine,has been shown to have significant therapeutic efficacy.The mechanisms underlying acupuncture are complex,involving physiological and pathological processes of integrated interactions across multiple targets.However,current research mostly focuses on a single target,highlighting the need for a more upstream approach to the investigation of the mechanisms.Herein,we reviewed studies on the direct or indirect regulation of DNA methylation via acupuncture.We also discussed its mechanisms of action in pain,obesity,depression,and Alzheimer disease,in order to provide a new perspective on the therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture and the role of DNA methylation in the field of acupuncture research.Future research should concentrate on the effect of acupuncture on the DNA methylation of specific genes,the quantification of changes in DNA methylation at different acupoints,the development of individualized acupuncture prescriptions,further investigation of the specificity of the effects at different acupoint,and the expansion of the research to integrate epigenetics and genomics.This will provide a theoretical basis for the internationalization and the promotion of clinical application of acupuncture.

Objective To investigates the effect of acupuncture on sensitization of Zusanli(ST36)in rats with different functional states by using healthy and knee osteoarthritis model rats.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into control,model,model-acupuncture and blank-acupuncture group,with 7 rats in each group.KOA rat model was prepared by intra-articular injection of 1 mg·50 μL-1 monoiodoacetic aci(MIA)in model group and model-acupuncture group.On the second day of modeling,acupuncture treatment was performed on the left Zusanli of the model acupuncture group and the blank-acupuncture group,once everyday for 20 min,5 times as a course of treatment,2 days between courses.The general condition,knee joint diameter,plantar thermal pain threshold and Lequesne MG score of rats was observed before modeling and after acupuncture.Observing the morphology of knee joint cartilage to judge whether the model is successful,measuring the mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli to investigate the acupoint sensitization,observing and counting the morphology of skin mast cells in the acupoint area,and detecting the expression of skin calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)in the acupoint area.Results The mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli after acupuncture in model group and blank-acupuncture group decreased significantly after modeling(P<0.01,P<0.05),compared with the control group,the change rate of mechanical pain threshold in model group and blank-acupuncture group increased significantly(P<0.05),compared with the model group,the mechanical pain threshold of Zusanli in the model-acupuncture group decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the fluorescence intensity of CGRP protein in the skin tissue of Zusanli in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01),MC degranulation rate increased significantly(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of CGRP protein of Zusanli in the blank-acupuncture group(P>0.05),MC degranulation rate increased obviously(P<0.01),CGRP protein of Zusanli in the model-acupuncture group was significantly reduced compared with the model group(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference in the degranulation rate of MC(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupoint sensitization can occur in different functional states of rats.Zusanli(ST36)of KOA model rats can be sensitized,and acupuncture stimulation can make Zusanli sensitization caused by disease disappear.Under physiological conditions,acupuncture stimulation can induce similar sensitization phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: There are various treatment methods for femoral neck fracture in the elderly, and they have advantages and disadvantages, especially for the elderly type of stable femoral neck fractures Garden type II of treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current main clinical methods of senile femoral neck fractures of Garden type II, compare the advantages and disadvantages of internal fixation and joint replacement, and provide the best treatment for orthopedic surgeons. METHODS: We retrieved PubMed database. Key words were elderly femoral neck fracture, Garden type II, selection strategy and progress. Combining with the clinical cases encountered in the comparative analysis, the relevant discussion was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Although the risk of surgery and the pain of non-surgical patients in early stage, the effects are not ideal. Internal fixation of Garden type II femoral neck fracture and joint replacement in elderly patients is controversial. For the elderly and Garden type II femoral neck fractures, the rate of revision after cannulated screw fixation was significantly higher than that of hip replacement. Both cement-type and biological-type implant prosthesis can improve hip function largely, and reduce non-surgical complications, and finally get a satisfactory clinical effect. The clinician should make the best treatment plan according to the patient’s age, bone condition, fracture type and physical condition.