OBJECTIVE To explore the differences in the clinical laboratory test indexes between the patients with two different TCM syndrome types of eczema(dampness-heat infiltration type and non-dampness-heat infiltration type)and observe the distribution and drug resistance rate of pathogens isolated from the skin lesions so as to pro-vide bases for syndrome differentiation and reasonable use of antibiotics.METHODS A total of 180 patients with eczema who were positive for bacterial culture of skin secretions and were treated in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were enrolled in the study and were divided into the dampness-heat infiltration group with 134 cases and the non-dampness-heat infiltration group with 46 cases.The data of clini-cal laboratory test indexes were collected from the two groups of patients,the secretion specimens were sampled from the skin lesion sites,the isolated pathogens were identified by VITEK 2 Compact automatic microorganism analysis system,and the drug susceptibility testing was performed.RESULTS The direct bilirubin level of the dampness-heat infiltration group was(3.99±1.62)umol/L,higher than(3.46±1.12)umol/L of the non-damp-ness-heat infiltration group(P＜0.05),but both were in the normal range;there were no significant differences in other test indexes between the two groups.Totally 180 strains of pathogens were isolated from the 180 patients with eczema,156(86.67％)of which were gram-positive bacteria;Staphylococcus aureus(98 strains),Staphy-lococcus epidermidis(29 strains)and Staphylococcus haemolyticus(15 strains)were the predominant species of the gram-positive bacteria.The gram-negative bacteria accounted for 12.22％(22 strains).The drug resistance rate of the S.aureus strains to penicillin was up to 82.65％,and the isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphy-lococcus aureus(MRSA)was 12.24％(12/98);the drug resistance rates of the S.epidermidis strains to penicil-lin and erythromycin were 75.86％,and the drug resistance rate of the S.haemolyticus strains to erythromycin was 100.00％.CONCLUSIONS The gram-positive bacteria(dominated by the S.aureus)are dominant among the pathogens isolated from the skin lesion specimens of the eczema patients and are highly resistant to penicillin and erythromycin.The isolation rate of MRSA is relatuvely low.There is limited clinical significant difference in the direct bilirubin between the two groups.It is necessary to further explore more reliable indexes for syndrome dif-ferentiation.

Objective:To explore the effect of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) placed in the uterine cavity after transcervical preparation for the treatment of adenomyosis (AM).Methods:A retrospective study analyzed 219 cases of AM patients treated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from March 2022 to February 2023. Among them, 112 cases were treated with LNG-IUS after hysteroscopy due to abnormal uterine bleeding or abnormal uterine echo suggested by gynecological ultrasound, and were recorded as the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group; 107 cases without the above manifestations were treated with LNG-IUS alone, and were recorded as the LNG-IUS group. The two groups were observed for dysmenorrhea severity, menstrual volume, endometrial thickness, anemia, serum CA125 levels, uterine volume, and adverse reactions such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and intrauterine contraceptive device displacement or shedding before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.Results:1) Postoperative pathology of hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group after hysteroscopy included endometrial polyps [39.3% (44/112)], proliferative endometrium [16.1% (18/112)], uterine leiomyoma [11.6% (13/112)], secretory endometrium [8.9% (10/112)], irregular endometrial hyperplasia [6.2% (7/112)], simple hyperplasia [5.4% (6/112)], AM lesions [4.5% (5/112)], and others [8.0% (9/112)]. 2) The degree of dysmenorrhea and menstrual volume, as well as other indicators, improved after treatment in both groups (all P<0.001). 3) When comparing the two groups, the degree of dysmenorrhea, menstrual volume, endometrial thickness, anemia, and serum CA125 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment, the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group was significantly better than those in the LNG-IUS group (all P<0.05), the difference of uterine volume at 12 months of treatment between the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group [(109.76±32.90) cm 3] and the LNG-IUS group [(120.84±31.30) cm 3] was statistically significant ( P=0.011). 4) The cumulative incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.001) between the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group [24.1% (27/112)] and the LNG-IUS group [52.3% (56/107), P=0.001]. The hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group had lower rates of vaginal irregular bleeding [8.0% (9/112)] and ring displacement or shedding [3.6% (4/112)] than those in the LNG-IUS group [23.4% (25/107), P=0.002; 11.2% (12/107), P=0.030]. Conclusion:After treatment with hysteroscopy, the placement of LNG-IUS and the simple intrauterine placement of LNG-IUS both significantly improve the severity of dysmenorrhea, endometrial thickness, anemia, menstrual volume, CA125, and uterine volume. The treatment effect of the LNG-IUS group after hysteroscopy is better and adverse reactions are milder, and it is expected to become the preferred option for the long-term management of conservative treatment of AM.

Objective:To explore the effect of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) placed in the uterine cavity after transcervical preparation for the treatment of adenomyosis (AM).Methods:A retrospective study analyzed 219 cases of AM patients treated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from March 2022 to February 2023. Among them, 112 cases were treated with LNG-IUS after hysteroscopy due to abnormal uterine bleeding or abnormal uterine echo suggested by gynecological ultrasound, and were recorded as the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group; 107 cases without the above manifestations were treated with LNG-IUS alone, and were recorded as the LNG-IUS group. The two groups were observed for dysmenorrhea severity, menstrual volume, endometrial thickness, anemia, serum CA125 levels, uterine volume, and adverse reactions such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and intrauterine contraceptive device displacement or shedding before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.Results:1) Postoperative pathology of hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group after hysteroscopy included endometrial polyps [39.3% (44/112)], proliferative endometrium [16.1% (18/112)], uterine leiomyoma [11.6% (13/112)], secretory endometrium [8.9% (10/112)], irregular endometrial hyperplasia [6.2% (7/112)], simple hyperplasia [5.4% (6/112)], AM lesions [4.5% (5/112)], and others [8.0% (9/112)]. 2) The degree of dysmenorrhea and menstrual volume, as well as other indicators, improved after treatment in both groups (all P<0.001). 3) When comparing the two groups, the degree of dysmenorrhea, menstrual volume, endometrial thickness, anemia, and serum CA125 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment, the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group was significantly better than those in the LNG-IUS group (all P<0.05), the difference of uterine volume at 12 months of treatment between the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group [(109.76±32.90) cm 3] and the LNG-IUS group [(120.84±31.30) cm 3] was statistically significant ( P=0.011). 4) The cumulative incidence of adverse reactions of the two groups was statistically significant ( P=0.001) between the hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group [24.1% (27/112)] and the LNG-IUS group [52.3% (56/107), P=0.001]. The hysteroscopy+LNG-IUS group had lower rates of vaginal irregular bleeding [8.0% (9/112)] and ring displacement or shedding [3.6% (4/112)] than those in the LNG-IUS group [23.4% (25/107), P=0.002; 11.2% (12/107), P=0.030]. Conclusion:After treatment with hysteroscopy, the placement of LNG-IUS and the simple intrauterine placement of LNG-IUS both significantly improve the severity of dysmenorrhea, endometrial thickness, anemia, menstrual volume, CA125, and uterine volume. The treatment effect of the LNG-IUS group after hysteroscopy is better and adverse reactions are milder, and it is expected to become the preferred option for the long-term management of conservative treatment of AM.

Objective: To investigate the biological effects of carvacrol on rats with stomach-heat and stomach-cold and its regulation on transient receptor potential(TRP) channels in rats with stomach-heat, and to study the cold and heat properties of carvacrol and its possible mechanism. Methods: According to the random number method, 100 SD rats were divided into stomach-heat blank group, stomach-heat model group, Coptidis Rhizoma group, stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol group, stomach-cold blank group, stomach-cold model group, Baked ginger group, stomach-cold low-dose group and high-dose carvacrol group, 10 rats in each group. The rat model of stomach-heat was established by intragastric administration of pepper aqueous solution (0.80 g/kg) and anhydrous ethanol, and the rat model of stomach-cold was established by intragastric administration of water extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and sodium hydroxide (10.40 g/kg). On the day of modeling, the rats in the Baked ginger group were given Baked ginger decoction (0.78 g/kg), and the rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group were given Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (0.43 g/kg).The stomach-cold and stomach-heat low-dose group of carvacrol was given carvacrol emulsion (40 mg/kg), high-dose group was given carvacrol emulsion (80 mg/kg).All rats of the blank and model groups were given the equal volume of emulsion prepared by 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, 1% Tween 80, 1% polyethylene glycol 400, and 93% normal saline, once a day, for 7 days. The general condition of rats was observed and the body mass was recorded. The pathological morphology of gastric tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The changes of material and energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide (cAMP), thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal hormone in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1), transient receptor potential channel M8 (TRPM8) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in rats with gastric fever were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with the stomach-heat blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-heat model group decreased at the fifth and seventh day (P<0.05). The contents (or ratio) of hepatic glycogen (HGlyc), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were decreased (P<0.05), and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, cytochrome C oxidase (COX), NADH dehydrogenase (ND), cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP), cAMP/cyclic guanosine phosphate (cGMP), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), and α-amylase (α-AMS) all increased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-heat model group, the body mass of rats in the Coptidis Rhizoma group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, VIP and α-AMS were increased, and Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and GAS all decreased (P<0.05). The body mass of rats in the stomach-heat low-dose carvacrol group decreased at the seventh day. The contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, and VIP were increased, Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, and MTL all decreased, the expression of TRPV1 and UCP1 in gastric tissue decreased, while TRPM8 increased (P<0.05) in rats of the stomach-heat low-dose and high-dose carvacrol groups. Compared with the stomach-cold blank group, the body mass of rats in the stomach-cold model group decreased at the third, fifth, and seventh day, the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, TC, TG, α-AMS, and VIP all increased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the stomach-cold model group, the body mass of rats in the Baked ginger group was increased at the seventh day, and the contents (or ratio) of HGlyc, VIP, and α-AMS all decreased, while Na+ -K+ -ATPase, COX, ND, cAMP/cGMP, T3, T4, GAS, and MTL all increased (P<0.05). The contents of HGlyc, cAMP, α-AMS, and VIP of rats in the stomach-cold low and high-dose carvacrol group all decreased (P<0.05). TG in the stomach-cold low-dose carvacrol group was increased. TC, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, and cGMP all increased, while cAMP/cGMP decreased (P<0.05) in the high-dose carvacrol group. Conclusion In this study, the rat model of stomach-cold and stomach-heat were successfully established by using cold and heat factors. The result showed that carvacrol had a certain inhibitory effect on body mass, material energy metabolism, cyclic nucleotide level, thyroid hormone and gastrointestinal function in rats with stomach-heat, indicating that the drug was cold. Carvacrol′s cold medicinal property could be biologically explained by TRPV1 activation, UCP1 induction, and TRPM8 suppression.

Objective To observe the effect of tuina on glutamate content and synaptic ultrastructure in spinal dorsal horn of rats with chronic sciatic nerve compression injury;To explore the potential mechanism of tuina regulation of the SNAP25/VGLUT2 pathway in alleviating lumbar disc herniation.Methods A chronic sciatic nerve compression injury model was used to simulate neuropathic pain in lumbar disc herniation.24 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group and tuina group,with 8 rats in each group.From the 4th day after modeling,the tuina group was intervened with the tuina method for 10 minutes once a day for 14 consecutive days.The paw withdrawal threshold(PWT)and paw withdrawal latency(PWL)of rats in each group on the day before modeling,and the 4th,10th,14th and 17th days after modeling were detected.The spinal cord tissue of the modeling side was taken,synaptic ultrastructure of spinal dorsal horn neurons was observed using transmission electron microscopy,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of NR2A in the spinal dorsal horn,Western blot was used to detect the expression of SNAP25 protein in the spinal dorsal horn,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn,ELISA was used to detect the content of glutamate in the spinal dorsal horn.Results Compared with the blank group,PWT and PWL of the model group were significantly reduced on the 4th,10th,14th and 17th days after modeling(P<0.001),with accumulation of vesicles in the presynaptic membrane of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord,increase in the area of the postsynaptic dense zone,and enlargement of the synaptic cleft,while the protein expressions of NR2A,SNAP25 and VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn increased(P<0.05,P<0.001),and the content of glutamate increased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,PWT and PWL of the tuina group rats significantly increased on the 10th,14th and 17th days after modeling(P<0.001),synaptic vesicles were evenly distributed,the area of the postsynaptic dense zone decreased,and the synaptic cleft decreased,while the protein expressions of NR2A,SNAP25 and VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn decreased(P<0.05,P<0.001),and the content of glutamate decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina may regulate the content of glutamate through the SNAP25/VGLUT2 pathway in the spinal dorsal horn,improve the synaptic ultrastructure of neurons,and have an analgesic effect on lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the differences in the clinical laboratory test indexes between the patients with two different TCM syndrome types of eczema(dampness-heat infiltration type and non-dampness-heat infiltration type)and observe the distribution and drug resistance rate of pathogens isolated from the skin lesions so as to pro-vide bases for syndrome differentiation and reasonable use of antibiotics.METHODS A total of 180 patients with eczema who were positive for bacterial culture of skin secretions and were treated in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Jan.2021 to Dec.2023 were enrolled in the study and were divided into the dampness-heat infiltration group with 134 cases and the non-dampness-heat infiltration group with 46 cases.The data of clini-cal laboratory test indexes were collected from the two groups of patients,the secretion specimens were sampled from the skin lesion sites,the isolated pathogens were identified by VITEK 2 Compact automatic microorganism analysis system,and the drug susceptibility testing was performed.RESULTS The direct bilirubin level of the dampness-heat infiltration group was(3.99±1.62)umol/L,higher than(3.46±1.12)umol/L of the non-damp-ness-heat infiltration group(P＜0.05),but both were in the normal range;there were no significant differences in other test indexes between the two groups.Totally 180 strains of pathogens were isolated from the 180 patients with eczema,156(86.67％)of which were gram-positive bacteria;Staphylococcus aureus(98 strains),Staphy-lococcus epidermidis(29 strains)and Staphylococcus haemolyticus(15 strains)were the predominant species of the gram-positive bacteria.The gram-negative bacteria accounted for 12.22％(22 strains).The drug resistance rate of the S.aureus strains to penicillin was up to 82.65％,and the isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphy-lococcus aureus(MRSA)was 12.24％(12/98);the drug resistance rates of the S.epidermidis strains to penicil-lin and erythromycin were 75.86％,and the drug resistance rate of the S.haemolyticus strains to erythromycin was 100.00％.CONCLUSIONS The gram-positive bacteria(dominated by the S.aureus)are dominant among the pathogens isolated from the skin lesion specimens of the eczema patients and are highly resistant to penicillin and erythromycin.The isolation rate of MRSA is relatuvely low.There is limited clinical significant difference in the direct bilirubin between the two groups.It is necessary to further explore more reliable indexes for syndrome dif-ferentiation.

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of tuina on pain and depressive behaviors in rats with neuropathic pain(NP).Methods A total of 102 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,sham-operation group,model group,tuina group,inhibitor group and inhibitor+tuina group,with 17 rats in each group.The NP model was established by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve.Starting from the 8th day post-operation,the rats underwent a 14-day tuina intervention and stereotactic injection of the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527(20 μg/μL,0.5 μL)into the hippocampal CA1 region.Pain behaviors were assessed using the mechanical withdrawal threshold test one day before operation and on days 7,14 and 21 post-operation.Depressive behaviors were evaluated using the forced swimming test and sucrose preference test.Nissl staining was employed to observe neuronal morphology and quantity in the hippocampal tissue,while Golgi staining was used to examine dendritic spine density,hippocampal expression of SIRT1/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway related protein and mRNA were analyzed using immunofluorescence,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group showed a significant decrease in mechanical withdrawal threshold(P<0.001),prolonged immobility time in the forced swimming test and reduced sucrose preference(P<0.001)on days 7,14 and 21 post-operation;the morphology of hippocampal CA1 neurons was abnormal,with a significant decrease in the number of Nissl positive cells(P<0.001)and a significant decrease in dendritic spine density(P<0.001);the expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were significantly reduced(P<0.01,P<0.001),and the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB were significantly reduced(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the tuina group showed a significant increase in mechanical withdrawal threshold(P<0.01,P<0.001)on days 14 and 21 post-operation,shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test(P<0.01,P<0.001)and increased sucrose preference(P<0.001);the hippocampal CA1 neuronal morphology was improved,with significantly increased Nissl positive cells(P<0.001)and dendritic spine density(P<0.001);the expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.001),and the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB were significantly increased(P<0.001).The beneficial effects of tuina were significantly inhibited when the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527 was used.Conclusion Tuina may alleviate pain and depressive behaviors in NP rats by activating the SIRT1/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and improving hippocampal neuronal structural plasticity.

Objective To observe the effect of tuina on glutamate content and synaptic ultrastructure in spinal dorsal horn of rats with chronic sciatic nerve compression injury;To explore the potential mechanism of tuina regulation of the SNAP25/VGLUT2 pathway in alleviating lumbar disc herniation.Methods A chronic sciatic nerve compression injury model was used to simulate neuropathic pain in lumbar disc herniation.24 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group and tuina group,with 8 rats in each group.From the 4th day after modeling,the tuina group was intervened with the tuina method for 10 minutes once a day for 14 consecutive days.The paw withdrawal threshold(PWT)and paw withdrawal latency(PWL)of rats in each group on the day before modeling,and the 4th,10th,14th and 17th days after modeling were detected.The spinal cord tissue of the modeling side was taken,synaptic ultrastructure of spinal dorsal horn neurons was observed using transmission electron microscopy,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of NR2A in the spinal dorsal horn,Western blot was used to detect the expression of SNAP25 protein in the spinal dorsal horn,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn,ELISA was used to detect the content of glutamate in the spinal dorsal horn.Results Compared with the blank group,PWT and PWL of the model group were significantly reduced on the 4th,10th,14th and 17th days after modeling(P<0.001),with accumulation of vesicles in the presynaptic membrane of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord,increase in the area of the postsynaptic dense zone,and enlargement of the synaptic cleft,while the protein expressions of NR2A,SNAP25 and VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn increased(P<0.05,P<0.001),and the content of glutamate increased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,PWT and PWL of the tuina group rats significantly increased on the 10th,14th and 17th days after modeling(P<0.001),synaptic vesicles were evenly distributed,the area of the postsynaptic dense zone decreased,and the synaptic cleft decreased,while the protein expressions of NR2A,SNAP25 and VGLUT2 in the spinal dorsal horn decreased(P<0.05,P<0.001),and the content of glutamate decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina may regulate the content of glutamate through the SNAP25/VGLUT2 pathway in the spinal dorsal horn,improve the synaptic ultrastructure of neurons,and have an analgesic effect on lumbar disc herniation.

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of tuina on pain and depressive behaviors in rats with neuropathic pain(NP).Methods A total of 102 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,sham-operation group,model group,tuina group,inhibitor group and inhibitor+tuina group,with 17 rats in each group.The NP model was established by chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve.Starting from the 8th day post-operation,the rats underwent a 14-day tuina intervention and stereotactic injection of the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527(20 μg/μL,0.5 μL)into the hippocampal CA1 region.Pain behaviors were assessed using the mechanical withdrawal threshold test one day before operation and on days 7,14 and 21 post-operation.Depressive behaviors were evaluated using the forced swimming test and sucrose preference test.Nissl staining was employed to observe neuronal morphology and quantity in the hippocampal tissue,while Golgi staining was used to examine dendritic spine density,hippocampal expression of SIRT1/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway related protein and mRNA were analyzed using immunofluorescence,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group showed a significant decrease in mechanical withdrawal threshold(P<0.001),prolonged immobility time in the forced swimming test and reduced sucrose preference(P<0.001)on days 7,14 and 21 post-operation;the morphology of hippocampal CA1 neurons was abnormal,with a significant decrease in the number of Nissl positive cells(P<0.001)and a significant decrease in dendritic spine density(P<0.001);the expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were significantly reduced(P<0.01,P<0.001),and the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB were significantly reduced(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the tuina group showed a significant increase in mechanical withdrawal threshold(P<0.01,P<0.001)on days 14 and 21 post-operation,shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test(P<0.01,P<0.001)and increased sucrose preference(P<0.001);the hippocampal CA1 neuronal morphology was improved,with significantly increased Nissl positive cells(P<0.001)and dendritic spine density(P<0.001);the expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB in dentate gyrus of the hippocampus significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.001),and the protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1,BDNF and TrkB were significantly increased(P<0.001).The beneficial effects of tuina were significantly inhibited when the SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527 was used.Conclusion Tuina may alleviate pain and depressive behaviors in NP rats by activating the SIRT1/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway and improving hippocampal neuronal structural plasticity.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Tuina at Weizhong （BL 40） for relieving sciatica from the perspective of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， Tuina group， MK-801 group， MK-801 plus Tuina group， 12 rats in each group. After lateral ventricular cannulation， rats model with chronic compression injury of the right sciatic nerve were prepared in all groups except the sham operation group. On day 4 after modelling， rats in the Tuina group start Tuina at Weizhong （BL 40） for 10 mins once a day for a total of 14 days； rats in the MK-801 group started injecting with 0.25 μg/μl of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B （NR2B） blocker， dizocycline （MK-801）， 0.5 μl of which was administered daily in the lateral ventricle for 14 days. Rats in the MK-801 plus Tuina group underwent Tuina after 30 mins when completing MK-801 injection in the lateral ventricle， in the same way as above； rats in the model group and the sham operation group did not undergo any intervention. Spontaneous pain behaviour scores and paw withdraw thresholds （PWTs） were examined on day 1 （base value） before modelling and on day 4， 10， 14 and 18 after modelling； and on day 19， the brain tissues of the rats in each group were sampled and the number and morphology of the Nysted-positive cells in the hippocampal CA3 region were observed using Nysted staining； and the number of synapses， the thickness of postsynaptic dense material， the length of active band and the curvature of synaptic interface in hippocampal CA3 region were observed by transmission electron microscopy； and the expression of synapse-associated proteins NR2B and postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD95） in hippocampal CA3 was detected by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. ResultsCompared with the same time in the sham operation group， spontaneous pain scores significantly increased and PWTs decreased on day 4， 10， 14， and 18 after modelling in the model group （P＜0.05）； compared with the model group， spontaneous pain scores in Tuina group of rats significantly decreased on day 10， 14， and 18 after modelling， and PWTs significantly increased on day 14 and 18 after modelling （P＜0.05）. Compared with Tuina group， spontaneous pain scores increased on day 10， 14， and 18 of modelling， and PWTs decreased at days 14 and 18 of modelling in the MK-801 plus Tuina group had higher spontaneous pain scores on days 10， 14， and 18 after modelling and lower PWTs on days 14 and 18 after modelling （P＜0.05）. Compared with the sham operation group， the neuronal arrangement in the hippocampal CA3 region of the rats in the model group was disordered， with decreased number of Nysted-positive cells and synapses， reduced thickness of postsynaptic densities， length of active bands， and curvature of synaptic interfaces， wider synaptic gaps， and decreased immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B and PSD95 as well as the expression of immunoblotting proteins in hippocampal CA3 region （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， more dense arranged nerve cells， the number of Nysted-positive cells， the number of synapses， the thickness of postsynaptic dense material， the length of active bands increased， the synaptic gap became significantly narrower， and the positive expression of immunofluorescence and immunoblotting protein expression of NR2B， PSD95 increased in the rat hippocampal CA3 region of Tuina group （P＜0.05）. Compared with Tuina group， the neuronal morphology of the hippocampal CA3 region in MK-801 plus Tuina group was severely damaged， and the number of Nystrom's-positive cells， the number of synapses， the thickness of post-synaptic densities， the length of active bands， and the curvature of synaptic interfaces reduced， the synaptic gaps became wider， and the immunofluorescent positive expression of NR2B， PSD95， and the expression of immunostained proteins decreased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong" （BL 40） showed significant analgesic effect， and one of the possible mechanisms concluded as significantly increasing the levels of NR2B and PSD95 protein expression in hippocampal CA3 region and thus modulating the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus.