OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Yongquan (KI1), etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15), bilateral Pishu (BL20), etc. The intervention was operated once every other day, 3 treatments a week, and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion, and in 1 month after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients, respectively. Before and after treatment completion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the scores before treatment, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (P<0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the lateral occipital lobe region. After treatment completion, serum NE was elevated (P<0.01), the levels of CORT, ACTH and CRH were reduced (P<0.01). Before and after treatment completion, the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (r = -0.484, P = 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (r = -0.233, P = 0.027). CONCLUSION Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia, which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing serum NE, strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Depression/complications* ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Comorbidity

Objective:To predict and analyze the secondary structure and B cell epitopes of Izumo protein.Methods: The secondary structure and flexible regions of Izumo protein were predicted by the methods of Chou-Fasman,Gamier-Robson and Karplus-Schulz.Moreover,hydrophilicity plot,surface probability plot and antigenic index of Izumo protein were predicted by the methods of Kyte-Doolitde,Emini and Jameson-Wolf,respectively.Results: Izumo protein contained moreαhelix regions.There were several centers ofαhelix in the regions of 6-17,30-40,88-99,103-120,153-160,173-188,249-260,283-297,334-338 and 339-346 of Izumo protein,and several centers of βsheet in the regions of 21-25,198-200,245-248 and 320-323.Moreover,many distinct B cell epitopes in Izumo protein possibly localized in the regions of 3642,62-66,94-99,118-122,129-132,151-154,161-164,173-177,205-208,212-216,256-265,271-276,283-288,314-318 and 336-350.Conclusion:These results are helpful for identification of the dominant B cell epitopes and the functional domains of Izumo protein.