The distribution of the common acupoints of acupuncture-moxibustion for gastrointestinal diseases conforms to the rule of the segmental homology of somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the spinal cord level. Acupuncture-moxibustion regulates the gastrointestinal function through the nerve-endocrine-immune system, and especially depending on the integrity of the structure and function of nervous system. The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit plays an important role in the process of acupuncture and moxibustion for regulating the gastrointestinal function. There are three dimensions. ① The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the peripheral level, including the somatic afferent nerve-visceral afferent nerve circuit centered on the dorsal root ganglion, and the somatic afferent nerve-visceral efferent nerve circuit centered on the sympathetic ganglia; ② that at the spinal cord level; ③ that at the supra-spinal cord level, focusing on the various reflex circuits with the solitary nucleus involved. The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the spinal level and inferior to it determines the segmental regulation of acupuncture-moxibustion in the gastrointestinal system, while that at the level superior to the spinal cord determines the supersegmental action of acupuncture-moxibustion in regulating the gastrointestinal system. The neurophysiological mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion is multi-circuits and multi-targets in regulating gastrointestinal function.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastrointestinal Tract/physiology* ; Animals ; Neurons, Afferent/physiology* ; Afferent Pathways/physiology*

Objective:To discuss the method for establishing the rat models of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)by chronic water avoidance stress(WAS)method,and to evaluate its feasibility.Methods:Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10)and model group(n=20).The rats in model group were induced by WAS method for 1 h everyday,lasting for 10 consecutive days;the rats in control group underwent no interventions.After modeling,the general conditions and body weights of the rats in two groups were observed and recorded.The elevated plus maze(EPM)test was used to detect the percentages of the number of open arm entries(OE)and the time spent in open arms(OT)of the rats in two groups;the abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)test was used to assess the visceral sensitivity of the rats in two groups;electrocardiography was used to detect the heart rate variability(HRV)of the rats in two groups;electromyography(EMG)of the external oblique muscle was used to detect the colorectal pain sensitivity thresholds of the rats in two groups;multi-channel physiological signal recorder was used to monitor the slow wave frequency of the colon of the rats in two groups.Results:There were no death rats in both groups during the modeling period.After modeling,the rats in model group exhibited poor mental status,reduced spontaneous activity,hypoactivity,disordered and dull fur,irritability,and unclean anal areas;whereas,the rats in control group showed no significant changes in the mental state,spontaneous activity,fur,and perianal area.Compared with control group,the body weight of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The EPM test results showed that compared with control group,the OE percentage and OT percentage of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The AWR test results showed that 12 rats in model group scored≥3 points,indicating that the successful rate in creating the visceral pain models was 60%.Compared with control group,the low frequency(LF)signals and the ratio of LF/high frequency(HF)of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the HF was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The EMG results showed that compared with control group,the coloretal pain sensitivity threshold of the colon of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the slow wave frequency of the colon was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The WAS method for establishing the rat model of IBS effectively demonstrates the changes in behavior and mental state,increased the visceral sensitivity,accelerated colonic slow wave frequency,and autonomic nervous system imbalance;the WAS method can serve as an effective modeling approach for observing and evaluating the related drugs and interventions on treatment of IBS.

The mechanism of acupuncture in treating primary dysmenorrhea(PD)in rats was reviewed.The research on the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of PD involves endocrine,nervous,immune,metabolic and other aspects.However,the basic research did not actively pay attention to the clinical problems encountered in the treatment of PD by acupuncture and moxibustion,including the rule of point selection and the correlation mechanism between acupoints and uterus in the treatment of PD by acupuncture and moxibustion,the key technical parameters of the treatment of PD by acupuncture and moxibustion and the rule of the action of acupuncture and moxibustion.The basic research of acupuncture treatment of primary dysmenorrhea should pay attention to translational medicine.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the present situation and existing problems of acupuncture for primary hypertension (PH) based on clinical research literature in recent 20 years.

METHODSThe clinical research literature regarding acupuncture for PH were searched from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP data network (VIP) and database from 1997 through 2016; a total of 218 papers met the inclusive criteria. Microsoft Excel and Apriori algorithm of SPSS Clementine software were applied to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe main acupoints of acupuncture for PH were Taichong (LR 3), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36) and Hegu (LI 4), but its support degree was only 12.21%. 127 papers were randomized controlled trials, accounting for 58.26%. 158 papers had clear diagnostic criteria, accounting for 72.48%. 138 papers had clear efficacy evaluation criteria, accounting for 63.30%. Only 5.05% of the papers were classified as high-quality literature by using Jadad scale.

CONCLUSIONIn recent 20 years, some rules existed in acupoint selection for PH, but the support degree was low so it could not accurately guide clinical treatment. Although the clinical literature quality of acupuncture for PH was gradually increasing, the proportion of high-quality literature was low, therefore modern medical research model and foreign similar research should be followed to design a more rigorous trial protocol. As a result, the quality of clinical research is increased to provide reference for future clinical treatment.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerve as well as contraction and reepithelization of wound. We constructed a bioengineered dermis containing microencapsulated NGF-expressing NIH-3T3 cells and study the effect of the microencapsule to the bioengineered dermis and seed cells. NGF gene was transfected into NIH-3T3 cells and enclosed into alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) microencapsulation and cultivated in vitro. Content of NGF in microencapsules culturing supernatant was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. These microencapsules were co-cultured with epidermic cells and fibroblast cells. Bioengineered dermis was constructed with NGF-expressing micorencapsules as seed cells using tissue engineering method. NIH-3T3 microencapsules, empty microencapsules, normal culture media were control groups. After one week culture, the characteristics of the dermis were described by MTT test, the content of hydroxyproline (HP), HE staining and ultrastructure photograph. We found the NGF-expressing microencapsulates can secret NGF steadly after cultured 8w in vitro, promot the proliferation of epidermic cells and secret collagen of fibroblast cells. These functions can maintaine in bioengineered dermis. So NGF-expressing NIH-3T3 microencapsulates can promote the quality of bioengineered dermis.
Alginates ; chemistry ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cell Proliferation ; Dermis ; cytology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; Polylysine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Skin Physiological Phenomena ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Transfection ; methods

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of microencapsules cells transfected with nerve growth factor (NGF) gene to the sciatic nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury in rats.MethodsMicroencapsules containing cells transfected with NGF gene were prepared using drop generative technique and cells were cultured in vitro. Animal model of sciatic nerve cut and sutured was established with Sprague-Dawely rats, and ninety-six animals were randomly divided into group A (in vivo implantation of microencapsules cells transfected with NGF gene), group B (in vivo implantation of microencapsule), group C (in vivo implantation of cells transfected with NGF gene), and group D (negative control group). The nerve conductive velocity (NCV), nerve action potential (NAP), sciatic nerve function index (SFI) were detected in the 4th, 8th and 12th week postimplantation.ResultsThe microencapsules cells transfected with NGF gene in microencapsules retained reliable cell viability and function. The expanded cells formed cell aggregates, with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), exhibited green fluorescence material in the cell. The NGF concentration in supernatant were arriving at 269 pg/ml when cultured for 10 days. The results of NCV, NAP and SFI tests in group A were higher than those in the other groups (P<0.05).ConclusionAfter implantation, microencapsules cells transfected with NGF gene may secrete NGF continuously in vivo, and has significant improvement effect on nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve injury.

Objective To observe the granule tissue remodeling under neoepithelium in minitype pigs' full thickness dermal wounds and discuss the relation between the remodeling and possible ulcers or scars. Methods After the establishment of eight full-thickness dermal wound models with the diameter of 4 cm on the back of six minitype pigs, the specimens were collected from wound edge and wound center immediately, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 45 days, respectively after injury for HE staining, immunohistochemical staining and Van Gieson staining and then observed under light microscope to count the cell number, fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells as well as evaluate the quantity and arrangement of collagens. Results The mean wound healing time was (29.3?1.8) days. After 9-25 days, the granule tissues in the wound center contained more cells, fibroblasts, collagen and vascular endothelial cells than those under neoepithelium of wound edge (P 0.01). Meanwhile, the collagen quantity and arrangement style of granule tissues under neoepithelium during wounds healing (12-30 days) assembled those under neoepithelium 15 days after wound healing. Conclusion Granule tissue remodeling exists during the healing of full thickness dermal wound.

Objective To evaluate the long term effect of acellular allogeneic nerve grafting combined with exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in peripheral nerve repair. Methods Sixteen big-ear Japanese rabbits were divided into experimental and control groups randomly. In the experimental group, 3 cm-long acellular allogeneic nerves from New Zealand rabbit were used to bridge the rabbit tibial nerve defects; and 1 ml bFGF solution was given from the second day once daily for 2 weeks and twice a week for another 6 weeks after surgery. In the control group, normal saline solution was given. Morphological and functional results were evaluated 20 weeks after the nerve repair. Results The recovery rates of the evoked potential and the nerve conduction velocity in the experimental group were 67.59%?29.63% and 59.79%?21.11%, respectively, significantly higher than that (49.07%? 15.74% and 36.85%?18.69% respectively) in the control group (P

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of poly l lysne to preparation microencapsules for cell transplantation therapies.MethodsUsing drop generative technique preparation Alginate poly l lysne Alginate (APA) microencapsules containing nerve cell/tissue. The concentration of nerve growth factor in supernatant was detected by two antibody sandwich method of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe nerve cell/tissue in microencapsules retain reliable cell viability and function. Conclusions The APA is proved with reliable biocompatibility and strength,would work as an immunoisolation tools to exert important function in nerve renovate.

ObjectiveTo probe the possibility of functional sensory endings regeneration after end-to-side neurorrhaphy. MethodsFifteen New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. The left greater auricular nerve served as the donor nerve. A nerve graft taken from the right ear served as the receptive nerve which anastomosed to the donor nerve with the other end implanting into the denervated skin flap. Normal skin and denervated skin flap without nerve implantation served as control groups 5 animals in each group. The single nerve fibre recording technique was used to investigate the number,distribution and types of regenerated discharging nerve fibers 4 months after operation. ResultsThe inductive discharges of nerve fibres wave observed in all types of regenerated sensory nerves ,the total discharging fibers was about 58% of that in normal skin. Few discharging fibers were observed in denervated skin flap without nerve implantation. Conclusion End-to-ide neurorrhaphy can regenerate functional axons.