BACKGROUND: It is proved that acupuncture can remarkably promote recovery of nervous function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Previous studies in our groups have been proved that electro-acupuncture can inhibit apoptosis in early period of SCI, but the mechanism is unclear yet.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of electro-acupuncture on expressions of apoptosis inhibitory gene Bcl-2 mRNA and protein with hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry and discuss the possible mechanism of apoptosis inhibited by electro-acupuncture in early SCI.DESIGN:Opening animal study.SETTING: Department of Anatomy, the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA; Shanghai Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Meridian Research Center.MATERIALS:Adult male SD rats of pathogen-free aged 2-3 months were selected in this study. Bcl-2 hybridization in situ kit was provided by Wuhan Boshide Biotechnology Company Limited and Bcl-2 antibody (1:200) was provided by Santa Cruz Biotechnology Company.METHODS: The experiment was completed at the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from July 2004 to December 2005. All experimental rats were randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, methylprednisolone group and sham operation group. T10 spinal cord was injuried by the modified Allen's method and treated with electro-acupuncture immediately, and then the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were evaluated with hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry combined with image quantitative analysis.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein in early SCI; ② effect of electro-acupuncture on expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein.RESULTS: The rats were supplied when they died during the experiment,and all 42 rats were involved in the final analysis. ① Moderate expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed in the sham operation group.Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was increased in model group at 6 hours after SCI, but expression ofBcl-2 protein was not changed. At 24 hours after SCI, both expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein were increased.Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was higher in electro-acupuncture group than that in mo del group (P ＜ 0.05), and there was no significant difference from that in methylprednisolone group. ② Amount of positive Bcl-2 mRNA cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and methylprednisolone group at 6 hours after treatment, and gray value was decreased.There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). After 24-hour treatment, amount of positive Bcl-2 mRNA cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and gray value was decreased.There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ③ After 24-hour treatment, amount of immunohistochenistry positive Bcl-2 cells was increased in electro-acupuncture group and gray value was decreased. There was significant and remarkably significant difference from those in sham operation group and model group, respectively (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture can up-regulate the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein so as to inhibit apoptosis in early SCI.

Cardiac deficiency of qi(vital energy) is one of the main syndromes in terms of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). Based on our analysis of blood-tissue fluid circulation, we set up a hemodynamics model describing cardiac deficiency of qi. The model's theoretical results can reflect the manifestations of cardiac deficiency of qi, and are identical to those of clinical experimental discoveries, therefore it has substantiated our theory-cell's abnormal physiological function caused by undernourishment of tissue fluid is the reason of qi-deficiency.
Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Qi ; Rabbits

As the transportation of O2 and CO2 inside human body is an integrated aspect of Qi-blood transportation, a hemodynamic model is established based on the analysis of the respiratory and circulation system. The results of such model show that the abnormality of the circulatory and respiratory parameters always lead to a reduction of Po2 (O2 pressure) in tissue fluid, and then a Lung Qi-Deficiency Syndrome (QDS). This model can be used to quantitatively explain, to some extent, the physiological phenomena of Lung QDS, and could combine all the discoveries of in clinical researches, on Lung QDS. The measurement of Po2 in tissue fluid as an index to analyze Lung QDS is in accordance with TCM and TMM (the theory of modern medicine). This model may provide a new approach in clinical research of Lung QDS.
Hemodynamics ; Lung Diseases ; physiopathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Biological ; Qi ; Respiratory Mechanics

Objective To study effects of recombinant ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on gene expression of Schwann cells in the injured peripheral nerves. Methods Sciatic nerve of rat was resected and sutured into silicone tube with local infusion of recombinant CNTF.One or two weeks after nerve repaired,the distribution and quantity of S100 protein (S100),growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43), phosphotyrosine (PTyr) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) immunoreactivity in the distal nerve of the injured sciatic nerve were observed and measured with immunohistochemical ABC method by computer image analysis. Results S100,GAP-43,PTyr and STAT3 immunoreactivity showed significantly higher in the distal nerve of the injured sciatic nerve in CNTF group than that in SAL group.Conclusion\ Recombinant CNTF could up-regulate the expressions of S100,GAP-43,PTyr and STAT3 in Schwann cells of the injured peripheral nerve.The results suggest that the JAK-STAT pathway can be strengthened,and the expressions of S100 and GAP-43 can be subsequently up-regulated by recombinant CNTF in Schwann cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on remodeling of renal arterioles in hypertension. METHODS: Eighteen 4 weeks old male rats were divided into three groups: Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) for normotensive group, and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) for hypertensive group, and SHR treated with losartan orally (15 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ). The rats were raised to 16 weeks old. The morphometric parameters of the renal arterioles, and the widths of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and intercellular space were studied on kidney slices by light microscope and electromicroscope respectively, combined with computer-assistant image analysis system. The minimal renal vascular resistance (RVR min ) was studied by isolated kidney perfusion system. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure of the tail artery, wall thickness, wall area, ratio of wall thickness to inner diameter, width of VSMC of renal arterioles and RVR min were all smaller or lower in losartan group than those of SHR. CONCLUSION: Ang II receptor antagonist losartan can prevent the remodeling of renal arterioles in SHR.

Objective: To provide data for exploring the material basis of Acupoints and the relation of accumulation of calcium and vessels at Acupoints .Methods: (1) The distribution characteristics of vessels on tibial side of the interosseous membrane (ST channel 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th cun ) were observed on Chinese ink vascular perfusion adults legs. (2) The content of calcium on ST channel were determined by proton induced X ray emission analysis. Results: (1) The average density (Aa%) of vessels at the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th cun areas of ST channel was significantly higher than that between them ( P

The m. extensor hallucis brevis and m. extensor digitorum brevis and their blood vessels and nerves of 30 feet of Chinese cadavers are observed and measured under the operative microscope. A. tarsea lateralis and the lateral branch of nervus peroneus profundus are the best choice as the pedicle of the musculo-cutaneous flaps at dorsalis pedis. According to necessities the size of muscle may be detected randomly from medial to lateral.

The azygos system was studied on 78 Chinese adult cadavers. The occurrence of the type of coexisted azygos, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins is 64.10%. The components of hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins are sub- ject to such a large variation that the division of the azygos system into three major trunks is not always practicable since no generally-agreed criterion can be observed. The authors, according to Seib's suggestion! classify the azygos system into three types, that is, the double trunk, the intermediate, and the single trunk types, based on the condition of the interruptions of the hemiazygos. system Intermediate type occurs most frequently and its occurrence is 52.56% in this series.The interruptions of the hemiazygos system and the communications between azygos vein and hemiazygos system are far more numerous in Chinese than in Caucasians. The racial difference of the azygos system between Chinese and Caucasian subjects suggests that the azygos system of the Caucasians more likely belongs to the embryonic type. The middle segment of the azygos vein runs to the left of the midline in adults, and the origin of the azygos system usually connects with the inferior vena cava or the renal vein.The findings mentioned above might arouse the interest or the attention of the clinicians.

The blood vessels and nerves of the sole skin of 50 feet of Chinese adult cadavers were observed with an operative microscope. The blood supply of the central part of the sole comes mainly from the medial and lateral plantar ar teries (MPA and LPA). Their average diameter is larger than 2.0mm and their trunk is usually longer than 80mm. When a skin flap is designed, the cutaneous branches from LPA are much better than those from MPA so far as the number of the branches, their external diameter and the extent of the distribution are considered.When the sole skin is stripped away, the cut ends of the cutaneous arteries present a multiple dot-like appearance on the surface of the superficial fascia. The external diameter of the arterial branches, the number of the branches in an unit area, and the total area of the cross section of the branches are different among the regions of the heel and the metatarsal heads, and the central part of the sole. They vary with the weight born on each region.All the cutaneous arteries of the sole are accompanied with veins respectively. Most of the MPA and LPA are accompanied with two veins with a diameter larger than 1.9mm on average. The two veins terminate by joining into two posterior tibial veins.

Fifty adult lower limbs were studied macromicroscopically to reveal the extrinsic blood vessels of the menisci of the knee joint. It was found that the menisci were supplied from 2 sources, the genicular branches (except the superior lateral genicular branch) of the popliteal artery, and the descending branch of the descending genicular artery. A pair of additional genicular branches with independent stems from the popliteal artery, named as the posterior medial and the posterior lateral genicular arteries by the authors, constantly supplied the posterior part of both the menisci. The arterial branches formed a circular anastomotic arch around the menisci with small branches springing from the arch and getting into the menisci. The arterial arch communicated with the femoral and the popliteal arteries and became an important stem of a reentry channol in cases of popliteal artery occlusion.