Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on fasting blood glucose and serum insulin concentration in Zucker diabetes fatty rats: 经皮耳迷走神经刺激对Zucker糖尿病大鼠血糖及血清胰岛素浓度的影响

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum insulin (INS) in Zucker diabetes fatty (ZDF) rats and explore the regulatory effect of taVNS on blood glucose in ZDF rats.MethodsA total of 20 male ZDF rats were randomized into a model group and a taVNS group, 10 rats in each one. Besides, the other 10 Zucker Lean (ZL) rats were selected to be a control group. The rats in the control group were fed with common forage and those in the model group and the taVNS group were fed with high-sugar and high-fat forage. The intervention of electric stimulation was applied in the rats of taVNS group, with 2/15 Hz in frequency, disperse-dense wave and 2 mA in intensity. Each intervention lasted 30 min, once a day, consecutively for 12 weeks. No any intervention was given in the control group and the model group. The body mass and FPG level were recorded once every 2 weeks in the rats. After the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and blood sample was collected. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the level of serum INS in the rats.ResultsAfter the modeling, compared with the control group, the body mass and FPG level were all higher (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the concentration of serum INS was lower (P < 0.01) in the rats of the model group. After intervention, compared with the model group, the body mass was lower in week 6 to 10 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), FPG level was lower in week 8 to 12 (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and serum INS concentration was higher (P < 0.01) in the rats of the taVNS group.ConclusiontaVNS apparently improves in hyperglycemia in ZDF rats and increases serum insulin concentration in the rats.     

经皮耳迷走神经刺激干预功能性消化不良模型大鼠的效应及机制研究

ObjectiveTo explore the effect and its possible mechanism of the intervention of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) for the functional dyspepsia (FD) model rats.MethodsOf the 25 male SD rats, 6 rats were set as blank group, the other 19 rats were established to be the functional dyspepsia (FD) model by iodoacetamide intragastric administration, and 18 FD models were successfully established. The 18 model rats were randomly divided into a model group, a sham-taVNS group, and taVNS group, with 6 rats in each group. There was no intervention applied to the rats in the blank and model groups. Whereas, the rats in sham-taVNS group received stimulation to the rim of auricular concha of both sides, and those in taVNS group received stimulation to the cavity of auricular concha of both sides, for 30 min each time, once a day, 7 days in succession. After the intervention, the gastric sensitivity of the rats in each group under different pressure conditions in the stomach, the expressions of serum brain-gut peptide motilin (MTL), cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-likepeptide1 (GLP-1), and inflammatory factors IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1β were detected.Results(1) Gastric sensitivity: compared with the blank group, the gastric sensitivity of the model group was higher (P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the gastric sensitivity of the taVNS group was lower (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-taVNS group, the gastric sensitivity of the taVNS group was lower (P <0.05).(2) Expression of brain-gut peptide: compared with the blank group, MTL was lower, CCK and GLP-1 were higher in the model group (all P <0.05). Compared with the model group, MTL was higher, CCK and GLP-1 were lower in the taVNS group (all P <0.05). Compared with the sham-taVNS group, CCK and GLP-1 were lower in the taVNS group (both P<0.05). (3)Expression of inflammatory factors: compared with the blank group, IL-4 and IL-10 were lower and IL-1β was higher in the model group (all P <0.05). Compared with the model group, IL-10 was higher and IL-1β was lower in the sham-taVNS group (all P <0.05), while IL-4 and IL-10 were higher and IL-1β was lower in the taVNS group (all P <0.05). Compared with the sham-taVNS group, IL-4 and IL-10 were higher and IL-1β was lower in the taVNS group (all P <0.05).ConclusionTaVNS can reduce the gastric sensitivity of FD model rats by peripheral anti-inflammatory action and regulating the abnormal secretion of brain-gut peptide.     

Hypercholesterolemia treated with medicinal pad-separated moxibustion: A randomized clinical trial隔药饼灸治疗高胆固醇血症-随机临床试验

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of medicinal pad-separated moxibustion for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the patients with hypercholesterolemia.DesignClinical randomized controlled trial with blinding for outcome assessors and statisticians.SettingDepartment of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Department of Physical examination of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and three community health centers adjacent to the Hospital and University, from July 2015 to December 2017.Patients60 patients with hypercholesterolemia (elevated LDL-C).InterventionsThe therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) was provided in both groups.In the experiment group, medicinal pad-separated moxibustion was applied using two groups of acupoints (Group No.1: Jùquē [巨阙CV14], Tiānshū [天枢ST25] and Fēnglóng [丰隆ST40]). Group No.2: Xīnshū [心俞BL15], Gānshū [肝俞BL18] and Píshū [脾俞BL20]) alternatively for 3–5 times a week. In the control group, Simvastatin tablets were administered orally by the patients in accordance with instructions in the medication guides (10 mg/d).Main outcome measuresChange of LDL-C after 12 weeks of treatment compared with the baseline.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, LDL-C was reduced in both the medicinal pad-separated moxibustion group and the simvastatin group compared with that at baseline (both P < 0.05). The difference on change of LDL-C was not significant between groups (P > 0.05). At week 4 of follow-up, LDL-C was reduced compared with that at baseline in the medicinal pad-moxibustion group (P < 0.05), and the difference on change of LDL-C was significant between groups (P < 0.05). At week 12 of follow-up, the difference on change of LDL-C was not significant when compared with the baseline in each group (both P > 0.05) and between groups (P > 0.05). In comparison with values before treatment, the values of triglyceride (TC) and triacylglycerol(TG) were reduced in both groups (all P < 0.05), while value of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased in the medicinal pad-separated moxibustion group after 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The change of TG and HDL-C values were significantly different between groups (both P < 0.05). At week 4 of follow-up, values of TC and TG were lower (both P < 0.05) and HDL-C was higher (P < 0.05) when compared with that at baseline in the medicinal pad-separated moxibustion group; and value of TC was lower and HDL-C higher in the medicinal pad-separated moxibustion group compared with that in the simvastatin group (both P < 0.05). At week 12 of follow-up, compared with that at baseline, all blood lipid outcomes were not significantly different either within (P > 0.05) or between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionMedicinal pad-separated moxibustion could reduce LDL-C and increase HDL-C in patients with hypercholesterolemia. However, these results need to be further verified by study with large sample size.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02269046.     

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning and memory abilities and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit (NR2B) in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats and to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms.MethodsThirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely control group (group A), model group (group B), model with acupuncture group (group C) and model with electroacupunture group (group D), with 9 in each group. All rats except those in group A were subcutaneously injected with morphine hydrochloride injectio on the back with daily dosage increased day by day. Naloxone was given 3 h after the last injection to establish the models of morphine-withdrawal rats. After the models were established, the rats were treated with acupuncture and electroacupuncture respectively at bilateral “Shènshū”(

BL 23) and “Zúsānli”(

ST 36) for 15 min per time, once daily for 6 days. Space learning and memory abilities of the rats were measured by Morris water maze, and protein and gene expression levels of NR2B in prefrontal cortex were measured by Western Blot and RT-PCR.ResultsIn place navigation test, the escape latency in group B, group C and group D was significantly prolonged compared with that of group A (P<0.01), the escape latency in group C and group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group B (P<0.01) and the escape latency in group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group C (P<0.05); during spatial probe test, the number of times crossing the platform of group B, group C and group D decreased compared with that of group A (P<0.01), and compared with group B, the number of times crossing the platform of group C increased and the number of group D significantly increased (P<0.01). Decreased protein expression level of NR2B was found in group B when compared with that of group A (P<0.01), increased protein expression levels of NR2B were found in group C and group D when compared with that of group B (P<0.01), however, the expression level in group D was higher than that in group C (P<0.01). mRNA expression level of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats decreased (P<0.05), however, compared with that of group B, the expression level increased in group D (P<0.05), and there was no statistical significance in increased expression level in group C (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture and eletroacupunture can improve space learning and memory abilities of merphine-withdrawal rats, with better efficacy of eletroacupuncture than that of acupuncture, the mechanisms of which may be associated with the regulation of NR2B expression in prefrontal cortex.     

Influence of moxibustion on NR2B and PKMζ after neural stem cell transplantation in the rats with vascular dementia: 艾灸对血管性痴呆大鼠神经干细胞移植后海马NR2B和PKMζ的影响

ObjectiveTo observe the influence of moxibustion on learning and memory ability in the rats with vascular dementia (VD) and explore the potential effect mechanism.MethodsA total of 80 rats, screened by Morris water maze, were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) group, a NSCs + piracetam group and a NSCs + moxibustion group, 16 rats in each group. After corresponding treatments, Morris water maze and immunofluorescence technique were adopted to evaluate the therapeutic effect respectively.ResultsComparison among groups after modeling: compared with the sham-operation group, the escape latency was longer (P < 0.01) and the times of crossing platform were reduced (P < 0.01) in the rats of the model group. Comparison among groups after treatment: compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened (P < 0.01) and the times of crossing platform were increased (P < 0.05) in the rats of the NSCs group. Compared with the NSCs group, the escape latency was shorter and the expressions of the hippocampus NR2B/EGFP and PKMζ/EGFP expression level increased (all P < 0.05) in the rats of the NSCs + piracetam group and the NSCs + moxibustion group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the NSCs + piracetam group, the escape latency was shorter and the expressions of the hippocampus NR2B/EGFP and PKMζ/EGFP expression level were higher in the rats of the moxibustion + NSCs group (all P < 0.05)ConclusionMoxibustion improves the spatial learning and memory ability of the VD rats and promotes the reconstruction of neurogenesis and synaptic function, which may be related to the up-regulation of the expressions of hippocampus NR2B and PKMζ expressions.     

Effect of tuina exercise on simple obesity in college students

Objective

To observe the effect of tuina exercise on simple obesity in college students.

Methods

Fifty-seven college students with simple obesity were divided into two groups according to the stratified randomization method. Twenty-eight in the tuina exercise group were trained in tuina exercise; while 29 in the auricular acupoint sticking group were treated with acuricular acupoint sticking. The tuina exercise group was trained once every other day, and 10 times made one course. The auricular acupoint sticking was replaced once every 4 d, and 5 times made one course. After 2-course treatment, the total therapeutic effect, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed.

Results

The total therapeutic effect was 86.2% in the auricular acupoint sticking group and 85.7% in the tuina exercise group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences were decreased and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The waist and hip circumferences in the tuina exercise group were lower than those in the auricular acupoint sticking group, showing statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). After treatment, there were no significant intra-group differences in TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in the two groups (all P>0.05), and the between-group differences were not significant (all P>0.05).

Conclusion

Tuina exercise has reliable effect in treating obesity. It can produce more significant improvements in waist and hip circumferences than auricular acupoint sticking. But no obvious effect is shown in blood lipid indicators.

     

灯盏花素通过调控LKB1/AMPK和Notch1/Jagged1通路改善高脂血症大鼠血脂水平及肝肾功能的作用机制研究＊

目的 基于LKB1/AMPK和Notch1/Jagged1通路探讨灯盏花素改善高脂血症大鼠血脂水平及肝肾功能的作用机制。方法 60只雄性SD大鼠随机为正常组、模型组、辛伐他汀组（20 mg·kg^-1）和灯盏花素低、中、高剂量组（6、12、24 mg·kg^-1），每组10只。采用先腹腔注射75%蛋黄乳液后饲喂高脂饲料的方式建立高脂血症模型，同时给药干预，1次/天，连续28d。采用ELISA法检测大鼠血清中T-CHO、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C、AST、ALT、Cr、BUN水平；测定大鼠肝脏、肾脏系数；采用HE染色法观察肝肾组织病理学变化；采用免疫组化法检测肝组织p-AMPK、LKB1、HMGCR水平及肾组织Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1水平；采用RT-PCR法检测肝组织p-AMPK、LKB1、HMGCR水平mRNA水平及肾组织Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1 mRNA水平。结果 与正常组比较，模型组大鼠血清TG、T-CHO、LDL-C、ALT、AST、Cr、BUN水平明显升高（P<0.05），HDL-C水平明显降低（P<0.05）；肝脏、肾脏系数明显增加（P<0.05）且出现病理变化；肝组织中p-AMPK、LKB1水平明显降低（P<0.05），HMGCR水平明显升高（P<0.05）；肾组织Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1水平明显升高（P<0.05）。与模型组比较，辛伐他汀组和灯盏花素低、中、高剂量组大鼠血清TG、T-CHO、LDL-C、ALT、AST、Cr、BUN水平明显降低（P<0.05），HDL-C水平明显升高（P<0.05）；肝脏、肾脏系数明显减小（P<0.05）且病变程度减轻；肝组织中p-AMPK、LKB1水平明显升高（P<0.05），HMGCR水平明显降低（P<0.05）；肾组织Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1水平明显降低（P<0.05）。结论 灯盏花素能够改善高脂血症大鼠血脂水平及肝肾功能，其机制与激活LKB1/AMPK通路及抑制Notch/Jagged1通路和HMGCR水平有关。     

Effects of scalp cluster needling on cognition and oxidative stress in a rat model of schizophrenia☆头穴丛刺对精神分裂症模型大鼠认知功能及氧化应激系统的影响

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of cluster needling at scalp acupoints (CNSA) on behavioral performance and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hippocampus of rats with schizophrenia, and therefore, to shed light on the mechanism of action of CNSA in attenuating schizophrenia.MethodsThirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control, model, risperidone, and CNSA groups (9 rats per group). The schizophrenia model was prepared by injecting 0.1 mg/mL dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) for 14 consecutive days. Subsequently, rats in the risperidone and CNSA groups were subjected to the following therapy for 14 consecutive days: (1) Risperidone group: intragastric administration of risperidone suspension (0.4 mg/kg); (2) CNSA group: the “GV 20″ “Qiánd?ng (前顶GV 21) ” “Shéntíng (神庭GV 24) ” “Xìnhuì (囟会 GV 22) ” “Tōngtiān (通天BL 7) ” “Luòquè (络却BL 8) ” “Qūchā (曲差BL 4) ” and “W?chù (五处 BL 5) ” acupoints were selected for needle positioning. Following 14-day intervention period, the Morris water maze experiment and open field experiment were performed. Finally, hippocampal tissue specimens were collected and SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px expression levels were measured by ELISA.Results(1) Morris water maze experiment: Following the 14-day model construction period, the model, risperidone, and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in escape latency (all P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings (all P < 0.05) compared with the control group, indicating successful induction of schizophrenia in the rat model. At the end of the intervention period (28d), the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant decrease in escape latency (both P < 0.05), and the CNSA group showed a significant increase in the number of platform crossings (P < 0.05) compared with the model group. (2) Open field experiment: At 14d, the model, risperidone and CNSA groups exhibited a significant decrease in the travelled distance and amount of time spent in the central zone (all P < 0.05) compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). At 28d, the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in the travelled distance and percentage of time spent in the central zone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Antioxidant enzyme expression: At 28d, the model group exhibited significant decreases in the hippocampal SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels, compared with the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001).ConclusionCNSA enabled the attenuation of cognitive impairment and enhancement of memory and learning abilities in the rat model of schizophrenia, plausibly through inhibition of the expression of oxidative stress factors in the hippocampus.     

Laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure improves low-back pain and quality of life in nurses: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLow-back pain (LBP) in nurses is a major health concern that affects their quality of life and ability to work, with consequences for their economic status.ObjectiveThis study evaluates the effect of low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference and quality of life in nurses with LBP.Design, setting, participants and interventionsThis randomized controlled trial recruited a convenience sample of hospital-based nurses from one teaching hospital in Taiwan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the LAA group (n = 38) receiving low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure for 4 weeks, and the control group (n = 38) receiving only sham laser acupuncture treatment without laser energy output.Main outcome measuresData were collected for the primary pain outcome using the Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory, while the secondary outcome, quality of life, was evaluated using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Both primary and secondary outcomes were scored before the intervention, and after 2-week and 4-week intervention. The rate of LBP recurrence was evaluated at the 4th week and 8th week after the end of intervention.ResultsAfter controlling for prior pain, the result of linear mixed model analysis showed trends in significant between-group differences in the level of current pain occurring in week 4 (P < 0.001), worst pain in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001), least pain in week 2 (P = 0.032) and week 4 (P < 0.001), pain interference in week 2 (P = 0.009) and week 4 (P < 0.001), and in the life dysfunction in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001). Recurrence rates of LBP at the 4th and 8th weeks after the end of intervention were 0% and 36.89% in the LAA group, and 69.44% and 36.11% in the control group.ConclusionThis study shows that 4-week LAA intervention reduced pain intensity and pain interference, and improved quality of life for hospital-based nurses with LBP. These effects were maintained continuously for at least 4 weeks after the intervention. The nonpharmacological intervention, LAA, may be another efficacious, feasible, noninvasive, analgesic intervention for LBP.Trial registrationThis study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number NCT04423445).