Effect of Moxibustion on HIF-1α and VEGF Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background. Moxibustion has a therapeutic effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but its mechanism is uncertain. Objective. To evaluate the effect of moxibustion on serum levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with RA and to explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion. Methods. This study involved 46 RA patients who had fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group in an equal ratio. The control group was treated with methotrexate or leflunomide, while the treatment group received methotrexate or leflunomide and moxibustion at ST 36 (Zusanli), BL 23 (Shenshu), and Ashi points. Patients’ clinical symptoms, RA-associated serum markers, and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, HIF-1α, and VEGF were compared in the two groups before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 statistical software. Results. 37 of 46 RA patients eventually completed the whole treatment course. Compared with the control group, the treatment group significantly improved the clinical symptoms (P<0.05) but with no significant differences in RA-associated serum markers (P>0.05). There were significant differences in TNF-α and IL-1β among the groups after 8 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). HIF-1α and VEGF were decreased in the treatment group after therapy (P<0.05). VEGF was reduced in the control group (P<0.05), while HIF-1α was not significantly improved (P>0.05). The reductions of HIF-1α and VEGF in the treatment group were superior to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions. Moxibustion enhanced the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of conventional medicine and can enhance the effect of conventional medicine, downregulating HIF-1α/VEGF contents to inhibit angiogenesis.

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The Efficacy of Moxibustion on the Serum Levels of CXCL1 and β-EP in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2021/7466313 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Siyu Tao ◽

Xue Wang ◽

Chenxi Liao ◽

Yan Xiong ◽

Jie Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Drug Therapy ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Control Group ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Before And After ◽

Chemokine Ligand ◽

Pain Symptoms

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of moxibustion on joint swelling and pain and the levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), β-endorphin (β-EP) in serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanism of moxibustion on improving RA. Methods. Sixty-eight patients with RA were randomly and equally classified into the control and treatment groups. The control group was treated with routine drug therapy, while the treatment group received routine drug therapy and moxibustion. Both groups were treated for eight weeks. The symptoms and laboratory indicators of RA patients were compared in the two groups before and after intervention. Results. Sixty-one patients completed the study: four patients dropped out from the treatment group and three from the control group. Trial endpoints were change (∆) in symptoms, measured by Ritchie’s articular index (RAI), swollen joint count (SJC), and laboratory indicators, measured by the level of CXCL1, β-EP, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). ∆RAI, ∆SJC, ∆CXCL1, ∆β-EP, ∆TNF-α, and ∆IL-1β in the treatment group were superior to the control group (13.50 [14.50] versus 6.00 [13.00] in ∆RAI, 4.00 [3.00] versus 2.00 [4.00] in ∆SJC, 0.04 ± 0.79 ng/mL versus -0.01 ± 0.86 ng/mL in ∆CXCL1, -2.43 [5.52] pg/mg versus -0.04 [4.09] pg/mg in ∆β-EP, 3.45 [5.90] pg/mL versus 1.55 [8.29] pg/mL in ∆TNF-α, and 6.15 ± 8.65 pg/mL versus 1.28 ± 8.51 pg/mL in ∆IL-1β; all P < 0.05). Conclusion. Moxibustion can improve the joint swelling and pain symptoms in patients with RA, which may be related to the fact that moxibustion can reduce the release of inflammatory factors in patients with RA and downregulate the level of CXCL1 and increase the level of β-EP at the same time. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IOR-17012282.

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Effect of Moxibustion on the Serum Levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/7150605 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Zeyun Yu ◽

Yingni Wang ◽

Yuan Li ◽

Chenxi Liao ◽

Jingyang Dai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ◽

Disease Markers ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase 1

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, which will eventually lead to joints deformity and functional damage. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on the serum indicators related to bone and cartilage metabolism, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with RA and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of RA. Methods. We recruited 70 RA patients who met the inclusion criteria, and they were randomly divided into two groups, a treatment group and a control group in equal ratio. The control group took methotrexate, folate, or leflunomide orally, while the treatment group received methotrexate, folate, or leflunomide orally and moxibustion at ST36 (Zusanli), BL23 (Shen shu), and Ashi points. We compared the clinical symptoms, RA serological disease markers and serum contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF of RA patients before and after treatment. Results. (1) The clinical symptoms and RA serological disease markers of the two groups improved after treatment (P < 0.05), while the clinical symptoms of the treatment group were significantly improved in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). (2) The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and VEGF decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), but the treatment group was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.05). (3) There were significant differences in MMP-1 and MMP-3 contents after treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in the control group (P > 0.05, P > 0.05). Above all, the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF in the treatment group decreased more significantly than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The improvement effect of moxibustion on the clinical symptoms of RA patients may be related to influence on the contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-1, MMP-3, and VEGF, and moxibustion may play a potential role in bone protection.

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Comparing the Clinical Effects of Amiodarone and Propafenone in the Arrhythmia’s Treatment

Learning & Education ◽

10.18282/l-e.v9i3.1562 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 17

Author(s):

Charmarke Ibrahim ◽

Sakarie Hidig ◽

Xiang Ma

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Amiodarone Therapy ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Curative Effect ◽

Before And After ◽

Qrs Duration ◽

Group Control Group

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of Amiodarone and Propafenone in the treatment of arrhythmia. Methods: Choose our hospital 100 cases of patients with cardiac arrhythmias. We shall divided into control group (50 cases, Propafenone treatment) and treatment group (50 cases, Amiodarone therapy), to collect the curative effect of two groups of patients, adverse reactions, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, low blood pressure, heart rate slow down) in accordance with the drug treatment and electrocardiogram (ecg) changes before and after the treatment (PR interphase, QT interphase, QRS duration). Results: Control group and the clinical curative effect of treatment group total effectiveness 98%, 86% respectively, the treatment group is significantly higher than the control group. Control group and treatment group the incidence of adverse reactions were 4%, 12%, treatment group was significantly lower than the control group, and two groups of patients duration are improved after treatmentstage PRinterval and QT, QRS.But the treatment group patients with stage PRinterval and QT,such as electrocardiogram QRS duration change was better than control group, which difference hasstatisticalsignificance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with propafenone, amiodarone in the treatment of arrhythmia patients has better therapeutic effect and higher safety, and improve the clinical symptoms of patients effectively. It is suggested to promote clinical practice.

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Co-Administration of Morphine and Naloxone: Histopathological and Biochemical Changes in the Rat Liver

international journal high risk behaviors & addiction ◽

10.5812/ijhrba.100594 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Tahmineh Peirouvi ◽

Yasaman Mirbaha ◽

Anahita Fathi-Azarbayjani ◽

Ali Shalizar Jalali

Keyword(s):

Immune Cell ◽

Periodic Acid ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Serum Markers ◽

Control Group ◽

Periodic Acid Schiff ◽

Analgesic Effects ◽

Carbohydrate Storage ◽

Male Wistar Rats

Background: Co-administration of opioid agonists and antagonists at low doses has been reported to significantly enhance and/or prolong the analgesic effects and reduce or prevent tolerance to or dependence on opioids. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the naloxone effect on morphine-induced histopathological and hematologic changes in rats. Materials and Mehods: Thirty mature male Wistar rats were categorized into three groups (n = 10) in a random manner, including the control group receiving normal saline, the morphine-sole group receiving morphine (5 mg/kg/day), and morphine + naloxone group receiving morphine and naloxone (5 and 0.4 mg/kg/day, respectively). After 50 days, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured in the serum. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to assess the serum antioxidant capacity. Histopathological changes were investigated via hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Inter-group comparisons were made by GraphPad Prism software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results: The animals in the morphine + naloxone group showed higher AST, ALP, ALT, and CAT levels in comparison with the control and morphine-sole groups (P < 0.05). Our findings revealed no changes in the cholesterol, TG, SOD, and GPx levels among the groups (P > 0.05). However, the morphine-sole group exhibited higher serum levels of HDL compared with the controls (P < 0.05). The morphine-sole group showed fibrosis, local necrosis, immune cell infiltration, and diminished intra-cytoplasmic carbohydrate storage. Conclusions: The findings suggest that apart from unchanged serum markers, morphine can potentially induce hepatotoxicity, and at the same time, naloxone is able to ameliorate morphine-induced histopathological damages.

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Treatment of Non-erosive Effect of Clinical Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Advanced Emergency Medicine ◽

10.18686/aem.v6.89 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Qian Liu

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽

Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽

Reflux Disease ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Effective Rate ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control

Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical effect of “Chaihu Shugan Powder Zuojin Pill” in the treatment of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods: Sixty patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease were randomly divided into treatment group and control group (30 cases in each group). The patients were treated with “Zaohu Shugan Powder” and “Zangjin Pills” and omeprazole respectively. For 8 weeks, the clinical efficacy and changes in clinical symptoms were observed. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group and 80.0% in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups before and after treatment (P <0.05). Conclusion: “Chaihu Shugan Powder Zuojin Pill” can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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Based on HIF-1α/Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway to Explore the Effect of Qingshen Granules on Chronic Renal Failure Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/7656105 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yiping Wang ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

Hua Jin ◽

Dong Wang

Keyword(s):

Renal Failure ◽

Chronic Renal Failure ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

And Control ◽

E Cadherin

Objectives. This study investigates the effect of Qingshen Granules (QSG) on chronic renal failure patients and the HIF-1α/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods. Subjects were randomly divided into treatment and control groups, with 42 patients in each group. Participants in the treatment group received 10 g oral doses of QSG 3 times a day, for 12 weeks, whereas subjects in the control group were given a placebo. The effective rates of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom, serum creatinine (Scr), and estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as well as the serum levels of HIF-1α, Wnt1, β-catenin, α-SMA, and E-cadherin were evaluated. Results. Eighty patients completed the treatment program and two dropped out. After 12 weeks, the effective rates of TCM symptom and eGFR were found to be higher in the treatment group than in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P = 0.024 and 0.019, respectively). Meanwhile, lower levels of HIF-1α, Wnt1, β-catenin, α-SMA, and E-cadherin were detected in the treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001, P = 0.001, P ≤ 0.001, P ≤ 0.001, and P = 0.039). No adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusions. QSG can alleviate the clinical symptoms of chronic renal failure (CRF) and protect renal function in patients by influencing the HIF-1α/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The treatment exhibits no adverse effects and is thus safe to be used by humans.

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Clinical Study of Azithromycin in Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Advanced Emergency Medicine ◽

10.18686/aem.v4i2.2 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Fei Qian ◽

Ershang Yang ◽

Haoyuan Zheng

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Before And After ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Grouping Method ◽

Tract Infections

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of azithromycin in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in children. Method: This study was select 110 cases of respiratory tract infection in our hospital from April 2013 to December 2014 as the research object. According to the random grouping method, the children were divided into two groups, 55 cases in the control group and 55 cases in the treatment group. On the basis of conventional treatment, the control group was treated with erythromycin 15 to 30 mg/kg per day for 1 week while for the treatment group was treated with Azithromycin 10 mg/kg per day by intravenous drip, and 8 mg/kg per day was administered orally for 4 days. To observe the clinical symptoms, signs, chest X-ray and adverse reactions of two groups before and after treatment. Results: The treatment group cure rate was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05), cough and fever disappearance time is shorter than that of the control group (p < 0.05), adverse reactions occurred rate of treatment group was lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in children is reliable, less adverse reactions and it is worthy of promotion.

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Effect of Moxibustion on β-EP and Dyn Levels of Pain-Related Indicators in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/6637554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yingni Wang ◽

Siyu Tao ◽

Zeyun Yu ◽

Yun Luo ◽

Yuan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Routine Inspection ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immunodeficiency disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, pannus formation, and bone and cartilage destruction, resulting in joint malformations and function decline. Objective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on clinical symptoms and levels of pain-related indicators beta-endorphin (β-EP) and dynorphin (Dyn) in patients with RA and to explore the potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanisms of moxibustion in RA treatment. Methods. A total of 64 patients with RA who met the inclusion criteria were randomly and equally classified into the control and treatment groups. The control group received conventional treatment (oral methotrexate, folate, or leflunomide prescribed for a long time). The treatment group was treated with moxibustion at ST36 (Zusanli), BL23 (Shenshu), and Ashi points with respect to the control group. Patients’ clinical symptoms and routine inspection indexes (rheumatoid factor [RF], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and C-reactive protein [CRP]) were recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), β-EP, and Dyn were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The software SPSS24.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results. (1) Compared with the pretreatment result, both of the two groups’ clinical symptoms and routine inspection indexes (RF, ESR, and CRP) improved ( P < 0.05), and the improvement of clinical symptoms in the treatment group outperformed that in the control group ( P < 0.05). (2) TNF-α and IL-1β levels decreased significantly in the treatment group after treatment ( P < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed in the control group ( P > 0.05). (3) β-EP and Dyn levels in the treatment group were significantly increased after treatment ( P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but the control group showed no significant difference ( P > 0.05, P > 0.05). It is worth mentioning that the serum TNF-α, IL-1β, β-EP, and Dyn levels between the two groups were significantly different after 8 weeks of treatment ( P < 0.05). (4) Differences in the serum β-EP and Dyn levels in the patients of the treatment group were correlated with TNF-α and IL-1β levels after treatment, and the correlation was mainly negative (r < 0). Conclusion. Moxibustion can improve joint pain in patients with RA using conventional western medicine. One of the mechanisms may affect the serum β-EP and Dyn levels by downregulating the inflammatory factors to play an anti-inflammatory and analgesic role.

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Effects of Modified Wenjing Decoction Combined with Online Publicity and Education on the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea of Cold Coagulation and Blood Stasis

Journal of Healthcare Engineering ◽

10.1155/2022/1899356 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 2022 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Na Li ◽

Jie Li ◽

Pengpeng Gai

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Blood Stasis ◽

Control Group ◽

Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽

Menstrual Cycles ◽

Associated Symptoms ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control ◽

Cold Coagulation

Objective. To explore the effects of modified Wenjing decoction combined with online publicity and education on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis. Methods. The materials of 111 patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis in the outpatient department (January 2019–June 2021) were collected to conduct the retrospective study. The 111 patients were randomized into treatment group (n = 59) and control group (n = 52). The control group received online publicity and education and conventional treatment, and the treatment group received online publicity and education and modified Wenjing decoction. The patients in the two groups were continuously treated for three menstrual cycles. The treatment effects, the dosage of analgesics, the scores of associated symptoms before and after treatment, and other indexes were compared between the two groups. Results. The differences in the efficacy on abdominal pain were statistically significant between the two groups P < 0.05 . Compared with the control group, the treatment group had lower scores of associated symptoms after treatment p < 0.5 . After the treatment of three menstrual cycles, 54 patients in the treatment group stopped taking ibuprofen, and the average ibuprofen dosage of the other 5 patients was (0.24 ± 0.16)g. The 52 patients in the control group still needed to take ibuprofen, and the mean dosage was (0.51 ± 0.05)g. The differences in the ibuprofen dosage between the two groups had remarkable difference P < 0.001 . Conclusion. Modified Wenjing decoction combined with online publicity and education can obviously improve the clinical symptoms of the patients with primary dysmenorrhea of cold coagulation and blood stasis and reduce the dosage of analgesics. It is worth promoting and applying in practice.

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Effect of Dietary Education on Cardiovascular risk Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Current Rheumatology Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573397116666200907112338 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Rahil Taheri ◽

Shahram Molavynejad ◽

Parvin Abedi ◽

Elham Rajaei ◽

Mohammad Hosein Haghighizadeh

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Dietary Education

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary education on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: In this randomized clinical trial, 112 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned into two groups, intervention and control. Dietary education was provided for the intervention group in 4 sessions; anthropometric measurements, serum levels of RF, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and fasting blood sugar were measured before and three months after intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean of total cholesterol (p <0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.004), LDL (p <0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), FBS and BMI (p <0.001) were decreased significantly in the intervention group after education compared the control group. Conclusion: Traditional care for rheumatoid arthritis patients is not enough. Patients need more education in order to improve their situation.

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