Analysis of acupoint selection and combinations in acupuncture treatment of asthma based on data mining

Objective: Using data mining, the present study aimed to discover the most effective acupoints and combinations in the acupuncture treatment of asthma. Methods: The main acupoints prescribed in these clinical trials was collected and quantified. A network analysis was performed to uncover the interconnections. Additionally, hierarchical clustering analysis and association rule mining were conducted to discover the potential acupoint combinations. Results: Feishu (BL13), Dingchuan (EX-B1), Dazhui (GV14), Shengshu (BL23), Pishu (BL20), and Fengmen (BL12) appeared to be the most frequently used acupoints for asthma. While the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang, the Governor Vessel, and the Conception Vessel, compared to other meridians, were found to be the more commonly selected meridians. In the acupoint interconnection network, Feishu (BL13), Fengmen (BL12), Dingchuan (EX-B1), and Dazhui (GV14) were defined as key node acupoints. Association rule mining analysis demonstrated that the combination of Pishu, Shenshu, Feishu, and Dingchuan, as well as that of Feishu, Dazhui, and Fengmen were potential acupoint combinations that should be selected with priority in asthma treatment. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information regarding the selection of the most effective acupoints and combinations for clinical acupuncture practice and experimental study aimed at the prevention and treatment of asthma.

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine to Relieve Asthma Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Studies have demonstrated the effect of acupoint-based interventions in relieving the clinical symptoms of asthma. However, the effect of meridian-based interventions in asthma symptom relief is unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis determined the effect of multiplex meridian interventions in asthma symptom relief. Eight electronic databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that involved patients with asthma, were published before March 2018, used acupoint stimulation interventions targeting acupoints that correspond to meridians, and considered asthma symptom relief as an outcome. In 204 RCTs that were identified and used in a meta-synthesis, meridians were used 521 times, with the bladder meridian being the most frequently used. Furthermore, 23 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Egger’s and inconsistency tests revealed no significant differences among the studies ([Formula: see text]). However, the interventions differed significantly in terms of asthma symptom relief effect, as demonstrated by pairwise (odds ratio [Formula: see text], 95% confidence [Formula: see text]–0.37) and network ([Formula: see text], 95% credibility [Formula: see text]–0.41) meta-analyses. Surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) revealed that the bladder–conception vessel–governor vessel–stomach multiplex meridian intervention was more effective than non-meridian interventions in relieving asthma symptoms. Additionally, either bladder–conception vessel–stomach or bladder–conception vessel–governor vessel–kidney multiplex meridians may be selected in interventions. This study suggests that practitioners target multiplex meridians, especially the meridians of the bladder and conception vessel, to effectively relieve asthma symptoms.

Identification of Primo-Vascular System in Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Layer of Rats

The primo-vascular system (PVS) is a novel network identified in various animal tissues. However, the PVS in subcutaneous tissue has not been well identified. Here, we examined the putative PVS on the surface of abdominal subcutaneous tissue in rats. Hemacolor staining revealed dark blue threadlike structures consisting of nodes and vessels, which were frequently observed bundled with blood vessels. The structure was filled with various immune cells including mast cells and WBCs. In the structure, there were inner spaces (20–60 µm) with low cellularity. Electron microscopy revealed a bundle structure and typical cytology common with the well-established organ surface PVS, which were different from those of the lymphatic vessel. Among several subcutaneous (sc) PVS tissues identified on the rat abdominal space, the most outstanding was the scPVS aligned along the ventral midline. The distribution pattern of nodes and vessels in the scPVS closely resembled that of the conception vessel meridian and its acupoints. In conclusion, our results newly revealed that the PVS is present in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue layer and indicate that the scPVS tissues are closely correlated with acupuncture meridians. Our findings will help to characterize the PVS in the other superficial tissues and its physiological roles.