Influence of Electroacupuncture on Acupoints of Yanglingquan (GB34) on Gallbladder Volume and Gallbladder Arterial Hemodynamics in Patients With Chronic Cholecystitis

Introduction: In China, patients with chronic cholecystitis account for approximately 10% of the total population, in which over 90% of cholecystitis is caused by cholelithiasis. This study aimed to discuss the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture on the Yanglingquan acupoint promoting gallbladder contractibility of patients with chronic cholecystitis. Methods: 60 patients were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group. Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler blood flow imaging was applied. The trial group adopted the BT701-1B electroanesthesia apparatus to perform electroacupuncture on the bilateral acupoints of Yanglingquan, while electroacupuncture was made on sham acupoints in the control group. Results: Before the electroacupuncture, gallbladder volume was 49.6 ± 5.66 ml, after 15 min and 30 min of electroacupuncture, the gallbladder volume was then 32.9 ± 5.66 ml and 23.0 ± 2.83 ml respectively. The comparison before and after electroacupuncture was obviously and statistically different (P < 0.01). The comparison between after 15 min and 30 min is obviously statistically different (P < 0.01). Before the electroacupuncture, the gallbladder artery Vmax, Vmin, and RI were 18.4 ± 2.69 cm/s, 9.7 ± 0.07 cm/s, and 0.47 ± 0.06, respectively; the cystic artery Vmax, Vmin, and RI after 30 min were 8.1 ± 0.92 cm/s, 3.1 ± 0.57 cm/s, and 0.61 ± 0.02. The comparison in gallbladder artery Vmax and Vmin and the drag index (RI) before and after electroacupuncture was obviously and statistically different (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture on the acupoints of Yanglingquan has the potential to promote the emptying of the gallbladder. The mechanism may be related to that the smooth muscle of the gallbladder contracts after electroacupuncture and the gallbladder empties.

Discussion on the Theoretical Basis for Acupuncture to Improve Knee Osteoarthritis from "Intestinal Microecology"

The balance of the intestinal microecosystem is essentially consistent with the theory of "Yin Ping Yang Mi" in Chinese medicine. The imbalance of the intestinal microenvironment's homeostasis is closely related to the occurrence of diseases. Acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the disease state by regulating the stability of the intestinal microecology, which has a certain theoretical basis. By exploring the law of the body's meridian circulation, it provides a theoretical basis for studying the regulation of acupuncture on the intestinal microecology of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Visualized Analysis of Research Hotspots in Acupuncture-Neuro Immunoregulation Based on Bibliometrics

Objective: To review the development of acupuncture and moxibustion-neural network regulation research systematically and comprehensively in China. Method: This study adopted co-word analysis, cluster analysis and other bibliometric methods such as SATI3.2, Citespace and Gephi to visually demonstrate the annual publication volume, cooperation between institutions and co-authorship in the field of acupuncture-neuro immunoregulation research based on the data of more than 70 papers on related topics covering a period of 24 years from 1997 to 2020 in China. Results: The results show that there are three major research institutions in the field of acupuncture-neuro immunoregulation, namely Shanghai, Zhejiang major research institutions in the field of acupuncture-neuro immunoregulation, namely Shanghai, Zhejiang and Heilongjiang Universities of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as 7 clusters, including immune function, acupuncture therapy and endogenous opioid peptide. In the future research, a more comprehensive system will be constructed based on the gradually clear relationship between meridians and nerve regulation, humoral regulation, and immune regulation. Application practice will combine traditional acupuncture with modern medicine to create a variety of new therapies, such as electroacupuncture, electric acupuncture, and acupoint injection. Conclusion: The research focus will be expanded on how to improve the clinical efficacy of multiple combined therapies such as acupuncture for the prevention and treatment of diseases through the regulation of immune cells and immune molecules as well as the regulation of the "acupuncture-meridian- neuroendocrine-immune" network.

Effect of Acupoint Catgut Embedding on Intestinal Flora in Rats with Ovariectomized Osteoporosis

Objectives: By observing the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on the intestinal flora of ovariectomized osteoporotic rats, the correlation between the regulation of intestinal flora and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis was discussed preliminarily. Methods: By observing the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on the intestinal flora of ovariectomized osteoporotic rats, the correlation between the regulation of intestinal flora and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis was discussed preliminarily. Result: Compared with Group A and Group B, bone mineral density (BMD) of femur and tibia in Group C decreased significantly (p<0.05), indicating successful modeling. Compared with Group C, BMD of femur and tibia in Group D was significantly increased (p<0.05). Compared with Group A and Group B, content of serum estrogens, calcium, and PTHrP in Group C were significantly decreased (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Content of serum estrogen, calcium, and PTHrP in Group D were significantly higher than those in Group C (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Compared with Group A and Group B, the abundance of mollicutes, actinobacteria, acidobacteria, chloroflexi and fusobacteria in group C was significantly increased. The abundance of probiotics in Group D such as lactobacillales, (lactobacillaceae, lactobacillus), bacillales, and streptococcus was significantly higher than that in Group C (p<0.05). The content of SCFAs such as acetic acid, butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, valeric acid and caproic acid in Group D were significantly higher than those in Group C, with statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusions: Acupoint catgut embedding can effectively improve BMD, increase content of estrogen, calcium, PTHrP and SCFAs. Furthermore, embedding can also improve the abundance of probiotics and reduce the abundance of pathogenic bacteria. The changes of intestinal flora were correlated with the changes of estrogen and calcium, which may be one of the mechanisms of acupoint catgut embedding in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Research Progress on the Regulation Effect of Acupuncture on Intestinal Flora

More and more evidences show that the imbalance of intestinal flora is closely related to the occurrence of diseases. Through the regulation of intestinal microecology to prevent and treat diseases, it becomes a new entry point to treat diseases. As a typical representative of non-drug therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion plays an obvious role in regulating intestinal flora imbalance. This paper summarizes the effect and mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention on intestinal flora in the past ten years to provide more evidence for the treatment of diseases caused by intestinal flora imbalance.

Effect of Acupoint Meridian Therapeutic Exercise on Cardiac Function in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupoint meridian therapeutic exercise on cardiopulmonary function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).<br/> Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with CHF at the Department of Cardiology from June 2019 to October 2019 were enrolled. One hundred patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50) according to the treatment they received. The experimental group received conventional treatment combined with acupoint meridian therapeutic exercise for three months. The patients in the two groups were compared in terms of their results on the six-minute walk test and their cardiac function grade, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and quality of life.<br/> Results: A statistically significant increase in six-minute walking distance was observed in the experimental group compared with the control group. Cardiac function and plasma BNP concentration decreased and LVEF and quality of life increased.<br/> Conclusion: Acupoint meridian therapeutic exercise improves exercise tolerance, cardiopulmonary function, and quality of life in patients with CHF.

Electroacupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Different Meridian Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Background: We aimed to explore the feasibility of evaluating effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) based on different meridian syndromes. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted in Beijing from January 2019 to December 2019. Sixty KOA participants were randomly allocated to either EA (n=30) or SA (n=30) groups. Participants in EA group were treated with semi-standardized on different meridian syndrome, including five obligatory acupoints and three adjunct acupoints. Eight non-acupoints that were separated from conventional acupoints or meridians were used for the SA group. Both groups received 24 sessions within eight weeks. The primary outcome was response rate, defined as a change of ≥50% from baseline in total scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) at the end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included function, pain, stiffness, quality of life and acupuncture-related adverse events at four and eight weeks. Results: Of 60 participants randomized, 56 (93.3%) completed the study. Response rates were 60% for the EA group and 30% for the SA group after eight weeks. Significant differences were observed in WOMAC pain and total scores within two groups (P =0.026, P =0.043). Rates of adverse events were low and similarly distributed between groups. Conclusion: EA intervention based on meridian differentiation in KOA was feasible and appeared safe, having a stronger impact on pain than SA. Future studies can be designed with larger sample size, adequately powered, randomization design and less biases. Trial registration number: NCT03274713.

A research on the law of acupoint differentiation and application in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold using network analysis

Objective: Through the method of network analysis, the acupuncture prescriptions recorded in Essential Prescriptions Worth A Thousand Gold (EPWATG) were investigated, and the laws of acupuncture point use were discussed.<br/> Methods: Literatures, including acupuncture prescriptions in EPWATG, were collected and screened, according to the method of differentiating prescriptions based on the diseased part. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to establish a database of prescriptions for head and neck diseases, chest and flank diseases, abdomen diseases, lumbosacral diseases and limbs diseases, and a network of acupoint compatibilities was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the network analysis method, the commonly used acupoint compatibilities and core acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for various parts of diseases and syndromes in EPWATG were excavated.<br/> Results: The commonly used acupoint compatibilities in EPWATG prescriptions for the treatment of head and neck diseases are Tianzhu and Taodao, Hanyan and Houding, and Baihui and Xinshu, and the core acupoints are Tianzhu, Benshen, Kunlun, Zhongzhu, Zutonggu, Fengchi and Shangguan. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of chest and flank diseases are Ququan and Xiangu, Rangu and Taixi, and Yanggu and carpal bone, and the core acupoints are Zhangmen, Feishu, Tanzhong, Yunmen, Jimen and Zhongfu. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of abdominal diseases are Gongsun and Taibai, Shuigou and Dazhui, and Dazhui and Shixuan, and the core acupoints are Tanzhong, zhangmen, Pishu, Ganshu, Laogong and Taixi. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of lumbosacral diseases are Xialiao and Shangliao, Danshu and Geshu, and Dazhu and Shentao, and the core acupoints are Dachangshu, Weizhong, Weiyang, Chengfu and Eight-liao. The commonly used acupoint compatibilities for the treatment of four limbs diseases are Dubi and Shanglian, Dubi and Xialian, and Shanglian and Xialian, and the core acupoints are Xuanzhong, Zusanli, Fuliu, Sanyinjiao, Shanglian, Xialian and Shugu.<br/> Conclusion: The selection of acupuncture points in EPWATG follows the law of acupoint selection based on the meridians and diseased parts. This also focuses on the selection of acupoints of the bladder meridian of foot Taiyang and specific acupoints. This provides a scientific basis for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment.

Observation on the Clinical Curative Effect of Acupuncture for Stroke Hemiplegia According to Muscle Tension Evolution Rule

Objective: Patients with hemiplegia after stroke were treated with acupuncture according to the evolution of muscle tension combined with rehabilitation exercises, conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation exercises, and rehabilitation exercises alone, then the clinical effects were compared.<br/> Methods: According to the random number table method, 125 stroke hemiplegia patients were randomly divided into three groups: control group A (n = 42), control group B (n = 40), and observation group (n = 43). Patients in control group A were treated with rehabilitation exercise therapy, patients in control group B were treated with conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation exercises, and patients in the observation group were treated with staging acupuncture according to the evolution of muscle tension combined with rehabilitation exercises once a day for four weeks. Before and after treatment, patients were evaluated using the simplified Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) scale, modified Barthel index (MBI), and nerve function imperfection (NFI). The differences within and between groups were evaluated, and clinical efficacies after treatment were compared.<br/> Results: Before treatment, the differences in FMA, MBI, and NFI scores among the three groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). After treatment, the FMA score and MBI of the three groups were significantly improved, and the NFI scores were significantly reduced. Afterreduced. After treatment, FMA and MBI scores were in the following order: observation group > control group B, control group B > control group A (P < 0.05). NFI scores were in the following order: observation group < control group B, control group B < control group A (P < 0.05). <br/> Conclusion: The curative effects were in the following order: acupuncture according to the evolution of muscle tension combined with rehabilitation exercises > conventional acupuncture combined with rehabilitation exercises > rehabilitation exercises alone.

Effects of Stimulation of Front Tooth by Toothpick on Headache and Brain Tumor as well as other Malignant Tumors Malignant

It has been found that pain in various parts of the body can be temporarily eliminated by mechanically suppressing or stimulating the front tooth. Some typical examples of this are described in this article. We know which teeth represent which organs, but we also have diagrams that show the cause of the pain, such as changes in certain areas of the electrocardiogram, and those possible areas are shown somewhere in the electrocardiogram. One minute downward pressure on the tip of any one of the front 3 teeth (1st incisor, 2nd incisor, and canine) at the right and left sides of the upper and lower jaw by a wooden toothpick induced temporary disappearance (20 min-4 hours) of abnormally increased pain parameters (pain grading, Substance P, & TXB2), and cancer parameters (Telomere, Integrin α5 β1, Oncogene C-fos Ab2, etc. of Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus, adenocarcinoma of lung, breast cancer, adenocarcinoma of colon, prostate cancer). The effect included temporary disappearance of headache, toothache, chest and abdominal pain, and backache, often with improved memory & concentration. Since these beneficial changes resembled the effects of giving one optimal dose of DHEA, increase of DHEA was measured. Above mechanical stimulation of one of these front teeth increased abnormally reduced DHEA levels of less than 10 ng to normal 100–130 ng BDORT units and normal cell (NC) telomeres from markedly reduced values to near normal values, and improved acetylcholine in the Hippocampus. Large organ representation areas for the Adrenal gland & Hippocampus may exist at these front teeth. This method can be used for emergency pain control and can explain the beneficial effect of bruxism and tooth brushing, through the increase of DHEA levels and activities of the Hippocampus by increasing Acetylcholine. Increasing NC telomere to optimally high level resulted in disappearance of pain and improvement or significant reduction of malignant tumor.