Objectives: To observe the effect of acupuncture on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and ferroptosis in brain tissue of mice with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying promoting neural function recovery.
Methods: Fifty-four male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation, model and acupuncture groups, with 18 mice in each group. The ICH model was established by injection of the mouse's auto-blood (10 μL) into the right caudate nucleus. Mice of the acupuncture group received acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20) for 30 min, twice daily for 7 days. The neurological functions (locomotor and balance deficits) were evaluated according to wire hanging test (0-5 points) and balance walking test (0-5 points) before modeling and after treatment. Histopathological changes in the brain were observed by HE staining. RNA-sequencing and m6A- sequencing were used to analyze the differential m6A modification genes. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) and sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) proteins in brain tissue, respectively.
Results: HE staining showed that in the brain tissue nucleus was pyknotic, inflammatory cells were infiltrated, neurons were edematous and necrotic in the model group, which were relatively milder in the acupuncture group. The sequencing results showed that 592 differentially expressed genes were screened in the model group vs sham operation group, and 849 differentially expressed genes were screened in the acupuncture group vs model group. Five genes that inhibit ferroptosis were obtained by intersecting with genes that inhibit ferroptosis, namely charged multi vesicular body protein (Chmp) 1a, Chmp6, glutaredoxin (Glrx) 5, Gpx4, and Sirt3. Compared with the sham operation group, the wire hanging test and balance walking test scores, gene expression levels of Chmp1a, Chmp6, Glrx5, Gpx4, and Sirt3, Gpx4/NeuN and Sirt3/NeuN co-expressed fluorescence intensity, the protein expressions of Gpx4 and Sirt3 in brain tissue were all significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Following the interventions, the wire hanging test and balance walking test scores, gene expression levels of Chmp1a, Chmp6, Glrx5, Gpx4, and Sirt3, Gpx4/NeuN and Sirt3/NeuN co-expressed fluorescence intensity, the protein expressions of Gpx4 and Sirt3 in brain tissue were all significantly increased in the acupuncture group compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
Conclusions: Acupuncture can ameliorate neurological deficits, which may be associated with its function in improving m6A RNA modification and RNA expression in mice with ICH, and promoting the expression of ferroptosis antioxidation related proteins Gpx4 and Sirt3 in brain tissue.
Objectives: To observe the effect of moxibustion on urinary dynamics and lipid oxidation in spinal cord tissue of rats with urinary retention after spinal cord injury (SCI), so as to explore its possible mechanism in improving urinary retention after SCI.
Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model and moxibustion groups, with 10 rats in each group. SCI induced urinary retention model was established by using Allen's method. Moxibustion was applied to "Shenque" (CV8), "Guanyuan"(CV4) and "Zhongji" (CV3) for 20 min, once daily for 14 d. The maximum bladder volume, bladder leakage point pressure and bladder compliance of rats were measured by urodynamics. The changes of spinal cord histomorphology were observed by H.E. staining. The ultrastructure of neurons in spinal cord was observed by transmission electron microscope. Serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) content was detected by ELISA. Serum glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by colorimetry. The protein expression levels of lipid oxidation-associated protein esteryl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4), lyso phosphatidyl cholin acyl transferase 3 (LPCAT3) and lipoxygenase (LOX) in spinal cord were detected by Western blot.
Results: Compared with sham operation group, the maximum bladder volume, bladder compliance, bladder leakage point pressure, serum ROS and MDA contents, the protein expression levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3 and LOX in spinal cord tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group, while the GSH content in serum was decreased (P<0.01). After the treatment and compared with model group, the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, bladder leakage point pressure, serum ROS and MDA contents, the protein expression levels of ACSL4, LPCAT3 and LOX in spinal cord tissue in the moxibustion group were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the GSH content in serum was increased (P<0.05). H.E. staining indicated morphological damage in the spinal cord of rats in the model group, with disappeared normal neurons, which were relatively milder in the moxibustion group.
Conclusions: Moxibustion can improve the bladder function of rats with urinary retention after SCI, which may be associated with its functions in down-regulating lipid oxidation in spinal cord tissue, reshaping spinal cord function.
Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of central facial palsy after stroke.
Methods: A computerized search of articles on acupuncture treatment of central facial palsy was conducted from databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wanfang), VIP Information Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP) , China Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from their inception to September 25th, 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias of all the included literature, and Meta-analysis on the extracted data was conducted using Review Manager 5.4 software.
Results: Eleven studies with a total of 893 patients were finally included, and the bias risks of the included studies were all "some concerns". The results of Meta-analysis suggested that:1) the observation group was superior to the control group in improving the the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (H-B) scores (MD=6.41, 95%CI [3.69, 9.14], Z=4.62, P<0.000 01), facial disability index (FDI) scores (somatic function) (MD=2.72, 95%CI [0.31, 5.12], Z=2.21, P=0.03), and clinical effective rate (RR=1.25, 95%CI [1.15, 1.35], Z=5.57, P<0.000 01);2) the observation group was not significantly different from the control group in improving the Toronto facial nerve assessment system (TFGS) scores (MD=3.66, 95%CI [ -2.33, 9.65], Z=1.20, P=0.23), the degrees of facial nerve paralysis (DFNP) scores (MD=4.60, 95%CI [ -1.14, 10.34], Z=1.57, P=0.12), FDI scores (social function) (MD=3.00, 95%CI [ -0.67, 6.66], Z=1.60, P=0.11).
Conclusions: Acupuncture therapy has advantages in clinical efficacy and safety than conventional drugs and other sports rehabilitation therapies in improving post-stroke central facial palsy. However, more high-quality clinical trials are warranted to provide adequate clinical evidence.
Objectives: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Feishu" (BL13) points on Cortactin and cytoskeletal stability of pulmonary endothelial cells in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore the mechanism by which EA alleviates inflammatory damage in COPD.
Methods: The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal group, model group, EA group, Cortactin small interfering RNA (si-Cortactin) group, and si-Cortactin + EA group, with 10 mice in each group. A COPD model was established through 12 weeks of cigarette exposure. Nasal instillation of Cortactin siRNA was performed 24 h before EA treatment. EA at bilateral ST36 and BL13 with each EA session lasted for 30 min, conducted once every other day for a continuous period of 2 weeks. Pulmonary function was assessed using a small animal lung function analyzer and HE staining was used to observe lung histopathology. ELISA was employed to measure the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Caspase-3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum. TUNEL assay was used to detect apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells, and double immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess cytoskeletal stability in pulmonary endothelial cells. The expression levels of Caspase-3 and Cortactin mRNA in lung tissue were evaluated using qPCR, while Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of Caspase-3 and Cortactin in lung tissues.
Results: Compared to the normal group, the model group exhibited decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 0.05 s (FEV0.05), forced expiratory volume in 0.1 s (FEV0.1), FEV0.05/FVC, and FEV0.1/FVC (P<0.001). Lung tissue showed severe inflammatory infiltration, accompanied by increased contents of TNF-α and Caspase-3 in serum and BALF (P<0.001). The expression levels of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein were elevated, while Cortactin mRNA and protein levels were reduced in lung tissue (P<0.001). There was significant apoptosis of pulmonary endothelial cells and disruption of the cytoskeletal structure (P<0.001). After treatment, the EA group demonstrated marked improvement in these parameters compared to the model group (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05). Following intervention with si-Cortactin, the indicators in the si-Cortactin group worsened further (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). The si-Cortactin + EA group showed improvements in these parameters relative to the si-Cortactin group (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.01).
Conclusions: EA can alleviate inflammatory pathological damage in the lung tissues of mice with COPD, potentially through up-regulating Cortactin, stabilizing the cytoskeleton of pulmonary endothelial cells, and inhibiting apoptosis.
Objectives: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), synaptic plasticity and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the hippocampus of mice with Alzheimer's disease(AD), so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA in treatment of AD.
Methods: 5XFAD mice were randomly divided into EA group, model group and sham-acupuncture group, with 13 mice in both the EA group and the model group, and 7 mice in the sham-acupuncture group. Thirteen wild-type mice from the same litter were taken as the normal control group. The mice in the EA group received EA at "Baihui" (GV20)and "Dazhui" (GV14) for 15 min once daily, 6 times a week for 4 weeks. The mice in the sham-acupuncture group received sham EA, i.e., the needle was inserted into the rubber clay which was placed on the surface of the corresponding acupoints. The novel object recognition(NOR), Y-maze and Morris water maze(MWM) tests were used to observe the cognitive functions of mice. Electrophysiological technique was used to detect long-term potentiation (LTP) of the hippocampal neurons and Western blot was used to detect the relative expressions of HDAC3 and NMDAR-related receptors (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B) in the hippocampus.
Results: Compared with the normal control group, 5XFAD mice in the model group showed decreased(P<0.01, P<0.05) preference index for new object recognition, alternative arm ratio (AAR), number of times crossing the original platform, percentage of time and distance traveled in the target quadrant, NMDAR2B, NMDAR2A and NMDAR1 protein expression levels, with prolonged(P<0.01) escape latency, and increased (P<0.05) protein relative expression of HDAC3. At the same time, with high-frequency stimulation, the slope of fEPSP was decreased(P<0.01, P<0.05)in the 5XFAD mice. After EA intervention, comparison between the EA and the model groups revealed that, the preference index for new object recognition, AAR were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group, the escape latency was shortened (P<0.05), and the number of times crossing the platform, percentage of time and distance traveled in the target quadrant, the slope of fEPSP, and the protein relative expressions of NMDAR2B, NMDAR2A and NMDAR1 in the hippocampus were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the protein relative expression of HDAC3 decreased (P<0.01). Compared with sham-acupuncture group, the above indexes improved to different degree in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05).
Conclusions: EA of GV20 and GV14 can restore the impaired LTP and improve the cognitive impairment, which may be related to increasing the expressions of NMDA-related receptor proteins and down-regulating the expression of HDAC3 in the hippocampus of 5XFAD mice.
Moxibustion therapy is an important traditional non-pharmacological treatment in traditional medicine for improving chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression. By reviewing recent studies on moxibustion intervention for chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression, this article summarized and analyzed the current research status. In clinical studies, moxibustion therapy that tonifies the spleen, nourishes the kidneys, warms yang, and nourishes blood has been verified to be effective for chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression, but the efficacy may vary among individuals receiving different chemotherapy regimens. Experimental studies have shown that moxibustion therapy primarily improves chemotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression by repairing bone marrow tissue structure, increasing the amounts of hematopoietic stem cells, improving bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment, repairing bone marrow cell DNA, and regulating signaling pathways such as Notch, Wnt, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ mammalian target protein of rapamycin and other signaling pathways. Future research can further systematically reveal the mechanisms of moxibustion therapy, such as alleviating hematopoietic stem cell aging induced by chemotherapy, regulating miRNAs to improve bone marrow suppression, and investigate the sensitivity of patients with bone marrow suppression caused by different chemotherapy regimens to moxibustion therapy, in order to complete and standardize the application protocols of moxibustion.
Objectives: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided warm needle knife therapy for patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
Methods: A total of 70 advanced KOA patients were recruited from the Department of Pain and Rehabilitation of the Third Hospital of Wuhan from June 2020 to June 2022. They were randomized to a treatment group or a control group in a 1∶1 ratio. Patients in the treatment group received ultrasound guided warm needle knife treatment, while patients in the control group received ultrasound guided radiofrequency treatment of the knee sensory plexus, both for 1 time. The primary outcome was the changes in Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. Other outcomes included the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) scores, value of Young's modulus of A-shi points, proportion of patients achieving improvement, and adverse events related to study interventions.
Results: Compared with baseline, the WOMAC and VAS scores in the two groups were significantly decreased at each timepoints(P<0.05), and the value of Young's modulus was significantly decreased at 12 months after treatment. Compared with the control group, the treatment group reported a significantly greater reduction in WOMAC and VAS scores at 6 months and 12 months after treatment(P<0.05). The proportion of patients achieving improvement in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group at 12 months after treatment(P<0.05). The value of Young's modulus in the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group at 12 months after treatment(P<0.05). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Ultrasound guided warm needle knife is effective in improving the function of knee joint and relieving pain in patients with advanced KOA. Further, the long-term efficacy of ultrasound guided warm needle knife for advanced KOA was superior to the ultrasound guided radiofrequency therapy.
Acupuncture has a significant effect on depression. The paper reviews the mechanism of acupuncture in treatment of depression based on hippocampal neuroplasticity from the relevant articles published in recent years from 3 aspects, i.e. promoting neuronal regeneration, improving synaptic plasticity efficiency, and repairing astrocytes structure and function. Acupuncture can regulate neural plasticity at multiple levels. It can not only directly repair the structure of neurons and glial cells through acupoint stimulation, but also indirectly participate in the regulation of neural plasticity through monoamine neurotransmitters, glutamate receptors, and related protein-mediated signaling pathways.
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