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Li X, Zhang T, Li C, Xu W, Guan Y, Li X, Cheng H, Chen S, Yang B, Liu Y, Ren Z, Song X, Jia Z, Wang Y, Tang J. Electrical stimulation accelerates Wallerian degeneration and promotes nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve injury. Glia 2023; 71:758-774. [PMID: 36484493 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Following peripheral nerve injury (PNI), Wallerian degeneration (WD) in the distal stump can generate a microenvironment favorable for nerve regeneration. Brief low-frequency electrical stimulation (ES) is an effective treatment for PNI, but the mechanism underlying its effect on WD remains unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that ES could enhance nerve regeneration by accelerating WD. To verify this hypothesis, we used a rat model of sciatic nerve transection and provided ES at the distal stump of the injured nerve. The injured nerve was then evaluated after 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days post injury (dpi). The results showed that ES significantly promoted the degeneration and clearance of axons and myelin, and the dedifferentiation of Schwann cells. It upregulated the expression of BDNF and NGF and increased the number of monocytes and macrophages. Through transcriptome sequencing, we systematically investigated the effect of ES on the molecular processes involved in WD at 4 dpi. Evaluation of nerves bridged using silicone tubing after transection showed that ES accelerated early axonal and vascular regeneration while delaying gastrocnemius atrophy. These results demonstrate that ES promotes nerve regeneration by accelerating WD and upregulating the expression of neurotrophic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Li
- The School of Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China.,Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Tieyuan Zhang
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Chaochao Li
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjun Guan
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoya Li
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Haofeng Cheng
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China.,School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shengfeng Chen
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Boyao Yang
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yuli Liu
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqi Ren
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Song
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China.,School of Medicine, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Zhibo Jia
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China.,School of Medicine, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China.,Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China.,Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jinshu Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
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Pan WX, Fan AY, Chen S, Alemi SF. Acupuncture modulates immunity in sepsis: Toward a science-based protocol. Auton Neurosci 2021; 232:102793. [PMID: 33684727 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis is a serious medical condition in which immune dysfunction plays a key role. Previous treatments focused on chemotherapy to control immune function; however, a recognized effective compound or treatment has yet to be developed. Recent advances indicate that a neuromodulation approach with nerve stimulation allows developing a therapeutic strategy to control inflammation and improve organ functions in sepsis. As a quick, non-invasive technique of peripheral nerve stimulation, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapy to provide significant advantages for immunomodulation in acute inflammation. Acupuncture obtains its regulatory effect by activating the somatic-autonomic-immune reflexes, including the somatic-sympathetic-splenic reflex, the somatic-sympathetic-adrenal reflex, the somatic-vagal-splenic reflex and the somatic-vagal-adrenal reflex, which produces a systemic effect. The peripheral nerve stimulation also induces local reflexes such as the somatic-sympathetic-lung-reflex, which then produces local effects. These mechanisms offer scientific guidance to design acupuncture protocols for immunomodulation and inflammation control, leading to an evidence-based comprehensive therapy recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xing Pan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
| | - Arthur Yin Fan
- American TCM Association, Vienna, VA 22182, USA; McLean Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, PLC, Vienna, VA 22182, USA.
| | - Shaozong Chen
- Acupuncture Research Institute, Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
| | - Sarah Faggert Alemi
- American TCM Association, Vienna, VA 22182, USA; Eastern Roots Wellness, PLC, McLean, VA 22101, USA
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Davies AJ, Rinaldi S, Costigan M, Oh SB. Cytotoxic Immunity in Peripheral Nerve Injury and Pain. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:142. [PMID: 32153361 PMCID: PMC7047751 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxicity and consequent cell death pathways are a critical component of the immune response to infection, disease or injury. While numerous examples of inflammation causing neuronal sensitization and pain have been described, there is a growing appreciation of the role of cytotoxic immunity in response to painful nerve injury. In this review we highlight the functions of cytotoxic immune effector cells, focusing in particular on natural killer (NK) cells, and describe the consequent action of these cells in the injured nerve as well as other chronic pain conditions and peripheral neuropathies. We describe how targeted delivery of cytotoxic factors via the immune synapse operates alongside Wallerian degeneration to allow local axon degeneration in the absence of cell death and is well-placed to support the restoration of homeostasis within the nerve. We also summarize the evidence for the expression of endogenous ligands and receptors on injured nerve targets and infiltrating immune cells that facilitate direct neuro-immune interactions, as well as modulation of the surrounding immune milieu. A number of chronic pain and peripheral neuropathies appear comorbid with a loss of function of cellular cytotoxicity suggesting such mechanisms may actually help to resolve neuropathic pain. Thus while the immune response to peripheral nerve injury is a major driver of maladaptive pain, it is simultaneously capable of directing resolution of injury in part through the pathways of cellular cytotoxicity. Our growing knowledge in tuning immune function away from inflammation toward recovery from nerve injury therefore holds promise for interventions aimed at preventing the transition from acute to chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J. Davies
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Rinaldi
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Costigan
- Department of Anesthesia, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Seog Bae Oh
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Dental Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology & Physiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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Saraswati W, Dahlan EG, Saputra K, Sutrisno TC. Effect of Electroacupuncture on Natural-Killer Cells and Tumor Size in Patients with Cervical Squamous-Cell Carcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Acupunct 2019; 31:29-36. [PMID: 30805077 DOI: 10.1089/acu.2018.1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A natural-killer (NK) cell is a cytotoxic lymphocyte that responds to tumor formation. Electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with cancer, who had chemotherapy, enabled them to maintain their T-cell counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) and NK-cell activity. Objective: To evaluate NK-cell levels and tumor sizes in patients with cervical squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) after EA on ST 36 (Zusanli). Design: This study was a randomized, experimental clinical study with a pre-post-test, control group design. Setting The study was performed in the obstetrics and gynecology department, Gynecology Oncology Division of the Rumah Sakit Dokter Soetomo General Hospital, in Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia, conducted from February 2016 until May 2016. Subjects: Patients with cervical SCC, stages IIb-IIIb (locally advanced)-determined clinically and histopathologically-all of whom had 50 mg/m2/week of cisplatin chemotherapy. The patients were divided, consecutively, into 2 groups by simple random sampling. Intervention: The controls received only received the chemotherapy, while treatment-group patients also had EA 1 day on bilateral ST 36 after each chemotherapy cycle. Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes were percent of NK cells and tumor size. Before the first treatment and after the fourth one, all patients underwent peripheral blood examinations (complete blood counts, serum creatinine and blood-urea-nitrogen levels, and flow-cytometry) to determine percentages of NK cells, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging to measure cervical tumor sizes. Secondary outcomes were pain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite. Results: There was a significant increase in number of NK cells (P = 0.00) and a significant decrease in tumor sizes (P = 0.03) in the treatment group, compared to the control group. There was a significant increase in appetite (P = 0.00) in the treatment group, compared to baseline, but there were no significant differences in pain (P = 0.061), nausea (P = 0.399), and vomiting (P = 0.854). Conclusions: Patients with cervical SCC at stages IIb-IIIb, who received 4 cycles of chemotherapy using 50 mg/m2/week of cisplatin and EA at ST 36, had increased NK-cell percentages in their peripheral blood and had reductions in their cervical tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wita Saraswati
- Obstetrics and Gynecologic Department, Rumah Sakit Dokter Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.,Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Erry Gumilar Dahlan
- Obstetrics and Gynecologic Department, Rumah Sakit Dokter Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.,Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
| | - Koosnadi Saputra
- Acupuncture Research Laboratory in Health Services, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.,Academy of Acupuncture Surabaya, Jawa Timur, Indonesia
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Zhang J, Wang Y, Guo Y, Ji X, Wang S. [Effect of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint on postoperative T cell immune function in rats]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2018; 38:1384-1388. [PMID: 30514690 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2018.11.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the effect of electro- acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint in regulating perioperative cell immune functions in rats. METHODS Forty-two SD rats were divided into blank control group (n=6), model group (n=18), and electroacupuncture group (n=18). The rats in the latter two groups underwent thigh incision and femoral dissection under anesthesia; the rats in electro-acupuncture group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli acupoint for 15 min before anesthesia and 1 h after the surgery. The rats in the model group and electro-acupuncture group were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h after the operation and blood samples were taken from the ventricle for analyzing CD3, CD4, and CD8 T cell subpopulations and calculation of CD4/CD8 using flow cytometry. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6. RESULTS The CD3 T cell subpopulation was significantly lower in the model group and electro-acupuncture group than in the blank group at 6 h and 24 h after the operation. At 72 h after the operation, CD3 subpopulation levels still remained low in the model group, but recovered the control level in electro-acupuncture group. At each time point of measurement, CD3 level was significantly lower in the model group than in the electro-acupuncture group. CD4 level in the model group was significantly lowered at 6 h and 24 h after the operation, and recovered the control level at 72 h. In the electro-acupuncture group, CD4 level was significantly lowered at 6 h after the operation, but recovered the control level at 24 h. At 24 h and 72 h, the levels of CD4 were significantly lower in the model group than in the electro-acupuncture group. CD8 level underwent no significant changes after the operation in either the model group or electro-acupuncture group. CD4/CD8 was significantly lowered at 24 h and 72 h after the operation in the model group but showed no significant variation in the electro-acupuncture group. Compared with that in the control group, IL-1 level was significantly lowered in both the model group and electroacupuncture group at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h after the operation, and was significantly lower in the model group than in the electroacupuncture group at these time points. IL-6 level increased significantly in the model group and the electro- acupuncture group at 6 h and 24 h. at 72 h, IL-6 level was obviously lowered in the electro-acupuncture group but remained elevated in the model group. CONCLUSIONS Electro-acupuncture alleviates postoperative immune suppression and promotes recovery of the immune function in rats, suggesting a protective effect of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint on cellular immune function after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Science and Education, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuanbo Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xuexia Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Gao YH, Wang JY, Qiao LN, Chen SP, Tan LH, Xu QL, Liu JL. NK cells mediate the cumulative analgesic effect of electroacupuncture in a rat model of neuropathic pain. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:316. [PMID: 25158599 PMCID: PMC4152576 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Cumulating evidence has revealed the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy in relieving pain via immunoregulation. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. The present study was designed to determine the changes of immunogenic responses at different time-points of electroacupuncture (EA) interventions in neuropathic pain rats. Methods The neuropathic pain model was established by ligature of the left sciatic nerve to induce chronic constriction injury (CCI). EA was applied at Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) for the EA groups. The thermal pain threshold was detected with an algesia-detector. The subgroups of plasma and splenic lymphocytes were determined via fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Specific inflammatory cytokines were assayed using an ELISA-based bead multiplex assay. The activities of splenic natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric method. For confirming the involvement of NK cell in EA-analgesia, anti-asialo-ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide (anti-asialo-GM1) antibody was given to CCI rats before EA. Results Following CCI, the thermal pain threshold of the affected hind footpad was significantly decreased, and increased from the 3rd day to the 12th day after EA interventions, presenting a time-dependent tendency from the 5th day on. From day 3 to 5 of EA interventions, the percentages and activity of splenic NK cells, concentrations of splenic interleukin-2 (IL-2) and beta-endorphin (β-EP) were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the concentrations of plasma IL-2, IL-1β and gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) were significantly decreased and returned to the normal level on day 12 following EA. Plasma transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels were considerably upregulated on day 5 and 12 following EA. The CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio was markedly downregulated compared with the control and CCI groups on day 5 and returned to the normal level on day 12 following EA. After depleting NK cells by anti-asialo-GM1 antibody, the increased thermal pain threshold following EA intervention was obviously reduced. Conclusions Repeated EA interventions have a time-dependent cumulative analgesic effect in neuropathic pain rats, which is closely associated with its regulatory effects on NK cells, splenic IL-2, β-EP, and plasma IL-2, IL-1β, IFN-γ and TGF-β levels.
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Effects of acupuncture on leucopenia, neutropenia, NK, and B cells in cancer patients: a randomized pilot study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:217397. [PMID: 25152759 PMCID: PMC4131450 DOI: 10.1155/2014/217397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of most significant therapeutic approaches to cancer. Immune system functional state is considered a major prognostic and predictive impact on the success of chemotherapy and it has an important role on patients' psychoemotional state and quality of life. In Chinese medicine, chemotherapy is understood as “toxic cold” that may induce a progressive hypofunctional state of immune system, thus compromising the fast recovery of immunity during chemotherapy. In this study, we performed a standardized acupuncture and moxibustion protocol to enhance immunity in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to assess if the improvement of immunity status correlates with a better psychoemotional state and quality of life.
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Meng Q, Liu X, Shan Q, Yu P, Mao Z, Zhang F, Li J, Zhao T. Acupuncture for treatment of secondary osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury: a controlled study. Acupunct Med 2014; 32:381-6. [PMID: 24926075 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2013-010463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We explored the effect of adjunctive acupuncture on secondary osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS Patients with subacute SCI were recruited and divided into two groups by patient choice: group 1 patients received standard combination therapy and group 2 patients received combination therapy plus acupuncture for 3 months. The concentrations of IgG, IgM and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) in serum and the bone mineral density were measured before and after treatment. RESULT The decrease in the concentration of TNFα and IgM in patients in group 2 compared with those in group 1 was statistically significant. The IgG level showed no significant change in either group. Bone mineral density increased more after adjunctive acupuncture, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Further research is needed to determine whether acupuncture as an adjunct to combination therapy can reduce osteoporosis in patients with subacute SCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER P153-2008-36.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxi Meng
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qunqun Shan
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Yu
- The First Veteran Institute of Jinan Military Region, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaohu Mao
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tingbao Zhao
- Department of Spinal Cord Injury, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Chinese PLA, General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Akupunktur gegen allergische Rhinitis. ALLERGO JOURNAL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s15007-014-0589-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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10
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Hegyi G, Szasz O, Szasz A. Oncothermia: a new paradigm and promising method in cancer therapies. ACUPUNCTURE ELECTRO 2014; 38:161-97. [PMID: 24494322 DOI: 10.3727/036012913x13831832269243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In "hypethermia", the procedure of raising the temperature of a part, or the whole body, up to 42 degrees C to kill cancer cells for a defined period of time is applied alone or as an adjunctive with various established cancer treatment modalities such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, "hyperthermia" is not generally accepted as conventional therapy due to the complications of deep heating and lack of focusing of the heat effect only for malignant tissues. The idea of oncothermia solves the selective deep action on malignant tissue on nearly cellular level. Oncothermia is highly improved, safe and effective "hyperthermia" in clinical cancer therapy supported by in vivo, in vitro, and human research as shown in this article. Advantage of oncothermia: while the classical insufficiently, focused "hyperthermia" has to heat up in case of the multiple lesions overlapping all the volume, which contains both normal tissues and malignant tissues; while oncothermia automatically focuses on the malignant tissues in its multiple places, without treating the healthy tissue in between. The modulated radiofrequency current (RF) flows through the malignancies only. The radiofrequency modulated current with 13,56 MHz (fractal modulated) between 2 electrodes automatically focuses through malignant tissues with lower impedance and will flow mainly in the extracellular electrolyte because the normal cells are electronically isolated by their membrane by more than one-million V/m electrical field strength. Oncothermia today has the ability to be a candidate to a widely accepted modality of the standard cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oliver Szasz
- Biotechnics Dept., Saint Stephan University, Gödöllo, Hungary
| | - Andras Szasz
- Biotechnics Dept., Saint Stephan University, Gödöllo, Hungary
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The holistic effects of acupuncture treatment. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:739708. [PMID: 24527051 PMCID: PMC3913204 DOI: 10.1155/2014/739708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a complex medical science which reflects philosophical principles and embodies large dialectical thought, is used to place the human body into a large system for observation. Acupuncture as a vital part of TCM, has been practiced to treat various diseases and symptoms. However, acupuncture is also facing severe challenges resulted from insufficient modern scientific research. Nowadays, the holistic effects of acupuncture can be researched by some modern approaches, such as the systems biology and fMRI technique. It is believed that having a better understand will greatly promote acupuncture research and be beneficial to scientization and modernization of acupuncture.
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12
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Acupuncture in allergic rhinitis: A Mini-Review. ALLERGO JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL 2014; 23:115-119. [PMID: 26120523 PMCID: PMC4479426 DOI: 10.1007/s40629-014-0015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is a therapy method known for millennia with apparently polygenetic roots. It is traditionally practiced in East Asian countries. During the recent fifty years, it has found wide applications in Europe as well. Today acupuncture is one of the most important parts of modern complementary medicine. Questions concerning the mechanism of action and efficacy of acupuncture, among others in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, still lead to many scientific discussions. This review summarizes the modern understanding of possible mechanisms of acupuncture as well as it presents the current state of clinical studies relating to the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Further investigations are necessary to confirm acupuncture as an effective therapy of allergic rhinitis.
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Chen HY, Li SG, Cho WCS, Zhang ZJ. The role of acupoint stimulation as an adjunct therapy for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Altern Ther Health Med 2013; 13:362. [PMID: 24344728 PMCID: PMC4029525 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in cancer patients. Clinical studies showed that a variety of acupoint stimulations have been extensively used for lung cancer patients, including needle insertion, injection with herbal extraction, plaster application, and moxibustion. However, the role of acupoint stimulation in lung cancer treatment was not fully reviewed. Methods In the present study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of acupoint stimulation in lung cancer treatment by electronic and manual searching in seven databases, including Ovid (Ovid MEDLINE, AMED, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE), EBSCOhost research databases (Academic Search premier, MEDLINE, CIHAHL Plus), PreQuest (British Nursing Index, ProQuest Medical Library, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I, PsycINFO), and ISI web of knowledge (Web of Science, BIOSIS Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Chinese Science Citation Database), CNKI, Wanfang Data, and CQVIP. Results Our study showed that acupoint stimulation has strong immunomodulatory effect for lung cancer patients as demonstrated by the significant increase of IL-2, T cell subtypes (CD3+ and CD4+, but not CD8+ cells), and natural killer cells. Further analysis revealed that acupoint stimulation remarkably alleviates the conventional therapy-induced bone marrow suppression (hemoglobin, platelet, and WBC reduction) in lung cancer patients, as well as decreases nausea and vomiting. The pooled studies also showed that acupoint stimulation can improve Karnofsky performance status, immediate tumor response, quality of life (EORCT-QLQ-C30), and pain control of cancer patients. Conclusions Acupoint stimulation is found to be effective in lung cancer treatment, further confirmatory evaluation via large scale randomized trials is warranted.
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Yin HY, Tang Y, Lu SF, Luo L, Wang JP, Liu XG, Yu SG. Gene Expression Profiles at Moxibustioned Site (ST36): A Microarray Analysis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:890579. [PMID: 24198847 PMCID: PMC3807720 DOI: 10.1155/2013/890579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
As a major alternative therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it has been demonstrated that moxibustion could generate a series of molecular events in blood, spleen, and brain, and so forth. However, what would happen at the moxibustioned site remained unclear. To answer this question, we performed a microarray analysis with skin tissue taken from the moxibustioned site also Zusanli acupoint (ST36) where 15-minute moxibustion stimulation was administrated. The results exhibited 145 upregulated and 72 downregulated genes which responded immediately under physiological conditions, and 255 upregulated and 243 downregulated genes under pathological conditions. Interestingly, most of the pathways and biological processes of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under pathological conditions get involved in immunity, while those under physiological conditions are involved in metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yan Yin
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biochip between Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and CapitalBio Co. Ltd., 37 Shi-er Qiao Road, Chengdu 610075, China
- Key Laboratory for Acupuncture & Chronobiology of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Yong Tang
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Joint Laboratory of Biochip between Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and CapitalBio Co. Ltd., 37 Shi-er Qiao Road, Chengdu 610075, China
- Key Laboratory for Acupuncture & Chronobiology of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Sheng-Feng Lu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ling Luo
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Jia-Ping Wang
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Xu-Guang Liu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- Acupuncture & Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Laboratory for Acupuncture & Systematic Biology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
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15
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Systems biology of meridians, acupoints, and chinese herbs in disease. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:372670. [PMID: 23118787 PMCID: PMC3483864 DOI: 10.1155/2012/372670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Meridians, acupoints, and Chinese herbs are important components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). They have been used for disease treatment and prevention and as alternative and complementary therapies. Systems biology integrates omics data, such as transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomics data, in order to obtain a more global and complete picture of biological activity. To further understand the existence and functions of the three components above, we reviewed relevant research in the systems biology literature and found many recent studies that indicate the value of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Acupuncture is useful in pain moderation and relieves various symptoms arising from acute spinal cord injury and acute ischemic stroke. Moreover, Chinese herbal extracts have been linked to wound repair, the alleviation of postmenopausal osteoporosis severity, and anti-tumor effects, among others. Different acupoints, variations in treatment duration, and herbal extracts can be used to alleviate various symptoms and conditions and to regulate biological pathways by altering gene and protein expression. Our paper demonstrates how systems biology has helped to establish a platform for investigating the efficacy of TCM in treating different diseases and improving treatment strategies.
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Evangelou A, Toliopoulos I, Giotis C, Metsios A, Verginadis I, Simos Y, Havelas K, Hadziaivazis G, Karkabounas S. Functionality of natural killer cells from end-stage cancer patients exposed to coherent electromagnetic fields. Electromagn Biol Med 2011; 30:46-56. [DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2011.566776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Johnston MF, Ortiz Sánchez E, Vujanovic NL, Li W. Acupuncture May Stimulate Anticancer Immunity via Activation of Natural Killer Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2011; 2011:481625. [PMID: 21785626 PMCID: PMC3135660 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/19/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the hypothesis that acupuncture enhances anticancer immune functions by stimulating natural killer (NK) cells. It provides background information on acupuncture, summarizes the current scientific understanding of the mechanisms through which NK cells act to eliminate cancer cells, and reviews evidence that acupuncture is associated with increases in NK cell quantity and function in both animals and humans. The key contribution of this article involves the use of cellular immunology and molecular biological theory to interpret and synthesize evidence from disparate animal and human studies in formulating the 'acupuncture immuno-enhancement hypothesis': clinicians may use acupuncture to promote the induction and secretion of NK-cell activating cytokines that engage specific NK cell receptors that endogenously enhance anticancer immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Ortiz Sánchez
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nikola L. Vujanovic
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Departments of Pathology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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18
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Ohta M, Sugano A, Goto S, Yusoff S, Hirota Y, Funakoshi K, Miura K, Maeda E, Takaoka N, Sato N, Ishizuka H, Arizono N, Nishio H, Takaoka Y. Full-length sequence of mouse acupuncture-induced 1-L (aig1l) gene including its transcriptional start site. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2011; 2011:249280. [PMID: 19696195 PMCID: PMC3095526 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
We have been investigating the molecular efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA), which is one type of acupuncture therapy. In our previous molecular biological study of acupuncture, we found an EA-induced gene, named acupuncture-induced 1-L (Aig1l), in mouse skeletal muscle. The aims of this study consisted of identification of the full-length cDNA sequence of Aig1l including the transcriptional start site, determination of the tissue distribution of Aig1l and analysis of the effect of EA on Aig1l gene expression. We determined the complete cDNA sequence including the transcriptional start site via cDNA cloning with the cap site hunting method. We then analyzed the tissue distribution of Aig1l by means of northern blot analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We used the semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to examine the effect of EA on Aig1l gene expression. Our results showed that the complete cDNA sequence of Aig1l was 6073 bp long, and the putative protein consisted of 962 amino acids. All seven tissues that we analyzed expressed the Aig1l gene. In skeletal muscle, EA induced expression of the Aig1l gene, with high expression observed after 3 hours of EA. Our findings thus suggest that the Aig1l gene may play a key role in the molecular mechanisms of EA efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Ohta
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University School of Dentistry, Morioka 020-8505, Japan
| | - Aki Sugano
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Shuji Goto
- Department of Acupuncture Informatics, Goto College of Medical Arts and Sciences, Tokyo 143-0016, Japan
| | - Surini Yusoff
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yushi Hirota
- Department of Clinical Molecular Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kotaro Funakoshi
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Kenji Miura
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Eiichi Maeda
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Nobuo Takaoka
- Graduate School of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
| | - Nobuko Sato
- Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University School of Dentistry, Morioka 020-8505, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ishizuka
- Department of Anatomy, Tokushima University School of Dentistry, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan
| | - Naoki Arizono
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hisahide Nishio
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Yutaka Takaoka
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science and Bioinformatics, Clinical Genome Informatics Centre, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University School of Dentistry, Morioka 020-8505, Japan
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Kim SK, Bae H. Acupuncture and immune modulation. Auton Neurosci 2010; 157:38-41. [PMID: 20399151 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Revised: 03/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sun Kwang Kim
- Acupuncture & Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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21
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Yin LM, Jiang GH, Wang Y, Wang Y, Liu YY, Jin WR, Xu YD, Zhang QH, Yang YQ. Use of serial analysis of gene expression to reveal the specific regulation of gene expression profile in asthmatic rats treated by acupuncture. J Biomed Sci 2009; 16:46. [PMID: 19419550 PMCID: PMC2698896 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-16-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 05/06/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma has become an important public health issue and approximately 300 million people have suffered from the disease worldwide. Nowadays, the use of acupuncture in asthma is increasing. This study intended to systematically analyze and compare the gene expression profiles between the asthmatic and acupuncture-treated asthmatic rat lung, and tried to gain insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the early airway response (EAR) phase of asthma treated by acupuncture. METHODS Four tag libraries of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) were established from lung tissues of control rats (CK), asthmatic rats (AS), asthmatic rats treated by acupuncture (ASAC), and control rats treated by acupuncture (CKAC). Bioinformatic analyses were carried out by using the methods including unsupervised hierarchical clustering, functional annotation tool of the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID), gene ontology (GO) tree machine, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. RESULTS There were totally 186 differentially expressed tags (P < 0.05, P(CK/AS)) between the libraries of CK and AS, 130 differentially expressed tags between libraries of AS/ASAC (P < 0.05, P(AS/ASAC)), and 144 differentially expressed tags between libraries of CK/CKAC (P < 0.05, P(CK/CKAC)). The gene expression profiles of AS and ASAC were more similar than other libraries via unsupervised SAGE clustering. By comparison of P(CK/AS) and P(AS/ASAC), the DAVID genes functional classification was found to be changed from "immune response" to "response to steroid hormone stimulus", and the GO term "antigen processing and presentation of peptide antigen" disappeared in P(AS/ASAC). Totally 3 same KEGG pathways were found among the three groups. Moreover, 21 specific tags of the acupuncture in treating asthma were detected using Venn diagrams. CONCLUSION Our SAGE research indicates that the gene expression profile of the EAR phase of asthma could be effectively and specifically regulated by acupuncture, which suggests that the gene expression of immune response and steroid hormone may play an important role in the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Miao Yin
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Gong-Hao Jiang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology & Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yan Wang
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yan-Yan Liu
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Wei-Rong Jin
- National Engineering Center for Biochips at Shanghai, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yu-Dong Xu
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Qing-Hua Zhang
- National Engineering Center for Biochips at Shanghai, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yong-Qing Yang
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
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Effect of Eletroacupuncture on DU-14 (Dazhui), DU-2 (Yaoshu), and Liv-13 (Zhangmen) on the Survival of Wistar Ratsʼ Dorsal Skin Flaps. J Burn Care Res 2008; 29:353-7. [PMID: 18354293 DOI: 10.1097/bcr.0b013e31816679a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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Takaoka Y, Ohta M, Ito A, Takamatsu K, Sugano A, Funakoshi K, Takaoka N, Sato N, Yokozaki H, Arizono N, Goto S, Maeda E. Electroacupuncture suppresses myostatin gene expression: cell proliferative reaction in mouse skeletal muscle. Physiol Genomics 2007; 30:102-10. [PMID: 17341691 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00057.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may provide patients with an alternative to traditional medicine, but an assessment of its efficacy is required. One CAM method, electroacupuncture (EA) treatment, is a maneuver that utilizes stimulation of acupuncture needles with a low-frequency microcurrent. To study the effect of short-term EA, we evaluated the differential expression of genes induced by EA in mouse skeletal muscle for up to 24 h. We then used RT-PCR to confirm the expression patterns of six differentially expressed genes. Bioinformatics analysis of their transcription control regions showed that EA-inducible genes have numerous common binding motifs that are related to cell differentiation, cell proliferation, muscle repair, and hyperplasia. These results suggested that EA treatment may induce cell proliferation in skeletal muscle. To verify this possibility, we used EA to stimulate mouse skeletal muscle daily for up to 1 mo and examined the long-term effects. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that nuclei of muscle cells treated with EA for 1 mo, especially nuclei of satellite cells, reacted with anti-human PCNA. Also, expression of the gene encoding myostatin, which is a growth repressor in muscle satellite cells, was suppressed by daily EA treatment for 1 wk; EA treatment for 1 mo resulted in more marked suppression of the gene. These molecular findings constitute strong evidence that EA treatment suppresses myostatin expression, which leads to a satellite cell-related proliferative reaction and repair in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Takaoka
- Laboratory for Applied Genome Science, Clinical Genome Informatics Center, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
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