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Zhang Y, Tang YW, Peng YT, Yan Z, Zhou J, Yue ZH. Acupuncture, an effective treatment for post-stroke neurologic dysfunction. Brain Res Bull 2024; 215:111035. [PMID: 39069104 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Stroke episodes represent a significant subset of cerebrovascular diseases globally, often resulting in diverse neurological impairments such as hemiparesis, spasticity, dysphagia, sensory dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, aphasia, and other sequelae. These dysfunctions markedly diminish patients' quality of life and impose substantial burdens on their families and society. Consequently, the restoration of neurological function post-stroke remains a primary objective of clinical treatment. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for stroke treatment due to its distinct advantages in managing cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. Numerous clinical studies have substantiated the efficacy of acupuncture in ameliorating neurological dysfunctions following stroke. This review systematically examines the improvements in post-stroke neurological dysfunction attributable to acupuncture treatment and elucidates potential mechanisms of action proposed in recent years. Additionally, this article aims to present novel therapeutic concepts and strategies for the clinical management of post-stroke neurological dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Zhang
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Yi-Wen Tang
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Yu-Ting Peng
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Zi Yan
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Zeng-Hui Yue
- College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China.
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The effects of acupuncture versus sham/placebo acupuncture for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2020; 41:101253. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Song B, Luo M, Zhu J. The efficacy of acupuncture in postoperative sleep quality: a literature review. Sleep Breath 2020; 25:571-577. [PMID: 32949326 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-020-02187-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE General anesthesia may affect the quality of postoperative sleep, especially after surgery on elderly patients. The decline of postoperative sleep quality may produce harmful effects on the postoperative recovery of patients. In this review, we summarized the efficacy and potential mechanism of acupuncture on postoperative sleep quality. METHODS We review the effect of general anesthesia on circadian sleep rhythm. In addition, to provide evidence about the impairment of decreased postoperative sleep quality, we also emphasize the mechanism of acupuncture alleviates factors that affect sleep quality after general anesthesia. RESULTS The application of acupuncture technology has been helpful to improve sleep quality and alleviate postoperative complications affecting postoperative sleep quality after general anesthesia. CONCLUSION Acupuncture at different acupoints could effectively improve body's neurotransmitter levels and regulate biological clock genes through various mechanisms, and then improve postoperative sleep quality. Large-scale multi-center trials are needed to verify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijia Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Junchao Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Xing Y, Zhang M, Li WB, Dong F, Zhang F. Mechanisms Involved in the Neuroprotection of Electroacupuncture Therapy for Ischemic Stroke. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:929. [PMID: 30618558 PMCID: PMC6297779 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is one of the main causes of death all over the world. As the combination of acupuncture and electric stimulation, electroacupuncutre is a safe and effective therapy, which is commonly applied in ischemic stroke therapy in both experimental studies and clinical settings. The review was performed via searching for related articles in the databases of OVID, PUBMED, and ISI Web of Science from their respective inceptions to May 2018. In this review, we summarized the mechanism of EA for ischemic stroke via a series of factors, consisting of apoptosis related-factors, inflammatory factors, autophagy-related factors, growth factors, transcriptional factors, cannabinoid CB1 receptors, and other factors. In summary, EA stimulation may effectively alleviate ischemic brain injury via a series of signal pathways and various other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wen-Bin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fang Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.,Hebei Provincial Orthopedic Biomechanics Key Laboratory, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Abstract
Acupuncture is potentially beneficial for post-stroke rehabilitation and is considered a promising preventive strategy for stroke. Electroacupuncture pretreatment or treatment after ischemic stroke by using appropriate electroacupuncture parameters generates neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects that increase cerebral blood flow, regulate oxidative stress, attenuate glutamate excitotoxicity, maintain blood-brain barrier integrity, inhibit apoptosis, increase growth factor production, and induce cerebral ischemic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qwang-Yuen Chang
- Department of Family Medicine, Lin Shin Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, China
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- Research Center for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture; Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, China
| | - Ching-Liang Hsieh
- Research Center for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture; Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine; Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University; Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, China
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Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy for Cerebral Ischemia: an Evidence-Based Review of Clinical and Animal Studies on Cerebral Ischemia. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2017; 12:575-592. [DOI: 10.1007/s11481-017-9747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Wang HQ, Bao CL, Jiao ZH, Dong GR. Efficacy and safety of penetration acupuncture on head for acute intracerebral hemorrhage: A randomized controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e5562. [PMID: 27902622 PMCID: PMC5134766 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000005562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture, especially acupuncture treatment on head for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), has long been disputable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of penetration acupuncture on head in patients with acute ICH. METHODS Eighty-two patients with acute ICH were randomized to receive penetration acupuncture treatment on head combined with conventional treatment (treatment group [TG]) or conventional treatment only (control group [CG]). Acupuncture treatments were given in 24 sessions over 4 weeks, with 3-month follow-up period. Measures included Clinical Neurological Function Deficit Scale (CNFDS), Barthel Index (BI), vital signs (respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation), and hematoma absorption ratio. RESULTS Both groups showed a progressively improvement in CNFDS and BI scores from day 7 to 90. The TG showed a significantly greater improvement in CNFDS than CG over time (P < 0.05). However, BI failed to show significant difference between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The vital signs were stable and no expansion of hematoma occurred over the course of acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION Penetration acupuncture treatment on head appeared to be safe over the course of treatment on acute ICH and may result in additional functional improvements detected in the CNFDS but not reflected in the BI. A larger-scale clinical trial with longer follow-up assessments is required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Qiao Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, South Campus, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University
| | - Chun-Ling Bao
- Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Jiao
- Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gui-Rong Dong
- Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Electroacupuncture Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion of Rat via Modulation of Apoptosis, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Excitotoxicity. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:9438650. [PMID: 27123035 PMCID: PMC4830716 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9438650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has several properties such as antioxidant, antiapoptosis, and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study was to investigate the effects of EA on the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and to elucidate possible molecular mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. EA stimulation was applied to both Baihui and Dazhui acupoints for 30 min in each rat per day for 5 successive days before MCAO (pretreatment) or when the reperfusion was initiated (treatment). Neurologic deficit scores, infarction volumes, brain water content, and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated. The expressions of related inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic molecules, antioxidant systems, and excitotoxic receptors in the brain were also investigated. Results showed that both EA pretreatment and treatment significantly reduced infarct volumes, decreased brain water content, and alleviated neuronal injury in MCAO rats. Notably, EA exerts neuroprotection against I/R injury through improving neurological function, attenuating the inflammation cytokines, upregulating antioxidant systems, and reducing the excitotoxicity. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the traditional use of EA.
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Feng R, Zhang F. The neuroprotective effect of electro-acupuncture against ischemic stroke in animal model: a review. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY, AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES 2014; 11:25-9. [PMID: 25371560 DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v11i3.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well established that electro-acupuncture can exert neuroprotection in animal experiments. However, the exact mechanism of electro-acupuncture against ischemic stroke is not very clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature retrieval was performed in four databases (OVID, PUBMED, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science), from respective inception to July 2013. RESULTS Series of studies have demonstrated that electro-acupuncture might be a promising method in reducing brain damage after stroke and induce brain ischemic tolerance before stroke through the promotion of angiogenesis, alleviation of the inflammatory response, regulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB), inhibition of apoptosis, and so on. Through these mechanisms, electro-acupuncture may reduce the neural damages associated with stroke. CONCLUSION An awareness of the benefits of acupuncture might lead more patients into accepting acupuncture therapy for the management of patients with ischemic stroke and patients with high risk of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China ; Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Biomechanics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China
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Xu H, Sun H, Chen SH, Zhang YM, Piao YL, Gao Y. Effects of acupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) on the expression of heat shock protein 70 and tumor necrosis factor α in the peripheral serum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats. Chin J Integr Med 2014; 20:369-74. [PMID: 24610411 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-014-1800-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of acupuncture on the peripheral serum expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). METHODS In total, 152 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into an operated group and a non-operated group according to a random digits table. The operated group included a sham-operated group, a model group and an acupuncture group, whereas the non-operated group consisted of a normal group. Except for the normal group, each group was further divided into 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 h time points according to different reperfusion times. Eight rats were assigned in each operated group and in the normal group. The rat model of CIRI was established by the thread occlusion method in the model and acupuncture groups. The acupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) for the required time after successful operation. Blood was sampled to detect the HSP70 and TNF-α content by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The expression of HSP70 protein in the peripheral serum of the experimental groups was higher than that in the normal control group. The peak time in both the model and the sham-operated groups was 12 h, and the peak time in the acupuncture group was 24 h. The expression in the acupuncture group declined to a lower level at 72 h and was lower than that in the model and sham-operated groups (P<0.05). The peak time for the expression of TNF-α protein in the peripheral serum of both the model and the acupuncture groups was 24 h, but the expression in the acupuncture group was lower than the model group. Additionally, the expression of TNF-α in all experimental groups was higher than the normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture at DU20 and ST36 in rats attenuated CIRI, which was associated with a reduction in the expression of HSP70 and TNF-α. These results provide clues to acupuncture's neuroprotective properties. Acupuncture at DU20 and ST36 in rats after CIRI can adjust the expression of HSP70 and TNF-α in the peripheral serum, which might be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture's attenuation of CIRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There is debate concerning the effect of acupuncture on rehabilitation following stroke, with key reviews unable to find evidence of benefit. This lack of evidence may be due to poor study design, small sample size, and insufficient theoretical background. OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to determine whether acupuncture combined with conventional physical therapy improves motor function and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke compared with conventional physical therapy alone. DESIGN A multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study was conducted. SETTING Four rehabilitation centers in the Jiangsu province of China participated in this study. PATIENTS One hundred eighty-eight patients with subacute stroke admitted to the hospital were randomized into an acupuncture group and a conventional rehabilitation group. INTERVENTIONS A combination of body and scalp acupuncture was used for 3 months in the acupuncture group. All patients underwent conventional stroke rehabilitation. MEASUREMENTS The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were performed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after inclusion in the study. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found at baseline between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups using the FMA motor scores and the BI scores at baseline or at 1, 3, or 6 months. Significant improvements were found in each group following treatment. CONCLUSIONS In patients with subacute stroke, the addition of body and scalp acupuncture to a regimen of conventional physical therapy does not result in further improvement in either motor function or ADL beyond the effect of conventional physical therapy alone.
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Jin Z, Liang J, Wang J, Kolattukudy PE. Delayed brain ischemia tolerance induced by electroacupuncture pretreatment is mediated via MCP-induced protein 1. J Neuroinflammation 2013; 10:63. [PMID: 23663236 PMCID: PMC3701471 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-10-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with electroacupuncture (EA) induces significant tolerance to focal cerebral ischemia. The present study seeks to determine the involvement of monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1), a recently identified novel modulator of inflammatory reactions, in the cerebral neuroprotection conferred by EA pretreatment in the animal model of focal cerebral ischemia and to elucidate the mechanisms of EA pretreatment-induced ischemic brain tolerance. METHODS Twenty-four hours after the end of the last EA pretreatment, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 minutes in male C57BL/6 mice and MCPIP1 knockout mice. Transcription and expression of MCPIP1 gene was monitored by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The neurobehavioral scores, infarction volumes, proinflammatory cytokines and leukocyte infiltration in brain and NF-κB signaling were evaluated after ischemia/reperfusion. RESULTS MCPIP1 protein and mRNA levels significantly increased specifically in mouse brain undergoing EA pretreatment. EA pretreatment significantly attenuated the infarct volume, neurological deficits, upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and leukocyte infiltration in the brain of wild-type mice after MCAO compared with that of the non-EA group. MCPIP1-deficient mice failed to evoke EA pretreatment-induced tolerance compared with that of the control MCPIP1 knockout group without EA treatment. Furthermore, the activation of NF-κB signaling was significantly reduced in EA-pretreated wild-type mice after MCAO compared to that of the non-EA control group and MCPIP1-deficient mice failed to confer the EA pretreatment-induced inhibition of NF-κB signaling after MCAO. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrated that MCPIP1 deficiency caused significant lack of EA pretreatment-induced cerebral protective effects after MCAO compared with the control group and that MCPIP1 is involved in EA pretreatment-induced delayed brain ischemia tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuqing Jin
- School of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China
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Abstract
Acupuncture is one of the most important parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for more than 3000 years as prevention and treatment for various diseases in China as well as in adjacent regions, and is widely accepted in western countries in recent years. More and more clinical trials revealed that acupuncture shows positive effect in stroke, not only as a complementary and alternative medicine for poststroke rehabilitation but also as a preventive strategy which could induce cerebral ischemic tolerance, especially when combined with modern electrotherapy. Acupuncture has some unique characteristics, which include acupoint specificity and parameter-dependent effect. It also involves complicated mechanism to exert the beneficial effect on stroke. Series of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture primarily regulates the release of neurochemicals, hemorheology, cerebral microcirculation, metabolism, neuronal activity, and the function of specific brain region. Animal studies showed that the effects of acupuncture therapy on stroke were possibly via inhibition of postischemic inflammatory reaction, stimulation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis, and influence on neural plasticity. Mechanisms for its preconditioning effect include activity enhancement of antioxidant, regulation of the endocannabinoid system, and inhibition of apoptosis. Although being controversial, acupuncture is a promising preventive and treatment strategy for stroke, but further high-quality clinical trials would be needed to provide more confirmative evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Abstract
Insomnia appears to be a fast-spreading problem in the modern days, which not only affects people's living quality but also impairs people's working efficiency even causing disability. Pharmacological treatment is effective but frequently with significant side effects. Acupuncture is traditionally used for the treatment of insomnia in China and now is widely accepted in the Western countries. Many research works on clinical applications of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia and the potential mechanisms underlying the acupuncture treatment have been reported. This chapter will try to provide a systematic review on the research findings. A number of clinical studies, mainly randomized controlled clinical trials, have shown positive effects in acupuncture treatment of insomnia. Some of the studies demonstrated that acupuncture treatment appeared to be better than conventional pharmacological drugs in the improvement of insomnia. These encouraging findings are limited by the qualities problems of the methodology used in these clinical studies. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture appeared to be supported by evidence obtained from basic neuroendocrinological studies. A number of studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may modulate a wide range of neuroendocrinological factors following stimulation of acupoints. Evidence has suggested that the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of insomnia is potentially mediated by a variety of neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, melatonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and β-endorphin. However, due to the complexity, these findings are far from conclusive. More research is necessary. More rigors methodology and integrated approach to evaluate both clinical and basic research evidence are required for future studies.
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Patch clamp: a powerful technique for studying the mechanism of acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:534219. [PMID: 23133497 PMCID: PMC3485550 DOI: 10.1155/2012/534219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cellular and molecular events can be investigated using electrophysiological techniques. In particular, the patch-clamp method provides detailed information. In addition, the patch-clamp technique has become a powerful method for investigating the mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture. In this paper, recent researches on how acupuncture might modulate electrophysiological responses in the central nervous system (CNS) and affect peripheral structures are reviewed.
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