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Jin GY, Jin LL, Jin BX, Zheng J, He BJ, Li SJ. Neural control of cerebral blood flow: scientific basis of scalp acupuncture in treating brain diseases. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1210537. [PMID: 37650106 PMCID: PMC10464620 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1210537] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Scalp acupuncture (SA), as a modern acupuncture therapy in the treatment of brain diseases, especially for acute ischemic strokes, has accumulated a wealth of experience and tons of success cases, but the current hypothesized mechanisms of SA therapy still seem to lack significant scientific validity, which may not be conducive to its ultimate integration into mainstream medicine. This review explores a novel perspective about the mechanisms of SA in treating brain diseases based on its effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF). To date, abundant evidence has shown that CBF is significantly increased by stimulating specific SA points, areas or nerves innervating the scalp, which parallels the instant or long-term improvement of symptoms of brain diseases. Over time, the neural pathways that improve CBF by stimulating the trigeminal, the facial, and the cervical nerves have also been gradually revealed. In addition, the presence of the core SA points or areas frequently used for brain diseases can be rationally explained by the characteristics of nerve distribution, including nerve overlap or convergence in certain parts of the scalp. But such characteristics also suggest that the role of these SA points or areas is relatively specific and not due to a direct correspondence between the current hypothesized SA points, areas and the functional zones of the cerebral cortex. The above evidence chain indicates that the efficacy of SA in treating brain diseases, especially ischemic strokes, is mostly achieved by stimulating the scalp nerves, especially the trigeminal nerve to improve CBF. Of course, the mechanisms of SA in treating various brain diseases might be multifaceted. However, the authors believe that understanding the neural regulation of SA on CBF not only captures the main aspects of the mechanisms of SA therapy, but also facilitates the elucidation of other mechanisms, which may be of greater significance to further its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan-Yuan Jin
- International Institute of Systems Medicine, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Ace Acupuncture Clinic of Milwaukee, LLC, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Louis Lei Jin
- The Woodlands Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, The Woodlands, TX, United States
| | - Bonnie Xia Jin
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jin Zheng
- HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, Conroe, TX, United States
| | - Belinda Jie He
- The Woodlands Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, The Woodlands, TX, United States
| | - Shi-Jiang Li
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Publication Trends in Rehabilitative Effects of Acupuncture: A Visual Analysis of the Literature. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:7705256. [PMID: 35449821 PMCID: PMC9017514 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7705256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To conduct a comprehensive analysis of scientific outputs in 2011–2021 regarding the rehabilitative effects of acupuncture on diseases. Methods The study was conducted in the form of knowledge graph and data visualization, with data being drawn from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Results Articles and reviews were the dominant types; China, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and Medicine ranked was the active country, institution, and journal, respectively, in terms of issued articles. Systematic reviews and the meta-analyses of stroke and pain were extensively carried out in the past decade, whose principal interventions were manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture, and dry needling correspondingly at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36). And most frequently utilized rehabilitation assessment criteria were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale and the Barthel Index. More recently, motor function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have captured researchers' attention, which might be the futuristic frontier. Conclusions This article provided a relatively panoramic picture of the scientific outputs in acupuncture for disease rehabilitation, which may help readers embrace the heated topic and grasp the recent research focus on this field.
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Effect of electro-scalp acupuncture on acute ischemic stroke: a randomized, single blind, trial. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcm.2018.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Hsueh TP, Hung YC, Hu WL. Impact of acupuncture therapy in postoperative aortic dissection patients with cerebral infarction: A case study. Chin J Integr Med 2016; 23:76-79. [PMID: 27679443 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-016-2625-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tun-Pin Hsueh
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 000800, China
| | - Yu-Chiang Hung
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 000800, China
| | - Wen-Long Hu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 000800, China. .,Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 000800, China. .,Fooyin University College of Nursing, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 000800, China.
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A systematic review and meta-analysis of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture in experimental ischemic stroke. Sci Rep 2014; 4:3981. [PMID: 24496233 PMCID: PMC5379241 DOI: 10.1038/srep03981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture for stroke has been used in China for over 2,000 years and nowadays is increasingly practiced elsewhere in the world. However, previous studies had conflicting findings on the results of acupuncture. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the current evidence for the effect of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture in animal models of focal cerebral ischemia. Six databases from the inception of each database up to June 2013 were electronically searched. Primary outcomes were infarct size and neurobehavioral outcome. Ultimately, 54 studies involving 1816 animals were identified describing procedures. Meta-analysis results showed that twelve studies reported significant effects of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture for improving infarct volume compared with middle cerebral artery occlusion group (P < 0.01), and thirty-two studies reported significant effects of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture for improving the neurological function score when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture could improve infarct volume and neurological function score and exert potential neuroprotective role in experimental ischemic stroke.
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Liu G, Ma HJ, Hu PP, Tian YH, Hu S, Fan J, Wang K. Effects of painful stimulation and acupuncture on attention networks in healthy subjects. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2013; 9:23. [PMID: 23758880 PMCID: PMC3680197 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-9-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a subjective sensory and emotional experience, and it has been reported that many different brain regions are regulated by pain, and that pain can impact attention. Acupuncture is an important treatment component of Chinese traditional medicine, and has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. Although several studies have shown that acupuncture improves consciousness, the precise impact of both acupuncture and painful stimulation on attention is unclear. Are all of the attention networks modulated, or do these stimuli act on a specific network? Is the effect of painful stimulation similar to that of acupuncture? We administered the attention network test to 30 participants (15 males) to investigate the relative efficiencies of three independent attention networks (alerting, orienting, and executive control networks) under three conditions: baseline, after painful stimulation, and after acupuncture. The degree of pain experienced was assessed on a horizontally oriented visual analogue scale. The results showed that painful stimulation and acupuncture had similar effects on the orienting and executive control networks; however, there was a significantly different effect between the three conditions on the alerting network. In conclusion, (1) painful stimulation can selectively impact attention; (2) acupuncture can also selectively impact attention; i.e., both have selective influences on the alerting and executive control networks, but not on the orienting network; (3) the effects of acupuncture and painful stimulation are not identical. The mechanisms by which painful stimulation and acupuncture influence attention warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
| | - Hui-juan Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
| | - Pan-pan Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
| | - Yang-hua Tian
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
| | - Shen Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
| | - Jin Fan
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, P. R. China
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Lee HS, Park HL, Lee SJ, Shin BC, Choi JY, Lee MS. Scalp acupuncture for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Chin J Integr Med 2013; 19:297-306. [PMID: 23546633 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-013-1431-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of scalp acupuncture (SA), a modern acupuncture technique specialized to neurological disorders, in managing motor function and symptoms for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS Two independent reviewers extracted data from all of the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of SA for PD compared with conventional therapies (CTs). Sixteen electronic databases were searched. The risk of bias was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and the reporting of the included studies was evaluated by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 checklist and the revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) guidelines. RESULTS In total, 4 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. As assessed by the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), 2 RCTs showed that SA combined with CTs proved superior to CTs alone [60 cases; weighted mean difference, -3.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), -6.05 to -1.84, P=0.01; I(2) =0%]. Based on the Webster scale, however, 3 RCTs showed no superior effect of SA when combined with CTs with high heterogeneity (154 cases; risk ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.79 to 2.12, P=0.30; I(2) =84%). The Cochrane risk of bias, adherence to the CONSORT and the STRICTA checklist showed that the quality of all the included RCTs was generally low. CONCLUSIONS The result of our systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that the effectiveness of SA for PD is promising, however, the evidence is not convincing. A sham-controlled RCT design that adheres to the CONSORT and STRICTA guidelines to overcome methodological weakness and that includes a large sample size is strongly recommended to confirm the precise effect of SA on PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hun-Soo Lee
- School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea
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Kim MW, Chung YC, Jung HC, Park MS, Han YM, Chung YA, Maeng LS, Park SI, Lim J, Im WS, Chung JY, Kim M, Mook I, Kim M. Electroacupuncture enhances motor recovery performance with brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in rats with cerebral infarction. Acupunct Med 2012; 30:222-6. [PMID: 22729070 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2011-010126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional medicine in patients with post-stroke rehabilitation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potent growth factor involved in recovery following cerebral injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EA increases BDNF levels and facilitates functional recovery. METHODS Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed in rats (N=12) followed by reperfusion. EA was applied at the GV20 (Baihui) acupoint. Motor and sensory functions were monitored on the Garcia scale for 2 weeks. Expressions of BDNF and receptor tyrosine kinase B (trkB) were determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Improvement of Garcia scores, particularly in motor performance, were noted in the group with EA stimulation (p<0.05). With EA application, BDNF was elevated in the ischaemic hemisphere with increased numbers of BDNF(+) cells. Increased expression of trkB was also detected. CONCLUSION These results indicate that EA at GV20 improves motor recovery and stimulates BDNF/trkB expression in rats with cerebral ischaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Wook Kim
- Institute of Catholic Integrative Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic University, Seoul, Korea
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History and mechanism for treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage with scalp acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:895032. [PMID: 22474527 PMCID: PMC3296221 DOI: 10.1155/2012/895032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is an important public health problem with high rates of mortality, morbidity, and disability, but no clinically proven treatment strategy is available to date. Scalp acupuncture (SA) refers to a therapy for treating diseases by needling and stimulating the specific areas of the scalp. The evidence from clinical studies suggested that SA therapy may produce significant benefits for patients with acute ICH. However, the therapeutic mechanisms are yet not well addressed. Therefore, in this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview on the history and mechanisms of SA therapy on acute ICH. Although SA has been practiced for thousands of years in China and could date back to 5 BC, SA therapy for acute ICH develops only in the recent 30 years. The possible mechanisms associated with the therapeutic effects of SA on ICH include the influence on hematoma, brain edema, and blood brain barrier, the products released from haematoma, the immune and inflammatory reaction, focal perihemorrhagic hypoperfusion and hemorheology, neuroelectrophysiology, and so on. At last, the existence of instant effect of SA on acute ICH and its possible mechanisms are presented.
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Inoue I, Fukunaga M, Koga K, Wang HD, Ishikawa M. Scalp Acupuncture Effects of Stroke Studied with Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Different Actions in the Two Stroke Model Rats. Acupunct Med 2009; 27:155-62. [DOI: 10.1136/aim.2009.000430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Scalp acupuncture (SA) therapy on strokes has been empirically established and widely used in clinics in China. The evidence from clinical studies suggests that SA produces significant benefits for some patients with stroke. Methods The effect of scalp acupuncture was studied using MRI for two different stroke models: spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHR-SP) rats and rats with transiently induced focal cerebral ischaemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h (MCAO rats). Results Stroke onset in SHR-SP rats was characterised by a development of vasogenic oedema without any appearance of cytotoxic oedema. Scalp acupuncture reduced rapidly neurological dysfunction in SHR-SP rats and reduced the volume of the vasogenic oedema during the same period. In contrast, in MCAO rats, focal cerebral ischaemia caused an immediate development of cytotoxic oedema without any appearance of vasogenic oedema. Vasogenic oedema developed after reperfusion. Scalp acupuncture had no significant effects on the cytotoxic oedema, vasogenic oedema or neurological dysfunction of the MCAO rats within the time span examined. Conclusion Scalp acupuncture had a rapid and strong effect on neurological dysfunction only in the hypertensive stroke-model by reducing the vasogenic oedema. Our results suggest that, if there are similar underlying mechanisms in human strokes, scalp acupuncture may be more beneficial for patients with strokes of hypertension-caused vasogenic origin than ischaemic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isao Inoue
- Institute for Enzyme Research, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Mari Fukunaga
- Tokushima Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Keiko Koga
- Tokushima Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hong-Du Wang
- TCM Department, Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Makoto Ishikawa
- Tokushima Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Tokushima, Japan
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Liu SY, Hsieh CL, Wei TS, Liu PT, Chang YJ, Li TC. Acupuncture stimulation improves balance function in stroke patients: a single-blinded controlled, randomized study. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2009; 37:483-94. [PMID: 19606509 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x09006990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The disturbance of balance function is one of main etiology resulting in falling down in stroke patients. A number of studies report that acupuncture may improve the motor function of stroke patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on balance function. We designed a single-blinded, controlled, randomized study. A total of 30 stroke patients were randomized into experimental and control groups. Experimental groups received acupuncture treatment accompanied by the manual twisting of needles and obtaining of qi (the subjects experienced sensations of soreness, numbness, swelling and heaviness, while the acupuncturist experienced a sensation of needle resistance), whereas the control group did not receive manual twisting of needles and without obtaining of qi. All of the subjects were first-time stroke patients; infarction location was limited to either the left or right hemisphere, and all subjects were able to walk for at least 6 meters. Acupuncture stimulation (AS) was applied to Baihui (GV 20) acupoint as well as to 4 spirit acupoints (1.5 cun anterior, posterior, left and right laterals from Baihui acupoint, respectively) for 20 min. Balance function outcome measures were: (1) the displacement area of the patient's center of gravity; (2) the time taken for a patient to stand vertically from a seated position; (3) the time taken for a patient to walk a distance of 6 meters; (4) muscle strength of both lower extremities. Results indicated that the displacement area from the center of gravity decreased in the experimental group, but not in the control group. There was greater reduction in the displacement area in the experimental group than in the control group. Following AS, the time taken to reach a standing position from a seated position, as well as the time taken to walk 6 meters was decreased equally in both the experimental and control groups. The muscle strength of the hip flexor and knee extensor were increased in the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides of patients in the experimental group, but not in the control group. The results of the present study suggest that acupuncture stimulation may induce an immediate effect that improves balance function in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen-Yung Liu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
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Zheng GQ, Wang XT, Wang XM, Gao RR, Zeng XL, Fu XL, Wang Y. Long-time course of protease-activated receptor-1 expression after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats. Neurosci Lett 2009; 459:62-5. [PMID: 19427359 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2009] [Revised: 04/29/2009] [Accepted: 05/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin plays an important role in brain injuries associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 is responsible for the vast majority of the thrombin's cellular activation functions. We tested the hypothesis that thrombin-induced brain damage after ICH, at least in part, is mediated by PAR-1. We report that there are significant differences between PAR-1 positive cell number and PAR-1 mRNA absorbance ratio between ICH model group (at 6h, 24h, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d) and normal group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the long-time course of PAR-1 expression may be partly involved in the mechanism of thrombin-induced brain damage after ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Zheng
- Center of Neurology and Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, 109 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. gq
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Zhao JG, Cao CH, Liu CZ, Han BJ, Zhang J, Li ZG, Yu T, Wang XH, Zhao H, Xu ZH. Effect of acupuncture treatment on spastic states of stroke patients. J Neurol Sci 2009; 276:143-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2008] [Revised: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 09/16/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Wang T, Liu CZ, Yu JC, Jiang W, Han JX. Acupuncture protected cerebral multi-infarction rats from memory impairment by regulating the expression of apoptosis related genes Bcl-2 and Bax in hippocampus. Physiol Behav 2008; 96:155-61. [PMID: 18938189 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2008] [Revised: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia in the world today. In this paper, we observed the effect of acupuncture on memory impairment, apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in hippocampus of cerebral multi-infarction rats. The results indicated that acupuncture significantly improved memory impairment induced by cerebral multi-infarction, as evaluated by shortened escape latency and increased swimming time in the target quadrant. Meanwhile, based on the observation in hippocampal CA1 region through methods of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labeling (TUNEL), immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, acupuncture decreased the number of apoptotic cells and expression of the proapoptotic Bax gene, on the contrary, it increased expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2. The result of the research suggested that acupuncture can exert antiapoptotic effect through counter-regulating Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Acupuncture and Moxibustion Research Institute, the First Hospital affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
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Takahashi H. Effects of Scalp Acupuncture and Auricular Therapy on Acute Herpetic Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Case Series. Med Acupunct 2007. [DOI: 10.1089/acu.2007.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Chung JH, Lee EY, Jang MH, Kim CJ, Kim J, Ha E, Park HK, Choi S, Lee H, Park SH, Leem KH, Kim EH. Acupuncture decreases ischemia-induced apoptosis and cell proliferation in dentate gyrus of gerbils. Neurol Res 2007; 29 Suppl 1:S23-7. [PMID: 17359636 DOI: 10.1179/016164107x172239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has been used for the enhancement of functional recovery from various disorders. In the present study, the effect of acupuncture on the apoptosis and new cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of gerbils (n = 25) following transient global ischemia was investigated. METHODS To determine the level of apoptosis and cell proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) were employed respectively. RESULTS In the dentate gyrus of ischemic gerbils, the number of both TUNEL- and BrdU-positive cells (66.01 +/- 2.45/mm(2) and 514.38 +/- 44.90/mm(2)) was significantly increased compared to that of the sham-operated gerbils (11.25 +/- 1.85/mm(2) and 111.47 +/- 10.95/mm(2)). Among the acupuncture (ST36, LI4 or non-acupoint) treated groups, ST36 acupoint treated group showed the most potent apoptosis (20.52 +/- 2.40/mm(2)) and proliferation (159.38 +/- 24.05/mm(2)) suppressive effects ( approximately 70% decreases in both apoptosis and cell proliferation). CONCLUSION These results may suggest that acupuncture treatment alleviates ischemia-induced apoptosis and presents possible therapeutic potentials in the recovery from ischemic cerebral injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hoon Chung
- College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jechon 390-711, Korea
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Seo J, Lee HS, Ha E, Park HJ, Park HK, Lee H, Kang S, Yin C, Kim J, Leem KH, Kim EH, Ryu Y, Choi S, Chung JH. Efficacy of combined treatment by scalp and penetration acupunctures with TKM medication (tang) on stroke patients. Neurol Res 2007; 29 Suppl 1:S38-41. [PMID: 17359639 DOI: 10.1179/016164107x172275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) therapy of scalp and penetration acupuncture has been used for the treatment of stroke in Korea. This study investigated the efficacy of scalp and penetration acupuncture in combination with TKM medication. METHODS Twenty-four stroke patients were enrolled in the program. Control group (n = 12) received herbal medicines (Baepungtang, Sopungtang or Sosokmyeongtang) and conventional body acupuncture. Treatment group (n = 12) received scalp and penetration acupuncture in addition to herbal medicines and conventional body acupuncture. Improvements in the motor functions were scored by the modified Barthel index (MBI). RESULTS After 4 weeks of treatment, statistical analysis showed significant improvement in the MBI scores for both groups. Significant difference in the MBI scores between two groups, however, was not observed. CONCLUSION The supportive effect of scalp and penetration acupuncture in the treatment of stroke needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungchul Seo
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 730-090, Korea
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have suggested that acupuncture can ameliorate some symptoms commonly associated with vascular dementia (VaD). The study was carried out to observe the clinical therapeutic effects for VaD of 'yi qi tiao xue, fu ben pei yuan' acupuncture method (supplementing vital force-matter and regulating blood, supporting the root and fostering the source). METHODS Sixty inpatients with VaD were randomly assigned to the treat group (TG) or control group (CG). Both the TG and the CG received routine treatment as other inpatients with VaD, including medication and traditional acupuncture treatment. After that, the TG was given the treatment of 'yi qi tiao xue, fu ben pei yuan' acupuncture, which included five body acupoints, namely, tanzhong (CV17), zhongwan (CV12), qihai (CV6), zusanli (ST36) and xuehai (SP10). The Treatment was performed once daily for 6 weeks. The mini-mental status examination (MMSE), the revised Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS-R) and activities of daily living (ADL) exam were carried out before and after the experiment, to evaluate therapeutic effects of the acupuncture method. RESULTS The MMSE, HDS-R and ADL scores were significantly improved in the TG and CG (p<0.001). But the overall scores of MMSE and HDS-R for the subjects in the TG were notably higher than those in the CG (p<0.05). Patients in the TG showed remarkable improvement in memory, orientation, calculation and self-managing ability in daily living after treatment. The total effective rate was 80.0% in the TG versus 46.7% in the CG, where significant difference between the two groups exhibited (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggested that 'yi qi tiao xue, fu ben pei yuan' acupuncture method had significant therapeutic effects and well tolerated in ameliorate the key clinical symptoms of VaD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchun Yu
- Gerontological Department, the First Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
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Cho NH, Lee JD, Cheong BS, Choi DY, Chang HK, Lee TH, Shin MC, Shin MS, Lee J, Kim CJ. Acupuncture suppresses intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in rats. Neurosci Lett 2004; 362:141-5. [PMID: 15193772 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2004] [Revised: 02/29/2004] [Accepted: 03/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. In the present study, the effect of acupuncture on intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death in rats was investigated via Nissl staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. The present results showed that lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum were significantly increased following intrastriatal hemorrhage in rats and that acupunctural treatment at the Zusanli acupoint suppressed the hemorrhage-induced increase in lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum. In the present study, it can be suggested that acupunctural treatment, especially at the Zusanli acupoint, may aid in the recovery following central nervous system sequellae following intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam-Hun Cho
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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Jang MH, Shin MC, Lee TH, Lim BV, Shin MS, Min BI, Kim H, Cho S, Kim EH, Kim CJ. Acupuncture suppresses ischemia-induced increase in c-Fos expression and apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region in gerbils. Neurosci Lett 2003; 347:5-8. [PMID: 12865128 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00512-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture has been used for the enhancement of functional recovery from various disorders including stroke. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on the c-Fos expression and apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region of gerbils following transient global ischemia were investigated via immunohistochemistry for c-Fos and caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Enhanced Fos, TUNEL, and caspase-3 positivities were detected in the hippocampal CA1 region in the ischemic gerbils. Acupunctural treatment suppressed the ischemia-induced increment in the number of Fos-, TUNEL-, and caspase-3-positive cells: the most potent suppressive effect was observed at the Zusanli acupoint. These results suggest that acupunctural treatment alleviates ischemia-induced apoptosis and may aid in the recovery following ischemic cerebral injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Hyeon Jang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, # 1 Hoigi-dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea
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