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Zhang K, Yang H. Altered brain functional networks after Quchi (LI 11) acupuncture: An EEG analysis. Technol Health Care 2023; 31:429-440. [PMID: 37066942 DOI: 10.3233/thc-236037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a unique traditional Chinese medicine therapy, the central effect of acupuncture has received increasing attention. Functional brain networks can provide connectivity information among brain regions. OBJECTIVE The study goal is to explore the regulatory effect of acupuncture on the brain functional network. METHODS This paper analyzes the electroencephalography (EEG)-based power spectrum and brain functional network elicited by acupuncture at Quchi (LI 11). RESULTS The power spectrum results showed that acupuncture at LI 11 decreased the energy in the alpha frequency, mainly in the central region, left parietal lobe, left temporal lobe and left frontal lobe. Moreover, functional brain networks converted from the magnitude-squared coherence matrix in the alpha band are reconstructed. The results show that acupuncture did not alter the basic properties of the brain functional connection network. During acupuncture, the average node degree, average clustering coefficient, and small-world property of the brain functional connection network decreased after acupuncture compared with that before it. However, the average characteristic path length increased after acupuncture compared with before. CONCLUSION Acupuncture at LI 11 altered the brain's electrical activity. In the meantime, this acupuncture reduced the network's internal connectivity and information transfer efficiency.
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Xiong J, Wang Z, Ruan M, Yao H, Wei M, Sun R, Yang X, Qi W, Liang F. Current status of neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture: a bibliometric and visual analyses. Complement Ther Med 2022; 71:102877. [PMID: 35998753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct an inductive analysis of neuroimaging studies following the global popularity surrounding the effects of acupuncture. METHODS The relevant works of literature on acupuncture effects-related neuroimaging studies were retrieved from the web of science core collection database from the date of its establishment to 2022. Bibexcel software was used to extract information, such as article numbers, countries, journals, agencies, funding sources and keywords. The VOSviewer software's co-occurrence and clustering module was used for the co-occurrence and cluster analysis of collaborative networks and high frequency keywords, such as authors, institutions and countries. RESULTS Neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture began in the 1960 s and has since received the extensive attention of scholars. China, The United States and South Korea conduct more neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture than other countries. Academic journals such as Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Neural Regeneration Research and Acupuncture in Medicine have published the highest number of acupuncture-related neuroimaging articles. Moreover, cluster analysis differentiates high-frequency keywords into six clusters. Furthermore, the use of the keyword 'density atlas' reveals that neuroimaging research on the effects of acupuncture surrounding pain and neurofunctional rehabilitation is currently the research focus. CONCLUSIONS This bibliometric study identifies six important research hot spots: Static brain functional connectivity analysis of acupuncture analgesic effects, key theories on the scientific problems of acupuncture, acupuncture analgesic effect of the placebo effect, the neuroimaging of acupoint ST-36, the value of acupuncture in regulating the autonomic nerves and acupuncture therapy as complementary medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xiong
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China; Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Minmin Ruan
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Hengshan Yao
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Miao Wei
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Xuejie Yang
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi, PR China
| | - Wenchuan Qi
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China; Clinical Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan, PR China.
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Acupuncture in Arterial Hypertension: Evaluation of its Efficacy with Both Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2022; 29:429-434. [PMID: 35761147 PMCID: PMC9537129 DOI: 10.1007/s40292-022-00530-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction A possible alternative to pharmacological antihypertensive therapies in grade 1 low risk hypertensive patients or in those experienced drugs adverse effects could be acupuncture. Aim we focused on its possible effects on BP both as Office BP (OBP) and as Ambulatory BP Monitoring (ABPM) evaluating it before starting a 6 weeks twice weekly (total 12 session) acupuncture cycle and after 2 months from its completion. Methods in this prospective study we treated with acupuncture 45 patients: 24 of them presents high-normal BP values and low cardiovascular risk while 21 patients were on anti-hypertensive drug with slightly uncontrolled BP values (from 140 to 145 mmHg for Systolic BP—SBP—and/or from 90 to 95 mmHg for Diastolic BP—DBP). Results regarding SBP, a significant reduction have been observed for office values (from 134.2 ± 15.7 to 125.1 ± 12.2, p = 0.03), and for ABPM 24 h (from 131.1 ± 10.7 to 126.0 ± 10.1, p = 0.01) and day-time values (from 134.7 ± 10.5 to 127.1 ± 18.4, p = 0.02). For DBP, only ABPM 24 h and day-time values showed significant changes (from 85.3 ± 9.1 to 82.1 ± 7.5, p = 0.03; and from 88.5 ± 9.3 to 85.7 ± 7.8, p = 0.02). Within session SBP decrease was − 5.8 mmHg (-3.75%) during the first session while it falls to – 2.1 mmHg (– 1.25%) and stands firmly under 2 mmHg for all the next session. At the last session SBP reduction was − 1.9 mmHg (– 1.6%). Conclusions we found a significant reduction in office, 24 h and day-time ABPM SBP determined by a 6-weeks twice weekly acupuncture cycle that lasts at least for the first two months after its completion. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40292-022-00530-9.
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Tu JF, Kim M, Yang JW, Li QQ, Litscher G, Wang L, Shi GX, Litscher D, Liu CZ. Influence of Acupuncture on Autonomic Balance in Adult Tinnitus Patients: An Exploratory Study. Curr Med Sci 2019; 39:947-953. [PMID: 31845226 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-019-2127-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy for tinnitus in clinical practice. The mechanism by which acupuncture can alleviate tinnitus is still unknown. Autonomic nervous system was reported to be responsible for tinnitus. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of acupuncture on autonomic balance in adult tinnitus patients. Thirty patients were randomly assigned into either the deep acupuncture (DA) group or the shallow acupuncture (SA) group. Each patient received 6 acupuncture sessions (a-f phase) over three weeks. Measures of heart rate variability and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were obtained at baseline and after the sixth acupuncture session in all patients. The results showed that the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) pattern was increased at b-f phase until the sixth acupuncture session when compared with that at the first acupuncture session in DA group. However, it continuously increased at b-f phase in SA group even at the sixth acupuncture session, which was not significantly different from that at the first acupuncture session. The decrease in THI in DA group was greater than that in SA group after 3-week treatment (P=0.043). Our preliminary study suggests three-week deep acupuncture can improve tinnitus symptoms in adult tinnitus patients, which may be related to the regulation of autonomic nervous system balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Feng Tu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mirim Kim
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jing-Wen Yang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qian-Qian Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Gerhard Litscher
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. .,Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria.
| | - Lu Wang
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria
| | - Guang-Xia Shi
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100010, China
| | - Daniela Litscher
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Tan YY, Fang L, Yao FR, Cao DY, Zhang Q. Orexin Receptor-1 in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Mediates the Antihypertensive Effects of Electroacupuncture. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:282. [PMID: 30971886 PMCID: PMC6443850 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat numerous diseases, including hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect and underlying mechanisms of EA stimulation at the LI11 point on the hypertension and sympathetic nerve activity in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. EA (0.1–0.4 mA, 2 and 15 Hz) was applied to the acupoints LI11 overlying the deep radial nerve once a day for 6 weeks. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were determined by radiotelemetry, and the sympathetic nerve activity was evaluated by telemetric analyses of the low-frequency component of blood pressure (BP) and by plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels. The results showed 6 weeks of EA significantly lowered the increased BP effectively, inhibited the enhanced sympathetic nerve activities and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy in 2K1C hypertensive rats. The level of orexin receptor-1 (OX1R) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) after EA treatment was markedly reduced in 2K1C rats, while there was no difference in the RVLM expression of orexin receptor-2 (OX2R) in 2K1C and 2K1C+EA rats. Moreover, the increased pressor and depressor responses to microinjection of orexin A or OX1R antagonist SB408124 into the RVLM of 2K1C rats were significantly blunted by the EA treatment. These findings suggest that BP-lowering effect of EA on renovascular hypertension may be through inhibition of central sympathetic activities and modulation of functional orexin receptors in the RVLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Tan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Ling Fang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Fan-Rong Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Dong-Yuan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, Research Center of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Stomatology, Xi'an, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
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Liang FX, Chen ZB, Wu S, Liu JM, Wang JZ, Lu JD, Wang LS, Chen L, Shu Q, Daniela L, Wang L, Wang H, Gerhard L. High-Tech Acupuncture for Prevention of Lifestyle Diseases-A Sino-Austrian Cooperation Research Protocol on Heart Rate Variability. Chin J Integr Med 2017. [PMID: 28634863 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-017-2548-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture can not only be used for well-known diseases, but also for so-called modern lifestyle-related diseases. Using innovative methods like e.g. new analyses of heart rate variability (HRV), it is also possible to investigate diseases like burnout syndrome, ie., qi deficiency in Chinese medicine (CM). OBJECTIVE The main object of this research protocol is to perform research on the relationship of burnout syndrome and heart rate (HR) and HRV. METHODS A total of 175 patients with burnout syndrome (qi deficiency syndrome) in five groups and 35 healthy volunteers will be investigated. Based on random numbers generated by computer and concealed in opaque envelops, the patients will be assigned to four acupuncture groups using Zusanli (ST 36) acupuncture stimulation, Guanyuan (CV4) acupuncture stimulation, both points, and both points with Streitberger device respectively, and a moxibustion group using both points mentioned above, with 35 cases in each group. Altogether four different experiments are planned. Experiment 1 includes 70 subjects and is a comparison between a burnout group and a control group (healthy volunteers). The evaluation parameters are different scores and indices of HR and HRV. Experiment 2 includes 140 subjects and compares the efficacy of different acupuncture points. In experiment 3 (105 subjects), acupuncture and moxibustion should be compared to healthy volunteers. Experiment 4 (70 subjects) investigates the long-term therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on the scores of qi deficiency and HR/HRV in qi deficiency patients. In both the acupuncture and moxibustion groups, a total of 10 treatments will be performed. CONCLUSIONS The joint research aims at the scientific evaluation of CM, mainly in the field of HRV. This parameter could be a very good indicator of the state of health and can be inflfluenced by different acupuncture methods, as shown in the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Xia Liang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Ze-Bin Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Song Wu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Jian-Min Liu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Jing-Zhi Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Ji-Dong Lu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Lu-Shan Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Li Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Qing Shu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China.,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Litscher Daniela
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center Graz, Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria
| | - Lu Wang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center Graz, Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria
| | - Hua Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China. .,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China.
| | - Litscher Gerhard
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopaedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, China. .,Hubei Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Preventive Treatment by Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan, 430061, China. .,Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center Graz, Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria.
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Laterality and coherence analysis of Laser Doppler Flowmetry signals in bilateral Nèi guān (内关 PC 6): a potential non-invasive method to assess microdrculatory changes of people in different ages. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/s1003-5257(17)30099-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Litscher D, Wang G, Gaischek I, Wang L, Wallner-Liebmann S, Petek E. Yellow laser acupuncture - A new option for prevention and early intervention of lifestyle-related diseases: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in volunteers. Laser Ther 2015; 24:53-61. [PMID: 25941426 PMCID: PMC4416147 DOI: 10.5978/islsm.15-or-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The yellow laser constitutes a totally new option in the field of laser acupuncture, in addition to the already existing red, near infrared, green and violet lasers. Especially for so called lifestyle-related diseases, this could open up new methods of integrative therapy. The goal of the present study was to investigate among other parameters blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and temperature effects before, during, and after stimulation of different acupoints with yellow laser. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We recruited 26 healthy volunteers (13 female, 13 male; mean age ± SD 24.1 ± 3.3 years) at the Medical University of Graz. The acupoints Baihui, Neiguan, Taichong and a placebo point were stimulated with a 589 nm (50 mW, 500 µm; 5 min) yellow laser. Blood pressure was measured noninvasively at the wrist; for the registration of the electrocardiogram a medilog AR12 HRV system was used. Effects on temperature were measured with a Flir i7 infrared camera. RESULTS There were significant decreases after yellow laser acupuncture in the systolic BP, diastolic BP also decreased (n.s.). HRV in both (men and women) increased. The temperature during the yellow laser stimulation decreased significantly in all measured points. After the stimulation it increased again significantly. Based on a questionnaire volunteers reported a significantly decreased level of stress after yellow laser stimulation. CONCLUSION Significant positive effects on BP and well-being were found after yellow laser stimulation. The results are very promising and can be very important especially for the treatment of lifestyle related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Litscher
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Guangjun Wang
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 16 Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ingrid Gaischek
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lu Wang
- Research Unit for Complementary and Integrative Laser Medicine, and TCM Research Center Graz, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Erwin Petek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Wang JY, Li H, Ma CM, Wang JL, Lai XS, Zhou SF. MicroRNA Profiling Response to Acupuncture Therapy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2015; 2015:204367. [PMID: 25861353 PMCID: PMC4377461 DOI: 10.1155/2015/204367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of endogenous noncoding RNAs that play important roles in many biological processes. This study aimed to check if miRNAs were involved in the response to acupuncture in rats. Microarray analysis was performed to compare the miRNA expression profiles of medulla in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) treated with or without acupuncture. Our microarray analysis identified 222 differentially expressed miRNAs in the medulla of SHRs treated with acupuncture at taichong acupoint. Among these miRNAs, 23 miRNAs with a significant difference were found in acupuncture-treated SHRs compared to untreated rats. These 23 miRNAs could regulate 2963 target genes which were enriched in at least 14 pathways based on our bioinformatic analysis. miRNA-339, miR-223, and miR-145 were downregulated in the medulla of SHRs compared to normotensive rats. Notably, these miRNAs were upregulated to basal levels in the medulla of SHRs treated with acupuncture at taichong in comparison with SHRs receiving acupuncture at nonacupoint group or SHRs without any treatment. Our findings have revealed significant changes of a panel of selective miRNAs in hypertensive rats treated at taichong acupoint. These data provide insights into how acupuncture elicits beneficial effects on hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-You Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 30, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 30, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Chun-Mei Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, College of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Jia-Lu Wang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Xin-Sheng Lai
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 30, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Center & Sino-US Joint Laboratory for Medical Sciences, Guiyang Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
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Sino-Austrian High-Tech Acupuncture Network-Annual Report 2014. MEDICINES 2014; 2:1-10. [PMID: 28933378 PMCID: PMC5532975 DOI: 10.3390/medicines2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Sino-Austrian High-Tech Acupuncture Research Network was founded in 2005 and has been growing ever since. The network comprises many partners from China and is highly involved in research and publication activities. This report introduces the network’s activities in the year 2014.
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Bilateral hegu acupoints have the same effect on the heart rate variability of the healthy subjects. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:106940. [PMID: 25057272 PMCID: PMC4099173 DOI: 10.1155/2014/106940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background. The specificity of acupuncture points (acupoints) is one of the key concepts in traditional acupuncture theory, but the question of whether there is adequate scientific evidence to prove or disprove specificity has been vigorously debated in recent years. Acupoint laterality is an important aspect of acupoint specificity. Data is particularly scarce regarding the laterality of the same channel, namesake acupoint located on opposite sides of the body. Our previous study results suggest that Neiguan acupoint (PC6) has the laterality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Hegu (LI4) also has laterality from the perspective of heart rate variability. Methods. A total of twenty-eight healthy female volunteers were recruited for this study and were randomly separated into the group I (n = 14) and the group II (n = 14) according to the register order. In the group I, left LI4 was stimulated in the first epoch and the right LI4 was stimulated in the second epoch. In the group II, right LI4 was stimulated in the first epoch and left LI4 was stimulated in the second epoch. Electrocardiogram was recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed. Results. The results show that there were no significant differences of heart rate variablity between the group I and the group II in the time domain and in the frequency domain. Conclusions. Bilateral Hegu acupoints have the same effect on the heart rate variability of the healthy subjects.
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