Acupuncture for general veterinary practice

Evidence-Based Application of Acupuncture in Theriogenology

Historical evidence of acupuncture predates written history. It has been a component of Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine for many generations and is officially recognized in recorded history for treating equine disease in the Zhou Dynasty, circa 1050 BC. Drawing from a range of searchable databases, we present the use of veterinary acupuncture related to theriogenology. We touch on human-based medicine only as an introduction to current uses within veterinary medical acupuncture. This review is confined to the use of acupuncture encompassing dry needle, electroacupuncture, aquapuncture, and the few reports of laserpuncture. Starting with acupuncture’s influence on the master organs of reproduction, the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, we then review reports specific to the gonads—ovaries and testicles—and then its influences on the uterus. From there, we review reports on the influence of acupuncture on pain associated with reproductive surgery, and finally, on the use of acupuncture for maternal lactation. Based on published reports, we conclude that acupuncture has been shown to be effective in many situations as a treatment for infertility and/or reproductive tract disfunction, resulting in improvements in both female and male patients.

A Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: "Miscellaneous Therapies"

Simple Summary

Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is commonly used in animals. However, there is limited knowledge of how the methods affect the animal. Therefore, this study reviews the scientific literature of 24 different CAVM therapies used in cats, dogs, and horses. Three core bibliographic sources were used. Relevant articles were assessed for scientific quality, and information was extracted on study characteristics, species, type of treatment, indication, and treatment effects. Of 982 unique publications screened, 42 were eligible for inclusion, representing nine different CAVM therapies, which were aromatherapy, gold therapy, homeopathy, leeches (hirudotherapy), mesotherapy, mud, neural therapy, sound (music) therapy, and vibration therapy. For the other 15 predefined therapies, no study was identified. The risk of bias was assessed as high in 17 studies, moderate to high in 10, moderate in 10, low to moderate in four, and low in one study. In those studies where the risk of bias was low to moderate, there was considerable heterogeneity in reported treatment effects. Therefore, the 24 CAVM therapies do not have scientific documentation of sufficient quality to draw clear conclusions regarding their clinical effect.

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM). There is, however, an uncertainty of the efficacy of these methods. Therefore, the aim of this systematic literature review is to assess the evidence for clinical efficacy of 24 CAVM therapies used in cats, dogs, and horses. A bibliographic search, restricted to studies in cats, dogs, and horses, was performed on Web of Science Core Collection, CABI, and PubMed. Relevant articles were assessed for scientific quality, and information was extracted on study characteristics, species, type of treatment, indication, and treatment effects. Of 982 unique publications screened, 42 were eligible for inclusion, representing nine different CAVM therapies, which were aromatherapy, gold therapy, homeopathy, leeches (hirudotherapy), mesotherapy, mud, neural therapy, sound (music) therapy, and vibration therapy. For 15 predefined therapies, no study was identified. The risk of bias was assessed as high in 17 studies, moderate to high in 10, moderate in 10, low to moderate in four, and low in one study. In those studies where the risk of bias was low to moderate, there was considerable heterogeneity in reported treatment effects. Therefore, the scientific evidence is not strong enough to define the clinical efficacy of the 24 CAVM therapies.

Obesity Animal Models for Acupuncture and Related Therapy Research Studies

Obesity and related diseases are considered as pandemic representing a worldwide threat for health. Animal models are critical to validate the effects and understand the mechanisms related to classical or innovative preventive and therapeutic strategies. It is, therefore, important to identify the best animal models for translational research, using different evaluation criteria such as the face, construct, and predictive validity. Because the pharmacological treatments and surgical interventions currently used for treating obesity often present many undesirable side effects, relatively high relapse probabilities, acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA), and related therapies have gained more popularity and attention. Many kinds of experimental animal models have been used for obesity research studies, but in the context of acupuncture, most of the studies were performed in rodent obesity models. Though, are these obesity rodent models really the best for acupuncture or related therapies research studies? In this study, we review different obesity animal models that have been used over the past 10 years for acupuncture and EA research studies. We present their respective advantages, disadvantages, and specific constraints. With the development of research on acupuncture and EA and the increasing interest regarding these approaches, proper animal models are critical for preclinical studies aiming at developing future clinical trials in the human. The aim of the present study is to provide researchers with information and guidance related to the preclinical models that are currently available to investigate the outcomes of acupuncture and related therapies.

ASIAN ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) SUFFERING FROM LIGHTNING STRIKE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BY INTEGRATIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE

A captive female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), approximately 30 yr old, was struck by lightning and displayed obtundation, dysphagia, drooling, and muscle weakness. A physical examination, hematologic test, blood gas analysis, and electrocardiogram were performed. Treatments included the administration of mannitol, dexamethasone, antibiotics, analgesics, vitamins, and intravenous fluid. Conventional therapy resulted in improvement but not complete resolution of clinical signs. Therefore, acupuncture was integrated into the treatment protocol. Electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture were administered every other day; aqua acupuncture was administered once a week. No complications were observed during acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM), contributed to the resolution of clinical signs in this case and may be an effective adjunctive treatment for other neurologic disorders in elephants.

Hypothesis paper: electroacupuncture targeting the gut-brain axis to modulate neurocognitive determinants of eating behavior-toward a proof of concept in the obese minipig model

Acupuncture has thousands of years of history and perspective for the treatment of many health problems and disorders. Beneficial effects of acupuncture on obesity have been demonstrated at various levels in animals and clinical trials, with almost no adverse effect, even when combined with local electrical stimulation, i.e., electroacupuncture (EA), a way to potentiate the effects of acupuncture. However, there is still scattered evidence about the impact of EA on brain functions related to the control of eating behavior, and notably on the gut-brain axis mechanisms involved in these putative central modulations. During the past 10 years, we have described a convincing diet-induced obese minipig model, and successfully implemented brain imaging and neurocognitive approaches to challenge mechanistic hypotheses and innovative therapeutic strategies. In the present article, we propose to confront the current literature on the acupuncture and EA effects on the gut-brain axis and obesity with the latest developments in nutrition and neuroscience research using the minipig model. Our aims are to (a) elaborate functional hypotheses on the gut-brain mechanisms underlying EA effects on obesity, and especially on the role of the vagus nerve, and (b) present the rational for testing these hypotheses in the minipig model.

Ultrahigh water permeance of a reduced graphene oxide nanofiltration membrane for multivalent metal ion rejection

We develop a kind of pure rGO membrane using amino-hydrothermal reduction that exhibits an ultrahigh water permeance of 142.5 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 while still maintaining a high rejection rate of 91.6% for multivalent metal ions. The prepared rGO membranes have two types of spacing: larger hydrophilic spacing and smaller hydrophobic spacing, resulting in superior filtration performance. This provides a new avenue for multivalent metal ion separation using pure rGO membranes.

Acupuncture prevents the postpartum reduction in matrix metalloproteinase type-2 immunoexpression, tissue concentration and enzyme activity in bovine caruncles

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of acupuncture in dairy cows (Bos taurus) on caruncular matrix metalloproteinase type-2 (MMP2) at 0, 2 and 4 hr after calving. Acupuncture (n = 6) was applied at 0 and 2 hr after calving to 6 points that relax the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions. Controls (n = 9) were kept in a stanchion for 15 min without acupuncture. All of the cows in the study delivered their placenta in <4 hr. Formalin-fixed caruncles were paraffin-embedded and subjected to routine immunohistochemistry to determine MMP2 expression, which was scored by a single observer. Flash frozen caruncles were homogenized, and protein concentration was determined. MMP2 concentrations were calculated using commercial bovine ELISAs. MMP2 enzyme activity was determined using zymography. The mean value for each time point for each cow was used to calculate the mean ± SEM for each treatment group. MMP2 was predominantly localized to the epithelial and subepithelial stromal cells of the caruncles in both treatment groups. MMP2 immunoexpression was lower 4 hr after calving in the control cows (p = 0.012) but not in the acupuncture treated cows indicating that acupuncture treatment maintained MMP expression. MMP2 tissue concentration was lower 2 hr after calving in the control cows (p = 0.048) but not in the acupuncture treated cows. MMP2 enzyme activity decreased from 0 to 2 hr after calving in control cows (p = 0.046) but not in acupuncture treated cows. This study provides physiologic evidence for the effects of acupuncture on the bovine reproductive tract and substantiates the use of this treatment in cases of placental retention.

The Emperor's New Clothes-An Epistemological Critique of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture

Simple Summary

Complementary and alternative medicines have gained increased popularity in the veterinary field. Among them, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, including acupuncture, has emerged as one of the main alternatives to conventional veterinary medicine. This paper relies upon an epistemological approach to investigate conceptual, historical and scientific assertions about veterinary acupuncture made by their advocates. Argument by analogy is used to demonstrate that Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine is based on pre-scientific principles, similar to those of humoral medicine and bloodletting, and that acupuncture is, in effect, a placebo. The paper concludes with recommendations for veterinary regulators and colleagues.

Abstract

Within the last few decades, complementary and alternative medicines have gained increased popularity in the veterinary field. Although many authors have exposed the scientific fallacies and historical misconceptions used to justify such therapies, those efforts have not succeeded in detracting veterinary practitioners from embracing them. Notably, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), including acupuncture, has emerged as one of the main alternatives to conventional veterinary medicine. In this paper, analogical reasoning is used to investigate conceptual, historical and scientific assertions made by the advocates of TCVM. The paper is divided into two parts: The first aims to appraise conceptual and historical claims made by veterinary acupuncturists. I defend that TCVM is a pre-scientific construct, similar to humoral doctrine, and that acupuncture is analogous to bloodletting. The second part is focused on scientific evidence of clinical application of acupuncture in the dog, showing how science is yet to validate veterinary acupuncture and defending that claims of efficacy are due to placebo effect. It is suggested that veterinary acupuncture needs to abandon Traditional Chinese Medicine and embrace science-based medicine tout court. On the other hand, high quality scientific studies, including randomized controlled trials, need to be presented. Veterinary regulators must bring the issue of non-conventional therapies into their agendas.

Anatomical Evidence of Acupuncture Meridians in the Human Extracellular Matrix: Results from a Macroscopic and Microscopic Interdisciplinary Multicentre Study on Human Corpses

For more than 2500 years, acupuncture has been applied to support the healing of different diseases and physiologic malfunctions. Although various theories of the meridian system and mechanisms were formulated to explain the functional basis of acupuncture, the anatomical basis for the concept of meridians has not been resolved. The aim of the present study was to search for replicable anatomical structures that could relate to meridians. To this end, four human specimens and additionally two lower legs were dissected anatomically. Our study found evidence that acupuncture meridians were part of the human extracellular matrix and that fascia was an important part of the anatomic substrate of acupuncture meridians. At the same time, we found vessel-nerve-bundles, which were hypothesized to account for 80% of acupuncture points, only in a few acupuncture points. Therefore, our findings contradict the theory that acupuncture points are only located along the nervous channels.

S100β Levels in CSF of Nonambulatory Dogs with Intervertebral Disk Disease Treated with Electroacupuncture

The aim of the study was to investigate S100β levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of nonambulatory dogs with intervertebral disk disease treated with electroacupuncture: 10 dogs with thoracolumbar disk extrusion graded 3 to 5 (EA group) and 7 dogs without neurologic dysfunction (control group). All dogs regained ambulation. S100β was detected by Western blot analysis where EA group dogs were evaluated at two time points (M1 = before EA and M2 = when the dogs return ambulation) and at one time point from control group. In EA group dogs M1-S100β levels were significantly higher than in control group. EA group dogs were divided into subgroups A (n = 7-early motor recovery; 6.7 ± 7.8 days) and B (n = 3-late motor recovery; 76 ± 17.0 days). M1-S100β levels were similar between subgroups A and B. However, M2-S100β levels were significantly higher in subgroup B than in subgroup A. An elevated S100β levels were observed in dogs with late motor recovery. S100β may be associated with neuroplasticity following spinal cord injuries with intervertebral disk extrusion. Further studies with larger numbers of subjects and control group with affected dogs are necessary to investigate the relationship between neurotrophic factors and electroacupuncture stimulation.

Protective effects of electroacupuncture on cardiac function in rats subjected to thoracic surgery trauma

The present study investigates the protective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) application on cardiac function, while simultaneously exploring the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, in rats that have experienced thoracic surgery-induced stress. Mean arterial and left intraventricular pressures were monitored as indicators of cardiac function. Meanwhile, the immunohistochemistry for c-Fos protein expression and electrophysiology in vitro in brain nuclei, known to regulate cardiac function, provide insights into the effects of EA on the central nervous system. The results show that cardiac function was dramatically suppressed with thoracic surgery trauma, the expression levels of c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) significantly increased, the rheobase intensity of the intracellular current injection needed to initiate the action potential decreased, membrane resistance in the PVN neurons significantly increased, and the inductivity of the postsynaptic potentials in the PVN neurons of the surgery-treated rats significantly decreased. EA application at the Neiguan acupoints (PC6) attenuated the decreases in almost all investigated functional parameters of the heart. EA significantly decreased the number of Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the PVN and RVLM, significantly decreased the Max L. slope of the PVN neurons, and increased the inductivity of the postsynaptic potentials in the PVN neurons of the surgery-treated rats. These data indicate the protective effects of EA application on cardiac function in rats that have experienced surgery-induced stress and show that EA application at the Neiguan acupoints may produce its protective effects through the neurons in the PVN and the RVLM.

Acupuncture Improves Sleep Conditions of Minipigs Representing Diurnal Animals through an Anatomically Similar Point to the Acupoint (GV20) Effective for Humans

Acupuncture, an alternative medicine, has been widely applied for people with sleep disturbances; therefore, the effects should be evaluated objectively. Micro-minipigs (MMPigs), the smallest miniature pigs for animal experiments, were used. Acupuncture was performed at two different points: Dafengmen is located on the head and is an anatomically similar point to human-Baihui (GV20), an effective acupoint for sleep disturbances in humans; pig-Baihui is on the back. The procedure was performed as follows: shallow, within 5 mm depth for several seconds; deep, 10–20 mm depth for 20 min. The sleep conditions were evaluated by actigraph, and the amount of catecholamine in pooled urine after acupuncture treatment. MMPigs with deep acupuncture at Dafengmen showed significantly efficient values on actigraph and catecholamine analysis as compared with untreated MMPigs. The effective acupoint for sleep conditions in the porcine model is at an anatomically similar point to humans, rather than the point determined by traditional Chinese medicine.

Clinical effect of additional electroacupuncture on thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 80 paraplegic dogs

The clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and acupuncture in combination with medication for the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation was investigated in paraplegic dogs with intact deep pain perception. To evaluate the additional effect of electroacupuncture, dogs treated with conventional medicines alone were compared to dogs treated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture and conventional medicine. Medical records of 80 dogs were reviewed for this investigation and classified into two groups undergoing different treatment methods: (1) treatment with conventional medicine alone (Group C, n = 37) and (2) treatment with conventional medicine combined with electroacupuncture and acupuncture (Group CE, n = 43). Prednisone was the conventional medicine and electroacupuncture was applied at GV07 and GV02-1 at 0.5-2.5 mV, mixed Hz of 2 and 15 Hz for 25-30 min. Acupuncture was performed locally at urinary bladder meridian points near the lesion, and bilaterally distantly at GB30, GB34, and ST36. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by post-operative neurologic function, ambulation, relapse, complication, and urinary function. Ambulation recovery was more prevalent in Group CE than Group C (p = 0.01) and recovery of ambulation and back pain relief time was shorter in Group CE compared to Group C (p = 0.011 and 0.001, respectively). Relapse rate was significantly lower in Group CE (p = 0.031). The results suggest that a combination of electroacupuncture and acupuncture with conventional medicine is more effective than conventional medicine alone in recovering ambulation, relieving back pain, and decreasing relapse. Electroacupuncture and acupuncture is thus a reasonable option for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation in paraplegic dogs with intact deep pain perception.

Acupuncture effects on cardiac functions measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a feline model

The usefulness of acupuncture (AP) as a complementary and/or alternative therapy in animals is well established but more research is needed on its clinical efficacy relative to conventional therapy, and on the underlying mechanisms of the effects of AP. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), an important tool in monitoring cardiovascular diseases, provides a reliable method to monitor the effects of AP on the cardiovascular system. This controlled experiment monitored the effect electro-acupuncture (EA) at bilateral acupoint Neiguan (PC6) on recovery time after ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia in healthy cats. The CMRI data established the basic feline cardiac function index (CFI), including cardiac output and major vessel velocity. To evaluate the effect of EA on the functions of the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems, heart rate, respiration rate, electrocardiogram and pulse rate were also measured. Ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia caused a transient hypertension in the cats; EA inhibited this anesthetic-induced hypertension and shortened the post-anesthesia recovery time. Our data support existing knowledge on the cardiovascular benefits of EA at PC6, and also provide strong evidence for the combination of anesthesia and EA to shorten post-anesthesia recovery time and counter the negative effects of anesthetics on cardiac physiology.

Ten Years Evidence-based High-Tech Acupuncture Part 3: A Short Review of Animal Experiments

High-tech acupuncture research has been performed for 10 years at the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at the Medical University of Graz. This article as a part of a series comprises animal experiments in the field of needle and laser acupuncture. The investigations presented in this article were performed in pigs, dogs and sheep. In all studies sedative stimulation effects of the acupoint Yintang are described using different measurement parameters (EEG-bispectral index, EEG spectral edge frequency and metabolic parameters).

The effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on rhythm of autonomic nervous system in dogs

Effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation on the rhythm of the autonomic nervous system in dogs were studied. Six healthy beagles were used in this study. Each dog was separately kept in a cage, and repeatedly exposed to light for 12 hr and dark for 12 hr alternately. Fixed subject dogs were stimulated by use of 5-V, 250-musec, 2-Hz biphasic square pulses for 15 min at the Xuan Shu (GV-5) and Bai Hui (GV-20) points on the spine. After EA stimulation, electrocardiogram was recorded for 24 hr. From the electrocardiogram data, the heart rate (HR), coefficient of variation in the R-R intervals (CVRR; index of autonomic nervous activity), power of high frequency component (HF; index of vagal nervous activity), and ratio of powers of the low and high frequency components (LF/HF; index of sympathetic nervous activity) were obtained. Cosinor analysis demonstrated that these indices exhibited a significant rhythmicity (P<0.05), irrespective of EA stimulation. In LF/HF, EA stimulation advanced the acrophase (from 22:55 to 21:33, P=0.012), and elevated the midline-estimating statistic of rhythm (from 0.653 to 0.725, P=0.006). However, there was no significant difference in HR, CVRR, or HF. In conclusion, EA stimulation markedly influenced the rhythm of sympathetic nervous system in dogs.

Reproductive Tract Infections in Horses

Diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, prevention of reproductive disease are vital components of equine veterinary medicine. A thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology is necessary to reconcile the pathologic findings of disease. Only then can a rational treatment plan be formulated. Many recent advances in knowledge about the reproductive system of multiple species have application to the mare and stallion.

Laser acupuncture: past, present, and future

Laser acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of traditional acupuncture points with low-intensity, nonthermal laser irradiation. Although the therapeutic use of laser acupuncture is rapidly gaining in popularity, objective evaluation of its efficacy in published studies is difficult because treatment parameters such as wavelength, irradiance, and beam profile are seldom fully described. The depth of laser energy transmission, likely an important determinant of efficacy, is governed not only by these parameters, but also by skin properties such as thickness, age, and pigmentation-factors which have also received little consideration in laser acupuncture. Despite the frequently equivocal nature of the published laser studies, recent evidence of visual cortex activation by laser acupuncture of foot points, together with the known ability of laser irradiation to induce cellular effects at subthermal thresholds, provides impetus for further research.