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Abstract Background This study sought to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods C57BL/6 mice were administrated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to construct the IBD model. DSS mice were then administrated with EA (10 Hz, 1.5 mA) at ST36 for 7 days or intragastric administration of sulfasalazine (SASP) each day during the entire course. The control group animals were administered with distilled water. Then, partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed differences in the relative content of metabolites. The pathological changes of colon and spleen tissues were observed by H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. qPCR determined the mRNA expression levels, while ELISA and western blot analysis determined the protein expression. Results Compared with the control groups, DSS‐induced decreases of body weight were reversed after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The DAI of DSS mice was significantly higher relative to the control groups, whereas the DAI of DSS mice were decreased after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The intestinal weight/length ratio increased significantly in DSS groups; however, EA at ST36 significantly improved the macroscopic/microscopic characteristics and the weight and length of the colon. EA reversed inflammation and leukocyte infiltration and normalized the elevated levels of IL‐1β, IL‐18, and NLRP3. Furthermore, EA improved the expression levels of ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin 1, exhibiting normalization of the colon's tight junctions. Conclusions EA at Zusanli acupoint of colon tissue significantly improved the pathological phenotype, showing a therapeutic effect on IBD.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupoint application of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis powder on promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal surgery. Methods Totally 60 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into the study group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received routine nursing after surgery, and those in the study were given acupoint application of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis powder on Zusanli (ST36) in addition to routine nursing. The time to first passing gas and defecation after operation and the bowel sounds were compared between two groups. A self-made questionnaire was used evaluate patient’s satisfaction with nursing service. Results The time to recovery of bowel sounds, first passing gas and defecation after operation in the study group were shorter than those in the control group(P＜0. 01). The overall satisfaction rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P＜0. 01). Conclusion The acupoint application of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis powder is effective to promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduce the discomfort symptoms after abdominal surgery. (目的 探究中药厚朴粉足三里穴位贴敷促进腹部手术患者术后胃肠功能恢复的效果。方法 选取2022年7月—2023年7月医院收治的行腹部手术的60例患者为研究对象, 随机分为研究组和对照组, 各30例。对照组接受常规术后护理, 研究组在对照组基础上开展穴位贴敷治疗。对比两组患者肠鸣音恢复时间、首次排气和排便时间, 评价护理满意度。结果 研究组患者术后首次排气时间、排便时间、肠鸣音恢复时间均较对照组患者缩短, 差异有统计学意义(P＜0. 01)。研究组总满意率高于对照组, 差异有统计学意义(P＜0. 01)。结论 厚朴粉足三里穴位贴敷可有效促进腹部手术患者术后胃肠功能的恢复, 减少术后不适症状。)

Background: The efficacy of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) in alleviating lower-limb pain is widely acknowledged in clinical practice, while its underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. Our previous research had revealed that the prompt analgesia induced by needling-ST36 was accompanied by expression alterations in certain exco-nucleotidases within the sciatic nerve. Building upon this finding, the current work focused on NTPDase1, the primary ecto-nucleotidase in the human body, which converts ATP into AMP. Methods: A 20-min acupuncture was administered unilaterally at the ST36 on rats with acute ankle arthritis. The pain thresholds of the injured hind paws were determined. Pharmacological interference was carried out by introducing the corresponding reagents to the sciatic nerve. ATP levels around the excised nerve were measured using a luciferase-luciferin assay. Live calcium imaging, utilizing the Fura 2-related-F340/F380 ratio, was conducted on Schwann cells in excised nerves and cultured rat SCs line, RSC96 cells. Results: The analgesic effect induced by needling-ST36 was impaired when preventing ATP degradation via inhibiting NTPDase1 activities with ARL67156 or Ticlopidine. Conversely, increasing NTPDase1 activities with Apyrase duplicated the acupuncture effect. Similarly, preventing the conversion of AMP to adenosine via suppression of NT5E with AMP-CP hindered the acupuncture effect. Unexpectedly, impeded ATP hydrolysis ability and diminished NTPDase1 expression were observed in the treated group. Agonism at P2Y2Rs with ATP, UTP, or INS365 resulted in anti-nociception. Contrarily, antagonism at P2Y2Rs with Suramin or AR-C 118925xx prevented acupuncture analgesia. Immunofluorescent labeling demonstrated that the treated rats expressed more P2Y2Rs that were predominant in Schwann cells. Suppression of Schwann cells by inhibiting ErbB receptors also prevented acupuncture analgesia. Finally, living imaging on the excised nerves or RSC96 cells showed that agonism at P2Y2Rs indeed led to [Ca2+]i rise. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the analgesic mechanism of needling-ST36 on the hypersensation in the lower limb partially relies on NTPDase1 activities in the sciatic nerve. In addition to facilitating adenosine signaling in conjunction with NT5E, most importantly, NTPDase1 may provide an appropriate low-level ATP milieu for the activation of P2Y2R in the sciatic nerve, particularly in Schwann cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on Zusanli acupoint on the inflammatory changes of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in spleen and spinal dorsal horn of mice with paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain (PINP) .MethodsA total of sixty adult male C57BL/6 mice with the body weight of 18-22 g were selected and randomly divided into control group, model group, electroacupuncture group, intraperitoneal antagonist group and intrathecal antagonist group according to random number table, with 12 mice in each group. The model group, electroacupuncture group, intraperitoneal antagonist group and intrathecal antagonist group were injected with paclitaxel (2 mg/kg) every other day for a total of 4 times to establish the PINP model, while the control group was given the same amount of normal saline. After the model was established, the electroacupuncture group, intraperitoneal antagonist group and intrathecal antagonist group received electroacupuncture intervention once every other day from the first day, for 7 times in total. The intraperitoneal antagonist group and intrathecal antagonist group received intraperitoneal and intrathecal injection of α7nAChR receptor antagonist α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) on day 1, 7 and 13, respectively. The changes of mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) of mice at day 0, 7 and 14 were measured by Von Frey painometer and a plantar algesia meter, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of α7nAChR protein in spleen and spinal dorsal horn of mice on day 14. RT-qPCR and ELISA were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α in spleen and spinal dorsal horn of mice on day 14.Results1) Behavioral test: There was no significant difference in PWT and PWL before the model was established in the five groups (P>0.05); PWT and PWL in the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group at day 7 and 14 (PPPPPPPP

BackgroundInsulin resistance (IR) is one of the common pathological manifestations of metabolic-related diseases, and the prevalence of relevant diseases is high. Acupuncture is beneficial to IR patients, but the central mechanism underlying this treatment remains unclear. This study provides mechanistic insights into how electroacupuncture (EA) improves IR through the response of Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to adiponectin (Adipo).MethodsGlucose tolerance tests (GTT), Insulin tolerance tests (ITT) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were detected by glucometer. Serum insulin, Adipo and skeletal muscle adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) protein levels were examined by ELISA. Homeostasis model assessment estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated using the following formula: HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (FINS) (mU/L) × FBG (mmol/L)/22.5. The expression levels of AdipoR1 and Adipo mRNA in skeletal muscle were detected by real-time PCR quantification. The co-marking of c-Fos/AdipoR1 and POMC neurons were investigated using immunofluorescence. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) of POMC neurons and the response of POMC neurons to Adipo were detected via electrophysiology.ResultsEA significantly ameliorated HFD-induced impairment of GTT, ITT, FBG, and HOMA-IR which was correlated with recovery of the expression level of AdipoR1 and Adipo in skeletal muscle. The improved response of POMC neurons to Adipo in the hypothalamus may be a key factor in correcting abnormal glucose tolerance and improving IR.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that EA can ameliorate HFD-induced impaired glucose tolerance through improved response of POMC neurons to Adipo in the hypothalamus, providing insight into the central mechanism of improving IR through EA.

Abstract Background Although the relationship between deqi sensations and curative effect has always been controversial, deqi sensations has been regarded as the key indicator of clinical efficacy of acupuncture therapy. There is little evidence for standardization or visualization of the mechanism of acupuncture’s therapeutic effect. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of needling at Zusanli (ST36) on antral contraction function as visualized by ultrasound. Methods This is a two-arm, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 116 acupuncture-naïve healthy subjects will be randomly allocated to the acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the acupuncture group will receive manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) with the needling depth at crural interosseous membrane. Those in the sham acupuncture group will be given penetrating needling depth at the superficial fascia layer. The primary outcome will be the changes in antral contraction frequency (ACF) before and after acupuncture. The secondary outcomes will be the changes in the thermal infrared spectrum of gastric area skin, the antral contraction amplitude (ACA), the antral movement index (AMI), and the scores on the Chinese version of Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS). The adverse events will be evaluated and recorded in detail. Discussion This study may provide visual and objective evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36). In addition, the results of this study will help to identify the role of Zusanli (ST36)in the inducing deqi. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000040686 . Registered on 8 December 2020

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Zusanli(ST36) acupoint injection of Neostigmine in the treatment of postoperative abdominal distention, and to provide evidence-based basis for the nursing and treatment of postoperative abdominal distention. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of Zusanli acupoint injection of Neostigmine for postoperative abdominal distention was searched in CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed and Embase. After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation were completed by two researchers independently, the Review Manager 5. 3 software was used for Meta analysis. Results A total of 1622 patients were enrolled in 17 RCT studies. Meta analysis showed that the total effective rate of Zusanli acupoint injection of Neostigmine was higher than that in the control group(OR= 7. 49, 95%CI［4. 66, 12. 05］, P

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli and Quchi acupoints on focal ischemic brain injury in rats from the behavioral, histological and molecular levels, respectively, and to provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of electroacupuncture in the treatment of cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of 144 male Sprague Dawley(SD)rats weighing(250±30)g were selected and randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated group, electroacupuncture(EA)group and model group. The common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and external carotid artery of the rats in the sham-operated group were separated after anesthesia without ligation or thread insertion. In the EA and model groups, the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)models were achieved by Zea-Longa sutured-occluded method. According to Bederon and Longa scoring methods, simple neurobehavioral scoring was performed on the rats after the model was established. Rats with 0 and 4 scoring points were excluded. One day after the operation, the rats in the EA group were electroacupunctured at Zusanli and Quchi acupoints. The appropriate depth of needling was slight shaking of affected limbs in rats after electrification. Simulation parameters: dilatational wave, frequency of sparse wave 4 Hz and dense wave 20 Hz, pulse width 0.5 ms, output voltage 2 V, output current 0.5 mA, 20 min/(time·day).In the model group, except no acupuncture, the rest of the process was the same as that of the EA group. The changes in walking, hind limb standing and licking behaviors of the rats were observed with Homecage Scan monitoring system 1, 7 and 14 days after the cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The rats were also sacrificed 1, 7 or 14 days after operation, with the volume of cerebral infarction in rats determined by the 2, 3, 5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining method. In addition, BrdU-positive cells, double positive cells of BrdU/DCX and double positive cells of BrdU/NeuN were used as markers of proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural stem cells, respectively. The proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural stem cells in rats were observed by double immunofluorescence staining at the 1st, 7th and 14th day after cerebral ischemia reperfusion of the rats.Results:1.No neurologic impairment was observed in the sham-operated group in the research. In the EA and model groups, the impairment was the severest one day after the operation, and the nerve function was recovered gradually as time went on, but it could not recover to the level of the sham-operated group until 14 days after the operation. In addition, there was no significant difference between the EA group and model group on the first day after the operation(P>0.05). The behavior scores of the rats in the EA group was higher than that of the model group(PP>0.05). The infarct sizes detected by TTC staining were smaller in the EA group than in the model group after 7 and 14 days(PP>0.05), however, at the 7th and 14th day, the population in the EA group increased more significantly compared with the model group(PP>0.05), while, at the 7th and 14th day, the number of BrdU/DCX positive cells in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group(PP>0.05).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Zusanli and Quchi acupoints has been proved to improve the neurological function of rats with cerebral infarction and reduce the volume of cerebral infarction. Besides, it also improved the expression of DCX but not NeuN. Therefore, the electroacupuncture treatment can also promote the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells but not induce a great change in the differentiation.

目的 探讨电针足三里穴治疗对卒中后并发胃肠功能紊乱患者的临床效果，发挥中医优势，为中西医 结合治疗卒中提供临床依据。 方法 选取2014年10月-2015年12月入住我院神经科并且病程超过2个月的卒中后并发胃肠功能紊乱 的80例患者，随机将分为观察组和对照组，每组有40例。给对照组给予西医常规治疗及护理，而观 察组在对照组治疗基础上给予双侧足三里穴电针治疗。 结果 对照组的总有效率75%，观察组的总有效率92.5%，比较差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。观察组肠 鸣音恢复时间，肛门排便、排气时间短于对照组（P＜0.05）。经治疗后两组胃泌素、胃动素水平均较 治疗前升高（P＜0.05），且观察组水平明显高于对照组，比较差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。 结论 常规治疗基础上加用足三里穴电针治疗可有效促进卒中患者胃肠功能恢复，改善胃肠动力， 调节胃肠激素的分泌，临床疗效显著。 Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical effect of electroacupuncture at Zusanli in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after stroke, so as to provide clinical evidence for stroke treated with combination of TCM and Western medicine by taking advantage of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods A total of 80 patients who were admitted in neurology department of our hospital during October 2014 and December 2015and diagnosed as gastrointestinal dysfunction after stroke with more than 2 months were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment and nursing, while the observation group was treated by Zusanli electroacupuncture on the basis of control treatment. Results The total effective rate was 92.5% in observation group, better than the 75% in control group (P

Abstract Background Electroacupuncture (EA) has been applied to treat and prevent diseases for years. However, molecular events happened in both the acupunctured site and the internal organs after EA stimulation have not been clarified. Methods Here we applied transcriptomic analysis to explore the gene expression signatures after EA stimulation. Mice were applied EA stimulation at ST36 for 15 min and nine tissues were collected three hours later for microarray analysis. Results We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung. Conclusions This report applied, for the first time, a global comprehensive genome-wide approach to analyze the gene expression profiling of acupunctured site and internal organs after EA stimulation. The connection between gene expression signatures, biological processes, and diseases might provide a basis for prediction and explanation on the therapeutic potentials of acupuncture in organs.

Background: Nosocomial infection is a current medical issue, particularly in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident. The present study purpose isto evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture, Chinese herbs and moxibustion in prophylaxis of nosocomial infections in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Material and methods: The study was carried out on a group of 100 patients. Valuing the efficiency of acupuncture, moxibustion and Chinese herbs in the prevention of nosocomial infections in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident, 50 patients (treatment group) with acute cerebrovascular accident received acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on points Zusanli (ST36) and Guanyuan (CV4) and per os – decoction Banqingheji. The control group (50 patients) did not receive any prophylactic treatment of nosocomial infection. Results: In Acupuncture-moxibustion group infection rate was 2% (50/1) and 18% in the control group (50/9). In the control group were recorded 9 cases of infection, 7 cases (14%) constituted respiratory tract infections and 2 (4%) urinary tract infections. Acupuncture-moxibustion group revealed 1 case of respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: Acupuncture, moxibustion on Zusanli (ST36), Guanyuan (CV4) points and decoction Banqingheji are efficient in the prevention of nosocomial infections in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident.The study demonstrates that in case of nosocomial infection of patients with acute cerebrovascular accident prevalent is nosocomial infection of the respiratory tract.

Abstract Background The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) is affected by both the acupuncture point selection and the frequency of stimulation. However, little is known regarding acupuncture point and simulation frequency selection. Neuronal activation of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is one of the important targets of EA for modulating gastrointestinal function. This study investigated the effects of various combinations of EA frequencies and acupuncture points on NTS neurons. Methods Rats were randomly divided into normal, 2 Hz EA, 100 Hz EA and the alternate 2/100 Hz EA groups. Then rats in each group were randomly divided into the following two subgroups according to the acupuncture point: ST 36 group and ST 25 group. All the rats underwent electrode implantation surgery. Rats in all EA groups received one treatment with EA (a constant square wave at, 2 Hz,100 Hz or 2/100 Hz frequencies with intensities ranging from 1 to 2 mA), and NTS neuronal activation was recorded before and after EA treatment. Finally, to confirm the effect of EA on the NTS, minimal acupuncture was administered and its effect on NTS was detected. Results ST 36 stimulated with 2 Hz EA significantly increased the population of excited NTS neurons and spike frequency. However, ST 36 stimulated with 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA produced only a transient effect on the activity of NTS neurons and did not induce any effect on the spike frequency. Furthermore, the excitatory effect of 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA on NTS neurons in the ST 36 group was lower than 2 Hz EA at the same point. When applied to ST 25, 2 Hz EA had no significant excitatory effect on NTS neurons or spike frequency. However, 100 Hz EA or 2/100 Hz EA at ST 25 decreased both NTS neuronal excitability and spike frequency. By comparing the effects of different EA combinations, it was shown 2 Hz EA applied to ST 36 had the strongest excitatory effect on NTS neurons, while 100 Hz EA applied to ST 25 had the greatest inhibitory effect. Minimal acupuncture stimulation produced no effect on NTS neurons. Conclusion EA’s effects on NTS were mainly affected by the acupuncture point selection, but the frequency of EA also played a role. Different combinations of acupuncture points and frequency selection may lead to different EA effects on NTS neuronal excitability.

Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on peri-infract striatal neural autophagy in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) -induced ischemia and reperfusion injured rats.Methods:Thirty-six SD rats were divided into the sham group, the MCAO group and the EA group by a random number table, 12 rats in each group. After the MCAO models were established according to the Koizumi method, the rats in the EA group received EA at the LI11 and ST36 acupoints intervention with 3 days. The infract volume of cerebral ischemia were measured by TTC staining. The number of autophagosome and the structure of mitochondria were evaluated by electron microscope (EM). The expression of autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1ight chain 3B (LC3B) were detected.Results:TTC staining showed that the infarct volumes of rats in the EA group were reduced compared to the sham group (PP