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Our and in vitro studies had confirmed that mechanosensitive ATP release and accumulation in acupoints was elicited by acupuncture (AP), which might be a pivotal step for triggering AP analgesia. But to date, the dynamics of extracellular ATP (eATP) in the interstitial space during AP process was poorly known, mainly due to the low temporal resolution of the current detection approach. This study attempted to capture rapid eATP signals in vivo in the process of needling, and further explored the role of this eATP mobilization in initiating AP analgesic effect. Ipsilateral 20-min needling was applied on Zusanli acupoint (ST36) of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced ankle arthritis rats. Pain thresholds were assessed in injured-side hindpaws. eATP in the interstitial space was microdialyzed and real-time quantified by luciferin-luciferase assay at 1-min interval with the aid of the microfluid chip. We revealed in behavioral tests that modulation of eATP levels in ST36 influenced AP analgesic effect on ankle arthritis. A transient eATP accumulation was induced by needling that started to mobilize at 4 min, climbed to the peak of 11.21 nM within 3.25 min and gradually recovered. Such AP-induced eATP mobilization was significantly impacted by ankle inflammation, needling depth, needle manipulation, and the presence of local ecto-nucleotidases. This work reveals that needling elicits a transient eATP mobilization in acupoints, which contributes to initiating AP analgesia. This study will help us better understand the peripheral mechanism of AP analgesia and guide clinicians to optimize the needle manipulations to improve AP efficacy.

This review summarizes experimental evidence indicating that subcutaneous mast cells are involved in the trigger mechanism of analgesia induced by acupuncture, a traditional oriental therapy, which has gradually become accepted worldwide. The results are essentially based on work from our laboratories. Skin mast cells are present at a high density in acupuncture points where fine needles are inserted and manipulated during acupuncture intervention. Mast cells are sensitive to mechanical stimulation because they express multiple types of mechanosensitive channels, including TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4, receptors and chloride channels. Acupuncture manipulation generates force and torque that indirectly activate the mast cells via the collagen network. Subsequently, various mediators, for example, histamine, serotonin, adenosine triphosphate and adenosine, are released from activated mast cells to the interstitial space; they or their downstream products activate the corresponding receptors situated at local nerve terminals of sensory neurons in peripheral ganglia. The analgesic effects are thought to be generated via the reduced electrical activities of the primary sensory neurons. Alternatively, these neurons project such signals to pain-relevant regions in spinal cord and/or higher centers of the brain.

The present study aimed at observing the profile of metabolites in sensitized acupoints induced by myocardial ischemia (MI) and the effect of acupuncture intervention on the changes of the metabolites so as to explore the material basis of acupoint sensitization.A total of 20 New Zealand rabbits were randomly and equally divided into a control group and a model group. The MI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery with a controllable air balloon inflation method for 5 min/time, twice a day (4-hours' interval) for continuous 5 days (the first stage of MI). After one day's rest, another 5 days' occlusion was conducted again (the second stage of MI) in the same way. The rabbits of the control group were treated with the same procedures but without occlusion. Subcutaneous microdialysis fluid samples were collected from "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Shenmen" (HT 7), "Xinshu" (BL 15), and "Taixi" (KI 3) regions on day 8(after recovery from operation), 14 (the first stage of MI), and 20 (the second stage of MI), as well as collected from PC 6 region during and post-acupuncture stimulation of PC 6, respectively. Manual acupuncture stimulation was applied to the right PC 6 for 30 min. Partial least squares -linear discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to identify different metabolism patterns of the microdialysis fluid sample between groups and at different time-points in the same one group, and the distinct metabolites as the potential markers between groups were weighted via the values of variable importance in the projection (VIP) in combination with t-test analysis. An area under the curve (AUC)1.0 indicated a test exhibiting good discrimination between groups.Six metabolites identified to be significantly different between the control and model groups were L-glutamic acid, phenylalanine and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid (which were significantly increased relevant to the control group), and L-histidine, octadecanedioic acid and 9-keto palmitic acid (significantly decreased relevant to the control group) in the microdialysate of PC 6, HT 7 and BL 15 regions. In the microdialysate of PC 6, 4 metabolites including L-glutamic acid, octadecanedioic acid and 8-isohydroxy PGF 2 α (significantly increased), as well as L-histidine (markedly decreased) were identified to be considerably different between the model and control groups. After acupuncture for 30 min, the AUC level of L-glutamic acid was further significantly increased (L-glutamic acid, phenylalanine, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, L-histidine, octadecanedioic acid and 9-keto palmitic acid from PC 6, HT 7 and BL 15 regions may be used as the material biomarker for MI-induced sensitization of these acupoints. Manual acupuncture intervention of PC 6 induces a significant change of L-histidine and L-glutamic acid in the local subcutaneous tissues.

To develop an animal model suitable for the study of acupoint sensitization in myocardial ischemia(MI) animals by observing changes of the mechanical withdrawal threshold (pain threshold, PT).Twenty New Zea-land rabbits were randomly divided into control and model groups (The controllable MI model was successful due to a marked elevation of ECG ST Ⅱ after inflation of the implanted balloon and a distinct recovery after balloon deflation (MI may induce a reduction of PT of some related acupoints in MI rabbits, and the controllable MI model of the present study is helpful to the study of acupoint sensitization phenomenon after occurrence of visceral diseases.

The frequencies of use of 361 human acupoints in 74 academic journals of traditional Chinese medicine published between 1949 and 2010 are arranged in order using ‘Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncture-moxibustion Information Databank’. The frequencies of use are divided into five grades: most frequent use, more frequent use, frequent use, less frequent use and infrequent use. The most frequently used acupoints and infrequently used acupoints are summarized and analyzed to help point selection for clinical acupuncture and selection of acupuncture research projects in the future.

Acupuncture has been used in clinical trials for the treatment of abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, scientific evidence is still lacking and the underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of repeated administration of electro-acupuncture (EA) on chronic visceral hypersensitivity and on the phosphorylation of spinal cord N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in a rat model of IBS. The results showed that repeated administration of EA at bilateral points of Zu-san-li (ST-36) and Shang-ju-xu (ST-37) significantly attenuated chronic visceral hypersensitivity induced in young adult rats by neonatal colon irritation. Such an effect was not seen in either of the two controls: sham-EA at ST-36 and ST-37 without electrical stimulation and EA at control points (BL-62 and tail). Furthermore, rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity exhibited high-level expression of phosphorylated NMDA receptor subunit 1 (pNR1) in the spinal cord (L4-L5 segments), which was markedly attenuated by EA treatment. In addition, EA at ST-36 and ST-37 neither altered the pain threshold of normal rats nor affected the expression of pNR1 in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Altogether, these data indicate that the EA-mediated attenuation of chronic visceral hypersensitivity is correlated with the down-regulation of NMDA receptors phosphorylation at the spinal level.

Objective To study the precise role of DOR in the regulation of sodium channels at present.

Objective To evaluate the effect of parallel scalp acupuncture therapy on hemodynamic function of cerebral circulation in post-stroke patients.

Membranes' response to lateral tension, and eventual rupture, remains poorly understood. In this study, pure dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers, under tension/pressure, were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The irreversible membrane breakdown is demonstrated to depend on the amplitude of lateral tension, loading rate, and the size of the bilayer. In all of our simulations, −200bar lateral pressure was found to be enough to rupture lipid membrane regardless of the loading rate or the membrane size. Loading rate and membrane size had a significant impact on rupture. A variety of dynamic properties of lipid molecules, probability distribution of area per lipid particularly, have been determined, and found to be fundamental for describing membrane behavior in detail, thus providing the quantitative description for the requirement of membrane rupture.

To observe changes of discharges of the sciatic nerve branch and mast cell activities and collagen fibers in the acupoint area during manual acupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli"(ST 36), so as to reveal the relationship between peripheral nerve and mast cell activities.A total of 30 male SD rats were divided into normal, acupuncture control (an acupuncture neidle was inserted into ST 36 without manipulation), manual acupuncture (MA), disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, suppressing mast cell activity) plus acupuncture (MA + DSCG) and col lagenase (dissolving the collagen fibers) plus acupuncture (MA+ collagenase) groups (6 rats/group). After dissection of a branch of the sciatic nerve innervating ST 36 region in the left hind-limb under anesthesia, the ipsilateral ST 36 was stimulated by manipulating the acupuncture needle for 20 min. Discharges of the sciatic nerve branch were recorded by using a pair of metal electrodes and data acquisition system (Power Lab). Skin and muscle tissues of ST 36 area were sampled, sliced and stained with Toluidine Blue for detecting the number of degranulated mast cells.Compared with the control group, the mean power spectrum of d ischarges of the sciatic nerve and the mean rates of the degranulated mast cells in "Zusanli" (ST 36) area in the MA group were significantly increased (P0.01). Whereas the mean power spectrum of discharges of the sciatic nerve and the mean degranulation rates of mast cells were considerably lower in the MA + DSCG group and MA+ collagenase group than in the MA group (P0.01). No significant differences were found between the normal and control groups, and between the MA+NDSCG and MA+collagenase groups in the mean power density and degranulation rates of mast cells (P0.05).Manual acupuncture stimulation of Zuai"ST 36 can significantly potentiate the discharge activity of the sciatic nerve and induce degranulation of mast cells at the same time, suggesting an involvement of mast cells in initiating acupuncture signals by peripheral sensory nerve.

The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of lung blood in a modified bilateral Glenn procedure designed in our institute with lung perfusion scintigraphy. Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent modified bilateral Glenn operation from 2011 to 2014 were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 7 patients who underwent bidirectional Glenn shunt. Radionuclide lung perfusion scintigraphy was performed using Tc-99m-macro aggregated albumin (MAA) in all patients. For the patients in modified bilateral Glenn group, the time at which the radioactivity accumulation peaked did not differ significantly between the right and left lung field (t = 0.608, P = 0.554). The incidence of perfusion abnormality in each lung lobe also did not differ significantly (P = 0.426 by Fisher exact test). The radioactive counts were higher in the right lung than in the left lung, but the difference was not statistically significant (t = 1.502, P = 0.157). Radioactive perfusion in the lower lung field was significantly greater than that in the upper field (t = 4.368, P

The so-called ultrasound acupuncture is a therapeutic approach for clinical problems and health care by applying the ultrasound energy to the acupoints of the human body directly or indirectly. It has been applied in clinic for about 30 years since 1980s. In the present paper, the authors review the development of both experimental and clinical researches in the past 30 years. Its clinical application includes allergic rhinitis, local pain, mastitis, angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, stroke, etc. Regarding the researches on the underlying mechanism of ultrasound and ultrasound acupuncture, the authors make a summary from 1) bioeffects (thermal and nonthermal effects) of ultrasound intervention; 2) cell lysis and nonlysis effects of ultrasound intervention; and 3) effects of ultrasound acupuncture on the degranulation of mast cells. Based on the idea that "inflammatory reaction caused by mast cell degranulation is one of the initial factors of acupuncture for inducing therapeutic effects", bioeffects including cellular changes, especially mast cell degranulation caused by ultrasound stimulation, are thought to be the main possible mechanisms underlying the favorable efficacy of ultrasound acupuncture intervention. However, the ultrasound metrology and the specific superiority of ultrasound acupuncture remain unknown up to now.

This article studied on five elements system and set general and strict model expectations combining with Traditional Chinese Medicine Zang-fu organs theory, in which absolute stable state, conditional stable state or transient stability and instability in mathematical models were corresponding to human healthy state, sub-healthy state (pathological plateau phase) and health deterioration state respectively. Model parameters were set up according to the mutual generation and restriction relations among five elements. The dynamic model of Five-Elements System was built, of which impulse responses were corresponding to human response under TCM treatment. Analyses of initial value and excitation response were conducted by numerical simulation and results turned out to meet the requirements of general model expectation: five elements system dynamic model had self-organization function; there existed only one non-global stable point and instability region in the five-dimensional space consisting of variables, in which instability was corresponding to pathological deterioration; system stable region was an unbounded domain and it included the stable sub-regions of special straight line-type, ray-type and line segment-type. Among those ray-types, some contained "Regression Peak" were classed as conditional stable regions while others as absolute ones. The existence of this peak indicates that our body must exceed a "Regression Threshold" when transiting from sub-healthy state (pathological plateau phase) to healthy state through self-regulation mechanism. Impulse excitation can reduce certain threshold and then increase the system health level, which is complied with the operating principle of Five-Elements System and the empirical rule of TCM clinical practice. This model has revealed qualitatively the inherent movement law of Five-Elements System and thus provides a new analysis tool for basic theoretical study on TCM.

We propose a new band-phase-randomized surrogate data method to evaluate the chaotic dynamics in the high (HF) and low frequency (LF) bands of heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy subjects. The chaotic strength of normal HRV as assessed by a noise titration assay completely vanished when its power spectrum was phase-randomized over the entire frequency band or the HF band alone, but not the LF band alone. This finding confirms recent evidence that chaotic dynamics in normal HRV is ascribable mainly to the HF component, or respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

To assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in preventing the relapse of detoxified heroin users in a period of 12 months.A total of 164 rehabilitating heroin users in Shanghai area were recruited after compulsory detoxification treatment for a period ranging from 3 months to 3 years. The TEAS was executed by the device named Han's acupoint nerve stimulator (HANS). The patients were treated with HANS for at least 3 months. All the subjects were then followed up for one year and relapse was monitored by monthly heroin/morphine urinalysis.Of 164 rehabilitating former heroin addicts, 53 remained drug-free at the end of 12 months observation period as judged by negative urinalysis while 35 become relapsed as documented by positive urine tests. The rest 76 dropped off due to various reasons and were all counted into the category of "relapsed". Thus, our data indicated 32.3% rehabilitating heroin users could stay sober for at least one year, which is significantly higher than the existing reports that less than 5% detoxified abusers would stay drug free for one year with no further intervention. No obvious correlation was found between the susceptibility of relapse and the duration of compulsory detoxification.Compared to the existing literatures, our results indicate that HANS could produce a marked decrease of the relapse rate of rehabilitating heroin users after compulsory detoxification.

To observe the activation effect of histamine on mast cells in the acupoint area and its analgesic effects similar to acupuncture stimulation, so as to reveal the underlying mechanism of acupoint injection therapy.A total of 60 SD rats were divided into control, model, normal saline (NS), histamine-injection and acupuncture groups (12 rats/group). Acute adjuvant-induced-arthritis (AIA) model was duplicated by injection of complete Freunds' Adjuvant (0.05 mL) into the left ankle articular cavity. For rats of saline and histamine groups, normal saline (50 microL) and histamine (50 miroL, 100 microg/mL) were injected into the left "Zusanli" (ST 36) acupoint area. For rats of acupuncture group, manual acupuncture (lifting-thrusting and twisting needle intermittently) was applied to ST 36 for 20 min. Paw withdrawal (pain threshold, PT) was detected by radiant heat irradiation of the hindpaw. Skin and muscle tissues of ST 36 area were sampled to be fixed in formalin, then, sliced (5 microm), and stained with Toluidine Blue, separately, followed by counting the degranulation rate of mast cells under microscope.Compared with normal control group and pre-modeling, PT of model, NS, acupuncture and histamine groups decreased significantly (P0.01), while in comparison with model group, PT of acupuncture and histamine groups increased considerably (P0.01), suggesting an induction of analgesic effect after acupuncture and histamine injection. The degranulation rates of acupuncture and histamine groups were remarkably higher than those of model and NS groups (P0.01), suggesting an activation of mast cells following regional acupuncture stimulation and histamine injection.Both manual acupuncture and histamine injection of ST 36 can relieve pain in AIA rats, which may be closely related to its effect in activating mast cells in acupoint area. It suggests that the mast cells are a new target for acupoint injection therapy.

Based on the respiratory and circulatory system, a dynamic model describing oxygen metabolism in human body was set up. The effect on oxygen pressure in the tissue due to the change of the parameters was revealed through numerical analysis to the parametric equation of the model. Two treating methods to raise oxygen pressure in the tissue were worked out, which accorded with the results of clinical observations. The results of such model showed that the abnormality of the circulatory and respiratory parameters always lead to a reduction of PO2 (O2 pressure) in tissue fluid, and then a Lung Qi-Deficiency Syndrome (QDS). This article also discuss the quantitative relationship between the changes of the parameters of the heart-lung system and the oxygen pressure in the tissue, then provide index to evaluate clinical treatment and analyze the body's oxygen metabolism, which is great significant for the precaution and treatment of low oxygen environment.

To establish an acupoint-connective tissue model for studying the mechanism of acupuncture by using in vitro patch clamp technique in the rat skin slices.The local connective tissue under the corium of "Housanli" (ST 36) area from SD rat was acutely and bluntly separated and fixed in a chamber filled with artificial incubation solution. Mast cells in the prepared connective tissue slice were labeled by toluidine blue (TB) or neutral red (NR). The whole-cell current of mast cells responding to pressure stimulation applied through a patch pipette was recorded in rat slices derived from acupoint ST 36 area by using in vitro patch-clamp technique.1) After staining with TB and NR, the labeled mast cells were found to distribute in the extracellular matrix of the connective tissue samples, and their degranulation phenomenon could be seen clearly. 2) The whole-cell current of mast cells in response to mechanical stress stimulation was successfully recorded in the connective tissue slices of the rat acupoint ST 36 area. The cellular membrane currents increased evidently when pressure gradients of -30, -60 or -90 cmH2O were applied to the recorded mast cells.The connective tissue slice from the rat ST 36 area may be used as a model for investigating the peripheral mechanism of acupuncture by combining the microtechniques and electrophysiological techniques. The results obtained in this model prove for the first time by electrophysiology that the mast cells in the connective tissue are probably involved in the transduction process of the mechanical signal from acupuncture stimulation. This new model provides a base for investigating the characters of the cells, collagen fibers, proteoglycans, etc. and their interactions in the acupoint connective tissue in the future.

A wide variety of methods based on fractal, entropic or chaotic approaches have been applied to the analysis of complex physiological time series. In this paper, we show that fractal and entropy measures are poor indicators of nonlinearity for gait data and heart rate variability data. In contrast, the noise titration method based on Volterra autoregressive modeling represents the most reliable currently available method for testing nonlinear determinism and chaotic dynamics in the presence of measurement noise and dynamic noise.

To establish a model of three-dimensional numerical simulation of intracranial longitypical aneurism and analyze the hemodynamic features thereof.Ten patients with intracranial longitypical aneurism underwent surgical treatment. Intracranial vascular ultrasonography was conducted before operation. Intra-operatively three-dimensional angiography of the aneurysm was conducted and multifunctional physiological monitor was used to record the dynamic pressure and pressure wave form of the main branch parent artery. Matlab, Ansys, and Fluent software were used to simulate the blood flow of the longitypical aneurysms.The hemodynamic parameter levels were the highest at the inflow tract, followed by those at the outflow tract, and were the lowest at the top of aneurysm, for example, the blood flow velocity was (1.07+/-0.23) m/s, the dynamic pressure was (574+/-186) Pa, and the wall shear stress was (7.7+/-2.0) Pa at the inflow tract, all significantly higher than those at the top [(0.15+/-0.07) m/s, (37+/-13) Pa, and (0.40+/-0.13) Pa respectively, all P0.05]. No eddy or just simple eddy occurred in the aneurysm.The dynamic pressure, velocity, and wall shear stress are the lowest at the top of longitypical aneurysm which may contribute to the rupture of aneurysm.

To observe the analgesic effects of single-and combined-laser irradiation with low-intensity applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats, and their relation to degranulation of mast cells.Sixty-six SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group (Group NC), model control group (Group MC), sham irradiation group (Group SI), 10.6 microm laser irradiation group (Group 10.6 microm LI), 650 nm laser irradiation group (Group 650 nm LI) and combined (10.6 microm + 650 nm) laser irradiation group (Group CLI). Complete Freund's Adjuvant (0.05 mL) was injected into the left ankle joints of all the rats except those in Group NC to cause acute adjuvant-induced arthritis. In treatment, laser irradiation was applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 minutes in all the rats except those in Group NC and Group MC. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to radian heat was used to compare analgesic effects among the groups. By means of toluidine blue, dyed slices of local tissues of "Zusanli" (ST 36) were used to observe changes of mast cell degranulation before and after laser irradiation.The pain thresholds to irradiation of the rats in Group 650 nm LI and Group CLI were significantly higher than those in Group MC and Group SI (P0.01), and the mast cell degranulation rate in Group 650 nm LI and Group CLI were also significantly higher than that in Group MC and Group SI (P0.001). The pain threshold and mast cell degranulation rate in Group 10. 6 microm LI were not significantly different from those in Group MC and Group SI. There was a linear correlation between mast cell degranulation rate and PWL with 0. 737 in coefficient (P0.001).Single 650 nm laser and combined 650 nm + 10.6 microm laser with low intensity irradiated at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in acute adjuvant rats can provide remarkable analgesic effects, and there was a positive correlation between mast cell degranulation rate and analgesic effects, which plays an important part in laser irradiation-induced analgesia.

To observe the effects of acupoint-nerve block on manual-acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia and mast cells degranulation in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats in order to analyze the underlying peripheral mechanism of MA and EA analgesia.A total of 80 SD rats were randomized into control, AA model (M), normal + lidocaine (NL), EA, EA-ST36 + Lidoc (L + EA), Dubi (ST 35) + Lidoc + EA-ST36 (DL + ZEA), Xiajuxu (ST 39) + Lidoc + EA-ST36 (XL+ ZEA), MA, Lidoc+ MA-ST36 (L + MA), and ST35 + Lidoc + MA-ST36 (DL + ZMA) groups, with 8 cases in each. AA model was established by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (0.05 ml) in the rat's right hind-paw under anesthesia. Lidoc hydrochloride (2%, 0.05 ml) was injected into ST36 or ST35 separately for blocking the local nerve. Paw withdrawal latency (pain threshold, PT) and mast cell degranulation ratios (DGR) were detected. EA (2/100 Hz, 0.5 mA, 1 mA, 1.5 mA) or MA was applied to ST36.Compared with model group, PT values of EA and MA groups increased significantly (P0.05, P0.01) and mast cell DGR of EA and MA groups were significantly higher (P0.01). Both PT and DGR of NL group were basically not affected by ST36-Lidoc-injection in comparison with model group (P0.05). PT values of L + EA and DL+ ZEA groups were significantly lower than those of control and EA groups (P0.01), and comparable to those of model and NL groups (P0.05). PT of XL + ZEA group was significantly higher than those of model and NL groups (P0.01), and comparable to that of EA group (P0.05). Similar situations were found in MA-related groups. Mast cell DGR of ST36 area in L + EA, DL + ZEA and XL + ZEA groups were comparable to that of EA group (P0.05), and such was the case in MA-related groups.After nerve block of the local and proximal acupoints rather than the distal acupoint innervated by the same nerve, the analgesic effect of both MA and EA of ST36 is obviously attenuated; but no marked influences on MA- and EA-induced mast cell degranulation are found.

Recent advances in study of heart rate variability (HRV) call for a paradigm shift from linear to nonlinear analysis. However, whether HRV per se is chaotic or merely random has remained an open problem. Myriad idealized measures of nonlinear dynamics or fractals which have been proposed in the literatures to characterize HRV are limited by their sensitivity to discernable noise. In this work, we compare the robustness of some nonlinear indices and evaluate their applicability to HRV analysis in the presence of noise.

To observe the difference of signaling afferent mechanism of acupoints analgesic effect between manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36) in order to analyze the initiating mechanism of these two commonly used clinic acupuncture methods.A total of 64 SD rats were randomized into control, model, MA, EA, collagenase (type- I)-pretreatment (CP) + MA, CP + EA, disodium cromoglicate-pretreatment (DSCP) + MA and DSCP + EA groups with 8 cases in each. Arthritis model was established by intra-joint injection of complete Freunds' agent. MA(rotation, 20 min), and EA (21 min) were applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) respectively in different groups. Pain threshold (PT, paw withdraw latency) was detected with 336 GT PAW/TAIL STIMULATOR and degranulated mast cells were counted under microscope separately.Compared with normal control group, PT values of model, MA, EA, CP + MA, CP + EA, DSCP + MA and DSCP + EA groups lowered significantly before treatment (P0.05). Comparison of the same one group showed that after the treatment, PT values of MA and EA groups increased considerably (P0.05). PT changing rates of CP + MA and DSCP + MA were significantly lower than that of MA group (P0.05), suggesting disappearance of MA analgesia (not EA analgesia) after lesion of collagen protein by CP in ST36 area. In comparison with control group, the degranulation ratios (DGR) of mast cells in MA and EA groups increased significantly (P0.05); while compared with MA and EA groups separately, DGR of the corresponding CP + MA and DSCP + MA, and CP + EA and DSCP + EA groups decreased markedly (P0.05), displaying an inhibition of mast cell degranulation following CP and DSCP in ST36 area.Both MA and EA can induce analgesia and concomitant increase of DGR of mast cells. The collagen fibers may contribute to MA initiated analgesic effect while the peripheral nerve receptors are probably involved in EA analgesia in rat.

To probe into the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia.Type-I collagenase was injected to destroy the structure of collagen fibers in the acupoint. Paw withdrawing latency and mast cell degranulation rate in the acute adjuvant arthritis rat were investigated. Effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) with twirling or thrusting-lifting manipulation on acupuncture analgesia and mast cells were compared when the structures of collagen fibers in the acupoint were destroyed or not.When the structures of collagen fiber were destroyed, the analgesic effects of both acupuncture manipulations were attenuated and the degranulation rate of mast cells caused by acupuncture were significantly inhibited.Collagen fibers and mast cells in the acupoint play an important role in acupuncture analgesia. Collagen fibers participate in transmission and transform process of acupuncture signs from the acupoint to the target organ, and the degranulation of mast cells is positively correlated with acupuncture analgesia.

To probe into the law of acupuncture analgesic effect and specificities of acupoint action.Adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a model plus electroacupuncture (EA) group and a model plus sham EA group. Chronic inflammatory pain model was prepared by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into right posterior foot, and paw withdrawing latency (PWL) induced by radiation heat was used as pain threshold index, and changes of PWL in all the groups were investigated.After modeling, PWL significantly shortened on the inflammatory side (P0.05); EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Kunlun" (BL 60) could significantly reverse the shortened PWL (P0.05), and this effect was prolonged along with increase of EA times, but in the sham EA group PWL did not significantly change; EA at bilateral "Shousanli" (LI 10) and Neiguan" (PC 6) could not reverse the shortened PWL (P0.05).Analgesic effect of EA is strengthened along with increase of EA times and shows specificity of acupoints to a certain extent.

To investigate the role of mast cells in acupuncture analgesia in rats.A total of 48 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal control, acupoinc Effect [("Zusanli"(ST 36)-acupuncture (Acu), non-acupoint (3 mm left to ST36), disodium cromoglycate (DSC, 0.02 gmL, for acupoint injection), normal saline (NS, for acupoint injection), DSC + Acu, NS-b+ Acu and DSC+contralach Center ral Acu groups, with 6 cases in each group. The latency of tail flick response to heat irradiation was used as the pain threshold. "Zusanli" (ST 36) was punctured with filiform needle and stimulated by lifting and thrusting the needle for 30 min. After sacrifice under anesthesia (1% embutal) c, tissues of T36 area were sampled, sliced (4 microm), and stained with Toluidine Blue for skin and Neutral Red for muscles.Compared with normal control group, the ratios of pain threshold increased significantly in all the 7 experimental groups (P0.05), and those of DSC and NS groups were significantly lower than those of acupoint-Acu, non-acupoint, DSC+ Acu, NS+ Acu and DSC + contralateral Acu groups (P0.05) n. Comp + Acu group, the ratios of NS+Acu and DSC+ contralateral Acu groups were evidently higher (P0.05, 0.01). Compared with control group, the degranulation ratio of acupoint-Acu group was significantly higher (P0.05, 0.001 in muscle and skin separately), and the ratio of DSC+ Acu group was markedly lower than that of acupoint-Acu group (P0.01 in skin).Acupuncture of ST36 has a significant analgesia and enhances the degranulation of mast apparently cells, which is weakened by injection of DSC in the acupoint area, suggesting an important role of mast cells in acupuncture-induced analgesia.

Based on the literature review and theories of biophysical theory, the pathway and mechanism of the heat of sandwiched moxibustion stimulating acupoints are analyzed. It is concluded that the heat of sandwiched moxibustion is transferred to the skin of acupoints by heat conduction and thermal radiation. The heat conduct from the skin to deep tissues and other parts was carried out through the biological heat conduction systems. The investigation combined with theories of biological heat conduction was benefit to the research on clinical mechanisms of indirect moxibustion. In addition to heat effect, the infrared resonance of indirect moxibustion and acupoints may be the base of clinical effects of indirect moxibustion.

To investigate the relationship between mast cell degranulation and acupuncture analgesia.A total of 58 SD male rats were randomly divided into control (n = 12), model (n = 12), needle-retaining (n = 12), electroacupuncture (EA, n = 12) and manual-acupuncture (MA, n = 10) groups. Arthritis model was established by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (0.05 mL) into the left ankle-joint. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) was detected with a radiant heat algesimeter. Electroacupuncture (EA, 2/100 Hz, 0.5-1.5 mA) or manual acupuncture (lifting and thrusting force being 240-280 mN, torque being 10-15 mN x mm, 3 times/s) were applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the affected side for 30 min in the corresponding group. After decapitation (under anesthesia), skin tissue around the stimulated ST36 was sampled, cut into sections (5 microm), and stained with Toluidine Blue for observing the count of degranulated mast cells.In comparison with control group, PWL values of model, needle-retaining, EA and MA groups decreased significantly after modeling (P0.01); while compared with needle-retaining group, PWL values of EA and MA group increased considerably (P0.01), suggesting production of analgesia. After EA and MA stimulation, degranulation of mast cells in the stimulated ST36 area appeared apparently. Compared with needle-retaining group, the degranulation ratios of mast cells in EA and MA groups were obviously higher (P0.01).Both EA and MA stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) can effectively raise pain threshold, simultaneously, and enhance the degranulation ratio of mast cells in the stimulated ST36 area.

To study on basic Volt-ampere (V-A) characteristics of human acupoints and the changes with physiologic and pathologic changes, and probe their biophysical basis.The research works of this research group about V-A characteristics of acupoints in recent 10 years were systematized and analyzed.V-A characteristic curve of human acupoints is of the both characteristics of non-linear and inertia. Compared with controlled point, the lower electric resistance characteristic of acupoints is not popular and the lower inertia is popular. V-A area of acupoints has no obvious circadian rhythms and the inertia area of a large part of acupoints has obvious circadian rhythms, with the phase of peak value corresponding to the phase of valley value of body temperature rhythms. V-A characteristics of acupoints in the patients of heart disease or stomach diseases changes obviously, and these changes have a certain specificities of acupoints. After remission of the lesion, the V-A characteristics of acupoints restore normal. The V-A area and the inertia area of acupoints in the corpse are obviously smaller than the normal person, with disappearance of the characteristics of both the non-linear and inertia of the normal person.Human acupoints have characteristics of non-linear and inertia, and the non-linear characteristic reflects complexity of physiology and behavior, while the inertia characteristic is related with energy metabolism of acupoints. The inertia area can more sensitively reflect human physiologic and pathological changes as compared with the V-A area, so it is an important index for the studies on electric characteristics of acupoints in the future.