Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine简介

Acupuncture, as an external stimulation, can produce clinical effects via the central nervous system. In order to investigate the modulatory efficacy of acupuncture on brain activity, multichannel EEG signals evoked by acupuncture at “Zusanli” acupoint were recorded from healthy humans in three states: pre-acupuncture, acupuncture, and post-acupuncture. Power spectral density is first used to analyze the EEG power change during acupuncture process. It is found that EEG power significantly increased in the delta and alpha bands under acupuncture and high power level remained in alpha band after acupuncture. Then, we calculated phase lag index to quantify the phase synchronization of pair-wise channels. In acupuncture state, delta and alpha bands exhibit significantly higher synchronization degree than pre-acupuncture state. Additionally, post-effect of acupuncture can be observed in alpha band as high synchronization degree remains in post-acupuncture state. Moreover, functional brain networks converted from synchronization matrix in each band are reconstructed. Acupuncture increases long-range connections between left and right hemispheres and changes the position of main nodes. Graph theory metrics are extracted to explore the change of functional connectivity in different states. The result shows the functional networks in delta and alpha bands are small world networks (SWN) and acupuncture improves the SWN efficiency of functional network.

Modulation of Spectral Power and Functional Connectivity in Human Brain by Acupuncture Stimulation

Electroacupuncture (EA) causes prolonged suppression of reflex elevations in blood pressure for at least 60min in anesthetized preparations. Thus, EA can modify sympathetic outflow and elevated blood pressure through actions in a number of hind brain regions, including the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). Since our previous data show that the opioid system plays a role in EA-related prolonged inhibition of presympathetic neuronal activity in the rVLM, we postulated that EA increases preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA in this region, possibly for prolonged periods of time. Under alpha-chloralose anesthesia, rats received EA (1-2mA, 2Hz, 0.5ms) at P5-P6 acupoints (overlying median nerves) or sham (needle placement without electrical stimulation) for 30min. PPE mRNA in the rVLM also was evaluated in control rats that received surgery but no EA, or sham treatment. 20min, 1.5h or 4h following EA or sham treatment, PPE mRNA in the rVLM was analyzed by reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR. Relative ratios of PPE mRNA levels (normalized with 18s house keeping gene) were increased 1.5h after EA stimulation (7.77+/-1.39, n=6) relative to sham (2.84+/-0.37, n=5) but were unchanged both 20min and 4h after EA, compared to the sham or surgery groups at the same time points. Thus, 30min of EA transiently stimulates the production of enkephalin in a region of the brain that importantly regulates sympathetic outflow suggesting that even a single brief acupuncture treatment can increase the expression of this modulatory neuropeptide.

Electroacupuncture Enhances Preproenkephalin mRNA Expression in Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Rats

Korean medicine (KM) has been widely used in Korea. This study aimed to assess the general perceptions of KM, to investigate the patterns of its usage in 2014, and to compare the results with those of an earlier survey from 2011. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1000 Korean people. The questionnaire included items regarding trust in KM, reasons for distrust of KM, and visit frequency to KM clinics. This study used methods consistent with those of a 2011 survey to examine changes in attitudes over 3 years. Despite high rates of trust in KM, the visit frequency decreased from 69.3% in 2011 to 63.2% in 2014. Usage among young adults (in their 20s and 30s) was significantly reduced compared to all other age groups. The KM modality most commonly used by participants was acupuncture, whereas the use of moxibustion and cupping therapies has decreased since 2011. Men and women were most likely to distrust KM due to a “lack of scientific evidence” (59.3%) and “suspicion of KM safety” (47.4%), respectively. The findings suggested that KM use and trust in KM were slightly lower in 2014 than in 2011. The decreases were most notable among individuals in their 30s and in the use of moxibustion in KM therapy. This study aimed to produce practical insights by reviewing patterns of KM use and perceptions over time. Additional surveys must be considered to produce a more in-depth analysis.

/pdf/changes-in-trust-and-the-use-of-korean-medicine-in-south-2hyk9xoivx.pdf

Changes in trust and the use of Korean medicine in South Korea: a comparison of surveys in 2011 and 2014

Chronic insomnia without intervention will do harm to people's physical and psychological health as well as the quality of life. While ensuring efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, such as acupuncture, overcomes the side effects of drugs. However, the molecular mechanism of traditional medicine is unclear and it encounters many obstacles in repetitiveness and popularization. On the other side, the placebo effects also need to be eliminated during the intervention. In this study, a number of indicators such as duration of sleep latency, serum markers, pineal gland immunohistochemistry, and gut microbes were detected in the PCPA-induced insomnia mice to compare the effects between acupuncture and hypnotic drug treatments. Although the food intake and weight were not changed, the results show that serum maker and gut microbiota alterations were mediated by concurrent changes in sleep disorder induced by PCPA in mice. Compared with the PCPA-induced insomnia group, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine were reduced in serum, and the melatonin was increased in the pineal gland of the acupuncture group as well as zopiclone drug group. Moreover, the analysis results from 16S tag sequencing of the gut microbiome bacterial rRNA hypervariable region show the same improvement effects between the two medical intervention groups. A co-occurrence network analysis showed that blank and acupuncture networks exhibited higher similarity than sham and zopiclone networks and the sham network possessed the highest complexity of microbial communities. Taken together, the gut microbiome will likely be a new target for improving sleep disorders, and taking into account the side effects of hypnotic drugs, nonpharmacological interventions such as acupuncture may be an effective means and have greater clinical benefits.

/pdf/effects-of-acupuncture-treatment-in-reducing-sleep-disorder-nmm4nj2qmi.pdf

Effects of Acupuncture Treatment in Reducing Sleep Disorder and Gut Microbiota Alterations in PCPA-Induced Insomnia Mice

Background Moxibustion therapy has been used historically for thousands of years and there are many clinical trials supporting its efficacy and effectiveness for various conditions. Moxa smoke has been a major reason for avoiding moxibustion due to its smell and potential risks to the human body. Methods 10 units of commercial indirect moxa (CIM) from six manufacturers (A–F) were burnt in a 2.5×2.5×2.5 m chamber without ventilation, and concentrations of carbon oxides (CO and CO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the indoor air samples were measured. Results For brands A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively, relative to baseline values, we observed an increase in CO (from 0.002 to 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.006, 0.005, and 0.006 parts per billion (ppb)), NOx (from 0.009 to 0.051, 0.025, 0.015, 0.050, 0.019, and 0.020 ppb), and total VOCs (TVOC; from 48.06 to 288.83, 227.93, 140.82, 223.22, 260.15, and 161.35 μg/m 3 ), while the concentration of CO 2 was not elevated. Each CIM brand demonstrated different VOC emission characteristics, which could be divided into three groups. On average, we estimated that 20 units of CIM or 2.41 g moxa floss would need to be combusted in order to exceed the safe levels set by Korean environmental law. This limit is likely to be greater in the case of a larger room or use of ventilation. Conclusions Despite increased CO/NOx/VOC concentrations, overall levels remained within safe limits. These findings may help clinicians to maintain safe moxibustion treatment conditions to help keep both patients and clinicians safe from the pollutants generated by moxa combustion.

/pdf/safety-recommendations-for-moxa-use-based-on-the-2t2switufk.pdf

Safety recommendations for moxa use based on the concentration of noxious substances produced during commercial indirect moxibustion

Background Alcoholism, which is a disabling addiction disorder, is a major public health problem worldwide The present study was designed to determine whether the application of acupuncture at the Shenmen (HT7) point suppresses voluntary alcohol consumption in addicted rats and whether this suppressive effect is potentiated by the administration of naltrexone Methods Rats were initially trained to self-administer a sucrose solution by operating a lever A mechanical acupuncture instrument (MAI) for objective mechanical stimulation was used on rats whose baseline response had been determined In addition, the effect of HT7 acupuncture on beta-endorphin concentration and ethanol intake via naltrexone were investigated in different groups Results We found that ethanol intake and beta-endorphin level in rats being treated with the MAI at the HT7 point reduced significantly The treatment of naltrexone at high doses reduced the ethanol intake and low-dose injection of naltrexone in conjunction with the MAI also suppressed ethanol intake Conclusions The results of the current study indicate that using the MAI at the HT7 point effectively reduces ethanol consumption in rats Furthermore, the coadministration of the MAI and a low dose of naltrexone can produce some more potent reducing effect of ethanol intake than can acupuncture alone

/pdf/mechanical-stimulation-of-the-ht7-acupuncture-point-to-22zgwsr706.pdf

Mechanical Stimulation of the HT7 Acupuncture Point to Reduce Ethanol Self-Administration in Rats

To identify physical and sensory responses to acupuncture point stimulation (APS), nonacupuncture point stimulation (NAPS) and no stimulation (NS), changes in the high-frequency power spectrum before and after stimulation were evaluated with electroencephalography (EEG). A total of 37 healthy subjects received APS at the LI4 point, NAPS, or NS with their eyes closed. Background brain waves were measured before, during, and after stimulation using 8 channels. Changes in the power spectra of gamma waves and high beta waves before, during, and after stimulation were comparatively analyzed. After NAPS, absolute high beta power (AHBP), relative high beta power (RHBP), absolute gamma power (AGP), and relative gamma power (RGP) tended to increase in all channels. But no consistent notable changes were found for APS and NS. NAPS is believed to cause temporary reactions to stress, tension, and sensory responses of the human body, while APS responds stably compared to stimulation of other parts of the body.

/pdf/evaluating-acupuncture-point-and-nonacupuncture-point-2qx0ruxvi9.pdf

Evaluating Acupuncture Point and Nonacupuncture Point Stimulation with EEG: A High-Frequency Power Spectrum Analysis

Background. Primo vascular system is a new anatomical structure whose research results have reported the possibility of a new circulatory system similar to the blood vascular system and cells. Electrophysiology, which measures and analyzes bioelectrical signals tissues and cells, is an important research area for investigating the function of tissues and cells. The bioelectrical study of the primo vascular system has been reported by using modern techniques since the early 1960s by Bonghan Kim. This paper reviews the research result of the electrophysiological study of the primo vascular system for the discussion of the circulatory function. We hope it would help to study the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system for researchers. This paper will use the following exchangeable expressions: Kyungrak system = Bonghan system = Bonghan circulatory system = primo vascular system = primo system; Bonghan corpuscle = primo node; Bonghan duct = primo vessel. We think that objective descriptions of reviewed papers are more important than unified expressions when citing the papers. That said, this paper will unify the expressions of the primo vascular system.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/486823.pdf

History of bioelectrical study and the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) has been implicated in peripheral inflammation and is a mediator of the inflammatory response to various noxious stimuli. However, the interaction between TRPV1 and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the regulation of inflammatory pain remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic effects of intrathecal administration of capsazepine, a TRPV1 antagonist, on carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain in mice and to identify its interactions with NMDA receptors. Inflammatory pain was induced by intraplantar injection of 2% carrageenan in male ICR mice. To investigate the analgesic effects of capsazepine, pain-related behaviors were evaluated using von Frey filaments and a thermal stimulator placed on the hind paw. TRPV1 expression and NMDA receptor phosphorylation in the spinal cord and glutamate concentration in the spinal cord and serum were measured. Intrathecal treatment with capsazepine significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Moreover, carrageenan-enhanced glutamate and phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunit 2B in the spinal cord were suppressed by capsazepine administration. These results indicate that TRPV1 and NMDA receptors in the spinal cord are associated with inflammatory pain transmission, and inhibition of TRPV1 may reduce inflammatory pain via NMDA receptors.

Seong Jin Cho

Papers

Safety recommendations for moxa use based on the concentration of noxious substances produced during commercial indirect moxibustion

Mechanical Stimulation of the HT7 Acupuncture Point to Reduce Ethanol Self-Administration in Rats

Evaluating Acupuncture Point and Nonacupuncture Point Stimulation with EEG: A High-Frequency Power Spectrum Analysis

History of bioelectrical study and the electrophysiology of the primo vascular system

Inhibition of Spinal TRPV1 Reduces NMDA Receptor 2B Phosphorylation and Produces Anti-Nociceptive Effects in Mice with Inflammatory Pain