Medline - more AP Abstracts

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Am Fam Physician. 2009 Sep 1;80(5):481-4. Acupuncture for pain. Kelly

RB. Fairview Hospital/Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine Residency,

Cleveland, OH 44111, USA. Robert.Kelly AP is

increasingly used as an alternative or complementary therapy for the

treatment of pain. It is well tolerated, with a low risk of serious adverse

effects. Traditional and modern AP techniques may result in reported

improvement in pain patterns. Research on AP has had a number of

limitations, including: incomplete understanding of the physiologic effects of

AP; ineffective blinding of participants; unclear adequacy of AP " dose; "

difficulty in identification of suitable sham or placebo treatments; and the use

of standardized treatment regimens rather than the individualized approach

that characterizes most AP practice. Controlled trials have been published

regarding AP for lumbar, shoulder, and neck pain; headache; arthritis;

fibromyalgia; TMJ joint pain; and other pain syndromes. Enough data are

available for some conditions to allow systematic evaluations or meta-

analyses. Based on published evidence, AP is most likely to benefit patients

with low back pain, neck pain, chronic idiopathic or tension headache,

migraine, and knee osteoarthritis. Promising but less definitive data exist for

shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, TMJ joint pain, and postoperative pain. AP has

not been proven to improve pain from rheumatoid arthritis. For other pain

conditions, there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions. PMID:

19725489 [PubMed - in process]

 

Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao. 2009 Jun 18;41(3):376-9. Electroacupuncture

analgesia is enhanced in transgenic nociceptin/orphanin FQ knock-out mice.

Wan Y, Han JS, Pintar JE. Peking Univ Neuroscience Research Institute,

Beijing 100191, China. OBJECTIVE: The modulatory effects of

nociceptin/orphanin FQ (OFQ) on EAP (a modern version of AP)-induced

analgesia are still controversial. Transgenic OFQ knock-out mice provide us

a useful tool to investigate the role of endogenous OFQ in EAP analgesia.

The present study aims to investigate the role of OFQ in the EAP-induced

analgesia with OFQ knock-out mice. METHODS: Acupoints were selected

as ST36 and SP06; EAP parameters were as follows: constant current

output, rectangular (square) wave pulses, increased intensities of 0.5, 0.7,

0.9 mA with stepwise fashion, 10 min for each intensity, frequency of 100 Hz

(with 0.2 ms as pulse width) or 2 Hz (with 0.6 ms as pulse width). Tail flick

latency (TFL) evoked by radiant heat was used to evaluate the change of

pain threshold before, during and after EAP. The knock-out mice were

divided randomly into 3 groups: needling control, EAP at 100 Hz and 2 Hz.

Wild-type mice of littermates of were used as Control. RESULTS: It was

found that OFQ knock -out mice had a longer basal thermal threshold; EAP

had enhanced analgesic effect in the knock-out mice than in wild-type

Control mice. CONCLUSION: Endogenous OFQ might be algesic in basal

condition and antagonize EAP analgesia. PMID: 19727226 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Climacteric. 2009 Aug 26:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] Prescription pattern of

TCM for climacteric women in Taiwan. Yang YH, Chen PC, Wang JD, Lee

CH, Lai JN. Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene,

National Taiwan Univ College of Public Health, Taipei. Background TCM

has become more popular as a therapy for symptom relief among

menopause-aged women. The aim of this study was to analyze the

utilization of TCM for climacteric women in Taiwan. Methods The study

analyzed frequency distributions among 19379 women aged 45-55 years,

recruited from a random-sampled cohort of 200000 people from the National

Health Insurance database. Data mining was conducted to explore the co-

prescription patterns for finished herbal products (FHP). Result There were

19379 women aged 45-55 years in the sample; of these, 12572 (64.9%)

utilized TCM services at least once. A total of 4078 (21.0%) of the 19379

climacteric women utilized 145200 (79.2%) TCM visits. Of these, 39802

(21.7%) visits were because of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and

connective tissue, of which more than half were treated with AP and

traumatology manipulative therapies. There were 28154 visits with FHP

prescriptions because of non-specific symptoms and ill-defined conditions,

and JIAWEI XIAOYAO SAN was the most frequent formula. Nearly two-

thirds of FHP contained more than two herbal formulae. CONCLUSION:

Taiwanese climacteric women utilized TCM more often than other age

groups. To deal with multiple symptoms and/or diseases among climacteric

women, new prescription patterns of combining two or more herbal formulae

have evolved. Studies on safety issues and drug-herb interactions are

warranted for future research. PMID: 19718558 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Endogenous Opiates in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius Mediate

Electroacupuncture-induced Sleep Activities in Rats. Cheng CH, Yi PL, Lin

JG, Chang FC. Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary

Medicine, National Taiwan Univ, No. 1, Sec. 4., Roosevelt Road, Taipei 106,

Taiwan, ROC. fchang. EAP possesses various therapeutic

effects, including alleviation of pain, reduction of inflammation and

improvement of sleep disturbance. The mechanisms of EAP on sleep

improvement, however, remain to be determined. It has been stated in

ancient Chinese literature that the Anmian (EX17) acupoint is one of the

trigger points that alleviates insomnia. We previously demonstrated that

EAP stimulation of Anmian acupoints in rats during the dark period

enhances non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which involves the

induction of cholinergic activity in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In

addition to cholinergic activation of the NTS, activation of the endogenous

opioidergic system may also be a mechanism by which AP affects sleep.

Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the involvement of the

NTS opioidergic system in EAP-induced alterations in sleep. Our present

results indicate that EAP of Anmian acupoints increased NREM sleep, but

not rapid eye movement sleep, during the dark period in rats. This

enhancement in NREM sleep was dose-dependently blocked by

microinjection of opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, and the mu-opioid

receptor antagonist, naloxonazine, into the NTS; administrations of delta-

receptor antagonist, natrindole, and the kappa-receptor antagonist, nor-

binaltrophimine, however, did not affect EAP-induced alterations in sleep.

Furthermore, beta-endorphin was significantly increased in both the

brainstem and hippocampus after the EAP stimuli, an effect blocked by

administration of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine into the NTS.

CONCLUSIONS: Mechanisms of EAP-induced NREM sleep enhancement

may be mediated, in part, by cholinergic activation, stimulation of the

opiodergic neurons to increase the concentrations of beta-endorphin and

the involvement of the mu-opioid receptors. PMID: 19729491 [PubMed - as

supplied by publisher]

 

J Cell Mol Med. 2009 Sep 1. [Epub ahead of print] Low Level Laser

Irradiation Precondition to Create Friendly Milieu of Infarcted Myocardium

and Enhance Early Survival of Transplanted Bone Marrow Cells. Zhang H,

Hou JF, Shen Y, Wang W, Wei YJ, Hu S. Department of Surgery,

Cardiovascular Institute and Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical

Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. We

hypothesized that low-level laser treatment (LLLT) precondition prior to cell

transplantation might remodel the hostile milieu of infarcted myocardium and

subsequently enhance early survival and therapeutic potential of implanted

bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Therefore, in this study we

wanted to address: (1) whether LLLT pretreatment change the local cardiac

micro-environment after MI; and (2) whether the LLLT preconditions

enhance early cell survival and thus improve therapeutic angiogenesis and

heart function. Myocardial infarction was induced by left anterior descending

artery ligation in female rats. A 635 nm, 5 mW diode laser was performed

with energy density of 0.96 J/cm(2) for 150 seconds for the purpose of

myocardial precondition. Three weeks later, qualified rats were randomly

received with LLLT precondition (n=26) or without LLLT precondition (n=27)

for LLLT precondition study. Rats received thoracotomy without coronary

ligation were served as sham group (n=24). For the following cell survival

study, rats were randomly received serum-free culture media injection (n=8),

LLLT precondition and culture media injection (n=8), 2 millions male BMSCs

transplantation without LLLT pretreatment (n=26) and 2 millions male

BMSCs transplantation with LLLT precondition (n=25). Vascular endothelial

growth factor (VEGF), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), superoxide

dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the infarcted myocardium

were evaluated by Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction

(real-time PCR) and colorimetry, respectively, at 1 hour, 1 day and 1 week

after laser irradiation. Cell survival was assayed with quantitative real-time

PCR to identify Y chromosome gene and apoptosis was assayed with

TUNEL staining. Capillary density, myogenic differentiation and left

ventricular function were tested by immunohistochemistry and

echocardiography, respectively, at 1 week. After LLLT precondition,

increased VEGF and GRP78 expression, as well as the enhanced SOD

activity and inhibited MDA production, was observed. Compared with

BMSCs transplantation and culture media injection group, although there

was no difference in the improved heart function and myogenic

differentiation, LLLT precondition significantly enhanced early cell survival

rate by 2-fold, decreased the apoptotic percentage of implanted BMSCs in

infarcted myocardium and thus increased the number of newly formed

capillaries. CONCLUSION: LLLT precondition could be a novel non-invasive

approach for intraoperative cell transplantation to enhance cell early survival

and therapeutic potential. PMID: 19725921 [PubMed - as supplied by

publisher]

 

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2009 Aug 27:1-5. [Epub ahead of print]

Acupuncture for breech version: Principles, technique, mode of action and

utility - A literature review. Sananes N, Vayssiere C, Helmlinger C, Viville B,

Kohler M, Aissi G, Trieu NT, Langer B, Favre R. CMCO-SIHCUS, Obstetrics

and Gynecology, Schiltigheim, France. Objective. Version to correct breech

presentation at term remains important, because feet-first vaginal delivery of

a baby is associated with a higher risk of fetal morbidity and mortality.

Method. The technique consists of AP at BL67. This technique is thought to

work by increasing the probability of the fetus turning by increasing active

fetal movements. Results. Five randomised studies evaluating the value of

AP in cases of breech presentation indicate that this method tended to be

effective. However, no placebo-controlled study has been carried out.

CONCLUSION: AP should be attempted in cases of breech presentation.

PMID: 19718585 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Lasers Surg Med. 2009 Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print] Effect of cluster multi-

diode light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on exercise-induced skeletal

muscle fatigue and skeletal muscle recovery in humans. Leal EC Junior,

Lopes-Martins RA, Rossi RP, De Marchi T, Baroni BM, de Godoi V, Marcos

RL, Ramos L, Bjordal JM. Laboratory of Human Movement (LMH), Univ of

Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES: There are some indications that low-level laser therapy

(LLLT) may delay the development of skeletal muscle fatigue during high-

intensity exercise. There have also been claims that LED cluster probes

may be effective for this application however there are differences between

LED and laser sources like spot size, spectral width, power output, etc. In

this study we wanted to test if light emitting diode therapy (LEDT) can alter

muscle performance, fatigue development and biochemical markers for

skeletal muscle recovery in an experimental model of biceps humeri muscle

contractions. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 male

professional volleyball players (23.6 [sD +/-5.6] years old) entered a

randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled crossover trial. Active cluster

LEDT (69 LEDs with wavelengths 660/850 nm, 10/30 mW, 30 seconds total

irradiation time, 41.7 J of total energy irradiated) or an identical placebo

LEDT was delivered under double-blinded conditions to the middle of biceps

humeri muscle immediately before exercise. All subjects performed

voluntary biceps humeri contractions with a workload of 75% of their

maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC) until exhaustion. RESULTS:

Active LEDT increased the number of biceps humeri contractions by 12.9%

(38.60 [sD +/-9.03] vs. 34.20 [sD +/-8.68], p=.021) and extended the

elapsed time to perform contractions by 11.6% (p=.036) versus placebo. In

addition, post-exercise levels of biochemical markers decreased significantly

with active LEDT: Blood Lactate (p=.042), Creatine Kinase (p=.035), and C-

Reative Protein levels (p=.030), when compared to placebo LEDT.

CONCLUSION: This particular procedure and dose of LEDT immediately

before exhaustive biceps humeri contractions, causes a slight delay in the

development of skeletal muscle fatigue, decreases post-exercise blood

lactate levels and inhibits the release of Creatine Kinase and C-Reative

Protein. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID: 19731300

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Pharmacopsychiatry. 2009 Sep;42(5):182-8. Epub 2009 Sep 1. Imbalance

between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and between Th1 and Th2

cytokines in depressed patients: the effect of electroacupuncture or

fluoxetine treatment. Song C, Halbreich U, Han C, Leonard BE, Luo H.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Univ of Prince Edward Island,

Charlottetown, Canada. cai.song BACKGROUND: An increase

in inflammatory response and an imbalance between T-helper (Th) 1 and 2

functions have been implicated in major depression. The aims of the

present study were to 1) study the relationship between pro- and anti-

inflammatory cytokines and between Th1 and Th2 produced cytokines in

depressed patients and 2) evaluate and compare the effect of treatments

with EAP and fluoxetine on these cytokines. METHODS: 95 outpatients with

major depressive disorder were treated for 6 weeks with EAP, fluoxetine or

placebo. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global

Impression (CGI) were used to assess severity and therapeutic effects. 30

volunteers served as controls. Serum cytokine concentrations were

measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Increased proinflammatory cytokine

interleukin (IL)-1beta and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were

found in the depressed patients. By contract, Th1 produced proinflammatory

cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma

were decreased, and Th2 produced cytokine IL-4 was significantly increased

in depressed patients. The ratio of IFN/IL-4 was also increased. Both AP

and fluoxetine treatments, but not the placebo, reduced IL-1beta

concentrations in responders. However, only AP attenuated TNF-alpha

concentration and INF-gamma/IL-4 ratio towards the control level.

DISCUSSION: These results suggest that an imbalance between the pro-

and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-10), and between Th1 and Th2

cytokines (INF-gamma or TNF-alpha and IL-4) occurred in untreated

depressed patients. Both EAP and fluoxetine had an anti-inflammatory

effect by reducing IL-1beta. EAP treatment also restored the balance

between Th1 and Th2 systems by increasing TNF-alpha and decreasing IL-

4. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart - New York. PMID: 19724980

[PubMed - in process]

 

Sleep. 2009 Aug 1;32(8):1039-47. Electroacupuncture for primary insomnia:

a randomized controlled trial. Yeung WF, Chung KF, Zhang SP, Yap TG,

Law AC. Department of Psychiatry, Univ of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR,

China. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term efficacy and

safety of EAP for the treatment of primary insomnia. DESIGN: Randomized,

single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group. SETTING: A Univ-based

sleep clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Community sample of 60 Chinese adult

volunteers who report having insomnia 3 or more nights per week, whose

symptoms meet the DSM-IV criteria for primary insomnia for at least 3

months, and who have an Insomnia Severity Index total score of at least 15.

Participants were screened with polysomnography and the Structured

Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV prior to randomization. INTERVENTION:

EAP at Yintang (EX-HN3), GV20, bilateral ear Shenmen, Sishencong (EX-

HN1), and Anmian (EX) 3 times per week for 3 weeks or placebo AP using

Streitberger needles at the same points. MEASUREMENTS AND

RESULTS: Self-reported questionnaires, 1-week sleep diaries, and 3-day

actigraphy were collected at baseline and 1 week after treatment. The

Insomnia Severity Index was used as the primary outcome measure. Both

groups showed significant improvement compared with the pretreatment

baseline. One-way analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline scores

showed that there were significantly greater improvements in sleep

efficiency by sleep diary and actigraphy in the EAP group. However, no

significant between-group differences were observed in the Insomnia

Severity Index and other outcome measures. The proportions of subjects

having less than 30 minutes of wake after sleep onset and a sleep efficiency

of at least 85% at the posttreatment visit were significantly higher in the EAP

group. All adverse events were mild in severity. CONCLUSION: EAP had a

slight advantage over placebo AP in the short-term treatment of primary

insomnia. Because of some limitations of the current study, further studies

are necessary to verify the effectiveness of AP for insomnia. PMID:

19725255 [PubMed - in process]

 

Vestn Oftalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;125(2):24-6. [Effect of infrared low-intensity

laser radiation on a mutation process and proliferative corneal activity in

experimental cerebral hypoxia] [Article in Russian] Shurygina IP, Galenkina

NM, Shkurat TP. The paper deals with the impact of infrared low-intensity

laser radiation (IRLILR) on a mutation process and the proliferative activity

of the animal cornea during stimulation of circulatory brain hypoxia. During

an experiment on laboratory albino rats, IRLILR was studied for its impact

on the level of chromosomal rearrangements and the mitotic index in the

corneal cells was calculated in circulatory brain hypoxia. Laser exposure

during stimulation of circulatory brain hypoxia favors normalization of the

level of chromosomal aberrations and a mitotic cycle in the rat corneal

epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: IRLILR may be used in ophthalmological

care for antihypoxic purposes. Publication Types: * Comparative Study *

English Abstract PMID: 19517827 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

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