World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion最新文献

{"title":"Analysis of key therapeutic elements in acupuncture therapy and placebo acupuncture controls","authors":"Jian-fei NIU (牛舰霏),&nbsp;Guan-qun WANG (王冠群),&nbsp;Xiao-long XIE (解小龙),&nbsp;Shuo DU (杜朔),&nbsp;Bi-hui PENG (彭碧辉),&nbsp;Ji-ping ZHAO (赵吉平)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying key acupuncture elements is essential for optimizing sham acupuncture controls. Based on the characteristics and current state of acupuncture therapy, this paper categorizes key acupuncture elements into types and contents. Taking the former as a clue, it examines the current understanding of key acupuncture elements and underscores the need for further refinement to ensure that sham acupuncture controls more closely approximate physiological inertness. Additionally, it explores strategies and methodologies for advancing the understanding of key acupuncture elements from both the type and content perspectives. Key acupuncture elements should expand the number of included element types. Elements such as acupuncture needles, point selection, point combination, needle insertion, needle manipulation, and needle withdrawal should all be included, and they should be reported in a standardized manner in the trials. Regarding element content, improvements should be made in three key areas to enhance selection accuracy: 1. Strengthening the comprehensiveness of relevant theoretical frameworks. 2. Emphasizing the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and acupoint palpation methods in trial application and reporting. 3. Continuously investigating the mechanisms underlying both the specific efficacy and the placebo efficacy of acupuncture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 2","pages":"Pages 145-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Glial cell: Role of the pain modulation in acupuncture analgesia","authors":"Mi YUAN (袁咪),&nbsp;Lan YUAN (袁澜),&nbsp;Wei CHEN (陈蔚),&nbsp;Yang-shuai SU (宿杨帅),&nbsp;Meng-yan FAN (范孟妍),&nbsp;Xiang-hong JING (景向红),&nbsp;Wei HE (何伟),&nbsp;Xiao-yu WANG (王晓宇)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The significance of glial cells in the nervous system, particularly in the modulation of pain, has increasingly gained prominence, thereby shifting the traditional neurobiological research paradigm that predominantly focused on neurons. Acupuncture treatment have been shown to influence the functionality of glial cells, enabling them to serve as modulators that significantly contribute to the inhibition of neurogenic inflammation, the restoration of synaptic homeostasis, and the enhancement of the pain modulation system. Furthermore, various molecules and their associated signaling pathways facilitate the biological effects of glial cells in the context of acupuncture-induced analgesia. Notably, P2X receptors (P2X3, P2X4, and P2X7), the MAPK pathway (including p38MAPK and ERK), and the JAK/STAT pathway within glial cells are implicated in the modulation of neuroinflammation and pain regulation through acupuncture. These elucidated mechanisms underscore the potential of acupuncture to modulate neuroimmune signaling for pain alleviation and suggest the prospect of developing more targeted and effective treatments for chronic pain in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 2","pages":"Pages 103-108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS): Applications and challenges","authors":"Wen-lai ZHOU (周文来) ,&nbsp;Jing LI (李璟) ,&nbsp;Xiao-ning SHEN (沈晓凝) ,&nbsp;Xia-tong HUA (华夏童) ,&nbsp;Jing XIE (谢静) ,&nbsp;Yan-li ZHOU (周艳丽) ,&nbsp;Lu ZHU (朱璐)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a kind of physical therapy that use electric current through the electrodes placed on the surface of acupoints to produce clinical effects in the human body, which is characterized by less adverse reaction and convenient operation. It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases. This review introduces six major clinical applications of TEAS, named analgesia, regulation of gastrointestinal function, improvement of reproductive function, enhancement of cognitive function, promotion of limb function recovery and relief of fatigue. Besides, TEAS has been applied to the treatment of other chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, achieving satisfactory clinical effects. However, two crucial challenges are encountered in the development of TEAS. One is the lack of standardization in the selection of parameters such as waveform, frequency, intensity and stimulation duration. The other is the limitation on the flexibility in the acupoint selection. This review analyzes key issues that need to be addressed in the current clinical application of TEAS, such as the selection of parameters and acupoints, and this review provides a certain reference value for optimizing regimens of TEAS and promoting its development and application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 10-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture as adjuvant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial","authors":"Amir Hooman Kazemi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Sadegh Adel-Mehraban ,&nbsp;Ali Vafaie Sefti ,&nbsp;Bin Jiang WU (吴滨江) ,&nbsp;Reihane Alipour","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Non-pharmacological treatments of traditional medical systems are becoming recognized in management of respiratory diseases, especially COVID-19. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This randomized controlled trial was performed on 70 moderate to severe hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Patients were randomized into two groups, receiving conventional treatment alone or in combination with acupuncture for 7 days. Both groups were followed up for 28 days. Respiratory rate and SpO₂ were considered as primary outcomes. Additionally, respiratory symptoms (cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, and oxygen demand) and duration of hospitalization, ICU admission, intubation, and mortality rate were evaluated. The outcome assessor and data analyst were blinded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Acupuncture significantly improved respiratory rate and SpO₂ after 3 days (<em>v.</em>s<em>.</em> 7 days in control group). SpO₂ reached 93 % from the third day of conducting acupuncture. Respiratory symptoms were relieved after 7 days in the both groups, but were significant from day 3 in the acupuncture group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Duration of hospitalization was less in the acupuncture group (3 days <em>v.</em>s<em>.</em> 11 days), with no ICU admission, intubation or death. In contrast, 8 patients in the control group were admitted to ICU, of whom 4 were intubated and died. No adverse effect was reported.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Acupuncture can play a significant role as a safe and effective complementary treatment in the management of COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registraion: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials</h3><div>IRCT20201 127049504N1.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 41-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of xiusanzhen acupuncture on hippocampal CA1 region damage and microglia activation in rats with vascular dementia: A trigeminal nerve perspective","authors":"Jie LI (李杰) ,&nbsp;Qiang WANG (王强) ,&nbsp;Yuan WANG (王渊) ,&nbsp;Jun-yang LIU (刘隽阳) ,&nbsp;Jie GUO (郭婕) ,&nbsp;Hua LI (李华) ,&nbsp;Hao-bin ZHANG (张豪斌) ,&nbsp;Jie LIU (刘捷) ,&nbsp;An-ren ZHANG (张安仁) ,&nbsp;Hai-fa QIAO (乔海法)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to observe the effects of <em>xiusanzhen</em> acupuncture (olfactory three-needling therapy) on the behavior, hippocampal histopathology and microglial (MG) activation of rats with vascular dementia (VD), and to assess the role of the trigeminal nerve.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operation, model, <em>xiusanzhen</em>, and trigeminal neurotomy groups (<em>n</em> = 15 per group). Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was performed to prepare the VD models. Models of trigeminal neurotomy were prepared through the excision of the frontal nerve and infraorbital nerve. <em>Xiusanzhen</em> acupuncture was delivered via electric stimulation. The acupoints selected were bilateral “Yingxiang (LI20)” and “Yintang (EX-HN3)”, and the stimulation parameters were as follows: disperse-dense wave, at a frequency of 2/15HZ and intensity of 1 mA. The course of treatment was once daily, with one course lasting five days, followed by an interval of two days, yielding a total of four courses. Behavioral changes were detected using the Morris water maze, changes in histomorphology in the hippocampal CA1 region were determined with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and MG activation in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected using immunofluorescence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The escape latency: From days 3 to 5, the escape latency was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), but was lower in the <em>xiusanzhen</em> group compared to the model and trigeminal neurotomy groups (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The frequency for platform crossing and swimming distance: both were reduced in the model group compared to the sham-operation group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01); and were elevated in the <em>xiusanzhen</em> group compared to the model group and trigeminal neurotomy group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Hippocampal pathomorphological changes: In the sham-operation group, the morphological structure and nucleoli were well-defined; in the model group and the trigeminal neurotomy group, cell numbers were reduced and karyopyknosis increased; while in the <em>xiusanzhen</em> group, the cell numbers were elevated and karyopyknosis was reduced compared with the model group. MG: the positive rate was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05); lower in the <em>xiusanzhen</em> group compared to the model group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05); and higher in the trigeminal neurotomy group compared to the <em>xiusanzhen</em> group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Xiusanzhen</em> acupuncture attenuates cognitive impairment in VD rats, inhibits MG activation, and reduces hippocampal tissue damage. Its effects depend on the structural integrity of the trigeminal nerve.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 75-83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects on the receptivity of thin endometrium treated with acupuncture therapy for menstruation regulation and pregnancy promotion: A pragmatic randomized controlled exploratory study","authors":"Chen-si ZHENG (郑晨思) ,&nbsp;Hui-sheng YANG (杨会生) ,&nbsp;Ming-zhao HAO (郝鸣昭) ,&nbsp;Si-yu LIU (刘思雨) ,&nbsp;Yi-gong FANG (房繄恭)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study aimed to explore the clinical effect of acupuncture therapy for menstruation regulation and pregnancy promotion on thin endometrium in the real world.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Design&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study is a single-center pragmatic randomized controlled trial blinded to the statisticians. Using the “blockrand” software package, based on the age (≥35, &lt;35), 37 patients were randomized into an intervention group (19 cases) and a control group (18 cases). After reassignment regarding patient preference, 21 patients were included in the intervention group and 16 in the control group.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Setting&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The trial was executed in the Specialty Outpatient Clinic, Acupuncture-Moxibustion Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, from March 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Participants&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study included 37 patients with thin endometrium and without previous acupuncture treatment.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Intervention&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The intervention group was administered acupuncture for menstruation regulation and pregnancy promotion and a small-dose of progynova (2 mg daily), while the control group was administered a large-dose of progynova (4 mg daily). Interventions started from Day 5 of menstruation until the end of ovulation under B-ultrasound monitoring. The intervention lasted for three menstrual cycles.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Measurements&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Primary outcomes were changes in endometrial thickness between baseline and after intervention completion and the difference between the two groups after intervention. The secondary outcomes were endometrial and subendometrial blood flow, serum estradiol levels, menstrual conditions, and adverse reactions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;(1) Comparison of each indicator before and after intervention completion in the two groups: in the intervention group, the differences were significant in endometrial thickness, menstrual score, estradiol (E2) level in ovulatory period, the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of uterine artery, the ratio of peak systolic velocity to end-diastolic velocity (S/D), the endometrial vascular index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascular flow index (VFI) and volume (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.01). In the control group, significant changes were observed in endometrial thickness, menstrual score, and E2 before and after the intervention (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), and no differences were observed in uterine artery PI, RI, S/D and endometrial VI, FI, VFI, and volume (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &gt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant differences in endometrial thickness, menstrual score, E2, uterine artery PI, RI, S/D, and endometrial VI, FI, VFI, and volume after intervention (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.01). No adverse reactions were reported in the intervention group. In contrast, the control group had two cases of nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort after medication, e","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 50-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture therapy: A potential new strategy for immunosuppressive sepsis","authors":"Shuang-li CHEN (陈双莉) ,&nbsp;Li-hong HUANG (黄礼红) ,&nbsp;Yu-hong BIAN (边育红) ,&nbsp;Yu-ming WANG (王玉明) ,&nbsp;Jing-yu ZHANG (张靖宇) ,&nbsp;Jin-yu LIAN (廉金玉) ,&nbsp;Ya-man ZHENG (郑雅蔓) ,&nbsp;Zi-yang FAN (樊紫阳) ,&nbsp;Xin-ru YUAN (袁馨如) ,&nbsp;Xiao-yan LYU (吕笑颜) ,&nbsp;Pei-rong LUO (罗佩蓉) ,&nbsp;Yu-xin FANG (房钰鑫) ,&nbsp;Li-yuan FU (傅丽媛) ,&nbsp;Ji-wen QIU (邱继文) ,&nbsp;Xiao-wei LIN (林小伟) ,&nbsp;Ze-lin CHEN (陈泽林) ,&nbsp;Lian-qi GENG (耿连歧) ,&nbsp;Yi GUO (郭义) ,&nbsp;Ning-cen LI (李柠岑) ,&nbsp;Bo CHEN (陈波)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sepsis is characterized by immune dysregulation that are responsible for an increase in secondary infections and mortality. Acupuncture is a potential alternative treatment for sepsis. In this comprehensive literature review, we found that acupuncture is beneficial in treating immune disorders associated with sepsis. Acupuncture can improve immune disorders associated with sepsis and regulate the functions of innate and adaptive immune cells. Specifically, acupuncture can reduce the number of neutrophils in sepsis, promote the polarization of macrophages towards M2-like macrophages, and alleviate inflammation by reducing the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, acupuncture can increase the percentage of T cells and modulate the balance between T cell subsets. The immunomodulatory mechanism of acupuncture in sepsis may be attributed to the balance of the autonomic nervous system, including activation of the sympathetic-adrenal axis, vagal-cholinergic pathway, and vagal-adrenal axis. In addition, acupuncture can inhibit inflammation by preserving the integrity of the intestinal barrier and regulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Clinical studies have also demonstrated that acupuncture can enhance the number of peripheral natural killer (NK) cells and T cell subsets, as well as the expression of human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR). Moreover, acupuncture can decrease the ratio of white blood cells to neutrophils and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors. Therefore, acupuncture has the potential to improve immune function in sepsis. Further investigation of its mechanism is expected to provide a scientific and reliable foundation for the application of acupuncture in sepsis treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 17-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of electroacupuncture on the MMP-2/9 pathway mediated blood-brain barrier permeability in mice with Parkinson's disease","authors":"Xiao-lei ZHANG (张小蕾),&nbsp;Meng-ni HU (胡梦妮),&nbsp;Ya-nan LI (李亚楠),&nbsp;Yao WANG (汪瑶),&nbsp;Zhen RONG (荣臻),&nbsp;Jun MA (马骏)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the blood-brain barrier permeability and the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the mice with Parkinson's disease (PD).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into the normal control (NC) group, the PD model (PD) group, the EA group and the EA + SB-3CT inhibitor group (EA + SB-3CT), with 12 mice in each group. In this experiment, the PD model was established by intragastric administration (IG) with rotenone for 4 wk in the PD group, EA group and EA+SB-3CT group. In the EA + SB-3CT group, 1 h after IG with rotenone, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with MMP-2/9 inhibitor, SB-3CT (25 mg/kg/d). After successfully modeled, in the EA group and EA + SB-3CT group, EA was conducted at “Fengfu (GV16)” and bilateral “Taichong (LR3)” and “Zusanli (ST36)”, at 1 mA and 2 Hz for 30 min each time, once a day, for consecutive 2 wk. The behavioral changes of the mice were observed in each group using the open field test, the level of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the substantia nigra was determined by immunohistochemistry, the permeability of the blood-brain barrier was detected by Evans blue staining, and the protein expression of ZO-1, ocludin, claudin-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the substantia nigra was detected by Western blotting.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Compared with the NC group, the behavioral scores increased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), while total time of locomotion, total distance and average speed were reduced (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) in the PD group. The expression of TH in the substantia nigra decreased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), Evans blue level in the brain tissue increased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), and the protein expression of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 was lower (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), whereas MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was higher (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) in the PD group. Compared with the PD group, behavioral scores decreased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), while the total time of locomotion, total distance and average speed increased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) in the EA group. Additionally, TH expression in the substantia nigra was elevated (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), Evans blue level in the brain tissue was lower (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), the protein expression of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 was up-regulated (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was down-regulated (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) in the EA group. Compared with the EA group, Evans blue level was reduced (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), the protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin was up-regulated (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05), and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was further down-regulated (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) in the EA+SB-3CT group.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;EA can effectively ameliorate the motor dysfunction of PD mice, reduce the damage of dopaminergic neurons, and play a neuroprotective role. EA can effectively improve the blood–brain barrier","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 58-65"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methodological challenges and recommendations for acupuncture clinical study: A scoping review","authors":"Xiang-yu HU (胡翔昱),&nbsp;Wen-cui XIU (修文萃),&nbsp;Zi-yu TIAN (田紫煜),&nbsp;Rui-min JIAO (焦睿珉),&nbsp;Huan CHEN (陈欢),&nbsp;Xiao-yi HU (胡晓艺),&nbsp;Lan-jun SHI (施兰君),&nbsp;Tian-yu MING (明恬妤),&nbsp;Wei-juan GANG (岗卫娟),&nbsp;Xiang-hong JING (景向红)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Methodological issues and challenges hinder the high-quality development of acupuncture clinical studies.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To systematically summarize the methodological issues, challenges, and recommendations in acupuncture clinical research using the participant, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design (PICOS) framework to generate a comprehensive list of methodological questions and recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched seven databases for articles on the methodological aspects of clinical acupuncture research from their inception to March 24, 2023. Two researchers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full text of each article. Data extraction and analyses were performed for the eligible studies. Finally, the methodological challenges and recommendations for acupuncture clinical studies are listed, and the frequency of methodological challenges is displayed in a sunburst chart.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 226 studies were included in the review, most of which originated in China (173, 77 %), followed by the United States (25, 11 %) and the United Kingdom (12, 5 %). Clinical research on acupuncture faces methodological challenges that span the five elements of the PICOS framework. The most frequently mentioned issues were related to comparison, followed by study design and interventions. If further categorized, the establishment of the control group is undoubtedly the most concerning issue for researchers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This review provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and recommendations for each aspect of the PICOS framework in clinical acupuncture research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of direct moxibustion on antigen-presenting cells in gastric tissue of rat models with gastric cancer: Understanding the immunological mechanisms","authors":"Tian-yu GAO (高田宇) ,&nbsp;Fei-cheng ZHANG (张飞程) ,&nbsp;Ru-fang PAN (潘茹芳) ,&nbsp;Shu-ya MA (马舒雅) ,&nbsp;Xiao-qi ZHANG (张晓琪) ,&nbsp;Li-jia PAN (潘丽佳) ,&nbsp;Chun-sheng JIA (贾春生)","doi":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjam.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The preventive and therapeutic effects of direct moxibustion on a gastric cancer rat model induced by the intragastric administration of &lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;-methyl-&lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;'-nitro-&lt;em&gt;N&lt;/em&gt;-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were evaluated. Changes in the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on antigen-presenting cells in gastric tissues as well as related cytokines in serum were evaluated. The aim of the study was to explore the immunological mechanisms by which direct moxibustion may prevent gastric cancer lesions, thereby providing a basis for studies on the immunological mechanisms by which moxibustion prevents tumor development.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Sixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, control+moxibustion, model, and moxibustion groups. A gastric cancer rat model was induced by intragastric administration of 20 mg/mL MNNG, with a dose of 1 mL/100 g body weight, once daily for 16 weeks. The control+moxibustion and moxibustion groups received direct moxibustion simultaneously with modeling, continuing for 16 weeks. After the experiment, gastric tissue was collected, and morphological changes in the gastric mucosa in each group of rats were observed through H&amp;E staining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and a western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of CD80 and CD86 in gastric tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-β) in rat serum.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Upon macroscopic observation, the gastric mucosa of rats in the control and control+moxibustion groups appeared uniformly red, with a glossy mucosal surface, normal gastric wall elasticity, and clear, regular mucosal folds, without hyperplasia or bleeding points. In the model group, the gastric mucosa was reduced in volume, the gastric wall thinned, elasticity decreased, mucosal folds were disordered, and yellow-white cauliflower-like lesions and yellow-brown hyperkeratosis were observed. In the moxibustion group, the gastric mucosa showed decreased elasticity, with disordered mucosal folds and granular hyperplasia. After H&amp;E staining, the gastric mucosal structure was clear and intact in the control and control+moxibustion groups displaying an organized and uniform arrangement of the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis propria, without hyperplasia or keratinization. In the model group, the epithelial glands in the gastric mucosa were disordered, with varied cell morphologies, thickened submucosa, and disrupted squamous epithelium that invaded downward into the muscularis propria. In the moxibustion group, the squamous epithelium did not invade the muscularis propria. IHC results showed higher expression levels of CD80 and CD86 in the gastric mucosa of the control+moxibustion group than in the control group (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.05) and lower expression levels in ","PeriodicalId":44648,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion","volume":"35 1","pages":"Pages 66-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143454232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}