Acupuncture in Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Electroacupuncture ameliorates gastrointestinal motility and modulates PLC-IP3 signaling in a rat model of functional dyspepsia.","authors":"Deqian Yang, Liyuan Fang, Qi Chen, Shuwen Jin, Xiaoli Pan, Junying Luo, Paidi Xu","doi":"10.1177/09645284251359305","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251359305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to determine whether electroacupuncture (EA) modulates the phospholipase C-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (PLC-IP3) pathway and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α⁺ cells in a rat model of functional dyspepsia (FD) characterized by gastrointestinal (GI) motor dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into five groups: control, model, EA, U73122 and U73122 + EA groups (n = 8 each). All groups except the control group underwent a multifactorial method to induce FD. The EA group received EA, the U73122 group received the PLC inhibitor U73122, and the U73122 + EA group received U73122 prior to EA. The control and model groups received no interventions. After 10 days of treatment, behavioral and GI motility tests were conducted. Gastric antrum tissues were analyzed post-euthanasia to determine PDGFRα, PLC, phosphorylated (<i>P</i>)-PLC, and IP3 expression and co-localization using Western blotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy was used to examine gastric antrum gap junctions (GJs) and PDGFRα⁺ cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The FD model rats displayed reduced activity, weight gain and food intake, with altered GI motility, widened gastric antrum GJs and decreased mRNA/protein expression of PDGFRα, PLC, <i>P</i>-PLC and IP3. Post-EA, rats showed improved weight gain, food intake, GI motility and mRNA/protein expression, as well as normal GJs. The U73122 group failed to demonstrate significant improvements in motility or PDGFRα⁺ cell morphology, with lower protein/mRNA expression of key pathway intermediates than the EA group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EA enhances GI function in FD rats by activating the PDGFRα⁺ cell-associated PLC-IP3 pathway, demonstrating potential as a therapeutic target for FD.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"265-277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rupture of the liver secondary to acupuncture: a case report.","authors":"Huiqi Zhai, Yihua Li, Mei Chen, Liang Kang, Xinjun Zhao, Rong Li","doi":"10.1177/09645284251379494","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251379494","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"299-301"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture analgesia in radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.","authors":"Tongbiao Wang, Guochu Huang, Sheng Xie, Wei Shi, Lian Chen","doi":"10.1177/09645284251331982","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251331982","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"302-303"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143952581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors predicting quality of life among patients with cervical spondylosis undergoing acupuncture in China: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Xiuhong Zhang, Chintana Wacharasin, Jinjutha Chaisena Dallas, Maiyun Ye","doi":"10.1177/09645284251379944","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251379944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The quality of life (QoL) of individuals with cervical spondylosis (CS) can be impaired due to both physical discomfort and psychological harm. Acupuncture is known to be an effective treatment approach for CS; however, the relevant factors affecting QoL in this patient population remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to assess QoL and investigate related factors among patients with CS undergoing acupuncture.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A predictive correlational study was conducted among 265 participants with CS undergoing acupuncture as part of routine clinical care. The following questionnaires were used to collect data on QoL and related factors: healthy lifestyle questionnaire (HLQ), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Chinese version of the perceptual stress scale (CPSS), self-rated abilities for health practices scale (SRAHP), social support rating scale (SSRS), cervical spine disease health knowledge awareness questionnaire and 12-item short form survey (SF-12). Standard multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of QoL in this patient population.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean total score of the QoL scale was 37.8 ± 10.57 (mean ± SD), indicating moderate QoL levels among patients with CS undergoing acupuncture. Based on multiple regression, lifestyle (β = 0.25, p < 0.01), health behavior (β = 0.379, p < 0.01), social support (β = 0.098, p < 0.01), knowledge about CS (β = 0.107, p < 0.01) and PSQI scores (β = -0.196, p < 0.001) explained 71% of the variance of QoL.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lifestyle, health behavior, social support and knowledge about CS significantly and positively predict the level of QoL, while PSQI scores negatively predicted QoL.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"256-264"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analgesic effects of electroacupuncture via the EphBs-p38 MAPK signaling pathway and microglial suppression in the chronic constriction injury rat model of neuropathic pain.","authors":"Yi Ying, Guodong Yang, Xiaoyu Li, Feifei Wang, Guobing Zhang","doi":"10.1177/09645284251363987","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251363987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the analgesic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and its impact on the EphBs-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and microglia in a rat model of neuropathic pain (NP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following adaptive training, 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were allocated to one of two experiments. In experiment 1, rats received intrathecal SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), intramuscular EphB1-Fc (EphBs inhibitor) or no injection before undergoing chronic constrictive injury (CCI). In experiment 2, CCI model rats received EA either alone or combined with either anisomycin (p38 MAPK agonist) or EphrinB1-Fc (EphBs agonist) versus minimal acupuncture (MA) as a control intervention. A sham surgery group was included in both experiments as a control for CCI. All groups consisted of n = 6 rats (four in experiment 1 and six in experiment 2). Behavioral hyperalgesia was examined and the spinal L5-6 region was harvested and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β levels. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to assess protein expression of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, Bcl-2 associated X-protein (BAX), EphB1, EphrinB1, p38 MAPK, phosphorylated (p)-p38 MAPK and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule (Iba)-1.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CCI induced behavioral hyperalgesia, as demonstrated by altered paw withdrawal latency (PWL), paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and cytokine levels, and increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and microglial activation. However, inhibitors SB203580 and EphB1-Fc reversed these effects. Notably, EA showed similar beneficial effects, but these were counteracted when combined with anisomycin and EphrinB1-Fc.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The analgesic effects of EA in this rat model of NP appear to be linked to diminished p-p38 MAPK expression and subsequent microglial deactivation. EA has a potential role as a complementary therapy for NP.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"278-289"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144938546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of electroacupuncture on interleukin-6 and procalcitonin expression in the astrocytes and neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn in a rat model of incisional pain.","authors":"Ying Jin, Liqian Ma, Qingfeng Cui, Ping Wang, Xinyuan Wang, Zhilai Lou, Jia Zhou, Bing Xiong, Xianming Lin","doi":"10.1177/09645284251379490","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251379490","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Incisional pain, which is the most commonly observed postoperative complication, is closely related to the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Although electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to reduce incisional pain, its analgesic mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether EA alleviates incisional pain in rats by regulating the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and procalcitonin (PCT) in the astrocytes and neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-six healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were included, of which n = 8 were assigned to the control group. The remaining 38 rats were used to establish the incisional pain model. Finally, 32 successfully modeled rats were obtained and randomly divided into model, sham EA, 2 Hz and 20/100 Hz EA groups. Mechanical pain withdrawal threshold (MPWT) was measured before modeling, 6 h after modeling, and 3 days after EA intervention. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect IL-6 and PCT protein and mRNA expression, as well as their co-expression with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker of astrocytes) and NeUN (a marker of neurons) in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in each group after 3 days of EA intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Reduced IL-6 and PCT levels in the astrocytes and neurons were observed in the spinal dorsal horn of the incisional pain model after EA intervention, and incisional pain was also significantly relieved.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both 2 Hz and 20/100 Hz EA appear to relieve incisional pain in rats and these effects may be related to inhibition of IL-6 and PCT expression in the spinal dorsal horn.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"290-298"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture blocks the STAT3-MMP-2 pathway in a guinea pig model of lens-induced myopia.","authors":"Yu-Hui Zhao, Xiu-Zhen Lu, Ji-Cun Qian, Wen-Hui Li, Qiu-Xin Wu, Xing-Bo He, Hua-Yue Sun, Zhao-Hui Yang, Qi Hao, Zong-Long Hao, Ji-Ke Song, Qing-Mei Tian, Hong-Sheng Bi","doi":"10.1177/09645284251345847","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251345847","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the effects of manual acupuncture (MA) on the signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT)3 - matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 pathway in a guinea pig model of lens-induced myopia (LIM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 36 male pigmented guinea pigs (aged 2 weeks) were randomly assigned to the normal control (NC) (n = 12), LIM (n = 12) and LIM + MA (n = 12) groups. The NC group received no intervention. To create myopia, the right eyes of the LIM and LIM + MA groups were covered with -6.00 D lenses. The LIM + MA group received 30 min of acupuncture stimulation daily at <i>Taiyang</i> and LI4. The effect of LIM modelling and MA on ocular measurements, expression of STAT3, phosphorylated (p)-STAT3, MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP)-2 expression (as well as histopathology, morphology and immunohistochemistry of the guinea pigs' eyes) were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the NC group, the LIM group showed increased expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 and MMP-2, and decreased expression of TIMP-2, as well as an increase in ocular measurements. The eye tissue morphology was disrupted and fibres became thinner in the LIM group. Compared to the LIM group, the LIM + MA group exhibited a noteworthy decline in the expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 and MMP-2, a significant increase in TIMP-2, and a decrease in ocular measurements and tissue morphology, which were similar to that of the NC group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncture has the potential to decrease STAT3 activation and block the STAT3-MMP-2 pathway in the ocular tissue of guinea pigs with experimental LIM, thereby delaying the development of myopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"208-217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electroacupuncture combined with pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: a case report.","authors":"Junwei Hu, Juanjuan Li, Ping Yin, Xia Zhang, Nana Zhao, Xi Wang, Yuelai Chen","doi":"10.1177/09645284251365648","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251365648","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"239-242"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of manual acupuncture on fatty acid metabolism in a rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a multi-tissue metabolomic and plasma lipidomic investigation.","authors":"Ying Zhou, Lin Zhang, Tingting Xia, Xuemei Zhang, Lele Zhang, Lifeng Han, Xiumei Gao","doi":"10.1177/09645284251365650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284251365650","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS. Many patients are dissatisfied with the efficacy of drug treatment and seek complementary and alternative medical therapies, especially acupuncture treatment. In this study, we evaluated the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on IBS-D using a rat model and investigated the underlying mechanism of action by analyzing the changes in untargeted metabolomics of plasma/liver/colon and targeted plasma lipidomics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Control, IBS-D and MA groups (n = 10 each). IBS-D/MA groups received acetic acid enemas combined with restraint stress. The Control group received saline enemas. The MA group received daily MA at ST36 for 2 weeks after modeling. Pain and stool quality were measured by the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and Bristol stool form scale (BSFS). Plasma/liver/colon samples were collected for ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)/Q-Orbitrap mass spectromy (MS) untargeted metabolomics. Plasma was also subjected to UHPLC-MS/MS targeted lipidomics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MA treatment improved BSFS and AWR scores in IBS-D model rats, suggesting reduced intestinal hypersensitivity. Metabolomic results showed that MA impacted 18 metabolites in the plasma, liver and colon, which were mainly involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Targeted lipidomic results showed MA restored the low levels of four medium-chain and one long-chain fatty acids to normal levels in IBS-D, suggesting that acupuncture treatment of IBS-D involves fatty acid metabolic pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MA reduced markers of intestinal hypersensitivity and impacted a number of metabolic pathways in a rat model of IBS-D.</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":"43 4","pages":"218-232"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of electroacupuncture on carpal tunnel syndrome: a clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographical pilot study.","authors":"Aikaterini Maria Ntoutsouli, George Georgoudis, Apostolos Papapostolou, Miltiades Karavis, Dimos David Petrou, Athina Vadalouca, Kassiani Theodoraki","doi":"10.1177/09645284251363989","DOIUrl":"10.1177/09645284251363989","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy and is associated with significant strain on both patients and healthcare systems. Acupuncture is one of the conservative treatments used for this syndrome, although more evidence is needed regarding the efficacy of this intervention. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in patients with CTS through clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographical assessments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventeen wrists, belonging to a total of 12 patients who had been diagnosed with CTS, were included. Eight EA sessions were performed (twice a week for 4 weeks). The visual analogue scale (VAS), symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS) of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were administered, median nerve conduction studies were performed and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve was measured by ultrasound. These evaluations were made at baseline and 3-7 days after the last treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following EA, there was a decrease in pain on the VAS scale with a median difference (MD) of -2.45 (p < 0.001), a decrease in the severity of symptoms on the SSS scale (MD -0.60; p = 0.001) and an improvement in the function of the limb on the FSS scale (MD -0.25; p = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a reduction in the CSA of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet (MD -2.00 mm²; p = 0.003). No differences in any median nerve conduction study parameters were found. Side effects (observed in 8% of treatments) were all minimal and self-limiting.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although no firm conclusions can be drawn from this uncontrolled clinical trial, EA appears to be a promising treatment for CTS patients, and herein was associated with an improvement in symptoms and morphological changes in the median nerve.</p><p><strong>Trial registration number: </strong>NCT04603274 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p>","PeriodicalId":7257,"journal":{"name":"Acupuncture in Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"198-207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144783229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}