PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Dec ;38(6):943-952. PMID: 32186143

Abstract Title: 

Acupoint combinations used for treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A data mining analysis.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To identify the acupoint combinations used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).METHODS: The clinical literature regarding acupuncture and moxibustion for AD was searched and collected from databases including Chinese Biomedical Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and PubMed. The database of acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions for AD was established by using Excel software so as to conduct the descriptive analysis, association analysis on the data.RESULTS: Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiguan (PC 6), Fengchi (GB 20), Taixi (KI 3), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenting (GV 24), Fenglong (ST 40), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Shuigou (GV 26) and Taichong (LR 3) were of higher frequency in the treatment of AD with acupnucture and moxibustion. Most acupoints were selected from the Governor Vessel. The commonly used acupoints were located on the head, face, neck and lower limbs. The combination of the local acupoints with the distal ones was predominated. The crossing points among the specific points presented the advantage in the treatment. The association analysis indicated that the correlation among Fengchi (GB 20)-Baihui (GV 20) was the strongest, followed by combinations of Dazhui (GV 14)-Baihui (GV 20), Shenshu (BL 23)- Baihui (GV 20) and Neiguan (PC 6)- Baihui (GV 20) and indicated the common rules of the clinical acupoint selection and combination for AD.CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a reference for acupoints selection and combination for AD in clinical acupuncture practice.

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PMID: 

Glob Adv Health Med. 2020 ;9:2164956120906092. Epub 2020 Feb 13. PMID: 32110475

Abstract Title: 

Dynamic Brain Activity Following Auricular Point Acupressure in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: A Pilot Longitudinal Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Abstract: 

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic brain activity following auricular point acupressure (APA) in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN).Methods: Participants received 4 weeks of APA in an open-pilot trial with repeated observation. Along with the clinical self-reported CIN outcomes, objective outcomes were measured over the course of the treatment by physiological changes in pain sensory thresholds from quantitative sensory testing (QST) and repeated functional magnetic resonance imaging scans.Results: After 4 weeks of APA, participants had reported clinically significant improvements (ie,≥30%) in a reduction of CIN symptoms (including pain, numbness, tingling, and stiffness) in lower extremity stiffness (32%), reduced foot sensitivity (13%), and higher pain threshold (13%). Across the 11 intrinsic brain networks examined, there was a trend toward significance of the connectivity of the basal ganglia network (BGN) to the salience network (SAL), which was decreased pre-APA versus immediate-APA (effect size [ES] = 1.04, = .07). The BGN also demonstrated decreased connectivity with the language network pre-APA versus delayed imaging post-APA (ES = -0.92, = .07). Furthermore, there was increased executive control network (ECN) and SAL within-network connectivity comparing pre-APA to delayed imaging post-APA, trending toward significance (ES = 0.41, = .09 and ES = 0.17, = .09, respectively).Conclusion: The changes in connectivity and activity within or between the ECN, SAL, and BGN from pre- to post-APA suggest ongoing alterations in brain functional connectivity following APA, particularly in the insula, anterior cingulate, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, which play significant roles in pain, memory, and cognitive function.

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PMID: 

Psychol Health Med. 2020 Mar 13:1-15. Epub 2020 Mar 13. PMID: 32167794

Abstract Title: 

The effects of active acupuncture and placebo acupuncture on insomnia patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

The purpose of this study was to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of active acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia and mood disorders. 96 patients with insomnia in Chengdu were randomly divided into two groups (1:1). The active acupuncture group (AA group n = 48) received the tube of Park sham device with deep needle insertion. The placebo acupuncture group (PA group n = 48) received the tube of Park sham device with a retractable needle shaft and a blunt tip. The same acupuncture points and treatment cycles were used in both groups. The overall scorefor the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes recorded sleep rate, self-reported depression scale (SDS), self-assessment anxiety scale (SAS), the 'six component' scores of PSQI, andscale scores. Eventually, 90 patients completed the study. After 2 weeks of treatment, the total score of PSQI in the AA group was 4.6 ± 2.4 and in the PA group was 12.9 ± 1.8 ( = 3.91,

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PMID: 

Biomolecules. 2020 Mar 15 ;10(3). Epub 2020 Mar 15. PMID: 32183434

Abstract Title: 

Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action.

Abstract: 

Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time. Recently, the use of nutraceuticals as natural compounds corroborating anti-cancer standard therapy is emerging as a promising tool for their relative abundance, bioavailability, safety, low-cost effectiveness, and immuno-compatibility with the host. In this review, we outlined the anti-cancer properties of Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune defense. Lf shows high bioavailability after oral administration, high selectivity toward cancer cells, and a wide range of molecular targets controlling tumor proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasization. Of note, Lf is able to promote or inhibit cell proliferation and migration depending on whether it acts upon normal or cancerous cells, respectively. Importantly, Lf administration is highly tolerated and does not present significant adverse effects. Moreover, Lf can prevent development or inhibit cancer growth by boosting adaptive immune response. Finally, Lf was recently found to be an ideal carrier for chemotherapeutics, even for the treatment of brain tumors due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus globally appearing as a promising tool for cancer prevention and treatment, especially in combination therapies.

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PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Feb ;39(1):103-110. PMID: 32186030

Abstract Title: 

Effect of acupuncture therapies combined with usual medical care on knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) combined with usual medical care for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) .METHODS: A total of 90 patients with KOA were randomly allocated to 3 groups: usual care group (UC group, n = 30) was treated by pharmacological treatment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and drugs for activating blood circulation (Ds-ABC), acupuncture (AP) combined with usual care group (UC group) (AP + UC group, n = 30) and EA combined with UC group (EA + UC group, n = 30). The primary outcome measurements included pain visual analogue scale/score (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC Index) and its subscales. Secondary outcome measurement was Assessment of Quality of Life instrument version of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (AQoL-SF36).RESULTS: By the end of the 1st week, AP + UC group and EA + UC group exhibited statistically significant improvements in primary outcome measures, except for WOMAC stiffness, compared with the UC group (P

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PMID: 

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 ;2020:9869250. Epub 2020 Feb 25. PMID: 32184903

Abstract Title: 

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia: An Open-Label Pragmatic Study on Effects on Disease Severity, Neuropathic Pain Features, and Pain Catastrophizing.

Abstract: 

The treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is still far from being optimally coded, and pharmacological strategies are often unsatisfactory. Acupuncture plays a role among nonpharmacological intervention approaches; however, there is still no clarity as to when to integrate it into therapy. The objective of this study is to explore the role of acupuncture, in terms of efficacy on main disease severity measures and pain features, in patients with nonresponsive disease, defining nonresponsive FMS characterized by a revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R)≥39 and a Patient Health Questionnaire 15-item (PHQ15) ≥5 despite optimal drug therapy. Patients were treated with weekly sessions, for a total of eight acupuncture sessions. At the baseline and at the end of the treatment cycle, a comprehensive clinical evaluation was carried out to evaluate improvements in terms of disease severity and impact on neuropathic pain features (measured with the painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ)) and pain catastrophizing (measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)). At the end of the eight-week treatment, patients experienced a significant improvement inall evaluated parameters (for FIQ-R, PDQ, and PHQ15

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PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Feb ;39(1):74-80. PMID: 32186026

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture points (acupoints) on the expression of glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1) in the hypothalamus of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) as measured by combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT).METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into model, Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture, and sham groups. Additionally, Tokyo Wistar rats were used as the control group. Changes in blood pressure were recorded in different groups of rats before and after the corresponding treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to study basic morphological changes, and immunohistochemistry was used to determine GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus. Further, PET-CT was utilized to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism after acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3) acupoints.RESULTS: PET-CT indicated activation of the hypothalamus. Measurement of blood pressure showed that acupuncture at the Taichong (LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure. HE staining did not show any significant pathological changes, although differences in cell number were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated a GLUT1 downregulation in the SHRs of the Taichong (LR 3) acupuncture group after the treatment.CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Taichong (LR 3) acupoints lowered blood pressure in SHRs, with possible mechanisms being changes in cell number and GLUT1 expression in the hypothalamus.

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PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Apr ;39(2):246-250. PMID: 32186048

Abstract Title: 

Effect of acupuncture on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients.METHODS: A total of 80 out-patients with primary hypertension at the family medicine unit and the social security unit were randomly and equally divided into an acupuncture plus medication group and a control group that received only medication. Patients of the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture stimulation of Yinlinquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Neiguan (PC 6) for 30 min, once per week, continuously for eight weeks. In addition, both groups received amlodipine (5 mg) once daily, continuously for eight weeks. Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial BP (mABP) were recorded. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.RESULTS: SBP of the 40 cases in the acupuncture group significantly improved compared to the medication only group [Z =－ 4.265, P (2-tailed) = 0.001] and DBP of acupuncture group was lower than that of the control group (Z =－ 2.813, P = 0.005). mABP of acupuncture group was the marked improvement in the reduction of blood pressure to that of medication group in controlling blood pressure. (Z = －2.416, P = 0.016).CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the effectiveness of acupuncture with the acupuncture group is superior to the only medication group in the control of hypertension.

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PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Aug ;39(4):582-586. PMID: 32186107

Abstract Title: 

Effect of adjuvant therapy with electroacupuncture on bone turnover markers and interleukin 17 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture as an adjuvant treatment with first-line medications on bone metabolism biomarkers and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).METHODS: Sixty RA patients were randomized into three groups. The control group was treated with methotrexate plus leflunomide (MTX+LEF), the acupuncture group was treated with simple needling plus MTX + LEF, and the patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group were treated with EA plus MTX + LEF. EA or acupuncture was applied every other day for a total of 10 times over a treatment period of 8 weeks.RESULTS: In all three treatment groups, serum levels of the bone metabolism markers PICP, N-MID, and B-ALP were elevated and the concentrations of the inflammatory markersβ-CTx, IL-17, CRP, and TRACP-5b were reduced after treatment. These differences were significant for the EA group but not the other groups (P

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PMID: 

J Tradit Chin Med. 2019 Aug ;39(4):587-598. PMID: 32186108

Abstract Title: 

Effect of hand-ear acupuncture on chronic low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hand-ear acupuncture on chronic low-back pain (cLBP).METHODS: This was an open, randomized and controlled trial in The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Sichuan Province. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02260284. All the 152 participates with cLBP were randomly assigned to hand-ear acupuncture (n = 54), standard acupuncture (n = 50), or usual care groups (n = 48). Eighteen treatments were provided over 7 weeks. Back-related dysfunction and symptom severity were assessed by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which were collected at baseline, 2 months and 6 months post to the treatment.RESULTS: At 6 months, the RMDQ scores improved by 7.74 points of hand-ear acupuncture group. Significant improvement of VAS and RMDQ was observed in hand-ear acupuncture group (P

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