Effect of various acupuncture treatment protocols upon sepsis in wistar rats

Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by infection and generalized inflammatory response that can lead to organ failure and death. In this study we standardize a model to investigate acupuncture's effects upon sepsis. The objectives were to study the use of acupuncture in the infectious process and to formulate acupuncture's treatment protocol for sepsis. The CLP (cecal ligation and puncture) model in rats was used to induce sepsis through bacterial entrance into the peritoneal cavity. An acupuncture treatment protocol that enhanced survival and reversed the neutrophil impairment migration toward the peritoneal cavity in rats with sepsis was achieved. It seems that acupuncture can be used for the treatment of experimental infectious processes. The effects of acupuncture and related mechanisms are discussed.

Effect of a single acupuncture treatment on surgical wound healing in dogs: a randomized, single blinded, controlled pilot study

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on wound healing after soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery in dogs.Methods: 29 dogs were submitted to soft tissue and/or orthopaedic surgeries. Five dogs had two surgical wounds each, so there were totally 34 wounds in the study. All owners received instructions for post operative care as well as antibiotic and pain treatment. The dogs were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Treated dogs received one dry needle acupuncture treatment right after surgery and the control group received no such treatment. A veterinary surgeon that was blinded to the treatment, evaluated the wounds at three and seven days after surgery in regard to oedema (scale 0-3), scabs (yes/no), exudate (yes/no), hematoma (yes/no), dermatitis (yes/no), and aspect of the wound (dry/humid).Results: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in the variables evaluated three and seven days after surgery. However, oedema reduced significantly in the group treated with acupuncture at seven days compared to three days after surgery, possibly due the fact that there was more oedema in the treatment group at day three (although this difference was nor significant between groups).Conclusions: The use of a single acupuncture treatment right after surgery in dogs did not appear to have any beneficial effects in surgical wound healing.

The use of surface electromyography for the study of auricular acupuncture

The advancement of knowledge in neurophysiology has demonstrated that acupuncture is a method of peripheral neural stimulation that promotes local and systemic reflexive responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if surface electromyography can be used as a tool to study the action of auricular acupuncture on striated skeletal muscle. The electromyographic amplitudes of the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle and the upper trapezium muscle with 20%, 40% and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction of 15 healthy volunteers, were analyzed after the individuals were submitted to the auricular acupuncture treatment. The non-parametric Friedman test was used to compare Root Mean Square values estimated by using a 200 ms moving window. Significant results were further analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. In this exploratory study, the level of significance of each comparison was set to p < 0.05. It was concluded in this study that a surface electromyography can be used as a tool to investigate possible alterations of electrical activity in muscles after auricular acupuncture. However there is still a lack of adequate methodology for its use in this type of study, being that the method used to record the electromyographic signal can also influence the results. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acupuncture as therapeutic resource in patient with bruxism

Bruxism is the harmful habit of clenching or grinding the teeth during the day and / or night, with unconscious pattern, with particular intensity and frequency, outside the functional movements of chewing and swallowing. It is accepted that bruxism is a response controlled by the neurotransmitters dopamine system associated with emotional component. The proposed of treatment of bruxism with acupuncture aims to stimulate sensory fibers of the peripheral nervous system leading to electrical transmission by neurons sufficient to produce changes in the central nervous system. As a consequence there is the release of substances (cortisol, endorphins, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) that promote wellness and restoration of harmony, be it psychological, biological and / or behavioral.

Temporomandibular disorders in females: acupuncture compared to occlusal splint

To compare the effect of acupuncture and occlusal splint in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in female patients.Method: Forty-eight female patients (mean age of 39.3±6.8 years) with diagnosed pain in muscles or joint according to RDC/TMD criteria were attended at UNESP - Aracatuba Dental School. Including criteria were reported pain in the chewing muscles and/or in the temporomandibular joint measured by a visual analogue scale (range from 0 to 10) and a reported reduction of the maximum mouth opening. Excluding factors were major occlusal problems, systemic diseases, pregnancy and age below 18 years. After randomization, the first group was treated with acupuncture performed by instructed dentist. The second group was treated with occlusal splint. The outcome variables were assessed at baseline (prior to the first treatment session) and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Primary criteria of success were improvement of mouth opening and pain reduction.Result: Acupuncture group exhibited chewing pain decrease from 5 (at baseline) to 1, 2 and 1 after 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. In the splint group, chewing pain decreased from 4 to 2, 1 and 2 after 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. The mouth opening (in mm) increased from 28 (at baseline) to 42, 44 and 46 after 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively in the acupuncture group. In the splint group, mouth opening improved from 29 to 40 after 1 month, and to 43 and 42 after 3 and 6 months. A significant pain reduction was noted for both groups when compared to the baseline (p<.001; Wilcoxon test). Acupuncture group had a significant clinical improvement of opening mouth (Mann-Whitney). Conclusion: The present outcomes suggest a positive association among acupuncture and occlusal splint on the reduction of chewing pain. Acupuncture was more effective in the mouth opening increase.

Acupuntura: bases científicas e aplicações

A acupuntura visa à terapia e à cura das enfermidades pela aplicação de estímulos através da pele, com a inserção de agulhas em pontos específicos. Essa técnica esteve isolada do mundo ocidental durante milênios, distanciando sua forma de raciocínio e linguagem da cultura ocidental. Isto restringe sua aceitação no Ocidente, sendo considerada mística e sem base científica. Além disso, a prática da acupuntura no Ocidente se depara com deficiências no ensino e difusão científica. Porém, a eficácia dessa terapia levou a Organização Mundial de Saúde a listar enfermidades que podem ser tratadas pela acupuntura e, recentemente, essa técnica foi reconhecida como especialidade médica veterinária no Brasil. A pesquisa da acupuntura reveste-se, portanto, de grande interesse, na medida em que poderá traduzir conhecimentos milenares, contribuindo para sua aceitação e incorporação.

Comparison of risk factors among blood donors, volunteers and replacement individuals, infected or not by hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily parenterally by contaminated blood and is often associated with: intravenous drug abuse, invasive procedures, blood transfusions, acupuncture, tattooing, and alcohol and tobacco use. This study aimed to quantify and evaluate the risk factors among blood donors, volunteer blood donors and replacement individuals, infected or not by the C virus. The main transmission routes of C virus were identified in 55 men and 25 women (GI) monitored by the Ambulatory Unit of the Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, and in 24 men and 26 women (GII), all active blood donors at the Bauru State Hospital Transfusional Agency. Both groups were similar in: tobacco and alcohol consumption, sexual behavior, tattooing and illicit drug use. The duration of alcohol and tobacco consumption and blood transfusions in GI were longer, whereas the option for steady partners, condom use, disposable materials and piercings were predominant in GII. In conclusion, the risk factors for hepatitis C demonstrate the necessity of health policies that act on the primary and secondary prevention levels (respectively, reduction of infection incidence and hepatopathy risk).

Métodos para abandono do tabagismo e tratamento da dependência da nicotina

O tabagismo está relacionado a 30% das mortes por câncer. É fator de risco para desenvolver carcinomas do aparelho respiratório, esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, cérvix uterina, rim e bexiga. A nicotina induz tolerância e dependência pela ação nas vias dopaminérgicas centrais, levando às sensações de prazer e recompensa mediadas pelo sistema límbico. É estimulante do sistema nervoso central (SNC), aumenta o estado de alerta e reduz o apetite. A diminuição de 50% no consumo da nicotina pode desencadear sintomas de abstinência nos indivíduos dependentes: ansiedade, irritabilidade, distúrbios do sono, aumento do apetite, alterações cognitivas e fissura pelo cigarro. O aconselhamento médico é fundamental para o sucesso no abandono do fumo. A farmacoterapia da dependência de nicotina divide-se em: primeira linha (bupropiona e terapia de reposição da nicotina), e segunda linha (clonidina e nortriptilina). A bupropiona é um antidepressivo não-tricíclico que age inibindo a recaptação de dopamina, cujas contra-indicações são: epilepsia, distúrbios alimentares, hipertensão arterial não-controlada, abstinência recente do álcool e uso de inibidores da monoaminoxidase (MAO). A terapia de reposição de nicotina pode ser feita com adesivos e gomas de mascar. Os efeitos da acupuntura no abandono do fumo ainda não estão completamente esclarecidos. As estratégias de interrupção abrupta ou redução gradual do fumo têm a mesma probabilidade de sucesso.

Acupuntura: histórico, bases teóricas e sua aplicação em Medicina Veterinária

A acupuntura (AP) é uma técnica terapêutica empírica desenvolvida em uma cultura oriental e que utiliza pensamento mágico (linguagem pré-científica) em seu raciocínio. É uma terapia reflexa que utiliza a estimulação de pontos específicos do corpo com objetivo de atingir um efeito terapêutico ou homeostático. A AP preconiza que a saúde é dependente das funções psico-neuro-endócrinas, sob influência do código genético e de fatores extrínsecos como nutrição, hábitos de vida, clima, qualidade do ambiente, entre outros. O presente artigo faz uma breve revisão sobre a filosofia da AP, seus marcos históricos na China e no Ocidente, a história da AP veterinária no Brasil e no mundo. Também aborda a prática da AP, incluindo as formas de diagnóstico, a definição do protocolo de tratamento, os métodos de estimulação dos pontos, o agulhamento de animais, suas indicações, contra-indicações e reações adversas.

Analgesia da farmacopuntura com meloxicam ou da aquapuntura preemptivas em gatas submetidas à ovariosalpingohisterectomia

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Induction of luteolysis in mares utilizing a micro-dose of prostaglandin F-2 alpha in the sacral lumbar space

An experiment was conducted to examine the luteolytic effectiveness of using low or micro doses of PGF(2 alpha) when administered at the (BAI HUI) acupuncture point, which is frequently used to treat ovarian disturbances in Veterinary Acupuncture. The results indicate that PGF(2 alpha) given at a very low micro dose of 0.5mg (one tenth the conventional recommended dose) when administered at the BAI HUI acupuncture point located at the sacral lumbar space is equally effective at inducing luteolysis in mid-luteal phase mares as conventional PGF(2 alpha) i.m. treatment using a tenfold higher dose. Therefore, based on the results of the present study we suggest that the BAI HUI sacral lumbar route somehow provides an extremely efficient pathway for the drug to the ovarian level.

Alternative low doses and routes of administering a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue to induce luteolysis in Nelore cows

The present study was conducted in order to verify the efficacy of lower doses and alternative routes of a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, luprostiol (PGF), for the induction of luteolysis and the precipitation of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus). A conventional dose (15 mg) of PGF was compared to doses lower than the conventional dose, which ranges from 10 to 50%, that were administered intramuscularly (IM), intravulvosubmucosally (IVSM), or in the Bai-hui acupuncture site located within the lumbosacral area. The cows were administered PGF 8 day after estrus in the presence of a corpus luteum, and randomly assigned to the following groups: G1 (positive control), 15 mg, IM (n = 23); G2, 7.5 mg, IM (n = 23); G3, 3.75 mg, I M (n = 24); G4, 7.5 mg, IVSM (n = 25); G5, 3.75 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 24); and G6, 1.5 mg, Bai-hui acupoint (n = 25). The results indicated that 50% of a conventional dose of PGF (7.5 mg) resulted in a complete luteal regression (plasma progesterone < 1 ng/ml) at Hour 48, and hastened estrus, regardless of whether or not PGF was administered IM or IVSM. Comparatively, 10 or 25% of the conventional dose, even when administered to the Bai-hui acupoint, resulted in an initial reduction in the concentration of progesterone at Hour 24, followed by an increase observed at Hour 48. In conclusion, 25% of a conventional PGF dose administered via the Bai-hui acupoint proved inadequate to induce a complete luteal regression, whereas 50% of a conventional dose administered IM or IVSM was found to be the minimal dose required to induce effectively a complete luteal regression, and to precipitate the onset of estrus in nonlactating Nelore cows.

Comparação entre a lidocaína e a acupuntura no tratamento da taquicardia ventricular induzida com dopamina em equinos anestesiados com halotano

Os efeitos da lidocaina e da acupuntura nos pontos bilaterais associados ao pericárdio 6 (Pc6-Neiguan) e ao coração 7 (C7-Shenmen), no tratamento da taquicardia ventricular (TV) induzida por dopamina em equinos anestesiados com halotano, foram avaliados e comparados. Seis equinos, distribuídos em três grupos: grupo-controle (GC), grupo tratado com acupuntura (GA) e grupo tratado com lidocaína (GL), foram anestesiados três vezes cada, com intervalo de uma semana entre cada anestesia. Avaliaram-se os parâmetros cardiovasculares (frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial e eletrocardiografia), os respiratórios (frequência respiratória, capnografía, saturação de hemoglobina e hemogasometria) e o escore de recuperação. A dose arritmogênica da dopamina (DAD) foi determinada a partir da infusão de 70µg/kg/min IV durante 10 minutos, sem interrupção, preenchendo o critério arritmogênico: quatro ou mais complexos ventriculares prematuros seguidos, com duração de pelo menos 15 segundos ou TV sustentada. O tempo médio de aparecimento da DAD ou da TV foi de 6,05±0,45 minutos nos animais não tratados, e a TV se reverteu espontaneamente aos 2,7±0,2 minutos. O grupo tratado com acupuntura reverteu a TV no tempo médio de 1,8±0,2 (P<0,05) em relação ao grupo tratado com lidocaina 1,3±0,2 (P<0,01). Os tratamentos mostraram-se eficientes na reversão TV.