Moxibustion for Menopausal Hot Flashes
Park JE, et al. From the Department of Medical
Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea; and
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University
of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
OBJECTIVE: A hot flash is a general postmenopausal symptom experienced by
approximately 75% of climacteric women. Women often turn to complementary and
alternative medicines to relieve hot flashes. Moxibustion is one such
medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of moxibustion on
hot flashes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS:: Fifty-one
participants were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, moxibustion 1,
moxibustion 2, and waiting list (control). The moxibustion groups received 14
sessions of moxibustion treatment for 4 weeks at acupuncture points. Our
protocol was supported by evidence from clinical experts (Moxa 1) or published
literature (Moxa 2), and we followed all participants for an additional 2 weeks
after the end of the study. Our primary outcome measures were frequency and
severity of hot flashes. Secondary outcome parameters included quality of life
(Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life Scale) and Menopause Rating Scale. RESULTS:
Fifty-one women participated in our study. By week 4, the difference in severity
and frequency of hot flashes had become statistically significant between the
treatment groups and the control participants. In addition, there was a
statistically significant difference in Menopausal-Specific Quality of Life
Scale scores between treatment group 2 and the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our
results suggest that moxibustion reduces both the frequency and severity of
menopausal hot flashes as compared with those in control participants. We would
recommend further studies with larger samples and possibly including placebo
controls.
Menopause. 2009 Mar 13.
Source: PubMed
[TOP]
Local Increase in Trapezius Muscle Oxygenation During and
After Acupuncture
Ohkubo M, Hamaoka T, Niwayama M, Murase N, Osada T,
Kime R, Kurosawa Y, Sakamoto A, Katsumura T.
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to compare the trapezius muscle blood volume and
oxygenation in the stimulation region and in a distant region in the same muscle
during acupuncture stimulation (AS). We hypothesized that AS provokes a
localized increase in muscle blood volume and oxygenation in the stimulation
region. Two sets of near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS) probes, with 40-mm
light-source detector spacing, were placed on the right trapezius muscle, with a
50-mm distance between the probes. Changes in muscle oxygenation (oxy-Hb) and
blood volume (t-Hb) in stimulation and distant regions (50 mm away from the
stimulation point) were measured using NIRS in 9 and 10 healthy
acupuncture-experienced subjects for the experiment as the AS group and as the
control group (no AS), respectively. Measurements began with a 3-min rest
period, followed by "Jakutaku" (AS) for 2 min, and recovery after stimulation.
There was a significant increase in oxy-Hb (60.7 muM at maximum) and t-Hb (48.1
muM at maximum) in the stimulation region as compared to the distant region. In
the stimulation region, a significant increase in oxy-Hb and t-Hb compared with
the pre-stimulation level was first noted at 58.5 s and 13.5 s, respectively,
after the onset of stimulation. In conclusion, oxygenation and blood volume
increased, indicating elevated blood flow to the small vessels, not in the
distant region used in this study, but in the stimulation region of the
trapezius muscle during and after a 2-min AS.
Dyn Med. 2009 Mar 16;8(1):2.
Source: PubMed
[TOP]
Apoptotic Effects of Tian-Long Compound on Endometrial
Adenocarcinoma Cells in Vitro
Li ZL, et al. Department of Anatomy and Cell
Biology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-8686,
Japan.
The Tian-Long (TL) compound is a water-soluble extract of six Chinese medicinal
herbs. To explore its antitumor properties and the mechanism for activity in
gynecological malignancies, the present studies were carried out using Ishikawa
cells derived from uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma. Morphologically, cell
death and decrease in the number of viable cells were observed in the presence
of the TL compound. The proliferation of Ishikawa cells was significantly
suppressed in a time- and dose-dependent manner, as indicated by both the WST-1
and the BrdU incorporation assay. Results from both the WST-1 and the BrdU
incorporation assay demonstrated that the compound could inhibit the cell
proliferation despite the presence of 17beta-estradiol in the medium. It is
generally noted that the disturbance in mitochondrial function and DNA synthesis
during cell proliferation can result in apoptosis. Being consistent with this
notion, redistribution of the plasma membrane phosphatidylserine was identified
with fluoromicroscopy and flow cytometry. Analysis of the fluorescent patterns
of JC-1 staining revealed depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane in the
exposed cells. Moreover, the amount of Bcl-2 enhanced in the presence of
17beta-estradiol was repressed by the compound. The present results indicate
that the ingredients of TL compound are very promising for use in the treatment
of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the
therapeutic mechanisms in its antitumor activity.
Med Mol Morphol. 2009 Mar;42(1):32-9.
Source: PubMed [TOP] |
Advanced Search 
Acupuncture.Com accepts article contributions. Email
submissions to 
Calm-Fort
Sleeping Capsules
