Hideshi Ikemoto

Moxibustion at mingmen reduces inflammation and decreases IL-6 in a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of moxibustion (MOX) treatment at the GV4 and CV12 acupoints, and to determine the correlations between MOX treatment and interleukin (IL)-6 and corticosterone levels in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. CIA mice were immunized twice intradermally over a 3-week interval with bovine type II collagen. After the second immunization (day 21), MOX was applied to the mouse equivalent of the GV4 and CV12 acupoints with a 1mg moxa cone five times/day. Clinical symptoms of CIA were observed three times/week until day 35. The concentrations of IL-6 and corticosterone in the blood samples were measured by immunoassay kits. At day 35, the incidence of CIA was significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint (78%, n=23, p<0.05), compared to untreated CIA mice (100%) and mice treated with MOX at the CV12 acupoint (100%). IL-6 and corticosterone levels were significantly increased by immunization. IL-6 levels significantly decreased in mice treated with MOX at the GV4 acupoint. These results suggest that MOX treatment suppressed CIA at the GV4 acupoint, not at the CV12 acupoint, possibly through inhibition of IL-6 production.

Yokukansan, a Kampo medicine, prevents the development of morphine tolerance through the inhibition of spinal glial cell activation in rats

Background Animal models have shown that glial cells (microglia and astrocytes) in the spinal cord undergo activation following peripheral injury associated with chronic pain, suggesting the involvement of these cells in pain diseases. We have previously reported that Yokukansan (YKS), a Japanese traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine, is effective against chronic pain through the suppression of spinal glial cell activation. Morphine is a widely-used opioid analgesic for relieving severe pain, but its repeated administration leads to the development of antinociceptive tolerance. The development of morphine tolerance is also reported to be caused by spinal glial cells activation. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of YKS on the development of morphine tolerance and the activation of the spinal microglia and astrocytes using a rat model. Methods Male Wistar rats received a subcutaneous injection of morphine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg/d) for 7 days, and the withdrawal latency to thermal stimulation was measured daily using a hot plate test. Thereafter, the appearance of activated microglia and astrocyte in the spinal cord (L5) was examined by immunofluorescence staining. Ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) staining was used to label microglia and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining was performed to label astrocytes. YKS was administered mixed with powdered rodent chow at a concentration of 3%. Results The preadministration of YKS (started 3 d before the morphine injection) prevented the development of morphine tolerance. The repeated administration of morphine increased Iba-1 and GFAP immune reactivities in the spinal cord; however, these activations were inhibited by the preadministration of YKS. Conclusion These results suggest that the preadministration of YKS attenuates the development of antinociceptive morphine tolerance, and the suppression of spinal glial cell activation may be one mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

Inhibitory effect of the Kampo medicinal formula Yokukansan on acute stress-induced defecation in rats

Objectives Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms of abnormal defecation and abdominal discomfort. Psychological factors are well known to be involved in onset and exacerbation of IBS. A few studies have reported effectiveness of traditional herbal (Kampo) medicines in IBS treatment. Yokukansan (YKS) has been shown to have anti-stress and anxiolytic effects. We investigated the effect of YKS on defecation induced by stress and involvement of oxytocin (OT), a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus, in order to elucidate the mechanism of YKS action. Methods and results Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; control, YKS (300 mg/kg PO)-treated non-stress (YKS), acute stress (Stress), and YKS (300 mg/kg PO)-treated acute stress (Stress+YKS) groups. Rats in the Stress and Stress+YKS groups were exposed to a 15-min psychological stress procedure involving novel environmental stress. Levels of plasma OT in the YKS group were significantly higher compared with those in the Control group (P < 0.05), and OT levels in the Stress+YKS group were remarkably higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.01). Next, rats were divided into four groups; Stress, Stress+YKS, Atosiban (OT receptor antagonist; 1 mg/kg IP)-treated Stress+YKS (Stress+YKS+B), and OT (0.04 mg/kg IP)-treated acute stress (Stress+OT) groups. Rats were exposed to acute stress as in the previous experiment, and defecation during the stress load was measured. Administration of YKS or OT significantly inhibited defecation; however, administration of Atosiban partially abolished the inhibitory effect of YKS. Finally, direct action of YKS on motility of isolated colon was assessed. YKS (1 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL) did not inhibit spontaneous contraction. Conclusion These results suggested that YKS influences stress-induced defecation and that increased OT secretion may be a mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

820 THE EFFECT OF MOXIBUTIONON COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN MICE: A ROLE OF CD25+CD4+ REGULATORY T CELLS

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate whether electro acupuncture, when compared to TENS, had a reasonable effect on functional scores and pain in patients with prolapsed of lumbar intervertebral disc. Design-subjects: A single site, randomised trial of 60 participants, diagnosed as prolepses of lumbar intervertebral disc by x-rays and MRI, was performed. Intervention: Participants were randomised into two groups. In-group one (n = 30) silver needles placed in lumbar paravertabral and lower extremity and electro stimulation and in the second group (n = 30) low frequency high intensity TENS was used three times a week. All groups received treatment for a total of fifteen sessions. Outcome measures: Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) and Low Back Pain Sequence Scale (LPSS) were used to evaluate physical functions of the patients. Results: In our work where TENS and acupuncture treatment were compared on 60 patients with prolepses of lumbar intervertebral disc, results of both TENS and acupuncture groups were statistically significant when compared with pre treatment to post treatment and one-month post treatment period (p< 0.005). But no statistically significant difference of recovery in visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability questionnaire and back pain sequence scale test, had been detected between the groups (p< 0.005). In conclusion we found acupuncture as effective as TENS in the treatment of lumbar disc prolepses.