Objective： To identify the differential proteins in the serum with anti-asthma activity of acupuncture to pinpoint the substance basis of anti-asthma activity of acupuncture by proteomics method. Methods： Two-dimensional electrophoresis of protein was employed to analyze the differential proteins in the serum with anti-asthma activity of acupuncture, and identify the differential proteins with mass spectrum technique. Results： In adrenaleetomy （ADX）-asthma acupuncture group and asthma acupuncture group, two-dimensional eleetrophoresis showed that there was an obvious fuscous point （MW=44.1kD, PI=5.1）, which was 60S ribosomal protein L13, or hypothetical protein FLJ32191 analyzed by mass spectrum technique, different from other groups. In ADX-asthma acupuncture group, there were two obviously fuseous points （MW=39.8kD, PI=4.9 and MW=39.5kD, PI=5.0）, which were zinc finger protein 208, and thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein analyzed by mass spectrum technique, and two special proteins （MW=17.3kD, PI〈4.5 and 16.9kD, PI〈4.5）, which were Cyclophilin A and zinc finger protein 91 analyzed by mass spectrum technique, different from other groups. Conclusion： There are multi-target effects regulating the whole body in acupuncture treating asthma relating to immunoloregulation, gene expression, and protein svnthesization. The effects of acupuncture on the resnonse nroteins need further research.
Objective： Different kinds of sham acupuncture are widely applied in randomized controlled trials （RCTs） to explore whether acupuncture has intrinsic therapeutic effects beyond the placebo effects for certain indication. To make conclusions of trials more comparable and convincing, it is of great necessity to unify the sham acupuncture procedure. Methods： RCTs of acupuncture with high quality in the recent 14 years were reviewed, and the appropriateness of the sham acupuncture procedures was assessed. Results： The sham acupuncture procedures were mainly classified into five kinds according to their administered sites, penetrating, and intervention apparatus. Conclusion： Among the sham acupuncture procedures, needling near the selected acupoints, needling at a distant non-acupoints, and non-penetrating sham acupuncture are most commonly used. Sham acupuncture performed at distant site belongs to non-meridian and non-acupoint may be an ideal control for the study of the intrinsic therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Besides, the selection of controls must focus on the design and aim of RCTs, such as non-inferiority, equivalence and superiority trials.
