Pharmacopuncture with a low dosage of B complex vitamins in the Da Zhui acupoint (Governing Vessel 14) for controlling gastrointestinal parasitism in periparturient ewes

Gastrointestinal parasites are a significant challenge in sheep farming, and periparturient ewes are one of the most susceptible categories in sheep flocks. This study aimed to verify whether the injection of B vitamins at the acupuncture point governing vessel 14 (GV14) can influence the parasitic load or host parasite interaction in naturally infected ewes during the peripartum period. Four weeks before parturition, 25 ewes were divided into five treatment groups: (1) Dose Control: 0.2 mL of B complex via IM; (2) Drug Control: 2 mL Complex B via IM; (3) Acupoint Control: 0.2 mL of Water at GV14 point; (4) Control; (5) Test group: 0.2 mL of B complex at the GV14 point. Treatments were performed at weeks -3, -1, 2, 4, and 6 about the parturition time. Fecal samples to estimate the parasitic load by fecal egg counts (FEC) and total blood samples for hemogram examination were performed seven days after the treatment, coinciding with weeks -2, 3, 5, and 7 about the parturition time. The number of peripheral eosinophils was higher in group 3 than in group 1 (p <0.05). Although groups 3 and 5 had lower mean values of FEC and higher hematological values at the time of weaning, these differences were not statistically significant (p> 0.05) according to the F test. However, all animals in groups 3 and 5 maintained low parasitism levels until the end of the experiment. Further studies should be performed with larger sample sizes and minor changes to the experimental protocol to elucidate the role of GV14 acupoint stimulation in the host-parasite relationship.A parasitose gastrointestinal é o principal desafio sanitário para a criação de ovinos a pasto, e as ovelhas no periparto são uma das categorias mais susceptíveis a esta infeção no rebanho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a injeção de vitaminas do complexo B no acuponto Vaso Governador 14 (VG14) poderia influenciar a carga parasitária ou modular a interação hospedeiro-parasito em ovelhas naturalmente infectadas no período de periparto. Quatro semanas antes da data prevista para o parto, 25 ovelhas foram divididas em cinco grupos de tratamento (1) Controle da dose: 0,2 mL de vitaminas do complexo B via IM; (2) Controle do fármaco: 2mL complexo B via IM; (3) Controle do Ponto: 0,2 mL de água destilada no ponto VG14; (4) Controle sem tratamento; (5) Grupo teste: 0,2 mL de complexo B no pontoVG14. Estes tratamentos foram realizados nas semanas -3; -1; 2; 4 e 6 em relação à data do parto. Amostras de fezes para contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), assim como amostras de sangue para realizar o hemograma, foram obtidas dos animais sete dias após os tratamentos, coincidindo com as semanas -2, 3, 5 e 7 do parto. O número de eosinófilos periféricos foi superior no grupo 3 se comparado ao grupo 1 (p <0,05). Os animais dos grupos 3 e 5 tiveram menores valores de OPG e maior hematócrito, mas estas diferenças não foram consideradas significativas pelo teste F (p> 0,05). No entanto, todas as ovelhas dos grupos 3 e 5 se mantiveram com níveis baixos de parasitismo durante todo o experimento. Sugere-se que novos estudos sejam realizados com algumas modificações deste protocolo a fim de aprofundar o conhecimento do potencial imunomodulador do acuponto VG14

Acupuntura: histórico, bases teóricas e sua aplicação em Medicina Veterinária Acupuncture: history, basic principles and its use in Veterinary Medicine

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.<br>Acupuncture (AP) is an ancient empirical Eastern therapeutical technique that uses magical though (pre-scientific language) in this domain. Reflex therapy that uses the stimulation of specific points of the body to achieve a therapeutic or homeostatic effect. According to AP, health depends on psico-neuro-endocrine functions under the influence of the genetic code and extrinsic factors like nutrition, daily habits, weather, environment and others. The present article is a brief review on the AP philosophy, its historical marks in East and West, the veterinary AP history in Brazil and abroad. It also summarizes AP practice, including diagnosis, treatment protocols, the needling of animals, its indications, non-indications and adverse effects

Acupunture: scientific basis and applications

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.Acupuncture is used for the therapy and illness cure through the application of stimuli in the skin. This is obtained by inserting needles into cutaneous specific points. Such technique was omitted from the occidental world for millennia partially due to its own reasoning and style, which limits the acupuncture to be accepted in the Occident. In addition, the acupuncture practice in the Occident faces a lack of instruction and scientific diffusion. However, the efficacy of such therapy guided the World Health Organisation to list diseases that can be treated through acupuncture. Recently, this therapy was recognised as a veterinary medicine speciality in Brazil. Therefore, research in acupuncture is a very important task and a challenge in the sense it can become clearer millennial knowledge, contributing for its better acceptance and approval

Estudo retrospectivo de 1137 animais submetidos à acupuntura na FMVZ-Unesp-Botucatu-SP

The evidences of efficiency and the relation of cost-benefit of therapy are obtained with revisions developed from primary studies, which includes descriptive, analytical, retrospective and prospective. This is a retrospective survey from the Acupuncture Clinic from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, S„o Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil from 1998 to 2009. Acupuncture efficacy, clinical evolution, the need or not of complementary therapies to acupuncture and the patient profile were evaluated in 1137 clinical charts. The main diseases presented by attended patients involve neurological and musculoskeletal problems. The majority of the patients are dogs and presents chronic diseases or low-response to usual therapies (allopathic). This prevalence is probably due to acupuncture efficacy in disc disease. The poor compliance to acupuncture treatment can be related the patient profile: animals that did not benefit from pharmacological or surgical recommended procedures. Acupuncture was the first choice for almost half (47%) of the patients

Sedative Effect of Ketamin-Midazolam Administered at Acupoint GV20 Compared to Intramuscular Route in Blue-Fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva): a Pilot Study

Background : The growth of exotic pet medicine is leading to fast developments in clinical investigations on birds. Acupuncture, specifically pharmacopuncture, offers safe chemical restraint options. Objectives: To investigate pharmacopuncture at acupoint GV20 in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) using ketamine and midazolam. Methods : Sixteen healthy birds were distributed into four groups (C: intramuscular control; 1/2 C: 1/2 dose intramuscular control; 1/2 GV20: 1/2 dose at acupoint GV20; 1/5 GV20: 1/5 dose at acupoint GV20). Degree of sedation, latency, recuperation time, heart and respiratory rate, and body temperature were measured. Quantitative data were analyzed by a Student’s t-test. Results : The C, 1/2 C, and 1/2 GV20 groups showed the same degree of sedation. The 1/2 GV20 group showed longer latency times (6 ± 2.1) than the 1/2 C (2.5 ± 0.5) group. Sedation time did not differ between the C (28 ± 9.8), 1/2 C (30.5 ± 8.6), and 1/2 GV20 (41 ± 22.24) groups. The 1/2 GV20 group recuperated faster (13.7 ± 3.7) than the C group (64.2 ± 3.5). The C and 1/2 C groups showed tremors and slow and unstable recovery. Two animals in the C group showed mild hypothermia (38°C). Conclusion : The use of 1/2 GV20 was effective and safe to sedate blue-fronted Amazon parrots without side effects, providing easy, stable, and fast recovery. The use of 1/5 GV20 had a shorter sedation time. These findings show that the combination of acupuncture and drugs provides new possibilities for efficient anesthetic protocols with fewer side effects in birds

Neoangiogênese de retalhos cutâneos em ratos tratados com óleo de copaíba

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar morfometricamente a neoangiogênese de retalhos cutâneos subdérmicos em ratos tratados com óleo de copaíba (Copaifera langsdorffii) em pomada a 10%. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, composto por três recursos farmacológicos. Foram utilizadas dez repetições para cada recurso, e cada animal foi considerado uma unidade experimental. Trinta ratos Wistar foram submetidos à elevação do retalho cutâneo dorsal subdérmico e distribuídos em três grupos: grupo controle absoluto, no qual os animais não receberam nenhum tratamento; grupo controle, no qual os animais receberam tratamento tópico diário com pomada com apenas veículo (glicerina e vaselina); e grupo tratado, no qual os animais foram tratados diariamente com óleo de copaíba em pomada a 10%. Os ratos foram tratados e observados por oito dias após o ato operatório. No oitavo dia de pós-operatório, realizou-se a análise macroscópica do retalho e foram coletados fragmentos das porções cranial, média e caudal do retalho cutâneo para análise histopatológica. A análise morfométrica mostrou diferença significativa para o número de novos vasos sanguíneos nas partes média e caudal do retalho cutâneo no grupo tratado. O óleo de copaíba mostra-se eficiente no aumento da neoangiogênese em retalhos cutâneos subdérmicos de ratos.The aim of this work was to evaluate morphometric aspects of subdermic skin flap neoangiogenesis in rats treated with a 10% copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) oil ointment. The experiment design was a completely randomized, with three pharmacological resources. Ten replicates were used for each resource, and each animal was considered one experimental unit. Thirty Wistar rats were submitted to subdermic dorsal skin flap elevation and distributed into three groups: absolute control group, in which the animals did not receive any treatment; control group, in which the animals received topical treatment only with vehicle (glycerin and petroleum jelly), and treated group, in which the animals were treated daily with a 10% copaiba oil ointment. The rats were treated and observed for eight days after surgery. on the eighth day, the skin flap underwent a macroscopic analysis and fragments were collected from its cranial, medial and caudal portions for histopathological analysis. The morphometric analysis showed significant difference for proliferation of newly formed vessels in the middle and caudal portions of the skin flap in the treated group. Copaiba oil showed efficiency in the increase of neoangiogenesis of subdermic skin flaps in rats