The objective of this study is to investigate the differences of acupuncture effect between the Zusanli (St.36) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6) points on the gastrointestinal-tract (GIT) segment performed by the bioavailability of 99mTc-sodium-pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 21) were allocated into three groups of seven each. Group 1 was treated by acupuncture bilaterally at St.36; Group 2 at SP.6; and Group 3 was untreated (control). After 10 min of needle insertion in anesthetized rats, 0.3 mL of Na99mTcO4 (7.4 MBq) was injected via ocular-plexus. After 20 min, the exitus of animals was induced by cervical-dislocation and GIT organs isolated. However, immediately before the exitus procedure, blood was collected by cardiac-puncture for blood radio-labeling (BRL). The radioactivity uptake of the blood constituents was calculated together with the GIT organs by a well gamma counter. The percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) of Na99mTcO4 was calculated for each GIT organs, while BRL was calculated in %ID. According to the one-way ANOVA, the stomach, jejunum, ileum from the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2) had significant differences compared to the controls (Group 3). However, between the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2), there were significant differences (P < .05) in the stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, transverse and rectum. In BRL analysis, Group 2 showed significant increase and decrease of the insoluble and soluble fractions of the blood cells, respectively (P < .0001). The authors suggest that St.36 may have a tendency of up-regulation effect on GIT, whereas SP.6, down-regulation effect. However, further rigorous experimental studies to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in either acupuncture points need to be carried out.

Introdução: A Artrite Reumatoide (AR) é uma doença autoimune de caráterprogressivo e incapacitante, associada a perturbações de humor. Contudo,constata-se pouca atenção aos potenciais efeitos das alterações emocionais.Objetivos: Caracterizar e comparar o estado de humor de pacientes com AR, combase no nível de atividade da doença. Métodos: Foram avaliados 80 indivíduoscom AR, com 52,72 ± 15,14 anos. Para avaliação do nível de atividade de doença,foi utilizado o Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28). A avaliação do Estado de Humorfoi realizada com a Escala de Humor Brasileira (BRAMS). Resultados: Foramobservadas alterações de humor nos domínios raiva, tensão e vigor sendo queo grupo classificado em alta atividade da doença apresentou os piores quadrosde humor. Conclusão: Estes dados ressaltam a importância de um tratamentomultidisciplinar, visando melhora do estado de humor e da qualidade de vidadesses indivíduos, conduzindo a uma melhor gestão terapêutica da AR.