title: The possible role of stem cells in acupuncture treatment for neurodegenerative diseases: a literature review of basic studies.
abstract: This review reports on recent findings concerning the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) on stem cell mobilization and differentiation, in particular with regard to neurogenesis. Traditional Chinese acupuncture has a history of over 2,500 years and is becoming more popular worldwide. Evidence has demonstrated that acupuncture may be of benefit in stroke rehabilitation, parkinsonism, dementia, and depression. This article reviews recent studies concerning the effects of acupuncture/EA on stem cell mobilization and on progenitor cell proliferation in the CNS. The reviewed evidence indicates that acupuncture/EA has beneficial effects in several neurodegenerative diseases, and it may prove to be a nondrug method for mobilizing stem cells in the CNS.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsung-Jung
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Tzu-Min
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Li-Ing
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Ching-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chia-Hsien
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Iona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.forename: Horng-Jyh
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Harn
authors.forename: Jaung-Geng
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shinn-Zong
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yi-Hung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD