Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of "Bangci"(focal center-side needling) and encircling needling in promoting skin wound healing and local blood perfusion in diabetic mice.Methods Thirty-two male C57 BL/6 N mice were randomized into normal

diabetic model

focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups(n=8 in each group). The skin wound model was prepared by cutting a piece of full-thickness skin at the mouse's back by using a puncher. One hour after modeling

two acupuncture needles were respectively inserted into the center of the wound and the spot at the normal skin about 0.5 cm away from the edge of the wound for mice of the focal center-side needling group

followed by EA(0.5 mA

0.5 Hz) for 30 min. For mice of the encircling needling group

4 acupuncture needles were respectively inserted into the upper

lower

left and right normal marginal skin around the wound

followed by EA stimulation with the same parameters as those of the center-side needling group. The wound conditions

diameter and area of the wound were monitored

and the wound blood perfusion volume was measured by using a laser speckle flowmeter. Results The wound shrinkage rates were significantly higher at the time-points of 3

5

7

9 and 11 d after modeling in both focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group(P<0.05)

and on day 3

5

7 and 9 in the encircling needling group than in the focal center-side needling group(P<0.05). The wound healing time was obviously earlier in both focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group(P<0.05)

and in the encircling needling group than in the focal center-side needling group(P<0.05). Following modeling

the volume of wound blood perfusion was considerably higher from day 1 to 9 and markedly lower on day 11 in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.01)

and after the intervention

the blood perfusion volume was considerably decreased on day 3

5

7 and 9 in both the focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and obviously increased on day 11 in the encircling needling group relevant to the model group(P<0.01).Comparison between post-and pre-EA stimulation showed that the immediate blood perfusion volume was significantly increased from day 1 to 11 after EA stimulation in both the focal center-side needling and encircling needling groups(P<0.01

P<0.05). The therapeutic effect of the encircling needling group was significantly superior to that of the focal center-side needling group in lowering blood perfusion volume from day 3 to 7

and in increasing blood perfusion volume on day 9 and 11(P<0.01). Under the naked eyes

the conditions of exudation and inflammatory reaction

and the scar and granulation tissue were relatively milder and better respectively in both the center-side needling and encircling needling groups than in the model group.Conclusion Both focal center-side needling and encircling needling can promote the skin wound healing by increasing the blood perfusion in diabetic mice

and the therapeutic effect of the encircling needling method was significantly superior to that of the focal center-side needling method.