Clinical Research on Detoxification with Acupuncture

Purpose To confirm the effects of acupuncture, and Chinese medicines in controlling the withdrawal symptoms from the opium-like drugs. Method 96 heroin-dependent subjects were divided into four groups,which were treated respectively by western medicine (Agroup), acupuncture (B group), Chinese herbs (Cgroup), and acupuncture & Chinese herbs (D group).Before, during and after treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone and prolactin, and immune functions (serum CD3+ 、CD4+ 、CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ ) were tested.Results After treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone in A and B group were higher than before and during treatment, and in C and D group, during treatment were higher. In the four groups, the concentration of serum prolactin before treatment was the highest. The levels of CD3+、CD4+、 CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ were lowest before treatment and highest after treatment. Conclusion Acupuncture and Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain can control the opium-like drug withdrawal symptoms to different degrees, especially acupuncture. However, acupuncture cannot ease the withdrawal symptoms completely. Acupuncture does not strikingly cooperate with the Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain (including M-receptor antagonists). In detoxification, the Jiaji points are the primary ones and symptom-based points the secondary ones.

Purpose To confirm the effects of acupuncture, and Chinese medicines in controlling the withdrawal symptoms from the opium-like drugs.Method 96 hero-in-dependent subjects were divided into four groups, which were treated respectively by western medicine (A group), acupuncture (B group), Chinese herbs (C group), and acupuncture & Chinese herbs (D group). Before, during and after treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone and prolactin, and immune functions (serum CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 +) were tested.Results After treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone in A and B group were higher than before and during treatment, and in C and D group, during treatment were higher. In the four groups, the concentration of serum prolactin before treatment was the highest. The levels of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + were lowest before treatment and highest after treatment.Conclusion Acupuncture and Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain can control the opium-like drug with-drawal symptoms to different degrees, especially acupuncture. However, acupuncture cannot ease the with-drawal symptoms completely. Acupuncture does not strikingly cooperate with the Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain (including M-receptor antagonists). In detoxification, the Jiaji points are the primary ones and symptom-based points the secondary ones. Key Words Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - Heroin Dependence - Acupuncture Therapy - Drugs - Chinese Herbal Hu Jun, MD, professor and supervisor of postgraduate for doctorate. Deputy director of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, academic leader of acupuncture and moxibustion subject in Shanghai University of TCM, member of the standing council of Shanghai Branch of China Acupuncture and Moxibustion Academy, member of standing council of Clinic Education Branch of China Academy of TCM, member of the editorial committee of China Journal of Preventing Drug Abuse, law enforeement supervisor of drug-relief reformatory of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Foundation Item: The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.39700198, and the Foundation of Education Development of Shanghai Education Committee, No.97G31 Translator: Xiao Yuan-chun