EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON SERUM TNF-α ACTIVITY IN ALLERGIC BRONCHIAL ASTHMA PATIENTS

In this study, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and its effect on serum tumor necrosis factor apha (TNF-α) level was observed in 25 cases of allergic bronchial asthma patients. Acupoints used were Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Pishu (BL 20), Tanzhong (CV 17), Shenshu (BL 23) and Fengchi (GB 20), supplemented with other acupoints according to syndrome differentiation. After 15 sessions of treatment, results showed that the total effective rate was 96% . Before treatment, serum TNF-oc activity was significantly higher than that of healthy subjects (25 cases, P<0.01). After treatment, TNF-α level reduced considerably in comparison with that of pre-treatment (P < 0. 05). These findings indicate that acupuncture can significantly improve allergic asthma patients' clinical symptoms and lower serum TNF-α activity.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE OF FENGCHI (GB 20) ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND SERUM IL-6 and PLASMA ET LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION

Objective：To observe the effect of acupuncture of Fengchi （风池 GB 20） on blood pressure, serum IL-6 and plasma endothelin （ET） contents in patients with hypertension. Methods： Thirty cases of hy-pertension patients were made up of treatment group and treated with acupuncture of Fengchi （GB 20） ; while 20 healthy subjects were made up of control group. Blood pressure was determined before and after the treatment. Fasting blood samples were taken from the cubital venous vessel for detecting serum interleukin （IL）-6 and plasma ET contents with radioimmunoassay before and after acupuncture treatment. Results： Before the treatment, in hypertension patients, serum IL-6 and plasma ET levels were significant higher thanthose in healthy subjects （P〈 0.01 ）; while after the treatment, blood pressure of treatment group declined significantly （ P 〈 0.01 ）, serum IL-6 and plasma ET levels decreased considerably （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： Acupuncture of Fengchi （GB 20） can lower blood pressure, regulate cellular immunity and secretion functions of the vascular endothelial cells in hypertension patients.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON HYPERLEPTINAEMIA AND HYPERINSULINEMIA IN OBESITY RATS

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on hyperleptinaemia and hyperinsulinemia for studying its underlying mechanism about anti-obesity and reducing blood lipid in obesity rats. Methods: A total of 80 SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, acupuncture and medication groups, with 20 cases in each group. Hypothalamic obesity model was established by subcutaneous injection of 15% sodium glutamate (0.2 mL/10 g body weight), once daily and continuously for 5 days. “Zusanli” (足三里 ST 36), “Sanyinjiao”(三阴交 SP 6), “Guanyuan”(关元 CV 4) and “Zhongwan”(中脘 CV 12) were punctured and stimulated electrically (100 Hz, dense-sparse waves, and a suitable strength inducing local muscular tremor) for 15 min, once daily. In medication group, rats were fed with Sibutramine 4 mg/kg, once daily. After 4 weeks’ treatment, Lee’s index was detected, and serum leptin and insulin contents were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: Compared with normal control group, Lee’s index, serum leptin and insulin contents of model group increased significantly (P<0.01). Comparison between acupuncture and model groups, Lee’s index and serum leptin of acupuncture group decreased significantly (P<0.01), and serum insulin level also lowered. In comparison with model group, Lee’s index, serum leptin and insulin levels of medication group also lowered. Comparison between acupuncture and medication groups showed that Lee’s index and serum leptin level of acupuncture group were significantly lower than those of the later group (P<0.01), displaying that the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is better than that of Sibutramine in lowering Lee’s index and serum leptin. No significant differences were found between acupuncture and medication groups in body weight and length and serum insulin(P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture can effectively reduce Lee’s index, serum leptin and insulin contents in fasting obese rats, which may contribute to its effect in anti-obesity.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT ON CELLULAR HEMORHEOLOGY, CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDE OF SIMPLE OBESITY PATIENTS

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on simple obesity and cellular hemorheology. Methods: Thirty-two cases of simple obesity patients were enrolled into this study. Acupoints of the Stomach Meridian and Spleen Meridian as Zhongwan (中脘 CV 12), Liangmen (梁门 ST 21), Tianshu (天枢 ST 25), Guayuan (关元 CV 4), etc. were punctured, once daily in the first 5 days, and once every other day afterwards, with 10 sessions being a therapeutic course. Before treatment and after 3 courses of treatment, the body weight, waistline, weight index, seam cholesterol (CH), triglyceride and aggregation index of red blood cell (RBC) were detected. Results: After acupuncture treatment, all the indexes of body weight, waistline, weight index, serum CH, triglyceride and aggregation index of RBC decreased significantly in comparison with those of pre-treatment(P< 0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture can apparently improve cellular hemorheology, reduce body weight, serum cholesterol and TG levels in simple obesity patients.