OBJECTIVE： The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer （NK） cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS： Fifty-six indivi...OBJECTIVE： The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer （NK） cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS： Fifty-six individuals （16 males and 40 females）, aged 60 to 82 years （mean age 72.4 ＋ 5.0）, who were experiencing pain in the shoulder, low back, or knee, participated in the study. NK cell activity, leukocyte differentiation （granulocytes and lymphocytes）, pulse rate, and blood pressure values were obtained. Pain intensity was evaluated by using the visual analog scale （VAS）. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze NK cell activity, leukocytes （granulocyte counts and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio）, and the VAS score in accordance with the location of pain complaints before and after acupuncture treatment. RESULTS： NK cell activity decreased after acupuncture treatment for pain in the shoulder-pain and knee-pain groups. Further, the lymphocyte and granulocyte counts increased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain group. Pulse rate decreased for the shoulder-pain, low-back- pain, and knee-pain groups after acupuncture treatment. The VAS score decreased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain, low-back-pain, and knee-pain groups. CONCLUSION： This study showed that in older adults, acupuncture treatment decreases pulse rate, relieves pain in the shoulder, low back, and knee, and reduces NK-cell activity.展开更多
When Tom Dambudzo was bedridden due to ill health in his rural village,taking painkillers was the only option for him to relieve pain.“I couldn’t walk properly when I had severe backache for six months and my depend...When Tom Dambudzo was bedridden due to ill health in his rural village,taking painkillers was the only option for him to relieve pain.“I couldn’t walk properly when I had severe backache for six months and my dependence on anaesthetic drugs was quite stressful,”Dambudzo told ChinAfrica.展开更多
Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (CQX-2) inhibitor, VIOXX (rofecoxib), wasvoluntarily withdrawn worldwide from drugstores by its maker Merck & Co., Inc. on September 30,2004, for its potential lethal side effects of he...Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (CQX-2) inhibitor, VIOXX (rofecoxib), wasvoluntarily withdrawn worldwide from drugstores by its maker Merck & Co., Inc. on September 30,2004, for its potential lethal side effects of heart attack or stroke, The Merck' s decision wasbased on new, three-year data from a prospective, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled,double-blind clinical trial of VIOXX with an unrelated study, the APPROVe (Adenomatous PolypPrevention on VIOXX) trial. The trial has been enrolling 2 600 patients and comparing 156 weeks(three years) of treatment with VIOXX 25 mg to placebo since 2000.展开更多
Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters...Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and monocyte phagocytosis) in a group of 90 patients suffering from various painful disorders treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (St 36) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints were selected. A homogeneous group of 30 subjects was used as control. Evaluation of the above parameters was made with 3 series of blood tests before treatment, 30 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In the acupuncture group, the following results were achieved: 1) A considerable increase in beta-endorphin levels remained high even 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we demonstrated an inverted correlation between beta-endorphins and VIP; 2) 30 minutes after acupuncture session, 80% of the treated patients showed a significant increase of CD3 and CD4 values and an increase of CD8 24 hours after stimulation; 3) Monocyte phagocytosis was increased in 45% of the treated subjects 30 minutes from starting treatment, and in 100% of them after 24 hours. The percentage of NK cells was also increased in 40% of cases after 30 minutes, and in 50% after 24 hours. However, in the control group, no such significant changes in immune parameters were found.展开更多
基金supported by Tsukuba University of Technology, Promotional Projects for Advanced Education and Researchapproved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Tsukuba University of Technologythe support from the staff of the Tsukuba City Kukizaki Public Health Center
文摘OBJECTIVE： The aim of this study was to examine the changes in natural killer （NK） cell activity, pulse rate, and pain intensity among older adults before and after acupuncture treatment. METHODS： Fifty-six individuals （16 males and 40 females）, aged 60 to 82 years （mean age 72.4 ＋ 5.0）, who were experiencing pain in the shoulder, low back, or knee, participated in the study. NK cell activity, leukocyte differentiation （granulocytes and lymphocytes）, pulse rate, and blood pressure values were obtained. Pain intensity was evaluated by using the visual analog scale （VAS）. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze NK cell activity, leukocytes （granulocyte counts and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio）, and the VAS score in accordance with the location of pain complaints before and after acupuncture treatment. RESULTS： NK cell activity decreased after acupuncture treatment for pain in the shoulder-pain and knee-pain groups. Further, the lymphocyte and granulocyte counts increased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain group. Pulse rate decreased for the shoulder-pain, low-back- pain, and knee-pain groups after acupuncture treatment. The VAS score decreased after acupuncture treatment for the shoulder-pain, low-back-pain, and knee-pain groups. CONCLUSION： This study showed that in older adults, acupuncture treatment decreases pulse rate, relieves pain in the shoulder, low back, and knee, and reduces NK-cell activity.
文摘When Tom Dambudzo was bedridden due to ill health in his rural village,taking painkillers was the only option for him to relieve pain.“I couldn’t walk properly when I had severe backache for six months and my dependence on anaesthetic drugs was quite stressful,”Dambudzo told ChinAfrica.
文摘Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (CQX-2) inhibitor, VIOXX (rofecoxib), wasvoluntarily withdrawn worldwide from drugstores by its maker Merck & Co., Inc. on September 30,2004, for its potential lethal side effects of heart attack or stroke, The Merck' s decision wasbased on new, three-year data from a prospective, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled,double-blind clinical trial of VIOXX with an unrelated study, the APPROVe (Adenomatous PolypPrevention on VIOXX) trial. The trial has been enrolling 2 600 patients and comparing 156 weeks(three years) of treatment with VIOXX 25 mg to placebo since 2000.
文摘Experimental research has recently shown that acupuncture induces the formation of opioid-like peptides (OLPs) in animals. In order to provide further evidence, we tested the beta-endorphin levels and other parameters (VIP, lymphocyte subsets, NK cells and monocyte phagocytosis) in a group of 90 patients suffering from various painful disorders treated with acupuncture. Zusanli (St 36) and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints were selected. A homogeneous group of 30 subjects was used as control. Evaluation of the above parameters was made with 3 series of blood tests before treatment, 30 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In the acupuncture group, the following results were achieved: 1) A considerable increase in beta-endorphin levels remained high even 24 hours after acupuncture treatment. In addition, we demonstrated an inverted correlation between beta-endorphins and VIP; 2) 30 minutes after acupuncture session, 80% of the treated patients showed a significant increase of CD3 and CD4 values and an increase of CD8 24 hours after stimulation; 3) Monocyte phagocytosis was increased in 45% of the treated subjects 30 minutes from starting treatment, and in 100% of them after 24 hours. The percentage of NK cells was also increased in 40% of cases after 30 minutes, and in 50% after 24 hours. However, in the control group, no such significant changes in immune parameters were found.
