A Parametric Study on the Immunomodulatory Effects of Electroacupuncture in DNP‐KLH Immunized Mice

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) and high frequency EA at acupoint ST36 on the production of IgE and Th1/Th2 cytokines in BALB/c mice that had been immunized with 2,4-dinitrophenylated keyhole limpet protein (DNP-KLH), as well as to investigate the difference in the immunomodulatory effects exerted by EA stimulations at acupoint ST36 and at a non-acupoint (tail). Female BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups: normal (no treatments), IM (immunization only), ST36-PA (IM + plain acupuncture at ST36), ST36-LEA (IM + low frequency (1 Hz) EA at ST36), ST36-HEA (IM + high frequency (120 Hz) EA at ST36), NA-LEA (IM + low frequency (1 Hz) EA at non-acupoint) and NA-HEA (IM + high frequency (120 Hz) EA at non-acupoint). EA stimulation was performed daily for two weeks, and total IgE, DNP-KLH specific IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were measured at the end of the experiment. The results of this study showed that the IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly suppressed in the ST36-LEA and ST36-HEA groups, but not in the NA-LEA and NA-HEA groups. However, there was little difference in the immunomodulatory effects observed in the ST36-LEA and ST36-HEA groups. Taken together, these results suggest that EA stimulation-induced immunomodulation is not frequency dependent, but that it is acupoint specific.

Acupuncture in Modulation of Immunity

“…[85], individuals with allergic process is found high levels of immunoglobulin IgE, in response to environment allergens, in the same way that IL4. In 100% of the papers that used IgE as markers, the results found after the acupuncture went of reduction in the serum levels [26,29,52,53].In the same way found a coherence in the citations of other authors, white respect to decrease to IL4 after the acupuncture [26,42,52,63]. Such fact corroborates with a tendency for consensus that the acupuncture effect is immunomodulators in the allergic processes, being.…”

“…It can be seen by looking at Figure 2, the acupuncture point more tested in experimental studies in rats and humans was St 36 (Zusanli), together making a total of 39 articles (73.5%) of articles mentioning acupuncture points tested, and with animals, especially rats(14papers) and humans( 25papers).As related to the point ST36 with the population profiles found in animals, 48% with inflammation [16,18,23,26,30,39,41,46,48,54,59], 26% of post-surgical, trauma or stress induced by cold [21,31,34,38,56,57]), 13% with cancer [48,50,58], 9% with allergic processes [42,52] and only 4% of healthy individuals [35].However in humans, there were no highlights for either disease as an object of study, and found the use of St 36 in inflammation [63], cancer [47], allergic rhinitis [17,27,29], elderdy [19,65] and athletes [24], healthy [40],depression [64] In humans, the equivalence point with ST36 (Zusanli) appears LI4 (Hegu), with 14 and 12 papers respectively, and in 8 of these items, the points LI 4, and St36 are used simultaneously. In animals there was only one papers used LI 4 acupuncture point, separately, being expressed clearly in Figure 2.…”

“…It is a point used in clinical routine as a useful point to treat fatigue and low immunity, and analgesics, which goes against the findings in the studied articles, where the results shows that the ST36 is the most researched, both in humans and in animals.and is its present in 73.5% of the papers. We believe that this effect occurs because of the ease and stability in the anatomical containment and retention in rats when compared with other points, and because there is an established animal model in this location [52].The LI 4 was the second most cited in humans, with 12 papers. This acupoint is easily located on the back of the hand between the first and second metacarpal, within the second half of the metacarpal bone, is very suitable in the literature for improving immunity in particular inflammation, fever, and as a powerful analgesic [4,5].…”

The Effect of Electroacupunture on the Percentage of Lymphocyte Count on the Peripheral Blood Smear of C3H Mice Breast Adenocarcinoma Model

“…5 EA is used for analgesic effects or overcoming pain, relaxation, improving blood circulation, and overcoming muscle disorders, has an immuno modulatory effect by affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamicpituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. 6,7 Based on the research, EA at point ST36, BL18 and BL20 can increase the percentage of lymphocytes that can increase the body's ability to fight cancer. 8 BC will stimulate cellular or humoral immune responses.…”

“…5 Animal experiments show that EA stimuli can modulate the immune response. 7 Other research proves that EA can relieve pain in cancer, stimulate the body's immune function including increasing blood counts, increasing lymphocytes and increasing NK cell activity. 11 The effects of low frequency EA appear after 30 minutes and are adequate between 30 minutes and 45 minutes.…”