Considerations for Use of Acupuncture as Supplemental Therapy for Patients with Allergic Asthma

Abstract

This study examines the clinical and immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with allergic asthma. The acupuncture points GV14, BL12, and BL13 were selected based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine in treating asthma. Manual acupuncture was performed once every other day (three times per week) for 5 weeks. The needles were twisted approximately 360° evenly at the rate of 60 times/min for 20 s, manipulated every 10 min and withdrawn after 30 min. Concentrations of sIgA and total IgA in secretions were determined by the combination of sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and RIA. Levels of cortisol in the plasma were measured by RIA. Total IgE in the sera was examined by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect the numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and IL-2R + T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. The absolute and differential numbers of eosinophils in peripheral blood were counted with eosin staining. The total efficacy of the acupuncture treatment in patients with allergic asthma at the end of one course of treatment was 85 %. After treatment, the concentrations of sIgA and total IgA in the saliva (P<0.01, P<0.02) and nasal secretions (P<0.02, P<0.02) were significantly decreased in patients with allergic asthma. The levels of total IgE in sera (P<0.001), the counts of IL-2R + T lymphocytes (P<0.001), and the absolute and differential numbers of eosinophils (P<0.01, P<0.01) in the peripheral blood were also significantly decreased. The numbers of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were significantly increased in the allergic asthmatics treated by acupuncture (P<0.001, P<0.01, and P<0.001, respectively). The concentration of cortisol in the plasma of asthmatic patients did not change significantly after the acupuncture treatment (P>0.05). Acupuncture has regulatory effects on mucosal and cellular immunity in patients with allergic asthma and may be an adjunctive therapy for allergic asthma.

Is acupuncture better than sham acupuncture for attenuated airway inflammation and regulated cytokines produced by diverse Th subtypes in chronic OVA inhalation in asthma induced mice

“…Acupuncture treatment decreased the absolute and differential numbers of eosinophils and increased the CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients [11], indicating the immunomodulatory effects of acupuncture in the treatment of patients with allergic asthma. In spite of the distinctive effect of acupuncture on asthma, little is known regarding the regulatory mode of acupuncture treatment on asthma.…”

“…The acupoints of GV14 (Dazhui), bilateral BL12 (Fengmen), bilateral BL13 (Feishu) and bilateral BL23 (Shenshu) were selected for asthma treatment based on the theory of TCM [11,12]. From day 14, manual acupuncture was performed three times per week for six weeks with a fixation device in an awakened state.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine in pulmonology

“…In a study of acupuncture administered three times per week for 5 weeks in patients with allergic asthma, there was a statistically significant decrease in the secretory and total IgA in their saliva and nasal secretions, as well as their total serum IgE, IL-2R, and T lymphocytes and eosinophils [43].…”

Acupuncture Has a Positive Effect on Asthmatic Rats in a Glucocorticoid-Independent Manner

“…Our previous clinical study indicated that acupuncture reduced the degree and frequency of asthma exacerbations and regulated mucosal and cellular immunity in asthmatic patients without changing the concentration of serum cortisol;10 this implies that GC activity may not in fact be a key contributor to the effect of acupuncture on asthma with respect to alleviating the symptoms and modulating the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether acupuncture influences asthma in a GC-dependent manner in a rat model by assessing the relative impact of bilateral adrenalectomy (removal of both adrenal glands), which would be unethical in humans.…”

“…The WHO listed asthma as an indication for acupuncture in 1979,7 and the National Institutes of Health have since recommended acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment in comprehensive management programmes for asthma 89 Previous studies have shown that acupuncture may be effective as a treatment for asthma by alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life in affected patients 1011…”