Could Acupuncture at the So-Called Forbidden Points be Harmful to the Health of Pregnant Wistar Rats?

Abstract

Aim This study is the second report from a single experiment planned to determine if acupuncture at LI4 and SP6, or at the sacral points, could produce any harm in the pregnancy outcome of Wistar rats, as has been hypothesised in traditional knowledge. Here, we observe if these points can be harmful to the health of pregnant Wistar rats. Methods A total of 48 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: total control, where rats were left in cages without manipulation; anesthetised control, where rats were manipulated and anesthetised but did not receive electroacupuncture; and peripheral point and sacral point groups, where rats were anesthetised and received 6 sessions of electroacupuncture at 4 acupuncture points: LI4 and SP6, and BL27 and BL28, respectively. In the 19th day of pregnancy the rats were killed and examined. The primary endpoints were levels of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) creatinine and histological changes of liver and kidney. Results There were no differences between the levels of biochemical parameters. No differences were also seen regarding the histopathological analysis. Conclusions We found no evidence that acupuncture at the LI4, SP6 and sacral points could be harmful to the Wistar rat dams.

The Safety of Acupuncture during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

“…Some experimental studies suggest no evidence on harm by needling LI4, SP6 or sacral points54 55 while others argue that the classic literature should be taken into consideration on the basis of the potential physiological mechanisms whereby acupuncture may adversely affect pregnancy 56. However, the suggested mechanisms have been refuted,53 and a recent literature review failed to find any plausible explanation for repeatedly or differently mentioned forbidden points across books 57.…”

The Safety of Obstetric Acupuncture: Forbidden Points Revisited

“…The fourth line of evidence is preclinical in nature and comes courtesy of Guerreiro da Silva et al , 25 26 who performed a set of experiments using time-mated pregnant Wistar rats to examine for adverse pregnancy outcomes following EA at forbidden points SP6/LI4 and BL27/BL28 (n=12 dams each). Electrical stimulation was applied across each pair (5 Hz frequency, moderate intensity, 25 min) on six occasions throughout the 21-day rat gestation period, and sessions were deliberately timed to target the periods of implantation (up to day 7), embryonic development (day 8–14), and fetal development (day 15–18).…”