title: Reduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in drug addicts treated by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES).
abstract: Forty-two heroin addicts and 31 normal persons were examined for the effect of acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) on plasma ACTH, cortisol and cyclic-AMP levels. Both ACTH and cortisol levels were reduced significantly in the addicts after treatment whereas no such significant reduction was observed in the normals. Plasma cyclic-AMP level was not affected in either group. Taken together, results from the present study suggest that the mechanism of AES in the treatment of addiction may have a neuroendocrinological basis. This hypothesis is particularly attractive in view of the isolation of opiate-like peptides from the brain.
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D008691:Methadone; D006854:Hydrocortisone