title: The effect of electroacupuncture as an adjunct on cyclophosphamide-induced emesis in ferrets.
abstract: The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cyclophosphamide-induced emesis in ferrets was studied at acupuncture point Neiguan (P6) with various electrical stimulation parameters (5-100 Hz, 1.5-3 V, 5-20 min, n=6/group). The combination therapy of EA (100 Hz, 1.5 V and 10 min) with the lower doses of ondansetron (0.04 mg/kg), droperidol (0.25 mg/kg) and metoclopramide (2.24 mg/kg) significantly reduced the total number of emetic episodes by 52%, 36% and 73%, respectively, as well as the number of emetic episodes in the first phase as compared to the sham acupuncture control (P<.01). These EA/drug combinations also showed a significant effect in preventing emesis as compared to either EA or drug alone (P<.05). The present study suggests that acupuncture may be useful as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced emesis.
authors.affiliation: Complementary Medicine Program, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. llao@compmed.umm.edu
authors.forename: Lixing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Aaron K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wynn
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Berman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity*; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D005289:Ferrets; D008297:Male; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D003520:Cyclophosphamide