Effect of acupuncture on the neutrophil respiratory burst: a placebo-controlled single-blinded study.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the influence of acupuncture treatment on the phagocytic immune system. This trial was performed to examine whether multiple acupuncture treatment affects the respiratory burst (RB) of neutrophils, a recognised measure of their cytotoxicity.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled single-blinded study.


METHODS
Eleven volunteers were treated bilaterally with standard needles (real) at acupoint LI11, 11 volunteers with placebo needles (placebo) at the same point. Treatments were performed for 30 min each twice a week for 4 weeks, eight times in all. The standard needles were manipulated until needle sensation (DEQI) developed. Before the treatment course (baseline), 48 h after the fourth (follow-up 1) and 48 h after the last treatment (follow-up 2) blood samples were drawn.


METHODS
RB and plasma beta-endorphin at each time point.


RESULTS
In the real group there was a highly significant increase in the RB at follow-ups 1 (P=0.004) and 2 (P=0.007). Beta-endorphin levels decreased, but not significantly. In the placebo group there was a significant increase in the RB at follow-up 2 (P=0.048). In addition, at follow-up 2 a significant drop in beta-endorphin levels was observed (P=0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
The RB of neutrophils is significantly activated by a course of several acupuncture treatments. In addition, psychological effects and a placebo that was not totally inert may contribute to the findings in the placebo group which may be mediated by the opiate endorphin system.
Karst
M
M
Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Clinic, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, Hannover 30625, Germany. karst.matthias@mh-hannover.de
Scheinichen
D
D
Rueckert
T
T
Wagner
T
T
Wiese
B
B
Piepenbrock
S
S
Fink
M
M
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D001615:beta-Endorphin; C042932:formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine methyl ester