DNA microarray analysis of the effect on inflammation in patients treated with acupuncture for allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis affects approximately 30% of adults and up to 40% of children in industrialized societies. Medicines available for relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, leukotriene inhibitors, topical hormones, and corticosteroids. However, the negative side-effects of antiallergic medicines cause many patients with allergic rhinitis to choose traditional Chinese medical treatments, such as taking Chinese herbs or treatment with acupuncture.


OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effect of acupuncture for treatment of allergic rhinitis.


METHODS
Eighteen (18) patients with allergic rhinitis were treated with acupuncture 8 times over a 4-week period, and peripheral blood of these patients was collected at each visit for analysis of gene expression via cDNA microarray. To estimate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture objectively, patients completed the rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) before and after acupuncture therapy.


RESULTS
Based upon patients' response to the RQLQ, acupuncture therapy significantly reduced allergic rhinitis symptoms, including nasal symptoms, non-hay fever symptoms, and sleep and practical problems (associated with daily activities). In addition, expression of interleukin-1 receptor-alpha (IL1R1) in peripheral blood was significantly decreased at 2 hours, 24 hours, and 4 weeks after acupuncture treatment in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first report of cDNA microarray analysis of differential gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis before and after acupuncture treatment. Our data suggest that the balance between T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 cell-derived proinflammatory versus anti-inflammatory cytokines might be improved by acupuncture treatment.
Shiue
Horng-Sheng
HS
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Lee
Yun-Shien
YS
Tsai
Chi-Neu
CN
Hsueh
Yu-Mei
YM
Sheu
Joen-Rong
JR
Chang
Hen-Hong
HH
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D053573:Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I / Q000235:genetics; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
C508590:IL1R1 protein, human; D053573:Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I; D007073:Immunoglobulin E