[Effect of acupoint injection on erythropoietin resistance in patients with chronic renal failure].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect on erythropoietin (Epo) resistance between acupoint injection and subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).


METHODS
Thirty-eight cases were randomly divided into two groups, 19 cases in each one. In subcutaneous injection group (control group), subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo was administered, 3 times a week, lasting 2 months. In acupoint group (observation group), rHuEpo was injected on unilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36), one point was chosen each time, the bilateral acupoints were injected alternatively, 3 times a week, for 2 months. Meanwhile, a normal control group of 19 healthy persons was set up. The levels of CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Scr, BUN, Hb, Hct and SF were observed.


RESULTS
Before treatment, the values of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in two groups were all higher than those in normal control group (all P < 0.01). After treatment for 2 months, the values of CRP, IL-6,TNF-alpha, Scr and BUN in two groups decreased apparently and those of Hb, Hct and SF increased obviously, indicating statistic significant differences as compared with the values before treatment separately (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In comparison between two groups after treatment, every index above in observation group was improved much significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupoint injection of rHuEpo at Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenshu (BL 23) increases significantly the values of Hb, Hct and SF, and decreases apparently the values of BUN, Scr and inflammatory factors, such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha as compared with subcutaneous injection. Acupoint injection improves Epo resistance and enhances Epo efficacy via alleviating micro-inflammatory state of the body.
Nephrology Department, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang 222002, Jiangsu Province, China. vivicwei@163.com
Wei
W
Cao
Jian-Hua
JH
Liu
Hong
H
Zhang
Lei
L
Zhang
Li-Yuan
LY
Zhang
Ming-Ming
MM
Pan
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004921:Erythropoietin