title: Effects of some acupoints (Du-14, Li-11, St-36, and Sp-6) on serum TNF-α and hsCRP levels in healthy young subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to investigate the effect of immune-related acupuncture points on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety (90) healthy volunteers (aged 20-30 years) were randomly assigned into five equal groups. Acupuncture needles were placed into single acupoints bilaterally in each group. The points were Da Zhui (Du-14), Qu Chi (Li-11), Zu San Li (St-36), San Yin Jiao (Sp-6) and a sham point, which is not an acupoint. Manual acupuncture treatment was performed in 6 sessions of 30 minutes each, 3 times per week for 2 weeks. Serum samples were obtained before and after the acupuncture treatments and the serum TNF-α and hsCRP levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TNF-α values (mean ± standard deviation) in the Du-14, Li-11, St-36, Sp-6, and sham acupuncture groups at baseline were 37.63 ± 10.58, 37.36 ± 10.24, 33.83 ± 7.36, 35.73 ± 6.75, and 32.05 ± 5.66 pg/mL, respectively. After treatment, the mean TNF-α values were 35.89 ± 11.61, 34.80 ± 6.98, 35.89 ± 9.22, 33.30 ± 5.45, and 33.78 ± 5.98 pg/mL, respectively. In the serum TNF-α levels, no significant change was seen in any of the groups (p > 0.05). The mean hsCRP values in the Du-14, Li-11, St-36, Sp-6, and sham acupuncture groups at baseline were 0.90 ± 0.77, 1.07 ± 1.35, 0.77 ± 0.54, 0.75 ± 0.54, and 0.94 ± 0.68 mg/L, respectively. After treatment, they were 1.09 ± 1.17, 0.84 ± 0.43, 0.74 ± 0.49, 0.80 ± 0.53, and 0.62 ± 0.44 mg/L, respectively. In the statistical analysis, it was found that hsCRP levels were significantly reduced in the sham acupuncture group (p < 0.01). There was not any significant difference between acupuncture and sham groups in terms of serum TNF-α and hsCRP values (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupoints, which are considered to have effects on the immune system, may not mediate the immune system via TNF-α, a known inflammatory cytokine, directly in healthy young individuals. However, the changes related to hsCRP values in the sham group need future confirmation studies.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. skaratay73@hotmail.com
authors: Saliha
authors: S
authors: Karatay
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Akcay
authors: Kadir
authors: K
authors: Yildirim
authors: Fazile Hatipoglu
authors: FH
authors: Erdem
authors: Filiz
authors: F
authors: Alp
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D012016:Reference Values; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein