title: [Effect of acupoint-catgut-embedment on mammary gland hyperplasia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint-catgut-embedment therapy in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty MGH patients were equally randomized into acupoint-catgut-embedment (ACE) group and medication (Rupixiao, a herbal patent drug for relieving MGH) group according to odd-numbered days or even-numbered days of visiting. Subcutaneous catgut-embedment was performed in Wuyi (ST 15), Rugen (ST 18), Tanzhong (CV 17), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), once every 15 days for 3 months. Patients of the medication group were treated by oral administration of Rupixiao (3 tablets, 3 times per day, 3 months altogether). The degree of breast pain and the size of the hyperplastic lump were observed before and after the treatment. Serum estrodiol, progesterone and prolactin contents on day 1 to day 3 of menstruation were detected by using an automation chemiluminescence immune analysator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the treatment, of the two 40 MGH patients in the ACE and medication groups, 16 (40. 0%) and 5 (12. 5%) were cured basically, 8 (20. 0%) and 8 were improved markedly in their symptoms and signs, 16 (40. 0%) and 22 (55. 0%) were effective, and 0 and 5 (12. 5%) failed in the treatment, with the effective rates being 100% and 87.5%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the ACE group was significantly better than that of the medication group (P<0. 05). In comparison with the pretreatment, the pain grades and the size of the hyperplastic lump in both ACE and medication groups decreased significantly after immediate termination of the treatment and 6 months after the treatment (P<0.01), and the therapeutic effects of the ACE group were significantly superior to those of the medication group in reducing pain grade and hyperplastic lump size (P<0. 01). After the treatment, serum estrodiol and progesterone contents were decreased evidently in both ACE and medication groups (P<0. 01, P<0. 05). Type-B ultrasonic examination showed that of the two 40 MGH patients in the ACE and medication groups, 16 and 5 cases turned to normal in their mammary glands, and the cure rate of the ACE group was evidently higher than that of the medication group (P<0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupoint-catgut-embedment is effective in relieving MGH, and its therapeutic effect is apparently superior to that of medication (oral administration of Rupixiao).
authors.affiliation: Jinhua Municipal Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Jinhua 321017, China. zjjhzhoulei@126.com
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Zhen-gen
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Xiao-xia
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Jun-qing
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002398:Catgut; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000628:therapy; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult