title: Influence of acupuncture on cognitive function and markers of oxidative DNA damage in patients with vascular dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the influence of acupuncture on cognitive function and a marker of oxidative DNA damage in patients with vascular dementia (VD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen VD patients were evaluated before and after acupuncture, using the Folstein mini-mental state examination-revised (MMSE-R) to assess cognitive function, and the ADL-R scale to assess independence in activities of daily living (ADL). Life quality was evaluated using the DEMQOL (Dementia quality of life questionnaire) questionnaire, and syndromes and expression of vascular dementia were evaluated with the Scale for the differentiation of syndromes of vascular dementia (SDSVD). In addition, the urine concentration of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)--a marker of oxidative damage--was quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MMSE-R and DEMQOL scores were higher after acupuncture than before (P < 0.05), while there were no obvious differences in the ADL-R or SDSVD scores (P > 0.05). The 8-OHdG content in urine significantly decreased after acupuncture (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture reduces the levels of 8-OHdG and improves cognitive function and quality of life in VD patients, suggesting that acupuncture is beneficial at least in part by preventing oxidative damage.
authors.affiliation: Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China.
authors.forename: Guang-xia
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Cun-zhi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qian-qian
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Lin-peng
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D003071:Cognition; D004249:DNA Damage; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine