title: Effect of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints on adrenocortical function in etomidate anesthesia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on adrenocortical function in patients with etomidate anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly divided 80 patients who underwent elective surgery into 4 groups: group etomidate (ETO), group etomidate + electroacupuncture (ETO+EA), group etomidate + sham acupuncture (ETO+SEA), and group propofol (PRO). The patients in group ETO, ETO+EA, and ETO+SEA were induced with etomidate and sufentanil and maintained with intravenous infusion of etomidate and remifentanil. Group PRO was induced with propofol and sufentanil and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Group ETO+EA received electro-acupuncture stimulation at Zusanli and Sanyinjiao throughout the operation, while group ETO+SEA received electro-acupuncture stimulation at non-acupoints. We recorded the values of MAP, HR, BIS, CVP, cortisol, ACTH, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and arterial blood gas during the perioperative period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cortisol concentrations were significantly higher at all times except T0 in group ETO+EA compared with group ETO. The ACTH concentrations were lower in group ETO+EA than that in group ETO at point T3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroacupuncture at ST 36 and SP 6 can mitigate the adrenal cortical inhibition induced by etomidate and can reduce the secretion of catecholamines during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jian-bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Shu-an
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Li-rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Cui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Nankai Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Zhao-duan
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000758:Anesthesia; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003710:Demography; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D015742:Propofol; D005045:Etomidate