title: Acupuncture and immune function in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized, controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The immune system has been implicated as one mechanism underlying the benefits of acupuncture therapy. Evidence suggests that acupuncture can ameliorate symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), but the association between clinical response and the immune system has not been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 12 CP/CPPS patients participating in a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for effects on cellular immunity. Blood samples were taken before the first needling and after the last of 20 treatment sessions (week 10). Patients also completed questionnaires examining their CP/CPPS symptoms and mood status at the baseline and end of study visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of study 8 of 12 participants (67%) were classified as treatment responders, four participants each from the acupuncture and sham groups. The acupuncture group averaged a 5% increase in natural killer cell levels compared to corresponding sham (-13%; p=0.03). Similarly, patients randomized to acupuncture reported a reduction in other white blood cell parameters examined, supporting the possibility that immunity might be important in the pathophysiology of CP/CPPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The specific effect of acupuncture on CP/CPPS remains unclear. Further research is warranted to examine the mechanisms by which acupuncture therapy may improve clinical symptoms in patients with CP/CPPS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00260637).
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Shaun Wen Huey
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Island Hospital, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Men Long
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Liong
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kah Hay
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, 98108 WA, USA. Electronic address: jkrieger@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Krieger
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Acupuncture; Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome; Immune system; Neuroendocrine system; Traditional Chinese medicine