維骨力(固樂沙敏)、軟骨素不見得有效，甚至增加糖尿病風險，何必花冤枉錢？

Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Arthritis:
Benefit is Unlikely

Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most widespread type of arthritis, is a degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a "wear-and-tear" disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony spurs within various joints. Trauma to the joints, repetitive occupational usage, and obesity are risk factors. Most people over 60 years of age have this affliction to some extent, with approximately 16 million sufferers requiring medical care. The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain.
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as a treatment for OA. Glucosamine, an amino sugar, is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage. Chondroitin, a carbohydrate, is a cartilage component that is thought to promote water retention and elasticity and to inhibit the enzymes that break down cartilage. Both compounds are manufactured by the body. Glucosamine supplements are derived from shellfish shells; chondroitin supplements are generally made from cow cartilage.

Research Findings

Laboratory studies suggest that glucosamine may stimulate production of cartilage-building proteins. Other research suggests that chondroitin may inhibit production of cartilage-destroying enzymes and fight inflammation too. Some human studies have found that either one may relieve arthritis pain and stiffness with fewer side effects than conventional arthritis drugs. Other studies have shown no benefit. As the research accumulated, expert review bodies have been cautious because, although positive reports outnumbered negative ones, the negative ones have been larger and better designed [1]. In addition, whether glucosamine offers any advantages over established drugs such as acetaminophen, traditional NSAIDS, or selective Cox-2 inhibitors has not been determined [2].
The largest and best-designed clinical trial is the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health. So far, the GAIT has produced two sets of negative results. In 2006, the researchers reported on a 24-week study that involved 1583 patients who were randomly assigned to receive 500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride three times daily, 400 mg of sodium chondroitin sulfate three times daily, 500 mg of glucosamine plus 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate three times daily, 200 mg of celecoxib (Celebrex) daily, or a placebo. The study found that glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, did not reduce osteoarthritis knee pain more effectively than a placebo. The drug group did about 17% better than the placebo group [3].
The above-mentioned report was accompanied by an editorial which concluded:

[Based on this study], it seems prudent to prudent to tell our patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee that neither glucosamine hydrochloride nor chondroitin sulfate alone has been shown to be more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of knee pain. If patients choose to take dietary supplements to control their symptoms, they should be advised to take glucosamine sulfate rather than glucosamine hydrochloride and, for those with severe pain, that taking chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine sulfate may have an additive effect. Three months of treatment is a sufficient period for the evaluation of efficacy; if there is no clinically significant decrease in symptoms by this time, the supplements should be discontinued. Furthermore, there is no evidence that these agents prevent osteoarthritis in healthy persons or in persons with knee pain but normal radiographs [4].

In 2007, another well-designed study that involved 71 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who were followed for one year. The study found no significant differences in function and pain between the treatment and placebo groups [5]. Later that year, a meta-analysis concluded: "Large-scale, methodologically sound trials indicate that the symptomatic benefit of chondroitin is minimal or nonexistent. Use of chondroitin in routine clinical practice should therefore be discouraged." [6]
To study whether the glucosamine and/or chondroitin could diminish the structural damage of osteoarthritis, interested GAIT patients were offered the opportunity to continue their original study treatment for 18 more months, for a total of two years [7]. About 570 patients enrolled. In 2008, the researchers reported that none of the treatment groups showed a significant structural benefit (slowing of the narrowing of the joint space). The researchers expressed hope that additional research might find that an as-yet-undefined subgroup of patients can benefit, but I don't share their optimism.
Two studies reported in 2010 found that patients with chronic pain experienced no benefit from taking 1500 mg/day of glucosamine. One study involved 250 adults with chronic low-back pain and degenerative osteoarthtiris who were followed for one year. Half of the patients took glucosamine and half received a placebo. The glucosamine group did no better than the placebo group [8]. The other study involved 662 GAIT participants with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis who received either glucosamine (500 mg three times daily), chondroitin sulfate (400 mg three times daily), glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate combined (same doses), celecoxib (Celebrex, 200 mg once daily), or a placebo. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups [9].

Products

In the United States, glucosamine and chondroitin products are marketed as "dietary supplements." Glucosamine is available in many forms, including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl), and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), and may also contain a potassium chloride or sodium chloride salt. However, there appears to be no conclusive evidence that one form is better than another. Chondroitin is typically sold as chondroitin sulfate.
In December 1999 and January 2000, ConsumerLab.com tested 25 brands of glucosamine, chondroitin and combination products and found that (a) all 10 glucosamine-only products, passed the test but 2 chondroitin-only and 6 out of 13 combination products did not (because their chondroitin levels were too low). In January 2001, one of the combination products was removed because its manganese level was judged to be too high [10]. ConsumerLab's latest report states that 8 out of 8 tested glucosamine products contained the label amount but 2 of 2 chondroitin products did not [11].
In 2001, Consumer Reports evaluated 19 products and reported:

Most . . . were reasonably well standardized, delivering at least 90 percent of the amount of glucosamine or chondroitin promised on the label, thereby meeting a new standard for the supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, which sets standards for drugs and proposes them for supplements. But four products —Now Double Strength Glucosamine & Chondroitin, ArthxDS Glucosamine Chondroitin, Solgar Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex, and Now Chondroitin Sulfate—failed to meet that standard. Two products—Solgar Extra Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex and Twinlab CSA (Chondroitin Sulfate)—recommended too few pills per day to supply the dose used in the successful clinical trials. Several others listed the recommended number of pills as a range that permits consumers to take a dose that may be inadequate [12].

Safety Considerations

No study so far has found any serious side effects from either glucosamine or chondroitin. The most common side effects are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. However, animal research has raised the possibility that glucosamine may worsen insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes. So far, studies in humans have not substantiated that risk. Nevertheless, people with diabetes should monitor their blood-sugar level particularly carefully when using that supplement. There have been no reports of allergic reactions to glucosamine. But because it is made from shellfish shells, people who are allergic to seafood should use it cautiously, watching for reactions, or avoid it entirely. As for chondroitin, it can cause bleeding in people who have a bleeding disorder or take a blood-thinning drug.
In 2001, Vital Nutrients recalled two products (Vital Nutrients Joint Ease and Verified Quality Joint Comfort) that had been found to contain aristolochic acid, a substance that can cause kidney toxicity and cancer [13].
In 2008, a Scottish newspaper reported that people had died of liver failure within weeks of taking glucosamine [14]. Although cause-and-effect cannot be proven, local physicians issued a warning.

The Bottom Line

Chondroitin appears to be useless. Whether glucosamine is useful is conflicting, but the best-designed studies are negative. This usually means that negative evidence will eventually prevail. Decisions to use glucosamine must be based on information that is less complete than is desirable. In addition, product quality control may be a significant problem. Here's my advice:

• The first step in seeking care for arthritic symptoms should be to obtain a competent diagnosis.
• The next step should be to explore the pros and cons of treatment options with a competent physician.
• If you decide to try glucosamine anyway, have a knowledgeable physician guide how you do it. Consumer Reports, ConsumerLab.com, or your physician can help in choosing the product.
• Regard chondroitin as worthless.
• Ignore any practitioner or seller who promises a "miracle cure" for arthritis.
• Never buy a dietary supplement in response to a solicitation by mail or though s radio or television ad.
• Shop carefully for price. The Puritan's Pride mail-order division, which has frequent "2-for-1" and "3-for-one" sales, sells products that cost only $4 to $5 per month. (Be sure, of course, to ignore claims the company makes for its products. No seller of dietary supplements, herbs, or homeopathic remedies should be trusted for advice on whether they are useful.)

References

1. Bausell RB. Snake Oil Science: The Truth about Alternative and Complementary Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007, pp 251.
2. Update on glucosamine for osteoarthritis. Medical Letter 43:111-112, 2001.
3. Clegg DO and others. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine 354:795-808, 2006.
4. Hochberg MC. Nutritional supplements for knee osteoarthritis—Still no resolution. New England Journal of medicine 354:848-850, 2006.
5. Sawitzke AD and others. The effect of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: A report from the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism 58:3183-3191, 2008.
6. Reichenbach S, and others. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Annals of Internal Medicine 146:580-590, 2007.
7. Messier SP and others. Glucosamine/chondroitin combined with exercise for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a preliminary study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 15:1256-1266, 2007.
8. Wilkens P and others. Effect of glucosamine on pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back bain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis. JAMA 304:45-52, 2010.
9. Sawitzke AD and others. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2010. Jun 4.
10. Product review: GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN. ConsumerLab Web site, accessed Jan 22, 2002.
11. Product review: Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM). ConsumerLab Web site, updated Sep 22, 2007.
12. Joint remedies. Consumer Reports, Jan 2002.
13. Vital Nutrients recalls Joint Ease & Verified Quality Brand Joint Comfort Complex because of adverse health risk associated with aristolochic acid. News release, May 24, 2001.
14. MacDermid A. Death sparks safety concern over popular pain remedy. The Herald (Glasgow, Scotland), March 4, 2008.

This article was revised on July 22, 2010. 

source : Quackwatch, Health Fraud

Acupuncture proven to fight breast cancer treatment side effects

New research reveals that acupuncture is more effective for treating hot flashes than venlafaxine (Effexor) for patients receiving conventional antiestrogen hormone treatment for the treatment of breast cancer. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan published its finding in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study cites research proving the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes during menopause and therefore investigates the effects of acupuncture during breast cancer treatment. Results showed that acupuncture had successfully eliminated all cases of hot flashes and benefitted patients suffering from mental depression. The study also documents that there were no side effects due to the acupuncture treatments but that venlafaxine caused adverse effects including nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and anxiety.  The study further documents that acupuncture increased sex drive, mental clarity, and the overall energy levels in the patients.

Out of a study group of 50 patients, 25 were randomly given 12 weeks of acupuncture and the other 25 were given 12 weeks of venlafaxine. After two weeks, the venlafaxine group continued to experience hot flashes but, like the acupuncture group, had less mental depression. The study concluded that acupuncture “appears to be equivalent to drug therapy” and is “a safe, effective, and durable treatment.”

source: HealthCMI

Polycystic ovary syndrome breakthrough - Acupuncture and excercise normalize hormones

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by: Sherry Baker, Health Sciences Editor

(NaturalNews) (NaturalNews) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects up to 10 percent of women during their child-bearing years -- and it's a disorder than causes a host of heartbreaking problems. PCOS is the result of eggs that don't mature and are not released from the ovaries. Instead, small ovarian cysts form, wrecking the balance of a woman's sex hormones.

The results? Irregular, missed and/or extremely heavy periods as well as difficulty becoming pregnant. PCOS also causes an increase in androgens, or male hormones, leading to decreased breast size, a deepened voice, increase in hair on the face and body with thinning of hair on the head, and severe acne. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease are also widespread among women with PCOS.

Mainstream medicine has little help for the disorder; treatment focuses on managing PCOS symptoms with birth control pills, laser hair removal on the face and body, acne medication and even total hysterectomies followed by hormone replacement. But now researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have found alternative, non-drug therapies that improve the hormone levels and menstrual bleeding pattern in women with PCOS -- acupuncture and physical exercise.

In the new study, just published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, a group of women with PCOS were given acupuncture where the needles were stimulated both manually and with a weak electric current. A second group of study participants was told to exercise at least three times a week, while a third group acted as controls. All the women were given information on the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

"The study shows that both acupuncture and exercise reduce high levels of testosterone and lead to more regular menstruation," researcher Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who headed the study, said in a statement to the media. "Of the two treatments, the acupuncture proved more effective."

Although PCOS impacts one woman in ten, the cause isn't known. "However, we've recently demonstrated that women with PCOS have a highly active sympathetic nervous system, the part that isn't controlled by our will, and that both acupuncture and regular exercise reduced levels of activity in this system compared with the control group, which could be an explanation for the results," Stener-Victorin added.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031444_acupuncture_hormones.html#ixzz1MrPAMri1

Acupuncture For Xerophthalmia

Richard C. Niemtzow, MD
Kevin J. Kempf, MD
Peter A. S. Johnstone, MD

ABSTRACT
Background Acupuncture is a useful modality in the treatment of xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients. It is also useful in xerophthalmia secondary to Sjogren’s syndrome and other pathological circumstances.
 

Objectives To describe patients receiving acupuncture for xerophthalmia, and to establish a technique that is reproducible for practitioners.
 

Design Acupuncture techniques and case reports.
 

Main Outcome Measure Increase in tear film, subjectively recognized by the patient and clinically confirmed.
 

Results The tear film increased in all patients. Follow-up indicated that the positive response to acupuncture was maintained.
 

Conclusion Xerophthalmia may be significantly relieved by acupuncture. The mechanism is unknown but may be parasympathetically mediated.

KEY WORDS
Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Xerophthalmia, Xerostomia

INTRODUCTION
In previous articles, an acupuncture technique was described1,2 and updated3 for the treatment of pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. This article discusses how the same acupuncture technique with minor modifications may also be useful in xerophthalmia (dry eyes).

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or xerophthalmia is a common disorder, with increasing prevalence starting in the 5th decade of life and rising with age. There are many conditions that predispose one to dry eyes. Some of the more common entities include Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder of exocrine glands seen primarily in women; medications, which include many antihypertensives, antidepressants, and anticholinergic agents; and aging.6 In addition, other conditions that can manifest as dry eyes include infiltrative processes such as sarcoidosis, HIV, hepatitis B and C, complications of refractive surgery, and secondary sicca complex from other connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus.4 Hypofunction of the lacrimal glands, secondary to lymphocytic infiltration, is a hallmark of Sjogren's syndrome. This condition is manifested by marked discomfort and dryness of the eyes, described as a scratchy and burning sensation with marked decrease in tear film. Sjogren's syndrome also involves hyposalivation of the mouth, resulting in difficulty talking or swallowing dry foods. Sjogren's syndrome patients often develop profound caries at an early age and gastroesophageal reflux due to the loss of buffering by the saliva.4 Treatment of these conditions is primarily symptomatic with artificial tears, lubricant solutions, and muscarinic agonists such as pilocarpine, which often cause significant side effects or are tedious to use many times a day.5 These complaints, which greatly affect a patient's quality of life, appear to respond to the acupuncture treatment developed for radiation-induced xerostomia.1 We also observed that this acupuncture technique is useful in overcoming the complaints of both dry eyes and dry mouth from various prescription drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and other conditions.

METHOD
A sterile needle (Seiren Laser L Type, gauge 3, length 30 mm, distributed by OMS Medical Supplies, Inc., Braintree, MA), is inserted bilaterally in both index fingers in an area on the Large Intestine (LI) meridian slightly proximal to LI 1. This area is designated LI 29. In addition, auriculotherapy points Point Zero, Shen Men, and an area designated Salivary Gland 29 are needled bilaterally (Figure 1).

After 20 minutes, if there is no increase in the tear film, it is recommended that the needles in position LI 29 be removed bilaterally and replaced by 2 new sterile needles placed about 3-4 mm proximal to the original inserted needles. If the tear film fails to increase after this modification, the 2 needles located at the Salivary Gland 29 area are replaced by 2 new sterile needles about 3-4 mm proximal to the original insertions. (The authors have rarely needed to alter this sequential modification more than 2 times. This is different from the xerostomia technique where there is usually no need to change the position of the needles to acquire a saliva secretion.)

FIGURE 1

Patients
Acupuncture treatment requires signed informed consent in our center. Four patients diagnosed as having dry eyes secondary to other causes are presented.
 

Case Report 1
A 46-year-old man with a diagnosis of chronic myelocytic leukemia underwent a bone marrow transplantation and developed graft- vs-host effect with bilateral acute dry eyes that did not respond well to lubricants. The patient was treated for dry eyes for 11/2 years. His eyes remained adequately moist for up to 2-3 weeks before he needed to repeat acupuncture.
 

Case Report 2
A 72-year-old woman with bilateral dry eyes with Sjogren's syndrome reported that acupuncture increased the tear flow to both eyes. Prior to treatment, she needed to apply eye drops every 10 minutes; with acupuncture, only 1-2 times daily. Follow-up visits every 3 weeks appeared adequate.
 

Case Report 3
A 42-year-old woman, status post surgery for a neuroma with resulting mild paralysis of the right side of her face, was referred for nocturnal dryness of her right eye. Acupuncture increased the moisture in the right eye to a satisfactory level of comfort.
 

Case Report 4
A 35-year-old woman had laser surgery to her eyes and developed dry eyes bilaterally 2 months later. Lubricants and plugs did not result in satisfactory ocular comfort. The patient received acupuncture and lubricant applications were reduced. Her tear film became normal in both eyes. She was lost to follow-up after 6 treatments.

RESULTS
There were no adverse effects related to acupuncture. An increase in the tear film was subjectively present in all patients after acupuncture. Follow-up evaluations at 1-month intervals found that patients maintained a satisfactory tear flow, but monthly retreatments appear necessary to maintain this capacity over time.

DISCUSSION
The tissue damage resulting from radiation injury to the salivary glands is different from that produced by the infiltration of immune cells into the salivary or lacrimal glands as found in Sjogren's syndrome, or of the damage done by graft-vs-host reaction accompanying bone marrow transplant for the treatment of many leukemias. Currently, there is much discussion in the literature on how to best classify and diagnose patients with Sjogren's syndrome and the significant overlap of other patients with dry eye complaints. Many diagnostic criteria exist, but common to all is a measure of a patient's ocular symptoms and signs.

Conventional treatment options such as ocular and oral lubricants, and muscarinic agonists like pilocarpine or cevimeline, are used to manage severe xerostomia. Cyclosporine, azathioprine, and low-dose corticosteroids can occasionally improve dry eye symptoms, and interferon a is being studied to increase salivary flow. However, these medications are tedious at best, and can be fraught with significant side effects such as severe hypotension, headaches, excess sweating, nausea, bone marrow suppression, osteoporosis, and the risks associated with immune suppression. Granted, we do not understand the acupuncture mechanism of action that appears to increase the tear film's aqueous component, but we propose the same mechanism previously published for xerostomia relief by the use of these points - parasympathetic activation.2,3 We find this report significant and of value to our colleagues even though it deals with a small number of patients. Future research must involve a more substantial population.

CONCLUSION
Acupuncture using the above protocol may contribute to increasing the tear film in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and other etiologies where the aqueous component of the tear film is significantly reduced. This technique did not produce any adverse effects. Longer observations in a significant number of patients to optimize the technique and further prospective objective measurements of both the tear film and its components should be the subjects of further research. A prospective trial addressing this has been approved by our institutional review board and is currently accruing patients.

REFERENCES

1. Niemtzow RC, May BC, Peng YP, Inouye WS, Johnstone PAS. Acupuncture technique for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. Medical Acupuncture. 2000;12:42-43.
   
2. Johnstone PAS, Peng YP, May BC, Inouye WS, Niemtzow RC. Acupuncture for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2001;50:353-357.
   
3. Johnstone PAS, Riffenburgh RH, Niemtzow RC. Acupuncture for xerostomia: Clinical Update. Cancer. 2002;94:1151-1156.
   
4. Bekker M. Dry eyes: an emerging epidemic. Ophthalmol Manage. 1999;10:4.
   
5. Tierney L, Jr, McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. Eye. 2002;202.
   
6. Paul RE. Lange Medical Books. 41st ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2002.

AUTHORS' INFORMATION
Colonel Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, is a Radiation Oncologist on active duty in the United States Air Force. He is currently assigned to the United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, as their first physician-acupuncturist. Dr Niemtzow practices Medical Acupuncture full-time with oncology and general patients, and is also involved in research.
Colonel Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH*
1835 E. Main St
El Cajon, CA 92021-5255
Phone: 619-447-6806 o Fax: 619-447-6881 o E-mail: n5ev@aol.com

Commander Peter A.S. Johnstone, MD, is Director for Ancillary Services at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego, California.
CDR Peter A.S. Johnstone, MD, MA
Naval Medical Center San Diego
Radiation Oncology Division
34800 Bob Wilson Dr, Suite 14
San Diego, CA 92134-1014
Phone: 619-532-7274 o Fax: 619-532-8178
E-mail: pajohnstone@nmcsd.med.navy.mil

Lieutenant Commander Kevin J. Kempf, MD, is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, and is Chief of Rheumatology at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.
LCDR Kevin J. Kempf, MD
Naval Medical Center San Diego
Divison of Rheumatology
34730 Bob Wilson Dr, Suite 203
San Diego, CA 92134-3202
Phone: 619-532-7301, 7350 o Fax: 619-532-5472
E-mail: kempfks@aol.com

source : 
Medical Acupuncture - A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Volume 13 / Number 3
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on the Immune Function Impairment Found in Anxious Women

Abstract:

It is presently accepted that emotional disturbances lead to immune system impairment, and that therefore their treatment could restore the immune response. Thus, the aim of the present work was to study the effect of an acupuncture treatment, designed specifically to relieve the emotional symptoms stemming from anxiety, on several functions (adherence, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, basal and stimulated superoxide anion levels, lymphocyte proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin A (PHA) and natural killer (NK) activity) of leukocytes (neutrophils and lymphocytes) from anxious women. The acupuncture protocol consisted of manual needle stimulation of 19 acupoints, with each session lasting 30 min. It was performed on 34 female 30–60 year old patients, suffering from anxiety, as determined by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Before and 72 hours after receiving the first acupuncture session, peripheral blood samples were drawn. In 12 patients, samples were also collected immediately after the first single acupuncture session and one month after the end of the whole acupuncture treatment, which consisted of 10 sessions during a year, until the complete remission of anxiety. Twenty healthy non-anxious women in the same age range were used as controls. The results showed that the most favorable effects of acupuncture on the immune functions appear 72 hours after the single session and persist one month after the end of the complete treatment. Impaired immune functions in anxious women (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, lymphoproliferation and NK activity) were significantly improved by acupuncture, and augmented immune parameters (superoxide anion levels and lymphoproliferation of the patient subgroup whose values had been too high) were significantly diminished. Acupuncture brought the above mentioned parameters to values closer to those of healthy controls, exerting a modulatory effect on the immune system.

Keywords: Anxiety; Acupuncture; Immune Functions; Women

Source: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine (AJCM) Volume: 35, Issue: 1(2007) pp. 35-51