Effectiveness of Acupuncture at Feishu and Zusanli on Immunoglobulin E Levels in Chronic Asthma Mice Model

Abstract

Background:

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting millions of people globally. Chronic asthma is generally resistant to steroid therapy. Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory effects and has been widely used as an adjuvant therapy for asthma. This study aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture at Feishu (BL-13) only and BL-13 and Zusanli stomach (ST-36) on immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels of the chronic asthma mice model.

Method:

BALB/c mice were sensitized using ovalbumin (OVA) to induce a chronic asthma mouse model by injecting OVA intraperitoneally on days 0 and 14 and followed by aerosol exposure of OVA 1% three times/week for 6 weeks. The 28 mice were randomized into four groups: Control group, untreated asthma group, asthma + BL-13, and asthma + BL-13 + ST-36. For the treatment group, manual acupuncture (MA) was done three times/week for 6 weeks at BL-13 only or BL-13 and ST-36. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to determine IgE levels.

Results and Discussions:

This study found significantly lower IgE levels after MA at BL-13 (p = 0.009) and BL-13 + ST-36 (p = 0.018) compared with the control group. Acupuncture is able to stimulate sympathetic nerves, stimulating Beta-2 (β2) adrenergic receptors. Moreover, acupuncture reduces T helper-2 (Th2) cytokines and restores the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines, which might affect the IgE level.

Conclusion:

Acupuncture at BL-13 and BL-13 + ST-36 acupoints is able to demonstrate a lower concentration of IgE in the chronic asthma mice model.