The acupuncture effect on immunoglobulin in 32 patients of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis was studied. Acupoints selection with the master points: Ding Chuan, Fengmen (BL12) penetrating through Feishu (BL13). Accessory points: For the disease condition caused by external wind and cold, Hegu (LI4) Yuan-Source Point and Lieque (LU7)Luo-Connecting Point the Eight Confluent Point were selected. For patients with dyspnea, Tiantu (CV22) and Kongzui (LU6)Xi-Cleft Point were given. For patients with much production of phlegm, Zusanli (ST36) He-Sea Point and Fenglong (ST40) Luo-Connecting Point were used. For patients with shortness breath, Guanyuan (CV4) Front-Mu Point of the SmallIntestine and Danzhong (CV17) Front-Mu Point of the Pericardium were chosen. And for patients with cough, Chize (LU5)He-Sea Point and Taiyuan (LU9)Shu-Stream Point, Yuan-Source Point were punctured. The master points were used alternatively and warm needles were adopted. The accessory points were generally punctured with filform needles. The needles were retained for 20 minutes. Ten sessions acupuncture made up one treatment course.
Results: In 20 asthma patients, after acupuncture IgG increased (P<0. 01), IgM and IgE decreased (both P<0.01), while IgA did not change markedly (P>0.05). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, after acupuncture IgG, IgA and IgM decreased (P<0.05, 0.05, and 0.01), while IgE did not change evidently. Together, the results in these 32 patients indicated that acupuncture exerted modulation action on immunoglobulin, and patients with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis responded effectively to acupuncture. It maybe related to their immunological function having been reinforced by acupuncture.
Key Words: Immunoglobulin, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis
Writer: Zunhui Guan
Kunming City TCM Hospital, Yunnan Province
Writer: Jinda Zhang
Canadian Society of TCM and Acupuncture
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