Effects of electroacupuncture on endothelial function and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with cerebral infarction.

This study evaluated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in patients with cerebral infarction. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 20 patients with cerebral infarction were randomized into two treatment groups: EA or placebo. Before and after each intervention, pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) was used to assess endothelial function and peripheral blood was analyzed for the number of EPCs. Circulating EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry as CD45(low) CD34(+) KDR2(+) cells. Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels were measured. Seven days later, crossover was performed on each group, with each group receiving the other treatment using the same protocol. The PAT hyperemia ratio ranged from 1.57 ± 0.41 to 2.04 ± 0.51 after EA, representing a significant improvement (P = 0.002); however, there was no improvement in the placebo group (P = 0.48). Circulating EPCs, as measured by flow cytometry, increased to 110.6 ± 74.3/100 µL in the EA group (P = 0.001) but did not change in the placebo group (45.9 ± 35.3/100 µL, P = 0.08). The increases in the number of EPCs and the PAT ratio after treatment were correlated (r = 0.78, P < 0.001). Plasma VEGF levels increased with EA compared to baseline (261.2 ± 34.0 vs 334.9 ± 80.5 pg/mL, P = 0.003). The number of circulating EPCs was positively correlated with plasma levels of VEGF (r = 0.50, P = 0.02). In conclusion, EA induced improvement of EPC levels and the PAT ratio in patients with cerebral infarction.

Clinical effects of needle-pricking therapy on peripheral facial paralysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of needle-pricking therapy on peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: This study included 162 patients with peripheral facial paralysis, 107 of whom were treated with usual care (conventional and alternative treatments) and 55 of whom were additionally treated with needle-pricking therapy on 3 specific extra-meridian acupuncture points known as 'Samjoong' (Sanchóng in Chinese). We evaluated changes in facial motor functions and sequelae using the Yanagihara and gross House-Brackmann grading systems before and after treatments. RESULTS: Yanagihara score and House-Brackmann grade significantly improved after treatments in both groups. However, the needle-pricking therapy group showed greater improvements in Yanagihara score and House-Brackmann grade than the usual care group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Samjoong needle-pricking therapy could be applied as an adjunct therapy to usual care for patients with peripheral facial paralysis.