Effects of electroacupuncture treatment on cortisol and inflammatory cytokines in patients with occupational noise-induced deafness combined with depressive symptoms / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of electroacupuncture treatment on the levels of cortisol and immune factors in patients with occupational noise-induced deafness(ONID) combined with depressive symptoms. METHODS: A total of 78 ONID patients combined with depressive symptoms were randomly divided into control group(40 cases) and electroacupuncture group(38 cases) by a random number table method. The control group received routine therapy, while the electroacupuncture group was treated with routine therapy plus electroacupuncture on alternate days, 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The levels of salivary cortisol, as well as the serum levels of cortisol, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6) and C-reactive protein(CRP) of the two groups were observed and compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, the levels of saliva cortisol in the morning and night, and the serum levels of cortisol, IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in the two groups were compared, and the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05). After treatment, the serum cortisol level of patients in electroacupuncture group reduced than that before treatment in the same group(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the levels of salivary cortisol in the morning and night, and serum cortisol before and after treatment both in control group and electroacupuncture group(P>0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in electroacupuncture group as compared with those before treatment and those after treatment in control group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture treatment could reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum of ONID patients combined with depressive symptoms. The regulation of electroacupuncture on the inflammatory cytokines may be one of the mechanisms in treating ONID combined with depressive symptoms.