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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.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on peripheral nerve damage induced by 1-bromopropane( 1-BP) exposure.METHODS: A total of 25 specific pathogen free healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group( n = 5),model control group( n = 10),and electroacupuncture treatment( EA) group( n = 10).Rats in the blank control group were not exposed to 1-BP and treated with electroacupuncture.The rats in model control group and EA group were placed in a dynamic inhalation exposure cabinet with 1-BP at concentration of 5 000 mg/m~3.The rats were continuously exposed to 1-BP 8 hours per day,5 days a week,for 4 weeks.At the 3 rd day after the end of the exposure,the EA group was treated with electroacupuncture on“Zu sanli”and“Huantiao”points for 4 courses.Each course included 20 minutes each time,once per day for 7 consecutive days.The body weight,the motor nerve conduction velocity( MCV) and sense nerve conduction velocity( SCV) of sciatic nerves on both posterior limbs of the rats were measured.RESULTS: During the course of 1-BP exposure,the rats in the EA and model control group showed reduction of eating,drinking and activities,limited autonomic activities and their hind limbs dragged.The MCV and SCV of posterior limb sciatic nerve of rats in the model control group were slower than that of the control group at the 4 th,6th and 8th week and the 0 week of the same group( P < 0.05).The MCV and SCV of posterior limb sciatic nerve of rats in the EA group improved with the increase of treatment time( P < 0.05),and those at the 6th and 8th weeks of the experiment( corresponding to the 2nd and 4th week after treatment) were faster than that of the model control group at the same time( P < 0.05).The SCV of the posterior limb sciatic nerve in the EA group recovered to normal level 4 weeks after treatment compared with the blank control group( P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture treatment can promote the recovery of peripheral nerve damage in rats with 1-BP poisoning.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) in treating occupational hand-arm vibration disease (HAVD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-four patients with HAVD were equally and randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The control group was given Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and deproteinized extract of calf blood to improve circulation, and also given methylcobalamin tablets and vitamin B6 for neurotrophic treatment. In addition to the above treatments for the control group, the treatment group was also given 30 µg/d mNGF by intramuscular injection for two courses (4 weeks for each course) with a 15-day interval.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the treatment group and the control group showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms and signs (hand numbness and pain, and reduced senses of touch, pain, and vibration), cold water loading test (CWLT), and electroneuromyography (ENMG) after treatments (P < 0.05). And the treatment group had significantly more improvements than the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>mNGF can significantly improve hand numbness and pain, reduced senses of touch, pain, and vibration, CWLT, and ENMG, so it has better clinical effect and safety in treating HAVD. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the outcome of patients with HAVD.</p>