Abstract
This chapter summarizes the clinical practice of acupuncture therapy for immune-mediated disorders and the mechanisms underlying the regulation of neuroimmune function by acupuncture. Numerous data indicate that acupuncture can regulate immune system, tune-up specific and nonspecific cellular and humoral immunity, and modulate leucocytosis, microbicidal activity, antibodies, globulin, complement, and interferon (IFN). The acupunctureinduced output signal has been observed to correct the dysfunction of immune system and induce a homeostatic effect on the body through the accommodation of nervous and immune systems. At the molecular level, the acupunctureinduced neuroimmune regulation is mediated through multiple pathways, and involves various bioactive molecules including steroids, neuropeptides, cytokines, and neurotransmitters, which form the basis for bidirectionalcoordinated neuroimmune regulation, in response to homeostasis disturbances. An integrated investigation including the approaches of molecular biology, integrative physiology, and clinical research is considered to further improve the understanding of the acupuncture-mediated regulation of neuroimmune function, and eventually lead to better applications of acupuncture for the treatment of immune-related diseases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Anonymous (1979) AP Moxibustion and AP anaesthesia. Proceedings of the Beijing 1979 Symposium, parts 1–5. Foreign Languages Press, Beijing. 534 abstracts. pp 517
Berkow R (1992) The Merk manual of diagnosis and therapy. Rahway: Merck Research Laboratories 1308
Berman BM, Gordon JS, Guarneri EM, Kathi Kemper FACC, Ornish MPH (2005) Finalists named for bravewell leadership award. J Sci Healing 6: 424–429
Bianchi M, Jotti E, Sacerdote P, Panerai AE (1991) Traditional acupuncture increases the content of beta-endorphin in immune cells and influences mitogen induced proliferation. Am J Chin Med 19: 101–104
Cabioğlu (2008) Acupuncture and Immunomodulation. Am J Chin Med 36: 25–36
Cao XD (2001) Involvement of orphanin FQ in electroacupuncture modulation on immunosuppression by trauma. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 26: 219–220 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Chan SHH (1984) What is being stimulated in acupuncture: Evaluation of the existence of a specific substrate. Neurosci Biobehavioral Rev 8: 25–33
Changdu L, Zhenya J, Yingkun L (1999) Therapeutic effect of needle warming through moxibustion at twelve shu points on rheumatoid arthritis. J Tradit Chin Med 19: 22–26
Conklin KA (2001) Acupuncture and the cancer patient. Medical Acupuncture: 14
Creamer P, Singh BB, Hochberg MC, Berman BM (1999) Are psychosocial factors related to response to acupuncture among patients with knee osteoarthritis? Altern Ther Health Med 5: 72–76
Dang W, Yang J (1998) Clinical study on acupuncture treatment of stomach carcinoma pain. J Tradit Chin Med 18: 31–38
David J, Townsend S, Sathanathan R, Kriss S, Dore CJ (1999) The effect of acupuncture on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 38: 864–869
Ding V, Roath S, Lewith GT (1983) The effect of AP on lymphocyte behaviour. American J Acupuncture 11: 51–54
Du LN, Jiang JW, Wu GC, Cao XD (1998a) Naloxone and electroacupuncture (EA) improve the immune function of traumatized rats. Sheng Li Xue Bao 50: 636–642 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Du LN, Wu GC, Cao XD (1998b) Modulation of orphanin FQ or electroacupuncture (EA) on immune function of traumatic rats. Acupunct Electrother Res 23: 1–8
Ernst J (2005) Alternative treatment modalities in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Clin Infectious Diseases 37: S150–S153
Francesco CI, Giuseppe G., Leonardo R, Giampiero G (2002) Acupuncture modulation of capsaicin-induced inflammation: Effect of intraperitoneal and local administration of naloxone in rats. A Blinded controlled study. J Alternative and Complementary Medicine 8: 341–349
Gao W, Huang YX, Chen H, Song DY, Wang QL (2000) Regulatory effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli on ir-SP content in rat pituitary gland and peripheral blood and their immunity. World J Gastroenterol 6: 581–584
Gao JH, Fu WX, Jin ZG., Yu XC (2007) Acupuncture pretreatment protects heart from injury in rats with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion via inhibition of the β1-adrenoceptor signaling pathway. Life Sci 80: 1484–1489
Glaser R, Kiecolt-Glaser JK (2005) Stress-induced immune dysfunction: Implications for health. Nat Rev Immunol 5: 243–251
Gong X, Wang YJ (1997) A survey of the study of the regulatory effect of acupuncture on endocrine hormones. Zhong Guo Zhen Jiu 5: 315–318 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Guan Z, Zhang J (1995) Effects of acupuncture on immunoglobulins in patients with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. J Tradit Chin Med 15: 102–105
Guo R, Zhang L, Gong Y, Zhang B (1995) The treatment of pain in bone metastasis of cancer with the analgesic decoction of cancer and the acupoint therapeutic apparatus. J Tradit Chin Med 15: 262–264
Han JS (2003) Acupuncture: Neuropeptide release produced by electrical stimulation of different frequencies. Trends in Neurosciences 26: 17–22
Hau DM (1984) Effects of electroacupuncture on leukocytes and plasma protein in the X-irradiated rats. Am J Chin Med 12: 106–114
Hisamitsu T, Kasahara T, Umezawa T, Ishino T, Hisamitsu N (2002) The effect of acupuncture on natural killer cell activity. International Congress Series 1238: 125–131
Huang YS, Jiang JW, Wu GC, Cao XD (2002) Effect of melatonin and electroacupuncture (EA) on NK cell activity, interleukin-2 production and POMC-derived peptides in traumatic rats. Acupunct Electrother Res 27: 95–105
Huang YS, Jiang JW, Wu GC, Cao XD (2003) Effects of melatonin and electroacupuncture on lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 activity and ACTH levels in traumatic rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 28: 42–47 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Jin HO, Zhou L, Lee KY, Chang TM, Chey WY (1996) Inhibition of acid secretion by electrical acupuncture is mediated via beta-endorphin and somatostatin. Am J Physiol 271: 6524–6530
Ju DH, Yang JB, Song KY (1998) Experimental studies on the neuroendocrine-immune regulating circuit of acupuncture analgesia. Chinese Journal of Basic Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine 4: 29–34
Kasahara T, Wu Y, Sakurai Y, Oguchi K (1992) Suppressive effect of acupuncture on delayed type hypersensitivity to trinitrochlorobenzene and involvement of opiate receptors. Int J Immunopharmacol 14: 661–665
Kent G.P, Brondum A, Keenlyside R, Lafazia LM, Scott HD (1988) A large outbreak of acupuncture-associated hepatitis B. Am J Epidemiol 127: 591–598
Kim J, Shin KH, Na CS (2000) Effect of acupuncture treatment on uterine motility and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in pregnant rats. Gynecol Obstetric Invest 50: 225–230
Li SZ, Ding Y, Hou ZY (1994) Two factors analysis of variance on the change of bactericidal power by rat’s polymorphonuclear leukocyte. Journal of Mathematical Medicine 3: 264–265
Liu W (1996) The effects of pituitary-adrenal system in the EA-modulating immune response. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 21: 71–76 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Lu RK (1984) A comparison between AP effect and T-lymphocyte esterase staining count of Shiga’s dysentery and Flexner’s dysentery. Abstract. American J Acupuncture 12: 5–7
Luo F (1996) A study on the cumulative effect of repeated electroacupuncture on chronic pain. Sheng Li Ke Xue Jin Zhan 27: 241–244 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Mayayo E (1984) Mast cells in laser irradiation. Investigaciony Clinica Laser 1: 24–25
Nguyen MD (2002) Innate immunity: The missing link in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration? Nat Rev Neurosci 3: 216–227
Petti F, Bangrazi A, Liguori A, Reale G, Ippoliti F (1998) Effects of acupuncture on immune response related to opioid-like peptides. J Tradit Chin Med 18: 55–63
Rogers PA, Schoen AM, Limehouse J (1992) Acupuncture for immune-mediated disorders. Literature review and clinical applications. Probl Vet Med 4: 162–193
Sliwinski J (1987) Effects of AP on granulocyte migration in patients with chronic spastic bronchitis. Abstract. American J Acupuncture 15: 78
Sun Z (1995) A study of relation between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and blood stasis—The effect of acupuncture promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 20: 71–75 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Sze FK, Wong E, Yi X, Woo J (2002) Does acupuncture has additional value to standard poststroke motor rehabilitation? Stroke 33: 186–194
Tam LS, Leung PC, Li TK, Zhang L, Li EK (2007) Acupuncture in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind controlled pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med 7: 35
Tsibulyak VN, Lee TS, Alisov AP (1988) Reflexotherapy for analgesia and treatment of infected wounds. SJA&ET 3: 137–146
Vickers J, Straus DJ, Fearon B, Cassileth BR (2004) Acupuncture for postchemotherapy fatigue: A phase-study. J Clin Oncology 22: 1731–1735
Wang J, Lu LM, Jiang JW, Du LN, Wu GC, Cao XD (2001) Influence of Orphanin FQ on IL-1β mRNA gene expression in hippocampus of traumatic rats. Chin J Neurosci 17: 368–372 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wang J, Jiang JW, Cao XD, Wu GC (2003) Effect of astragalus injection and electroacupuncture on cellular immune function in traumatic stressed rats. Chinese Journal of Integrated traditional and Western Medicine 23: 156–160 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wang J, Jiang JW, Cai SJ, Peng HT, Gao YQ, Cao XD, Wu GC (2004) Effects of electroacupuncture on peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets and proliferation in patients with gastrointestinal tumor treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Shanghai J of Acu-Mox 23: 5–8. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wang H, Wang CY, Zhang JS, Sun L, Sun JP, Tian QH, Jin XL, Yin L (2005) Acupuncture therapy for experimental stomach ulcer and c-Fos expression in rats. World J Gastroenterol 11: 5517–5520
Wang J, Wang YQ, Yu J, Cao XD, Wu GC (2005) Electroacupuncture suppresses surgical trauma stress-induced lymphocyte apoptosis in rats. Neurosci Lett 383: 68–72
Williams PL, Warwick R, Dyson M, Bannnister LH (1989) Gray’s anatomy, 37th edn. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh
Wu B (1995) Effect of acupuncture on the regulation of cell-mediated immunity in the patients with malignant tumors. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 20: 67–71 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wu B, Zhou RX, Zhou MS (1994) Effect of acupuncture on interleukin-2 level and NK cell immunoactivity of peripheral blood of malignant tumor patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 14: 537–539 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Wu B, Zhou RX, Zhou MS (1996) Effect of acupuncture on immunomodulation in patients with malignant tumors. Zhongguo zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 16: 139–141 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Xia Y, Zhang D, Yang C, Xu H, Li Y, Ma L (1986) An approach to the effect on tumors of acupuncture in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. J Tradit Chin Med 6: 23–26
Yamaguchi N, Takahashi T, Sakuma M, Sugita T, Uchikawa K, Sakaihara S, Kanda T, Arai M, Kawakita K (2007) Acupuncture regulates leukocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 4: 447–453
Yan B, Li K, Xu J, Wang W, Li K, Liu H, Shan B, Tang XW (2005) Acupoint-specific fMRI patterns in human brain. Neurosci Lett 383: 236–240
Yang MMP, Wai KK, Zeng HL, Kwok JSL (1989) Effect of acupuncture on immunoglobulins of serum, saliva and gingival sulcus fluid. Am J Chin Med 1–2: 89–94
Yang J, Zhao R, Yuan J, Chen G, Zhang L, Yu M, Lu A, Zhang Z (1994) The experimental study of prevention and treatment of the side-effects of chemotherapy with acupuncture (comparison among the effect of acupuncture at different acupoint). Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 19: 75–78 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Yang QG, Hang YN, Sun DJ (2003) Effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on alteration of immune function in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 23: 887–890 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Yu Y, Kasahara T, Sato T, Guo SY, Liu YC, Asano K, Hisamitsu T (1997) Enhancement of splenic interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, and NK cytotoxicity by S36 acupoint acupuncture in F344 rats. Jpn J Physiol 47: 173–178
Yu Y, Kasahara T, Sato T, Asano K, Yu G, Fang J, Guo S, Sahara M, Hisamitsu T (1998) Role of endogenous interferon-gamma on the enhancement of splenic NK cell activity by electroacupuncture stimulation in mice. J Neuroimmunol 90: 176–186
Yuan J, Zhou R (1993) Effect of acupuncture on T-lymphocyte and its subsets from the peripheral blood of patients with malignant neoplasm. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 18: 174–177 (in Chinese with English abstract)
Zan-Bar T, Aron A, Shoenfeld Y (2004) Acupuncture therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Rheumatology 7: 207–214
Zhang YH (1998) Channels-immune-neuroendocrine network. West China Medical Journal 13: 316–317
Zhang Y, Du LN, Wu GC, Cao XD (1996) Electro-acupuncture (EA) induced attenuation of immunosuppression appearing after epidural or intrathecal injection of morphine in patients and rats. Acupunct Electrother Res 21: 177–186
Zhao H, Du LN, Jiang JW, Wu GC, Cao XD (2001) Effect of orphanin FQ on IL-1β mRNA transcripts in hippocampus. Acta physiol Sin 53: 209–214
Zhao H, Jiang JW, Wu GC, Cao XD (2002a) Neuroimmunal regulation of electroacupuncture (EA) on the traumatic rats. Acupunct Electrother Res 27: 15–27
Zhao H, Huang HW, Wu GC, Cao XD (2002b) Effect of orphanin FQ on interleukin-1beta mRNA transcripts in the rat CNS. Neuroscience 114: 1019–1031
Zhou RX (1988a) Influence of AP on phagocytosis of leucocytes in the human body. Abstract. American J Acupuncture 16: 176
Zhou RX, Huang FL, Jiang SR, Jiang JC (1988b) The effect of acupuncture on the phagocytic activity of human leukocytes. J Tradit Chin Med 8: 83–84
Zijlstra FJ, van den Berg-de Lange I, Huygen FJPM, Klein J (2003) Anti-inflammatory actions of acupuncture. Mediators Inflamm 12: 59–69
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wang, J., Zhao, H., Cao, X. (2010). Neuroimmuno-effect of Acupuncture on Immunemediated Disorders. In: Xia, Y., Cao, X., Wu, G., Cheng, J. (eds) Acupuncture Therapy for Neurological Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-10857-0_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-10857-0_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-10855-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-10857-0
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)