OBJECTIVETo observe effects of acupuncture on serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in the patient of cerebral infarction.

METHODSEighty-two cases of cerebral infarction were randomly divided into a treatment group treated by balanced muscular tension needling method, and a control group by traditional needling method. The levels of serum IL-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe levels of serum IL-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the patient of cerebral infarction were significantly higher than those in the healthy persons (P < 0.01); there were positive correlation between sICAM-1 or sVCAM-1 level and IL-1 level (r = 0.743, P < 0.001; r = 0.862, P < 0.001). The three indexes improved to a certain extent in the two groups, with the treatment group superior to the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe improvement of nervous function by the balanced muscular tension needling method in the patient of cerebral infarction is possibly related with decrease of IL-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels.