1.Clinical Research on Detoxification with Acupuncture
Jun HU ; Yuhu XIN ; Lei ZONG ; Shanxiang IHAO ; Shen LI ; Yuanchun XIAO
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2003;1(2):33-36
Purpose To confirm the effects of acupuncture, and Chinese medicines in controlling the withdrawal symptoms from the opium-like drugs. Method 96 heroin-dependent subjects were divided into four groups,which were treated respectively by western medicine (Agroup), acupuncture (B group), Chinese herbs (Cgroup), and acupuncture & Chinese herbs (D group).Before, during and after treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone and prolactin, and immune functions (serum CD3+ 、CD4+ 、CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ ) were tested.Results After treatment, the concentration of serum testosterone in A and B group were higher than before and during treatment, and in C and D group, during treatment were higher. In the four groups, the concentration of serum prolactin before treatment was the highest. The levels of CD3+、CD4+、 CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ were lowest before treatment and highest after treatment. Conclusion Acupuncture and Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain can control the opium-like drug withdrawal symptoms to different degrees, especially acupuncture. However, acupuncture cannot ease the withdrawal symptoms completely. Acupuncture does not strikingly cooperate with the Chinese medicines effective in relieving spasm and pain (including M-receptor antagonists). In detoxification, the Jiaji points are the primary ones and symptom-based points the secondary ones.