Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on cellular immune function in the patients undergoing thyroid surgery.Methods:Sixty-six patients of either sex, aged 30-55 yr, with body mass index of 18.5-23.9 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification ⅠorⅡ, were selected and divided into electroacupuncture preconditioning group (group D) and control group (group C) by a random number table method, with 33 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. Before anesthesia induction, both Hegu and Neiguan acupoints were stimulated for 30 min using a continuous wave at a frequency of 2/100 Hz, and the stimulation intensity was subjected to patient tolerance in group D. Group C received sham electroacupuncture for 30 min without stimulation. Venous blood samples were collected at 30 min before anesthesia induction (T 0) and 12, 24 and 48 h after anesthesia (T 1-3). The percentages of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD4 + /CD8 + ) and natural killer cells and concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the serum were measured by flow cytometry. Results:Compared with group C, the percentage of CD3 +, CD4 + and natural killer cells and ratio of CD4 + /CD8 + were significantly increased at T 1, 2, and the concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the serum were decreased at T 1-3 in group D ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Electroacupuncture preconditioning can improve cellular immune function in the patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the immune function of elderly patients after radical resection for gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 70 patients, aged 65 to 75 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective radical resection for gastric cancer, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, were divided into 2 groups ( n=35 each) by a random number table method: electroacupuncture pretreatment group (group EP) and control group (group C). Combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia was used in both groups.In group EP, electroacupuncture (continuous wave, frequency 2/100Hz, current 1 mA) of the internal anesthesia point and Zusanli acupoint was performed for 30 min before induction of anesthesia.In group C, electroacupuncture was not performed, and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was used after operation.Before electroacupuncture and at 2, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation (T 0-4), the rating of safety and efficacy was assessed, and central venous blood samples were collected, and the percentages of CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were measured by flow cytometry, and the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio was calculated. Results:There was no significant difference in the rating of safety and efficacy between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the baseline at T 0, the percentages of serum CD3 + and CD4 + T cells and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio at T 1-4 and percentage of CD8 + T cells at T 3 were significantly decreased in group C ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the percentages of serum CD 3+ and CD4 + T cells and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio at T 1-4 and percentage of CD8 + T cells at T 3 were significantly increased in group EP ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture of internal anesthesia points and Zusanli acupoint preconditioning can improve the immune function of elderly patients after radical resection for gastric cancer.