OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of warming acupuncture combined with western medication for oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency and its effects on the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in seminal plasma. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency were randomly divided into a combination group and a medication group, with 30 cases in each group. The medication group was treated with levocarnitine oral solution orally, 10 mL once, 3 times a day. On the basis of the treatment in the medication group, warming acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4) and Mingmen (GV4) in the combination group, once every other day, 3 times a week. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the TCM syndrome score was observed, the semen routine indexes (the sperm concentration, progressive [PR] sperm motility, PR + non-progressive [NP] sperm motility and sperm malformation rate), the serum sex hormones indexes (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone [T] and estradiol [E₂]), as well as the IL-6 and IL-10 levels in seminal plasma were detected, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, except for the hyposexuality score in the medication group, the each item scores and total scores of TCM syndrome were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 levels in the seminal plasma were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the PR sperm motility, PR + NP sperm motility, serum T levels, IL-10 levels in the seminal plasma were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the two groups; the sperm concentration was increased compared with that before treatment in the combination group (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the medication group, except for the hyposexuality and frequent nocturia scores, the each item scores and total score of TCM syndrome were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05); the sperm concentration, PR sperm motility and PR + NP sperm motility, serum T level, IL-10 level in the seminal plasma were higher (P<0.01, P<0.05); sperm malformation rate, serum FSH and LH levels, IL-6 level in the seminal plasma were lower (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the combination group. The total effective rate was 83.8% (25/30) in the combination group, which was superior to 60.0% (18/30) in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Warming acupuncture combined with western medication can effectively treat oligoasthenoteratozoospermia of kidney-yang insufficiency, regulate the levels of sex hormones, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of IL-6 level and the up-regulation of IL-10 level in seminal plasma.
Humans ; Male ; Interleukin-10/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Oligospermia/drug therapy* ; Yang Deficiency/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/drug therapy* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yupingfeng granules on immune function and related indexes of children with allergic rhinitis (AR) complicated with bronchial asthma (BA). METHODS: Clinical information of 101 children with AR complicated with BA during Feb. 2014-Sept. 2017 were analyzed retrospectively, and they were divided into control group (47 cases) and observation group (54 cases) according to treatment plan. Control group was given Salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation through mouth, one inhalation, twice a day+Mometasone furoate nasal spray 50 μg each nostril. Observation group was additionally given Yupingfeng granules 5 g orally, 3 times a day, for consecutive 2 weeks, drug withdrawal at 2 weeks interval, recycled 3 times. Both groups received treatment for consecutive 3 months. Clinical symptom and sign scores, the levels of T-lymphocyte subgroup (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+), IL-4, IFN-γ and IgE before and after treatment, the occurrence of ADR were observed in 2 groups. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no statistical significance in clinical symptom and sign scores, levels of T-lymphocyte subgroup, serum levels of IL-4, IFN-γ or IgE between 2 groups (P＞0. 05). After treatment, clinical symptom and sign scores, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in 2 groups were all significantly lower than before treatment; observation group was significantly lower than control group. CD8+ and serum levels of IFN-y in 2 groups after treatment were significantly higher than before treatment; observation group was significantly higher than control group, with statistical significance (P＜0. 05). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups (P＞0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Yupingfeng granules can effectively improve immune function of children with AR complicated with BA, and relieve clinical symptom without increasing the occurrence of ADR.