ABSTRACT
Objective The effectiveness of Zhuang nationality medical lotus needle plus back cupping therapy ( Zhuang needle-cupping therapy) , Flixonase aqueous nasal spray and cetirizine tablets in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) was compared for the exploration of the therapeutic mechanism of Zhuang needle-cupping therapy. Methods A total of 200 recruited AR patients were randomly divided into four groups in the proportion of 1:1:1:1. The four groups were Zhuang needle-cupping therapy group, cetirizine group, Flixonase group and blank control group. The blank control group had no medication, and the patients of the other three medication groups were given the corresponding treatment. Ten days constituted one treatment course, and interval between two courses lasted one week. After two courses, the therapeutic effect was evaluated. The changes of specific IgE (S-IgE), leukotriene (LT), interleukin 4(IL-4), IL-9 mRNA, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Thl / Th2 cells, and Th17 cytokine ( IL-17) were observed before and after treatment. Results ( 1) After two treatment courses, Zhuang needle-cupping therapy group had better therapeutic effect than cetirizine group , Flixonase group and blank control group, and the therapeutic effect of cetirizine group and Flixonase group was better than the blank control group (P0.05). ( 2) After treatment, the levels of S-IgE, LT, IL-9 mRNA, IL-4 and IL-17 were decreased, and IFN-γ and Th1/Th2 levels were increased in the three medication groups ( P0.05). The results of inter-group comparison after treatment showed that Zhuang needle-cupping therapy group had better effect on improving S-IgE, LT, IFN-γand Th1/Th2 than cetirizine group and Flixonase group (P<0.05). (3) During the trial, no adverse reaction was found. Conclusion Zhuang needle-cupping therapy exerts certain therapeutic effect for AR, and the mechanism may be related with the inhibition of S-IgE, LT, IL-9 mRNA and IL-17 expression, and with the regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance by decreasing TH2 cytokine level and increasing Th1 cytokine level.