Effect of acupuncture at Geshu on activating blood circulation and resolving stasis

Guowei CAI; Yuying JIA; Chunlin DAI

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Geshu (BL 17) is one of eight influential points of blood, acting on tonifying blood, nourishing blood, activating blood circulation and resolving stasis.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the effect of Geshu (BL 17) on activating blood circulation and resolving stasis in blood stagnation syndrome with acupuncture.

DESIGN:

Randomized controlled and normal controlled observations were designed.

SETTING:

Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

PARTICIPANTS:

Totally 65 cases of blood stagnation syndrome were selected from inpatients in Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

METHODS:

Totally 65 cases were randomized into experiment group (33cases) and the control (32 cases). In the control, the patent Chinese drug,longxuejie was administrated orally for activating blood circulation and resolving stasis, 4 tablets/time, 3 times/day, 15 days made 1 course of treatment. In experiment group, Geshu (BL 17) was localized bilaterally; after routine sterilization on the points, a filiform needle, 25 mm in length was inserted and manipulated with even technique after arrival of qi for 5 minutes. In 15 minutes of needle retaining, the needle was manipulated for another 5 minutes and retained for 10 minutes, and then, the needle was withdrawn. The treatment was given once a day. Radioimmunoassay (RIA)was applied to determine the levels of 6-K-P and thromboxane B2 (TXB2)in plasma. Criteria on clinical therapeutic effects Being cured is determined by slight red tongue, retarded and forceful pulse, disappearance of limb pain, skin and mucosal ecchymosis and dysmenorrhea, basic recovery of motor function in hemiplegia and disappearance of numbness. Being effective is by dark red tongue, slightly hesitant pulse, alleviation of limb pain, reducing of skin and mucosal ecchymosis, alleviation of dysmenorrhea, partial recovery of motor function in hemiplegia and alleviation of numbness. No effect is by none of any change of clinical symptoms in comparison before and after treatment.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

① Observation of therapeutic effects between two groups. ② Observation of plasma 6-K-P and TXB2 levels and 6-K-P/TXB2

RESULTS:

Totally 65 cases were all in the result analysis. ① Observation of therapeutic effects between two groups The therapeutic effect in experiment group was higher remarkably than that in the control [be cured(15,10); be effective (13,11)]. ② Comparison of plasma 6-K-P levels In experiment group, it was higher remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment [(159.28±16.48), (117.25±16.47) μg/L, P ＜ 0.05]. In the control, it was higher remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment [(133.51±13.97), (114.64±16.39) μg/L, P ＜ 0.05]. ③Comparison of plasma TXB2 level In experiment group, it was lower remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment [(98.21±11.38), (110.45±1067) μg/L, P ＜ 0.05]. In the control, it was lower remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment [(101.15 ±12.14), (109.21±11.58) μg/L, P ＜ 0.05]. ④ Plasma 6-K-P/TXB2 In experiment group, it was higher remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment (1.621±0.203, 1.101±0.316, P ＜ 0.05). In the control,it was higher remarkably after treatment compared with that before treatment (1.322±0.216, 1.234±0.305, P ＜ 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Acupuncture on Geshu (BL 17) increases 6-K-P level and 6-K-P/TXB2 and reduces TXB2 level. It is explained that acupuncture on Geshu (BL 17) regulates imbalance of PGI2-TXA2 system in blood stagnation syndrome so that the blood circulation is activated and stasis is resolved.