Reduction of Interleukin-17 Level by Acupuncture at Feishu (Bl 13) Is Strengthened by Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) in a Mouse Model of Chronic Asthma: An Experimental Study

摘要

Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma and determines the chronicity and severity of asthma. Acupuncture at Feishu (BL 13) stimulates sympathetic nerve fibers, acting as a bronchodilator. Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) has an immunomodulatory effect on T-helper (Th)-1 and Th-2 in dominant pathologic conditions. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the difference between the effect of acupuncture at BL 13 and a combination of acupuncture BL 13 and ST 36 for reducing levels of IL-17 in a mouse model of chronic asthma. Materials and Methods: Designs: This was an experimental study with post-test only group designs. Settings: The study was conducted at the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory, Unit IV, University of Gadjah Mada, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Subjects: The subjects were 32 females BALB/c mice, ages 6-8 weeks, and weighing 20-25 g. Intervention: The mice were equally divided into 4 groups randomly: (1) a control group (I); (2) an asthma group (II); (3) an asthma and BL 13 group (III); and (4) an asthma and combination of BL 13 + ST 36 group (IV). Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was plasma levels of IL-17, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The IL-17 plasma level of the control group (I) was 136.13 + 45.45 pg/mL. In the asthma group (II) the IL-17 plasma level was increased significantly to 206.63 +60.80pg/mL (p = 0.004); and in the asthma and BL 13-treated group (III), IL-17 plasma level decreased nonsignificantly to 165.38 +20.84pg/mL (p = 0,171). In the the asthma and combination BL 13 + ST 36-treated group (IV), IL-17 plasma level decreased significantly to 126± 39.35 pg/mL (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Acupuncture at BL 13 does not decrease IL-17 significantly but a combination of acupuncture at BL 13 and ST 36 decreases plasma IL-17 significantly, as shown in a mice model of chronic asthma.