EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE

Abstract

To study the effect of acupuncture on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with cancer-related fatigue(CRF). Methods: A total of 80 patients with CRF were randomized into an observation group and a control group, and finally 67 patients completed this trial(36 cases in the observation group, 31 cases in the control group). Patients in the control group were treated with conventional chemo radio therapy and symptomatic treatment, while no particular anti-fatigue intervention was adopted. On the basis of treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Baihui(GV 20), Guanyuan(CV 4), Qihai(CV 6), Fengchi(GB 20), Zusanli(ST 36), Sanyinjiao(SP 6) in the observation group, once a day, 5 times as one course, with 2 days interval between each course, totally 4 courses were required. Before and after treatment,the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with CRF were monitored by flow cytometry (FC). Results: After acupuncture, the levels of CD3+, CD4+,CD19+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8 + of the observation group increased significantly (P<0.05).However, the levels of CD8+,CD16+CD56+ of the observation group decreased significantly (P<0.05).In the control group, the levels of CD3+,CD4+ were decreased significantly due to radiotherapy or chemotherapy (P<0.05). But the level of CD16+CD56+ increased significantly (P<0.05).After acupuncture, the levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD19+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8 + of the observation group was significantly higher than these of the control group (P<0.05).However, the level of CD16+CD56+ of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture can increase the levels of CD3+, CD4+,CD19+ and the ratio of CD4+/CD8 + and decrease the level of CD8+,CD16+CD56+,which indicated that acupuncture can improve the immune function of CRF patients.