Regulating Effect of Acupuncture at Fengchi(GB20) and Extraordinary Points on TNF-α and ET in Hypertension ZHAO

Objective To observe the regulating effect of acupuncture at Fengchi(GB20) and extraordinary points on tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and endothelin(ET) in hypertension. Method Totally 150 patients with hypertension were randomized into two groups at a ratio of 1:1. In the control group, 75 subjects were intervened by acupuncture at bilateral Fengchi; in the treatment group, 75 subjects were intervened by acupuncture at bilateral Fengchi plus extraordinary points. The needles were manipulated once every 10 min during the 30-min session. The treatment was given once per day, 2 weeks as a treatment course. Result During the intervention, the TNF-α and ET contents were decreased significantly in the treatment group(P0.05); the TNF-α and ET contents were also decreased in the control group but without statistical significance(P0.05). After 1 treatment course, the TNF-α and ET contents were decreased significantly in the treatment group(P0.05); the TNF-α and ET contents were insignificantly decreased in the control group(P0.05); there was a significant difference in comparing the TNF-α and ET contents between the two groups(P0.05). There were also significant differences in comparing the TNF-α and ET contents in hypertension of various degrees between the two groups(P0.01). The results showed that the TNF-α and ET contents in patients intervened by acupuncture at Fengchi and extraordinary points were lower than that in those intervened by acupuncture at Fengchi alone, i.e. combination of Fengchi and extraordinary points produces a significant effect on regulating TNF-α and ET contents. Conclusion Acupuncture at Fengchi and extraordinary points can produce a more significant effect than acupuncture at Fengchi alone on regulating TNF-α and ET in patients with hypertension.