Health
Related: About this forumFirst biological proof for acupuncture?
http://scienceblog.com/51134/acupuncture-found-to-lower-stress-protein/Published online in December in Experimental Biology and Medicine, the researchers say that if their findings are replicated in human studies, acupuncture would offer a proven therapy for stress, which is often difficult to treat.
It has long been thought that acupuncture can reduce stress, but this is the first study to show molecular proof of this benefit, says the studys lead author, Ladan Eshkevari, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Georgetowns School of Nursing & Health Studies, a part of GUMC.
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She found NPY levels in the experimental group came down almost to the level of the control group, while the rats that were stressed and not treated with Zuslanli acupuncture had high levels of the protein.
In a second experiment, Eshkevari stopped acupuncture in the experimental group but continued to stress the rats for an additional four days, and found NPY levels remained low. We were surprised to find what looks to be a protective effect against stress, she says.
laconicsax
(14,860 posts)There were three groups: control, "sham" acupuncture, and "real" acupuncture. The article only gives the results for the first and third groups.
I wonder why...
Celebration
(15,812 posts)"The effect was specific, as NPY in Sham-EA rats was not different than observed in stress-only rats."
laconicsax
(14,860 posts)More research is definitely needed.
mzteris
(16,232 posts)Electro-acupuncture was applied to acupuncture point St36 in laboratory rats exposed to stressful cold. The control group and the sham acupuncture group showed no change in NPY. However, the group receiving acupuncture showed a significant and long-term decrease in NPY production.
Sounds like it "worked" to me. . . the "sham" didn't work is that what you're saying?
Celebration
(15,812 posts)What I find most interesting is that the effect in the experimental group was actually protective for future stress.
mzteris
(16,232 posts)Electro-acupuncture was applied to acupuncture point St36 in laboratory rats exposed to stressful cold. The control group and the sham acupuncture group showed no change in NPY. However, the group receiving acupuncture showed a significant and long-term decrease in NPY production.
Acupuncture at ST36 prevents chronic stress-induced increases in neuropeptide Y in rat. Ladan Eshkevari1, Rupert Egan2, Dylan Phillips3, Jason Tilan1, Elissa Carney2, Nabil Azzam4, Hakima Amri5 and Susan E Mulroney2. Exp Biol Med 7 December 2011 EBM.2011.011224 .
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http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111220/Acupuncture-can-reduce-protein-associated-with-chronic-stress.aspx
It has long been thought that acupuncture can reduce stress, but this is the first study to show molecular proof of this benefit," says the study's lead author, Ladan Eshevari, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Georgetown's School of Nursing & Health Studies, a part of GUMC.
Eshkevari, who is also a nurse anesthetist as well as a certified acupuncturist . . .While traditional Chinese acupuncture has been thought to relieve stress -in fact, the World Health Organization states that acupuncture is useful as adjunct therapy in more than 50 disorders, including chronic stress - Eshevari says that no one has biological proof that it does so.
So she designed a study to test the effect of acupuncture on blood levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide that is secreted by the sympathetic nervous system in humans. This system is involved in the "flight or fight" response to acute stress, resulting in constriction of blood flow to all parts of the body except to the heart, lungs, and brain (the organs most needed to react to danger)."
. . . The study utilized four groups of rats for a 14-day experiment: a control group that was not stressed and received no acupuncture; a group that was stressed for an hour a day and did not receive acupuncture; a group that was stressed and received "sham" acupuncture near the tail; and the experimental group that were stressed and received acupuncture to the Zuslanli spot on the leg.
She found NPY levels in the experimental group came down almost to the level of the control group, while the rats that were stressed and not treated with Zuslanli acupuncture had high levels of the protein. . . "
laconicsax
(14,860 posts)There's been "biological" "proof" that sticking needles in the skin has concrete effects for a while.
What's never come even close to being proven is that it makes any difference where the needles go--meridians are unscientific bullshit.
But, of course, there is "biological" proof that touching the skin has concrete effects. The body reacts to touch, so it's certainly going to react to a needle prick.
mzteris
(16,232 posts)react then?
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)These are small studies, and they're results are only worthy in terms of moving study forward. They are almost meaningless. That was noted in the OP I offered earlier today.
This explains this at length:
Are Most Medical Studies Wrong?
http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/are-most-medical-studies-wrong/
More studies on this matter... just as examples of the contradicting small studies that make this whole discussion nearly pointless:
Sham acupuncture is better than "true" acupuncture
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2008/04/sham_acupuncture_is_better_than_true_acu.php
Acupuncture for Pain No Better Than Placebo -- And Not Without Harm, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110324104147.htm
mzteris
(16,232 posts)to support our positions...
leave it go, Huck. We'll never agree on this one. My experience beats your opinion. In my opinion, of course.
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)Thus, there doesn't seem to be anything to agree upon or disagree upon.
mzteris
(16,232 posts)you just don't "get me".
HuckleB
(35,773 posts)mzteris
(16,232 posts)we still agree on some things. . .