Clinical effects of acupuncture in the treatment of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis of spleen deficiency type

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of acupuncture combined with loratadine in the treatment of moderate and severe persistent allergic rhinitis(AR) of spleen deficiency type, and effects on the serum levels of platelet activating factor(PAF), transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and helper T cell 1(Th1)/helper T cell 2(Th2).

MethodsSixty patients with moderate or severe persistent AR of spleen deficiency type were divided into the control group and observation group according to the random number table method(30 cases in each group).Two groups were given health education, and the control group and observation group were treated with desloratadine and desloratadine combined with acupuncture for 4 weeks, respectively.The efficacy was compared between two groups.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome scores, visual analogue scale(VAS) scores and RQLQ scores of rhinoconjunctivitis patients before and after treatment were observed and compared between two groups.The serum levels of PAF, TGF-β, interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-1(IL-1), IL-4, IL-13 and IL-35 in two groups were detected and compared between before and after treatment.

ResultsThe effective rates in the observation group and control group were 93.33% and 70.00%, respectively, and the difference of which was statistically significant between two groups(P < 0.05).After treatment, the each item score and total score of TCM syndrome in two groups were lower than those before treatment(P < 0.01), and the observation group was lower than the control group(P < 0.01).The VAS scores and RQLQ scores in two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P < 0.01), and the observation group was lower than the control group(P < 0.01).After treatment, the serum PAF, IL-4, IL-B, and IL-35 levels of the two group decreased(P < 0.01);and the observation group was lower than the control group(P < 0.01);after treatment, the serum TGF-β, IFN-γ and IL-1 levels in the two groups increased(P < 0.01), and the observation group was higher than the control group(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsAcupuncture combined with loratadine in the treatment of moderate and severe persistent AR of spleen deficiency type has significant effects.It can significantly improve the nasal symptoms and quality of life of patients, and the mechanism of which is related to the regulation of PAF and TGF-β levels, and Th1/Th2 balance.