Effect of penetrating acupuncture combined with oral butylphthalide capsule on CT cerebral perfusion imaging and vasoactive substances in middle cerebral artery stenosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of penetrating acupuncture combined with oral butylphthalide capsule on CT cerebral perfusion imaging and vasoactive substances in middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis.

MethodsA total of 60 patients with unilateral MCA stenosis were selected as the study subjects.They were randomly divided into the study group and the control group according to the random number table method, with 30 patients in each group.Both groups received basic treatment (baiaspirin 100 mg+clopidogrel tablet 75 mg+Atorvastatin calcium 20 mg), and the study group added head acupoint penetration combined with butylphthalide treatment on this basis.CT perfusion imaging (CTP) was performed for all enrolled patients before and after treatment.Cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), mean passage time (MTT), peak time (TTP) and relative perfusion parameters (rCBV, rCBF, rMTT and rTTP) were measured and calculated.Fasting venous blood samples were collected before and after treatment to measure the levels of vasoactive substances, including nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

ResultsAfter treatment, the CTP parameters in the study group were significantly different from those before treatment (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), the indexes of CBV and CBF in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the indexes of MTT, TTP and rMTT were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).There was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment (P>0.05).The levels of NO and VEGF in study group were significantly higher than those in control group, while the levels of ET-1, TXB2 and Ang Ⅱ were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the observation group(6.67%) and control group (16.67%)(P>0.05).

ConclusionsHead acupoint penetration combined with butylphthalide can improve the state of cerebral hemodynamics in patients with MCA stenosis, effectively regulate the level of vasoactive substances, promote the early formation of new blood vessels, and protect brain tissue.