[Effect of Acupuncture on Prognosis and Immune Function of Sepsis Patients].
Xiao. Qiu-sheng QS; Ma. Ming-yuan MY; Zhang. Xing-sheng XS; Deng. Meng-hua MH; Yang Yan. Zhul Z
Key Findings
- Thymosin‑alpha‑1 (1.6 mg daily for 6 days) raised T‑cell subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) more than standard care
- Acupuncture at points like ST36 and PC6 produced comparable immune and outcome improvements to thymosin‑alpha‑1
- Both treatments shortened ICU stays and lowered readmission and 28‑day mortality versus control, with no significant difference between the two interventions
Practical Outcomes
- Thymosin‑alpha‑1 shows immune‑enhancing effects in severe infection, but the evidence is limited to hospitalized sepsis patients and requires medical supervision. It isn’t a ready‑to‑use supplement for healthy longevity or performance, though it suggests potential for immune support under clinical guidance.
Summary
In a study of 90 sepsis patients, both daily injections of the immune‑boosting peptide thymosin‑alpha‑1 and daily acupuncture improved immune cell counts, antibody levels, and short‑term outcomes like ICU stay and 28‑day death rates, performing similarly to each other and better than standard care alone.
Abstract
To study the effect of acupuncture on the immune function of sepsis patients. Ninety sepsis patients were assigned to the control group, the thymosin a1 group, and the acupuncture treatment group according to random digit table, 30 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated according to the guideline of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC). Patients in the control group received routine treatment. Those in the thymosin alpha1 group additionally received subdermal injection of thymosin alpha1 (1.6 mg), once per day for 6 successive days. Needling at related points such as Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Neiguan (PC6), Guanyuan (RN4), and so on, was performed in patients of the acupuncture treatment group, once per day for 6 successive days. T cell subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+ /CD8+) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) were detected. The length of ICU hospital stay, hospital readmission rate, and 28-day mortality were compared among the three groups. After six days of treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, IgM, and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of three groups were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Of them, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IgG, IgA, and IgM increased more significantly in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the ICU hospitalization length was significantly shortened, the hospital readmission rate and the 28-day mortality were lower in the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in each index between the thymosin alpha1 group and the acupuncture treatment group (P > 0.05). Acupuncture could adjust the immune function of sepsis patients, improve their immunological indicators and prognoses.
Study Information
pubmed
2015