Abstract:

Objective

To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on immune function in patients with acne.

Methods

A total of 118 cases with acne from the acupuncture department and dermatology department of Jining City First People’s Hospital were included in this study during the period from January to June of 2013. Patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group with acupuncture treatment (n=50) and control group with oral isotretinoin treatment (n=50). The efficacy was evaluated after eight-week therapy in two groups. The serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10 and interferon interferon-γ (INF-γ) were detected before and after treatment. Data were analyzed by SPSS17.0 statistical software. The curative effect of the two groups was compared by the χ² test .Measurement data by using two independent sample t-test. P＜0.05 was considered significant.

Results

After eight-week therapy, there were 24 cured, 21 markedly improved and 3 improved, with the total effective rate 96%(48/50), in treatment group. There were 15 cured,12 markedly improved and 14 improved, with the total effective rate 82%（41/50), in control group.There was significant difference between two groups (χ²= 5.00 , P＜0.05). There were significant differences in serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and INF-γ after acupuncture treatment between two groups (t=17.84,13.48, 25.12 and 14.31, P＜0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture has significant regulatory effect on immune function in patients with acne.

Key words: Acupuncture therapy, Acne vulgaris, Immunocompetence