目的 :探讨内皮素在头针治疗中风病中的作用机制。方法 :采用放射免疫技术

观测头针对中风病人血浆中内皮素含量的影响。结果 :头针治疗可以使中风病人血浆中过度升高的内皮素含量明显下降。结论 :头针治疗可以通过调节内皮素含量而达到治疗效果Objective: To investigate the mechanism of scalp-acupuncture in treatment of apoplectic patients. Methods: A total of 30 apoplectic inpatients (treatment group

20 cases of cerebral infarction

9 cerebral hemorrhage and one mixed type) and 15 normal people (control group) were subjected to this study. Dingnie Qianxiexian (MS 6) and Dingnie Houxiexian (MS 7) were punctured with Gauge-30 filiform needles that were manipulated about 200 times/min for 2～3 min

once again every 5 min

and then retained for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once daily and 6 sessions of treatment formed a therapeutic course. Plasma endothelin (ET) was assayed by using radioimmunoassay. Results: Before the treatment

plasma ET was 117.93±31.80 pg/mL

being significantly higher than normal level (54.80±13.21 pg/mL

P<0.01). After scalp-acupuncture treatment

plasma ET was 70.87±29.49 pg/mL

being significantly lower than that of apoplectic patients before treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Scalp-acupuncture treatment induced decrease of plasma ET may be one of the factors for improving clinical symptoms and signs of apoplectic patients.