Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis so as to seek an effective therapy for it.Methods: A total of 130 patients suffering from acute gouty arthritis were randomized into acupuncture group(66 cases) and medication group(64 cases).In acupuncture group

bilateral Bafeng(EX-HE 10)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Yinlingquan(SP 9)

Xuehai(SP 10)

etc.were punctured by inserting the needle rapidly

twirling it with reducing technique and removing it swiftly(needling for clearing heat and eliminating dampness and stasis).The treatment was given twice daily in the first 10 days and once daily in the second 10 days.Patients of medication group were ordered to orally take Meloxicam Capsules((7.5 mg)/time/d

Non-steroid antiphologistic) continuously for 20 days.Visual analog scale(VAS) and changes of clinic manifestations were recorded

and blood uric acid

urine uric acid and uric β_2-microglobulin were detected with enzymatic method

phosphotungstic acid reduction method and solid phase radioimmunoassay respectively.Results: Of the 66 and 64 cases in acupuncture and medication groups

37(56.06%) and 14(21.88%) were cured

26(39.39%) and 45(70.31%) had marked improvement in clinical symptoms

3(4.55%) and 5(7.81%) failed in the treatment separately.The cure rate of acupuncture group was significantly higher than that of medication group ((P<0.01)).After the treatment VAS

blood uric acid and uric β_2-microglobulin values of two groups decreased nearly all obviously((P<0.05))

while urine uric acid increased significantly in acupuncture group((P<0.01));and the effects of acupuncture were significantly better than those of medication in lowering blood uric acid and uric β_2-microglobulin

and raising urine uric acid((P<0.01)).No significant differences were found between two groups in VAS((P>0.05)).Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment is one of the best therapies in dealing with acute gouty arthritis and can help improve renal impairment in the early stage of this disease.