Objective To observe the effect of"spleen-stomach needling"on changes of plasma malondialdehyde(MDA)

protein carbonyl(PCO

an oxidative stress damage biomaker)

8-hydroxyguanine(8-OHdG

an indicator of oxidative DNA damage)and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)levels in patients with diabetic nephropathy

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improving diabetic nephropathy.Methods Diabetic nephropathy patients were randomized into routine acupuncture(control)group(n=72)and spleen-stomach needling(observation)group(n=70)according to a random digits table and by using multi-centers

randomized and blind methods in the present study.All the patients were received routine medication.In addition

patients of the control group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of Shenshu(BL 23)

Taixi(KI 3)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Yanglingquan(GB 34)

Xuanzhong(GB 39)

Guanyuan(CV 4)

Shousanli(Ll 10)

Waiguan(TE 5)

Yangxi(LI5)

Liangqiu(ST 34)

Shangjuxu(ST 37)

Neiting(ST 44)

Huaroumen(ST 24)

and Dachangshu(BL 25)

and those of the observation group treated by acupuncture stimulation of Zhongwan(CV 12)

Quchi(LI 11)

Hegu(LI 4)

Xuehai(SP 10)

Zusanli(ST 36)

Yinlingquan(SP 9)

Fenglong(ST 40)

Diji(SP 8)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Taichong(LR 3)

Gaohuang(BL 43)

Shenshu(BL 23)

Baihuanshu(BL 30)and Zhongji(CV 3)with spleen-stomach needling method.The treatment of both groups was conducted twice a day for six weeks except Sundays.Plasma MDA

PCO and 8-OHdG contents were detected by using ELISA

and SOD detected using xanthine oxidase method.Results After 3weeks' treatment

plasma MDA

PCO and 8-OHdG contents were significantly increased in both control and observation groups

and plasma SOD was obviously reduced in both groups(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between the two groups in the plasma MDA

PCO and 8-OHdG contents(P>0.05).While after 6weeks' treatment

plasma MDA

PCO and 8-OHdG contents were significantly decreased(turning to the normal levels)and plasma SOD level in the observation group was significantly up-regulated(P<0.01).Following 3weeks' treatment

of the 72 and 70patients in the control and observation groups

10 and 20cases experienced marked improvement

22 and 15were improved

and 40 and 35invalid

respectively.After 6weeks' treatment

of the 72 and 70patients in the control and observation groups

12 and 39experienced marked improvement

28 and 20cases were improved

32 and 11invalid

respectively.The therapeutic effect of the observation group was obviously superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).ConclusionAcupuncture treatment with spleen-stomach regulation needling can down-regulate plasma MDA

PCO

8-OHdG contents and upregulate SOD activity in diabetic nephropathy patients

which may contribute to its effect in improving the patients' symptoms probably by resisting the oxidative stress damage.