Objective To observe the influence of scalp acupuncture on levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP)

TNF-α

IL-6

and IL-1βlevels in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)

so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of ACI.Methods A total of 61 patients with ACI were randomly allocated to scalp acupuncture group(n=31)and control(medication)group(n=30).The patients of the control group were routinely treated by administration of Aspirin

Danhong injection

Cytidine Diphosphate for neurotrophy

blood pressure-control and blood-fat lowering medicines

etc.

while those of the scalp acupuncture group were treated by routine treatment with the medicines mentioned above plus daily scalp acupuncture stimulation of bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian[MS 6

penetrative needling from Qianding(GV 21)to Xuanli(GB 6)]and Dingniehouxiexian[MS 7

from Baihui(GV 20)to Qubin(GB 7)].The treatment was conducted once daily for 7days.Serum hsCRP

TNF-α

IL-6

and IL-1βcontents were assayed by using enzyme linked immunosorbnent assay(ELISA).The therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture were evaluated by using clinical neurological disfunction scale(NDS

0-45 points for consciousness

gazing

facial palsy

speech

myodynamia

walking-ability).Results(1)Of the 30 and 31cases in the control and scalp acupuncture groups

5(16.7%)and 8(25.8%)were basically controlled

9(30.0%)and 16(51.6%)experienced remarkable improvement in their symptoms

12(40.0%)and 6(19.4%)were improved

4(13.3%)and 1(3.2%)failed

with the effective rates being 86.7% and 96.8%

respectively.The increased levels of serum hs-CRP

TNF-α

IL-6and IL-1βin ACI patients were reversed on the 3rd and 7th day after scalp acupuncture treatment(P<0.05

P<0.01).(2)A positive correlation existed between the NDS score and the serum levels of hs-CRP(r=0.497

P<0.01).(3)NDS scores were obviously decreased in both groups on the 7th day after the treatment compared with their baseline data(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Scalp acupuncture treatment can improve the ACI patients' clinical symptoms

probably by reducing ACI induced inflammatory reactions.