Objective To observe the curative effect of acne conglobata treated by encircling acupuncture combined with ventouse and cupping.Methods A total of 52 acne conglobata patients were randomly divided into acupuncture group(n=26)and Western medicine group(n=26).Patients of acupuncture group were treated with encircling acupuncture around the affected focus.Common acupuncture was applied to Hegu(LI 4)

Xuehai(SP 10)

Fenglong(ST 40)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

once daily.Dazhui(GV 14)and Feishu(BL 13)were used for venesection and cupping(twice a week).Patients of medication group were treated with oral administration of Isotretinoin Capsules(10 mg

t.i.d.).The treatment duration of 2 groups was 4 weeks.Serum IL-6 content was detected with double-antibody sandwich elisa enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results After the treatment

in acupuncture group and Western medicine group

3(11.5%)and 4(15.4%)cases experienced remarkable relief in their signs

14(53.8%)and 11(42.3%)had marked improvement

6(23.1%)and 7(26.9%)had improvement

3(11.5%)and 4(15.4%)failed

with the effective rates being 88.5% and 84.6%

respectively.No significant difference was found between two groups in the therapeutic effect(P>0.05).Self-comparison showed that after the treatment

IL-6 in both groups decreased significantly(P<0.01).The therapeutic effect of acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of Western medicine group in lowering serum IL-6(P<0.05).Conclusion Both acupuncture and medication can effectively promote the recovery of the affected skin

and lower serum IL-6 level in acne conglobata patients.The effect of acupuncture is stronger than that of Isotretinoin Capsules in lowering serum IL-6 content and has fewer adverse effects.