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Research Article Volume 13 Issue 2
Acupuncture decreases pain and MIF salivary levels in men and women
Ilaria Ceccarelli, Luana Paulesu, Bao Tian Fu, Stefano Pieretti, Li Xu, Rong Zhen Tan, Yi Chen, Xue Yang, Paola Minosi, Anna Maria Aloisi, Ilaria Ceccarelli, Luana Paulesu, Bao Tian Fu, Stefano Pieretti, Li Xu, Rong Zhen Tan, Yi Chen, Xue Yang, Paola Minosi, Roberta Romagnoli, Anna Maria Aloisi
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Italy
Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italy
National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italy
Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Received: April 01, 2020 | Published: April 8, 2020
Citation: Ceccarelli I, Paulesu L, Fu BT, et al. Acupuncture decreases pain and MIF salivary levels in men and women. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2020;13(2):83-89. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2020.13.00498
Abstract
Acupuncture is used worldwide to treat many diseases, including painful conditions. Acupuncture-induced effects on pain were studied in men and women to understand the various factors involved in this positive procedure able to cure patients without side effects. Vital parameters (HR, BP, temperature) were measured and questionnaires about quality of life (SF-36), mood state (POMS) and pain condition (QUID) were administered to men and women requesting acupuncture treatment for pain. Macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) was determined in the saliva. All parameters were determined before the first and tenth acupuncture sessions. Pain scores (questionnaire and scales) significantly decreased from the first to the last acupuncture session in both sexes. Vital parameters were not affected, while the other questionnaires indicated a general improvement in the quality of life. MIF salivary levels were higher in males than in females and were significantly decreased by acupuncture in both sexes. Conclusion: In conclusion, acupuncture appears to affect pain also by decreasing important cytokines such as MIF.
Keywords: acupuncture, MIF, gender differences, pain, pain assessment, BMI, body mass index, MIF, macrophage inhibitory factor, POMS, profile of mood state, SF-36, short form-36, QUID, italian pain questionnaire, VAS, visual analogue scale, PRIr-T, pain rating index rank value, PPI, present pain intensity
©2020 Ceccarelli, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.