Effect of acupuncture on TNF-alpha, IL-<FONT FACE=Symbol>1b</FONT> and IL-10 concentrations in the peritoneal exudates of carrageenan-induced peritonitis in rats

Abstract

Acupuncture is an ancient and empirical therapeutic procedure known by its efficacy in the treatment of pain. However, the influence of acupuncture on inflammatory process is still poorly understood and additional research is needed. In this work, we investigated the mechanism of action of manual acupuncture on the inhibition of neutrophil migration to the peritoneal cavity induced by the inflammatory stimulus carrageenan in Wistar rats. Previous results from our laboratory showed that this anti-inflammatory effect is not due to endogenous corticoid release. Furthermore, the concentration of IL-1b, but not of TNF-alpha or IL-10 in the carrageenan-induced exudates was reduced in the acupuncture group. Further research will be needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory action of acupuncture as described here.

Keywords

• acupuncture
• inflammation
• cytokines
• neutrophils
• rats
• carrageenan