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Abstract Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma and determines the chronicity and severity of asthma. Acupuncture at Feishu (BL 13) stimulates sympathetic nerve fibers, acting as a bronchodilator. Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) has an immunomodulatory effect on T-helper (Th)–1 and Th-2 in dominant pathologic conditions. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the difference between the effect of acupuncture at BL 13 and a combination of acupuncture BL 13 and ST 36 for reducing levels of IL-17 in a mouse model of chronic asthma. Materials and Methods: Designs: This was an experimental study with post-test only group designs. Settings: The study was conducted at the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory, Unit IV, University of Gadjah Mada, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Subjects: The subjects were 32 females BALB/c mice, ages 6–8 weeks, and weighing 20–25 g. Intervention: The mice were equally divided into 4 groups randomly: (1) a control group (I); (2) an asthma group (II); (3) an asthma and BL 13 group (III); and (4) an asthma and combination of BL 13+ST 36 group (IV). Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was plasma levels of IL-17, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The IL-17 plasma level of the control group (I) was 136.13±45.45 pg/mL. In the asthma group (II) the IL-17 plasma level was increased significantly to 206.63±60.80 pg/mL ( p =0.004); and in the asthma and BL 13–treated group (III), IL-17 plasma level decreased nonsignificantly to 165.38±20.84 pg/mL ( p =0,171). In the the asthma and combination BL 13+ST 36–treated group (IV), IL-17 plasma level decreased significantly to 126±39.35 pg/mL ( p =0.001). Conclusions: Acupuncture at BL 13 does not decrease IL-17 significantly but a combination of acupuncture at BL 13 and ST 36 decreases plasma IL-17 significantly, as shown in a mice model of chronic asthma.
Nurwati et al. (Thu,) studied this question.