[Acupuncture regulates the Th17/Treg axis for chronic spontaneous urticaria: a randomized controlled trial].

What was studied

This trial tested acupuncture for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). People with CSU were put into 2 groups of 40 by chance. One group had acupuncture at set body points. Each session took 30 minutes, 3 times a week. The other group took ebastine tablets, 10 mg once a day. Treatment lasted 8 weeks in both groups. The team scored skin signs, daily life and anxiety. They also checked immune cells and immune signals in the blood.

What they found

In each group, 2 people dropped out. Skin, daily life and anxiety scores fell in both groups. After treatment, these scores were lower in the acupuncture group. Th17 cells and the Th17/Treg ratio went down in both groups. Blood levels of IL-17 and IL-23 also went down. After treatment, these were lower with acupuncture than with the drug. Treg cells, IL-10 and IL-35 went up in both groups. After treatment, these were higher in the acupuncture group.

What it means for patients

The authors say acupuncture can ease the signs of CSU. They think it may work by shifting the balance of Th17 and Treg cells. This is the view of the authors, based on this one trial.

Why it is not certain yet

Each group had 40 people at the start. The abstract does not say how long the effects lasted after 8 weeks. It does not report any side effects. It does not say if people or staff knew which group was which. The link to immune cells is a possible way it works. It is not shown for sure.

Source

[Acupuncture regulates the Th17/Treg axis for chronic spontaneous urticaria: a randomized controlled trial].

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