Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Level of Serum Interferon (IFN)-γ in BALB/c Model of Leishmania Major Infection

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Biology, School of Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic parasitic disease in Iran. Current treatments for the disease are not satisfying, have many side effects and are expensive. The healing effect of T-helper 1 (Th1) immune response, especially interferon (IFN)-γ secretion in CL has been previously documented. It has been shown that acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine, also might activate Th1 immune response. In this study, the effect of acupuncture on serum level of IFN-γ in experimental CL of BALB/c mice was investigated.Methods: 60 BALB/c mice were experimentally infected with Leishmania major and assigned randomly in to three groups: acupuncture treatment group which were given the acupuncture (thirty minutes daily, two days a week for 10 sessions) and intra-peritoneal diazepam, as a sedative agent; control group for diazepam which only received the diazepam; and a control group without any intervention. Serum level of IFN-γ was measured by means of ELISA at the beginning of the study and at sessions 5 and 10 of acupuncture treatment in three groups.Findings: The mean serum level of IFN-γ was not significantly different between and within the groups at the beginning and at the sessions 5 and 10 of the therapy.Conclusion: This investigation showed that acupuncture may not affect the serum level of IFN-γ in BALB/c model of CL. Moreover, diazepam does not interfere with the serum level of IFN-γ in such a study. Analysis of other immune factors and early measurement of IFN-γ in the course of treatment possibly may display the activated protective immune response against leishmaniasis by acupuncture.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 245 - Serial Number 245
May and June 2013
Pages 1077-1085

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 July 2013
  • Revise Date: 05 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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