摘要BACKGROUND: It is known that acupuncture therapy can decrease plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in patients with cerebral infarction, but different types of acupuncture therapy used in various stages of cerebral infarction have not been evaluated.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on resuscitation (Xingnao Kaicliao) and plasma NPY levels in patients with very early stage acute cerebral infarction.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This case-controlled study was performed at the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force between September 2004 and October 2005.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients with acute cerebral infarction of ≤ 6 hours were used in this study. Patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture therapy group (n = 30) and a routine treatment group (n = 30). Another 30 healthy subjects were used as the control group.METHODS: The acupuncture therapy of Xingnao Kaiqiao used in the acupuncture therapy group was based on routine western medical treatment and was performed at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) using the twirling, reinforcing-reducing method, Renzhong (DU26) using heavy bird-pecking needling, Sanyinjiao (SP6) using reinforcing and reducing by lifting and thrusting the needle, Jiquan (HT1), Weizhong (BL40) and Chize (LU5) using reinforcing and reducing by lifting and thrusting the needle. The acupuncture lasted for 14 days. Patients in the routine treatment group underwent routine medical treatment and no intervention was given to subjects in the control group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A 4 mL venous blood sample was obtained at different time points, I.e., immediately after hospitalization, the next morning, 7 and 14 days after treatment, to measure plasma NPY levels pre- and post-treatment using the radio-immunity method.RESULTS: The plasma NPY levels were significantly higher in both the routine treatment group and the acupuncture therapy group than in the control group pre- and post-treatment (P < 0.01). In particular, the plasma NPY levels in both the acupuncture therapy group and the routine treatment group were increased 7 days post-treatment but decreased from 7-14 days post-treatment. In addition, the plasma NPY levels were significantly lower in the acupuncture therapy group than in the routine treatment group on day 7 and 14 post-treatment (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Acupuncture therapy of Xingnao Kaiqiao can decrease plasma NPY levels in patients with very early stage acute cerebral infarction. In addition, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture with a prolonged therapy time is superior to routine treatment.