Neurobiological mechanisms invoking the release of endogenous opioids and @entity308 of stress hormone release are believed to be the basis of acupuncture analgesia. This study compared plasma @entity4545 and @entity701 levels with self assessment scores of intensity of @entity158 , before and after 10 days of electro-acupuncture treatment in @entity1 suffering from @entity1118 as a result of @entity571 knees. Forty @entity1 of either sex over 40 years with @entity626 were recruited into a single-blinded, sham-controlled study. For electro-acupuncture group the points were selected according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridian Theory. In the sham group needles were inserted at random points away from true acupoints and no current was passed. Both groups were treated for 10 days with one session every day lasting for 20-25min. Pre- and post-treatment Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of @entity571 knee and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for @entity158 were recorded and blood samples were taken for the measurement of plasma @entity701 and @entity4545 levels. Following electro-acupuncture treatment there was a significant improvement in WOMAC index and VAS (p=0.001), a significant rise in plasma @entity4545 (p=0.001), and a significant fall in plasma @entity701 (p=0.016). In conclusion electro-acupuncture resulted in an improvement in @entity158 , @entity2693 and disability. Of clinical importance is that an improvement in objective measures of @entity158 and stress/ @entity158 associated biomarkers was shown above that of a sham treatment; hence demonstrating acupuncture associated physiological changes beyond that of the placebo effects.

Clinical and endocrinological changes after electro-acupuncture treatment in XXXX with @entity571 of the knee.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity4545 :: ('5443', 'Gene') :: ['beta-endorphin'] @entity626 :: ('MESH:D020370', 'Disease') :: ['primary osteoarthritis knee'] @entity308 :: ('MESH:D003866', 'Disease') :: ['depression'] @entity571 :: ('MESH:D010003', 'Disease') :: ['osteoarthritis'] @entity701 :: ('MESH:D006854', 'Chemical') :: ['cortisol'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity1118 :: ('MESH:D059350', 'Disease') :: ['chronic pain'] @entity2693 :: ('MESH:C566112', 'Disease') :: ['stiffness']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
