Detail information
ID ENCL000173
Year 1983
Disease Addison Disease;Primary Adrenal Failure
Surgery Cholecystectomy;Ablation of cold thyroid nodules;Appendectomy
Experimental Description Sixteen patients, 9 males and 7 females aged 28 to 40 years entered this study. Five healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 38 years served as a control group. All the patients had been admitted to a surgical ward for neck or abdominal surgery (cholecystectomy, n =8; ablation of cold thyroid nodules,n =4;appendectomy,n =4).
Sample Count 16
Age 20-40
Control
Std
Placebo
EA plus saline (Group B)(n=5);control subjects (Group C)(n=5)
Experiment EA plus hydrocortisone (Group A)(n=6)
Indicator Immunoreactive β-endorphin Lipotrophin Adrenocorticotropic Hormone(ACTH)
Auxiliary Medication In no case was any pre-anaesthesia given. Six patients (4 males -including the patient with Addison's disease- and 2 females - Group A) received an iv bolus of 200 mg hydrocortisone at time -30 min; the others (Group B) received an iv bolus of normal saline. During surgery, all patients received 70% NO2, 30% O2 and common curare agents. In our studies, of which only some results are reported in the present paper, EA is given as a supportive analgesic tool to NO2. Under normal circumstances, the latter alone is unable to achieve and maintain surgical anaesthesia (Collins 1976) and is commonly used in association with other anaesthetics.
Stimulation Method EA
Induction Method
Electroacupuncture Instrument Model Manufacturer Frequency Waveform Strength Induction Time
- - 40 Hz - 10-20 mA 60 min

Acupuncture_Needle Needle_Manufacturer Needle_Depth
- - -

Description After collection of two baseline samples (-30 and 0 min) all the subjects were started on auricular EA (10-20 mA;40 Hz). EA was maintained throughout surgery which lasted for 60 min on average. EA was started in all subjects 45 min prior to skin incision; additional blood samples were obtained 30,45, 60 and 120 min following the beginning of EA. Healthy volunteers (Group C) were studied in exactly the same manner as group B; auricular electrodes were inserted but no electrical stimulation was given.
Anesthesia Method
AAA
Clinical Trial Type
Effector Auricular electroacupuncture (EA) increased plasma ACTH and b-endorphin levels significantly in 10 patients receiving EA as an analgesic aid during surgery. Pre-treatment with iv hydrocortisone (200 mg) completely suppressed both ACTH and β-endorphin release in response to EA without significantly affecting EA anaesthesia in 6 other patients and in a patient with Addison's disease.
Positive
Literature
PMID 6310920
Title Suppression of electroacupuncture(EA)-induced beta-endorphin and ACTH release by hydrocortisone in man. Absence of effects on EA-induced anaesthesia.
Abstract Auricular electroacupuncture (EA) increased plasma ACTH and beta-endorphin levels significantly in 10 patients receiving EA as an analgesic aid during surgery. Pre-treatment with iv hydrocortisone (200 mg) completely suppressed both ACTH and beta-endorphin release in response to EA without significantly affecting EA anaesthesia in 6 other patients and in a patient with Addison's disease.
Souce Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1983 Aug;103(4):469-72. doi: 10.1530/acta.0.1030469.