Scientists have discovered that acupuncture prevents toxins from damaging the lungs. In an incredible investigation, microphotographs reveal that bilateral electroacupuncture at acupoints ST36 and BL13 successfully protect the lungs from endotoxic shock when exposed to injurious toxic exposure. Immunofluorescence analysis reveals an important secret power of electroacupuncture; it stimulates an increase of Nrf2 nucleoproteins that are responsible for increased expression of protective antioxidant enzymes. Back shu points are shown in this image.

The study was well designed, controlled and randomized. Sham acupuncture did not protect the lungs and did not increase Nrf2 nucleoproteins. True acupuncture repeatedly demonstrated the ability to protect the lungs from damage and to increase Nrf2 expression. Critics have often argued that needle stimulation at random points achieves similar therapeutic effects as acupuncture through the placebo effect. Not so. The researchers have clearly demonstrated that true acupuncture prevents endotoxic shock, not sham acupuncture. They have proven this using microphotography, histopathological grading, blood analysis and measures of serum GPx, CAT, MDA, SOD, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and BALF. Western blot and real-time PCR confirm the findings with improved regulatory expression of HO-1 mRNA, Nrf2 total protein and Nrf2 nucleoprotein in lung tissue.

The results of lung protection were not only clinically significant, the researchers termed the protection afforded by acupuncture as "dramatic." The researchers administered electroacupuncture prior to lung toxin exposure in this laboratory experiment. The prophylactic acupuncture pre-treatments were administered with disperse-dense waves at 2 -15 Hz. Treatments were administered for a total of 15 minutes for 5 consecutive days prior to lung toxin exposure. Incredible immunofluorescence assays reveal that true acupuncture translocated Nrf2 from cytoplasm into the nucleus and sham acupuncture did not. Three independent experiments with ten controls verified the results. The rigors of this investigation leave no doubt. Acupuncture protects the lungs from toxin damage and now we know how.

In related news, researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School discovered that electroacupuncture controls inflammation and fights infections, including polymicrobial peritonitis. In a major discovery, the research team has proven that electroacupuncture reduces severe systemic inflammation due to infections, sepsis. Only true acupuncture worked and sham acupuncture had no effect on preventing death due to sepsis. True acupuncture successfully increased dopamine levels and regulated cytokine levels that produced anti-inflammatory effects thereby preventing death.

Sepsis is responsible for almost 10% of all deaths in the USA annually. Now, research proves that electroacupuncture helps to prevent sepsis. The researchers note that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture is "mediated by the sciatic and vagus nerves that modulates the production of catecholamines in the adrenal glands." The researchers note that "electroacupuncture is endorsed by the US National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. They add that there is "growing evidence supporting its effects in postoperative and stroke rehabilitation."

References:
Yu, Jian-bo, Jia Shi, Li-rong Gong, Shu-an Dong, Yan Xu, Yuan Zhang, Xin-shun Cao, and Li-li Wu. "Role of Nrf2/ARE Pathway in Protective Effect of Electroacupuncture against Endotoxic Shock-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rabbits." PLOS ONE 9, no. 8 (2014): e104924.

Rafael Torres-Rosas, Ghassan Yehia, Geber Pe?a, Priya Mishra, Maria del Rocio Thompson-Bonilla, Mario Adán Moreno-Eutimio, Lourdes Andrea Arriaga-Pizano, Armando Isibasi, Luis Ulloa. Dopamine mediates vagal modulation of the immune system by electroacupuncture. Nature Medicine, 2014; DOI: 10.1038/nm.3479.