Evaluation of eosinophil, immune-globulin E and Interleukin 6 levels in bronchial asthmatic children after management with needle and laser acupuncture

Background/aim
Bronchial asthma is a disabling disease causing interruption with the daily activities of children. Acupuncture proved to be beneficial in improving the symptoms of the disease and decreasing the dose of conventional medications that must be taken and may have serious side effects. This study aims to evaluate the variations of some inflammatory and immunity markers such as Eosinophil, immune-globulin E (IgE), and Interleukin 6 (IL6) in bronchial asthmatic children after treatment with needle and laser acupuncture.
Patients and methods
In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we included 75 patients divided into three groups. Each group has 25 children. The patients in the first group received laser sessions three times a week for 4 weeks. Those in the second group were treated by needle acupuncture during the same period of time, while the children in third group received only conventional medications and were used as control. Complete blood cell count, which reveals eosinophilic count, was determined, as well as serum IgE and IL6 were measured using Elisa techniques at baseline and after one month of treatment.
Results
All the patients in the three groups showed significant improvement concerning their symptoms and laboratory parameters number of attacks/week and night awakens/month all decrease significantly (P<0.001) also IgE (P<0.001) after 1 month of treatment with needle or laser. However, children receiving needle and laser sessions showed more significant improvement (P<0.05) than the control group, with no differences between the two groups. White blood cells, eosinophils, IgE, IL 6 were statistically decreased (P<0.05) after the end of the sessions.
Conclusion
Needle and laser acupuncture proved efficient in relieving the symptoms of the bronchial asthma in children more than conventional medications alone, as well as Eosinophil, IgE, and IL6 levels were significantly decreased after the treatment.