[Effect of warm-needle moxibustion intervention on immune function and intestinal flora in patients after colorectal cancer radical operation]

To explore the effect of warm-needle moxibustion (WNM) on the levels of T cell subgroups and serum inflammatory factors, intestinal microecological balance and postoperative adverse reactions in patients with colorectal cancer.

Eighty-four patients who underwent elective radical resection of colorectal cancer were randomly and equally divided into control (medication) group (23 men and 19 women) and WNM group (24 men and 18 women). Patients of the control group received conventional medication treatment (such as postoperative anti-infection and fluid supplementation), and those of the WNM group received conventional medication plus WNM stimulation (the acupuncture needle handle warmed by ignited moxa stick) of bilateral Zusanli(ST36), Sanyinjiao(SP6), Yinlingquan(SP9), Shangjuxu(ST37), and Zhaohai(KI6). The acupuncture needles were retained for 45 minutes every time, starting on the first day after surgery, once a day for 15 days. The number of T cell subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺) positive cells was counted under fluorescence microscope, and the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by using ELISA, and the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected by using immunoturbidimetry. The levels (logarithm of colony-forming units per gram of wet fecal weight) of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were determined. The adverse reactions (leukocyte decline, nausea and vomiting, peripheral phlebitis, cold stimulation sensitivity) were recorded after surgery.

Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of T cell subgroups, TNF-α and IL-6 contents, and intestinal flora numbers (P>0.05). After the treatment, self-comparison showed that the numbers of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ positive cells, the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and the intestinal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus levels in the WNM group were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas the number of CD8+positive cells, intestinal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus levels in the WNM group, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP in both groups were obviously decreased in comparison with their own pretreatment (P<0.05), but no significant changes were found in the levels of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ positive cells, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ and intestinal Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus in the control group (P>0.05). Comparison between two groups displayed that after the treatment, the numbers of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ positive cells, the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺, as well as the levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the WNM group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the number of CD8⁺ positive cells， TNF-a, IL-6 and CRP, and the levels of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were obviously lower in the WNM group than in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions including leukopenia, nausea and vomiting, peripheral phlebitis, and sensitivity to cold stimulation in the WNM group were markedly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).

WNM intervention can significantly improve the immune function, reduce the level of inflammatory factors, regulate the level of beneficial intestinal flora, and also reduce the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions in patients experiencing radical resection of colorectal cancer.