Am J Chin Med. 1991 ; 19(2): 101-4.

Traditional acupuncture increases the content of beta-endorphin in immune cells and influences mitogen induced proliferation.

Bianchi M, Jotti E, Sacerdote P, Panerai AE.

Dept. Pharmacology, University of Milano, Niguarda Ca Granda Hospital, Italy.

We measured beta-endorphin concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mitogen-induced T-lymphocyte proliferation in patient who underwent treatment with traditional acupuncture. Traditional acupuncture increased both the concentrations of the opioid in the immune cells and lymphocyte proliferation. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that traditional acupuncture modulates immune responses in man.