Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture Improves Nasal Ventilation and Modulates Autonomic Nervous Activity in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Controlled Study

Kuiji Wang, Luquan Chen, Yang Wang, Chengshuo Wang, Luo Zhang, Kuiji Wang, Luquan Chen, Yang Wang, Chengshuo Wang, Luo Zhang

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effects of Sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) acupuncture on nasal ventilation function and autonomic nervous system in health volunteers. 39 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to either active SPG acupuncture group (AA group) or sham-SPG acupuncture group (SA group). All subjects were assessed for self-reported nasal ventilation, nasal patency (nasal airway resistance (NAR) and nasal cavity volume (NCV), exhaled nasal nitric oxide (nNO), and neuropeptides (substance P(SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY)) in nasal secretions at baseline, 30 minutes, 2 hours, and 24 hours after acupuncture. Significantly more subjects in AA group reported improvements in nasal ventilation at all time points after acupuncture, compared to SA group. NAR and NCV were also significantly lower in AA group than SA group. The level of nNO in AA group was significantly decreased after 24 hours compared to SA group. The level of NPY was significantly increased in AA group at 30 minutes and 2 hours compared to baseline and SA group. The levels of SP and VIP were not significantly different in the two groups. We concluded that SPG acupuncture could help to improve nasal ventilation by increasing sympathetic nerve excitability in healthy volunteers.

Figures

Figure 1. Study flow-chart.
Figure 1. Study flow-chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Site of acupuncture in sphenopalatine ganglion(yellow arrow); (B) High resolution CT scan of pterygopalatine fossa in coronal plane after the acupuncture showing needle penetration intopterygopalatine fossa(yellow arrows).
Figure 3. The change in intensity of…
Figure 3. The change in intensity of pain, nasal patency and exhaled nasal nitric oxide, following acupuncture.
(A) The intensity of the pain induced by acupuncture; (B) NAR: Total nasal airway resistance at 75 Pa (Pa·cm−3·s−1); (C) NCV: Total nasal cavity volume from 0–5 cm from the nostril (cm3); (D) nNO: exhaled nasal nitric oxide (ppb). Data are presented as mean ± SEM values. The differences in NAR, NCV and nNO were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures between the two groups. The intensity of pain was calculated and compared between the groups by independent-samples t test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.
Figure 4. The change in the level…
Figure 4. The change in the level of neuropeptides in nasal secretion, following acupuncture.
(A) SP: substance P (pg/ml); (B) VIP: vasoactive intestinal peptide (ng/ml); (C) NPY: neuropeptide Y (pg/ml). Data are presented as mean ± SEM values. The differences of SP, VIP and NPY were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures between the two groups. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.

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