Shengqing Jiangzhuo acupuncture significantly improves gastrointestinal function and reduces inflammation in sepsis patients
Background
Sepsis-associated gastrointestinal dysfunction (SAGD) is a common and severe complication of sepsis, characterized by impaired gut motility, feeding intolerance, and increased permeability, significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality. Current conventional western medical treatments often fall short in fully restoring gut function and modulating the systemic inflammatory response effectively. Exploring complementary therapies like acupuncture, which can influence both gut motility and immune pathways, offers a promising avenue to address these critical gaps and improve patient outcomes in this challenging condition.
Study Design
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 96 patients with sepsis-associated gastrointestinal dysfunction. The observation group (48 cases) received Shengqing Jiangzhuo acupuncture (acupoints Zusanli (ST36), Neiguan (PC6), Taichong (LR3)) once daily for 7 days, in addition to conventional western medical treatment. The control group (48 cases) received sham acupuncture on non-acupoints, also once daily for 7 days, alongside conventional treatment. Researchers assessed acute gastrointestinal injury ultrasonography score (AGIUS), gastric residual volume (GRV), feeding intolerance, caloric intake, inflammatory markers (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, SII, WBC, PCT), and SOFA scores.
Results
Shengqing Jiangzhuo acupuncture significantly improved gastrointestinal function and reduced systemic inflammation. After 1 day of treatment, AGIUS in the observation group was lower than baseline (P<0.001). By 7 days, AGIUS in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group at 1, 3, and 7 days (P<0.001). Gastric residual volume (GRV) and incidence of feeding intolerance were also significantly lower in the observation group after 3 and 7 days (P<0.001). Daily caloric intake was higher after 3 days (P<0.001), and the time to reach target caloric intake was shorter (P<0.001) in the acupuncture group. Inflammatory markers showed a favorable shift: IL-10 was higher (P<0.001), while IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, SII, WBC, and PCT were all lower (P<0.001) compared to both baseline and the control group. The SOFA score, indicating organ dysfunction, was also significantly lower in the observation group after treatment (P<0.001).
Key Findings
- Shengqing Jiangzhuo acupuncture reduced acute gastrointestinal injury scores (
AGIUS) by 7 days vs. control (P<0.001). - Gastric residual volume (
GRV) and feeding intolerance were lower in the acupuncture group after 3 and 7 days (P<0.001). - Acupuncture increased
IL-10and decreasedIL-6,TNF-α,IL-17A,SII,WBC,PCT(P<0.001). - The
SOFAscore was significantly lower in the acupuncture group after treatment (P<0.001). - Acupuncture shortened time to reach target caloric intake (P<0.001) and increased daily caloric intake after 3 days (P<0.001).
Why It Matters
This study suggests that Shengqing Jiangzhuo acupuncture could be a valuable adjunctive therapy for sepsis-associated gastrointestinal dysfunction, potentially improving gut function and modulating the inflammatory response. For clinicians, integrating this specific acupuncture method might lead to better patient outcomes, including improved feeding tolerance and reduced systemic inflammation, which are critical in sepsis management. While a specific peptide is not involved, the findings highlight a non-pharmacological approach to enhance recovery. Further research is needed to standardize protocols and confirm these benefits in larger, multi-center trials, but the results offer a promising direction for improving supportive care in critically ill patients.
acupuncture
sepsis
gastrointestinal-dysfunction
inflammation
rct
critical-care