Changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with colorectal cancer before and after acupoint catgut embedding acupuncture observation

Abstract

This study aims to explore changes in peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients before and after acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) acupuncture observation. Eighty CRC surgical patients who visited from April 2017 to May 2022 were selected as study samples using the convenience sampling method. Patients were randomly divided into a control group (n = 40, receiving conventional chemotherapy) and an observation group (n = 40, receiving 4 weeks of additional ACE acupuncture). The observation group showed higher rates of complete and partial remission compared to the control, though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The observation group experienced less reduction in CD³⁺, CD⁴⁺ T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells during chemotherapy. Compared with the control group, the percentage of CD³⁺ and CD⁴⁺ T cells in the observation group significantly increased after the intervention, while CD⁸⁺ T-cell levels decreased. The CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺ ratio was at a higher level, and the discrepancy was statistically obvious (P < 0.05). Acupuncture therapy can maintain the normal distribution of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations during chemotherapy in patients with CRC, thus better maintaining the immune status of patients.

Keywords: T lymphocytes; acupoint catgut embedding; colorectal cancer; immunoregulation.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1

Comparative results of clinical efficacy. Note: “ns” is P > 0.05.

Figure 2

Trend of T-lymphocyte changes in two groups of patients. Note: (a) CD³⁺ (%); (b) CD⁴⁺ (%); (c) CD⁸⁺ (%); and (d) NK cells (%).

Figure 3

Changes in CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺ in two groups of patients. Note: (a) is a comparison bar chart between CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺ groups and (b) line chart comparing CD⁴⁺/CD⁸⁺ groups.

Figure 4

Immune regulatory pathways of ACEAT on T lymphocytes and NK cells.