["Yingxiang" (LI2) acupoint injection alleviates nasal allergy symptoms in allergic rhinitis rats by regulating Treg/Th17 immune balance].

Researchers in China investigated whether acupoint injection therapy at the Yingxiang point (located beside the nostrils) could help relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms. They studied 24 rats with induced allergic rhinitis, dividing them into normal, untreated, and treatment groups. The treatment group received injections of a dexamethasone and lidocaine mixture at the Yingxiang acupoint once every three days for a total of four treatments.

The results showed significant improvements in the treated animals. Nasal allergy symptoms decreased substantially, and microscopic examination revealed reduced inflammation in the nasal passages. The researchers measured specific immune cells and proteins involved in allergic responses. They found that acupoint injection helped restore balance between two types of immune cells—regulatory T cells (Treg) and T-helper 17 cells (Th17)—which play opposing roles in controlling inflammation. The treatment reduced inflammatory markers like IL-17A and allergen-specific IgE, while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels.

Histological analysis showed that treated rats had healthier nasal tissue with properly arranged cells, intact cilia (tiny hair-like structures), and minimal inflammatory cell infiltration, compared to untreated animals whose nasal passages showed thickening, structural damage, and heavy inflammation.

While these findings are promising, this was an animal study using pharmaceutical injections at acupuncture points rather than traditional needle acupuncture alone. More research is needed to determine whether similar approaches would be effective and safe for human allergic rhinitis patients. If you're considering acupuncture for allergies, consult with a licensed acupuncturist experienced in treating respiratory conditions.

This study examined acupoint injection therapy at bilateral LI20 (Yingxiang) for allergic rhinitis using an ovalbumin-sensitized rat model (n=24, 8 per group). The intervention consisted of dexamethasone-lidocaine mixture (0.05 mL/point) administered every 3 days for 4 treatments total. Results demonstrated statistically significant improvements (P<0.01) across multiple parameters: reduced nasal symptom scores, decreased Th17/CD4+ T cell ratios, lowered serum sIgE and IL-17A levels, and reduced ROR-γt expression in nasal mucosa. Conversely, Treg/CD4+ ratios increased, along with serum IL-10 and nasal mucosal Foxp3 expression. Histopathological examination confirmed reduced inflammatory infiltration and improved epithelial integrity. The mechanism appears to involve restoration of Treg/Th17 immune balance and suppression of allergic inflammatory responses. Clinical translation requires caution given the pharmacological component and animal model limitations, though the findings support acupoint specificity for immune modulation in allergic rhinitis.