INFLUENCE OF ACUPUNCTURE ON MATERNAL SERUM LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-8, PROSTAGLANDIN F-2ALPHA, AND BETA-ENDORPHIN - A MATCHED-PAIR STUDY

Objective: To measure the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-8, prostagl andin (PG) F-2 alpha, and beta-endorphin in parturients with acupunctu re treatment and in controls to clarify the effect of acupuncture and duration of labor on the serum levels of substances active in cervical ripening and dilatation. Methods: A matched pair study was performed involving 80 women with and without prenatal acupuncture treatment, ma tched for age and parity. Serum levels of IL-8, PGF(2 alpha), and beta -endorphin were measured in serum samples taken after delivery by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, enzyme immunoassay, and immunora diometric assay, respectively. Results: The mean difference in total d uration of labor between matched pairs with and without acupuncture wa s -136.5 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 191.1 minutes, -81.9 mi nutes; paired t test, P < .001). The mean difference of the duration o f the first and second stages of labor between matched pairs with and without acupuncture was -138.8 minutes (95% CI 188.6, -89.0 minutes; p aired t test, P < .001) and 2.3 minutes (95% CI 15.5, 20.1 minutes; pa ired t test, P = .8), respectively. The geometric means of ratios of I L-8, PGF(2 alpha), and beta-endorphin between matched pairs in women w ith and without acupuncture showed no statistically significant differ ences, Serum levels of IL-8, PGF(2 alpha), and beta-endorphin were not significantly correlated with the duration of the first and second st ages of labor. Conclusion: Prenatal acupuncture treatment significantl y reduces the duration of labor and may be a valuable tool in prenatal preparation. Serum levels of IL-8, PGF(2 alpha), and beta-endorphin a re not significantly influenced by acupuncture and are therefore not l ikely to mediate acupuncture-related effects during labor. (Obstet Gyn ecol 1998;92:245-8. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).