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

## TL;DR

This study examines how acupuncture affects T-lymphocyte levels in colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy.

## Contribution

The study shows that acupuncture helps preserve immune cell levels during chemotherapy in CRC patients.

## Key findings

- Acupuncture group had less reduction in CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes during chemotherapy.
- CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly higher in the acupuncture group after treatment.
- Acupuncture may help maintain immune status in CRC patients undergoing chemotherapy.

## 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.