The effects of acupuncture and methylprednisolone on cortisol levels in mice with lupus nephritis model

Context: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the involvement of multisystemic and diverse autoantibodies in target cell components. One clinical manifestation of SLE is lupus nephritis. Acupuncture is one therapeutic method based on the philosophy of self-healing potential, the ability of the body to heal itself. Aims: To measure the therapeutic effects of acupuncture points of Mingmen (GV4) and Zusanli (ST36) along with methylprednisolone in mice with lupus nephritis model by comparing cortisol levels. Methods: This study was an experimental study on mice (Mus musculus) modeled with lupus nephritis using post-test only on a control group design. The subjects were assigned into four groups, each with seven mice, consisting of the control group (CN), the negative control group administered with pristane (C(-)), the first test group treated with both pristane and methylprednisolone (P1), and second test group administered with pristane and acupuncture in Mingmen and Zusanli points. The significance level was determined to be less than 0.05. Results: A statistically significant difference occurred between groups in this investigation, as demonstrated by a one-way ANOVA test (F=11.710, p=0.000). A Tukey post hoc test showed that the mice treated with pristane (C(-)) displayed higher cortisol than the other groups: P1 group (p=0.000), P2 group (p=0.025), and the control group (CN group) (p=0.000). However, no significant difference was displayed in the control group (CN) with P1 (p=0.888), the control group (CN) with P2 (0.112), and between the P1 and P2 groups (p=0.374). Conclusion: Significantly, there was a difference between the group of mice given pristane (C(-)) and the one treated with pristane and methylprednisolone (P1), and the pristane and acupuncture (P2) group, with the control group (CN). Acupuncture had an equal effect on cortisol levels with methylprednisolone in mice models of lupus nephritis.