[Effect of acupuncture combined with medicine on neuropeptide Y in the patient of hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To search for a method for increasing therapeutic effect on hypertension and study on the mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-five cases were randomly divided into the treatment group (n=45) treated by acupuncture plus medicine, and the control group (n=30) treated by medicine. Their blood pressure and plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) before and after treatment were investigated. RESULTS: Blood pressure and NPY content in both the two groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and the treatment group in decreasing blood pressure and NPY content was superior to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and medicine have cooperation in treatment of hypertension, which is performed possibly through decreasing NPY.