Biomedical subjects

T Lundeberg

Publications and source records attributed to T Lundeberg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia induced by intramuscular injection of serotonin in patients with fibromyalgia and healthy individuals.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of injection of serotonin (5-HT) into the masseter muscle on pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia. Twelve female patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 12 age-matched female healthy individuals (HI) participated in the study. The current pain intensity (CPI) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the superficial masseter muscles were assessed bilaterally. 5-HT in one of three randomized concentrations (10(-3), 10(-5), 10(-7) M) or isotonic saline was then injected into either of the two masseter muscles in a double-blind manner. After the injections the CPI and PPT were recorded ten times during 30 min. The injections were repeated twice with the other concentrations of 5-HT after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. In the FM-group there was a non-significant increase of CPI after injection that lasted during the entire 30-min period irrespective of whether 5-HT or saline was injected. Neither did the PPT change significantly. In the HI-group pain developed significantly after injection irrespective of whether 5-HT or saline was injected, but significantly more so after 5-HT at 10(-3) M than saline injection. CPI decreased quickly and then remained on a very low level for most of the experiment. 5-HT at both 10(-5) M and 10(-3) M caused a significantly greater decrease of PPT than saline. In conclusion, our results show that 5-HT injected into the masseter muscle of healthy female subjects elicits pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia, while no such responses occur in patients with fibromyalgia.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Antinociceptive role of galanin in periaqueductal grey of rats with experimentally induced mononeuropathy.

The present study was performed in rats with experimentally induced mononeuropathy after left common sciatic nerve ligation. The hindpaw withdrawal latencies to thermal and mechanical stimulation increased significantly after intra-periaqueductal grey injection of 2 or 3nmol, but not 1nmol of galanin in rats with mononeuropathy. Intraperitoneal administration of 4.5mg/kg morphine induced significant increases in hindpaw withdrawal latencies to both noxious stimulation, which were attenuated by following intra-periaqueductal grey injection of 2nmol of the galanin antagonist galantide. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect induced by intra-periaqueductal grey injection of 26.6nmol of morphine was attenuated significantly by following intra-periaqueductal gray administration of 2nmol of galantide. The results demonstrated that in periaqueductal grey galanin plays an antinociceptive role in rats with mononeuropathy and galanin is involved in the mechanisms of opioid-induced antinociception.

Analgesics↗

PubMed2000

Cholecystokinin-8 enhances nerve growth factor synthesis and promotes recovery of capsaicin-induced sensory deficit.

Alterations of nerve growth factor (NGF) expression have been demonstrated during peripheral nerve disease and the impaired expression or synthesis and transportation of NGF has been correlated with the pathogenesis of several peripheral neuropathies. Since exogenous NGF administration seems to cause undesired side-effects, therapeutical strategies based on the regulation of endogenous synthesis of NGF could prove useful in the clinical treatment of these disorders. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of exogenous peripheral administration of the neuropeptide cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) on endogenous NGF synthesis, NGF mRNA and distribution of peripheral neuropeptides which are known to be regulated by this neurotrophin. To address these questions we studied the effects of capsaicin (CAPS) before and after the administration of CCK-8 on NGF levels, NGF mRNA expression and localization, and the concentration of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in peripheral tissue These studies demonstrate that administration of the CCK-8 induces an increase of NGF protein and mRNA in peripheral tissue. NGF level in paw skin of CAPS/CCK-8-treated mice is 3 fold higher than in controls (1241+/-110 pg gr(-1) of tissue wet weight versus 414+/-110 pg gr(-1) of controls) and nearly 6 fold higher than in CAPS-treated mice (1241+/-110 pg gr(-1) versus 248+/-27 pg gr(-1)). The increase of NGF is correlated with the recovery of impaired nocifensive behaviour and with an overexpression of SP and CGRP. The evidence that CCK-8 promotes the recovery of sensory deficits suggests a potential clinical use for this neuropeptide in peripheral neuropathies.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Exogenous cholecystokinin-8 reduces vagal efferent nerve activity in rats through CCK(A) receptors.

It has been proposed that the vagus nerve plays a role in mediating cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) effect on such gastric functions as motility, emptying and gastric acid secretion. To examine the contribution of the efferent pathways in realizing these effects, efferent mass activity in the ventral gastric vagal nerve in Sprague-Dawley rats was recorded. Intravenous infusion of CCK-8 (0.1-1 nmol) suppressed the efferent activity. The effect of CCK-8 was significantly reduced in animals with total subdiaphragmatic vagotomy in comparison to those with partial vagotomy. Intravenous infusion of CCK(A) receptor antagonist L-364,718 (1-100x10(-6) g) blocked the response of vagal efferent activity to 0.1 nmol CCK-8, but the CCK(B) receptor antagonist L-365,260 (1-100x10(-6) g) did not in the conditions of either partial or total vagotomy. Intracisternal infusion of L-364,718 (1x10(-6) g) blocked the response of vagal efferent activity to 0.1 nmol CCK-8 i.v. Infusion of exogenous CCK-8 did not affect the activity of supradiaphragmatic vagal afferents. The results suggest that the effect of systemically administered CCK-8 on vagal efferent activity is mediated by both peripherally (subdiaphragmatically) and centrally localized CCK(A) receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Neuronal mechanisms contribute to corticotropin-releasing factor-induced anti-oedema effect in the rat hind paw.

The present study is designed to elucidate the involvement of neuronal mechanisms in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-induced anti-oedema effects. Oedema was induced in the rat hind paw by subcutaneous injection of 3 nmol of serotonin (5-HT). A single dose of CRF (9.4, 37.5 or 75 pmol) was given either ipsilaterally or contralaterally 30 min before 5-HT injection and oedema formation was subsequently measured every 30 min for 5.5 h. Compared to saline pre-treatment CRF (37.5 pmol) reduced oedema formation for 3.5 h when given ipsilaterally, and at 1.5 h (9.33, 37.5 and 75 pmol) when injected contralaterally. Administration of CRF along with CRF receptor antagonist, alpha-helical CRF, abolished the anti-oedema effects of CRF. Sciatic nerve ligation on the injected side attenuated the ipsilateral CRF-induced anti-oedema effect when compared with saline pre-treatment and sham-operated rats. Ipsilateral pre-treatment with 37.5 pmol of CRF caused a reduction in hind paw temperature compared to treatment with saline. Results of the present study indicate that the nervous system contributes to CRF effects in 5-HT-induced oedema formation.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Contralateral but not systemic administration of bupivacaine reduces acute inflammation in the rat hindpaw.

The effects of contralateral treatment with local anesthetics following acute hindpaw inflammation were investigated in rats. Inflammation was induced by unilateral injection of either 50 or 100 microl of 1% carrageenan into the right paw. Contralateral injection of either bupivacaine or saline was given immediately before the carrageenan. Hindpaw edema and withdrawal responses to thermal and mechanical stimulation were evaluated after 3, 6 and 24h. The results showed that the pro-inflammatory effects of carrageenan were strongest at 6 h after the injection of 100 microl carrageenan with bilaterally decreased withdrawal latencies and ipsilateral edema formation. Contralateral treatment with bupivacaine (1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/ml) dose-dependently reduced nociceptive behavior for 3-24h. The edema was also reduced at 6h. No effects on pain-related behavior were observed following systemic administration of bupivacaine. Sciatic nerve ligation on the contralateral side or intrathecal administration of saline significantly reduced the effects of bupivacaine when respectively compared with sham-operation and subcutaneous saline injection. Contralateral treatment with bupivacaine into the knee joint induced the same anti-nociceptive effect as administered into the paw. Our findings indicate that contralateral administration of bupivacaine induces long-lasting anti-nociceptive effects and may serve as a new or complementary treatment approach in acute inflammatory pain conditions.

Anesthetics, Local↗

PubMed2000

Effects of electro-acupuncture on nerve growth factor and ovarian morphology in rats with experimentally induced polycystic ovaries.

Despite extensive research on the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is still disagreement on the underlying mechanisms. The rat model for experimentally induced polycystic ovaries (PCO)-produced by a single injection of estradiol valerate-has similarities with human PCOS, and both are associated with hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known to serve as a neurotrophin for both the sympathetic and the sensory nervous systems and to enhance the activity of catecholaminergic and possibly other neuron types. Electro-acupuncture (EA) is known to reduce hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. For these reasons, the model was used in the present study to investigate the effects of EA (12 treatments, approximately 25 min each, over 30 days) by analyzing NGF in the central nervous system and the endocrine organs, including the ovaries. The main findings in the present study were first, that significantly higher concentrations of NGF were found in the ovaries and the adrenal glands in the rats in the PCO model than in the control rats that were only injected with the vehicle (oil or NaCl). Second, that repeated EA treatments in PCO rats resulted in concentrations of NGF in the ovaries that were significantly lower than those in non-EA-treated PCO rats but were within a normal range that did not differ from those in the untreated oil and NaCl control groups. The results in the present study provide support for the theory that EA inhibits hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed2000

Long-term follow-up of patients treated with acupuncture for xerostomia and the influence of additional treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term effects of acupuncture in patients with xerostomia of different etiologies and the influence of additional treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SUBJECTS: Seventy patients, between the ages of 33 and 82, with xerostomia due to primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome, irradiation and other causes were included. The median duration of xerostomia was 32 months. METHODS: Salivary flow rates (SFR) for whole unstimulated and stimulated saliva were used as indicators of effects of treatment. Data from 67/70 patients were analyzed 6 months following a baseline course of 24 acupuncture treatments using two-way ANOVA. Patients data up to 3 years were also compared by those who chose to receive additional acupuncture treatment vs those who did not. These data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates (P < 0.01) were found in all etiological groups after 24 acupuncture treatments and up to 6 months follow-up compared to baseline. Three years observation of these patients showed that patients receiving additional acupuncture treatment had a consistently higher median SFR in both unstimulated and stimulated saliva compared to patients who chose not to continue acupuncture. The upper limits of the interquartile range were also higher. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that acupuncture treatment results in statistically significant improvements in SFR in patients with xerostomia up to 6 months. It suggests that additional acupuncture therapy can maintain this improvement in SFR for up to 3 years.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed2000

Effects of electro-acupuncture on anovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate if electro-acupuncture (EA) could affect oligo-/anovulation and related endocrine and neuroendocrine parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Twenty-four women (between the ages of 24 and 40 years) with PCOS and oligo-/amenorrhea were included in this non-randomized, longitudinal, prospective study. The study period was defined as the period extending from 3 months before the first EA treatment, to 3 months after the last EA treatment (10-14 treatments), in total 8-9 months. The menstrual and ovulation patterns were confirmed by recording of vaginal bleedings and by daily registrations of the basal body temperature (BBT). Blood samples were collected within a week before the first EA, within a week after the last EA and 3 months after EA. RESULTS: Nine women (38%) experienced a good effect. They displayed a mean of 0.66 ovulations/woman and month in the period during and after the EA period compared to a mean of 0.15 before the EA period (p=0.004). Before EA, women with a good effect had a significantly lower body-mass index (BMI) (p<0.001), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR) (p=0.0058), serum testosterone concentration (p=0.0098), serum testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ratio (p=0.011) and serum basal insulin concentration (p=0.0054), and a significantly higher concentration of serum SHBG (p=0.040) than did those women with no effect. CONCLUSION: Repeated EA treatments induce regular ovulations in more than one third of the women with PCOS. The group of women with good effect had a less androgenic hormonal profile before treatment and a less pronounced metabolic disturbance compared with the group with no effect. For this selected group EA offers an alternative to pharmacological ovulation induction.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Plasma and serum serotonin levels and their relationship to orofacial pain and anxiety in fibromyalgia.

AIMS: Serum serotonin levels (S-5-HT) have been reported to be reduced in patients with fibromyalgia and to show a negative correlation with pain. We hypothesized that one mechanism behind this could be that platelets are activated to release 5-HT into the plasma compartment (P-5-HT), which then binds to nociceptors. The aims of this study were therefore to investigate the relation between P-5-HT and S-5-HT and their relationship versus orofacial pain and anxiety in fibromyalgia. METHODS: Twelve patients with fibromyalgia, 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 12 healthy individuals participated in the study. Pain measures used were pain intensity assessed with a visual analog scale, pain drawings, and influence of pain on daily living activities (ADL). The Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale was used for self-rating of anxiety levels. The participants were examined clinically, and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the masseter muscle was assessed. Finally, venous blood was collected for analysis of P-5-HT and S-5-HT. RESULTS: The ratio between P-5-HT and S-5-HT was calculated to determine the relative plasma fraction of serotonin (RPS). Patients with fibromyalgia showed significantly lower S-5-HT than did patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They also showed significantly higher STAI scores and tender point index of orofacial muscles and significantly lower PPT than the healthy individuals. High RPS was associated with high ADL and STAI scores. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a high level of plasma serotonin in relation to serum level is associated with pain discomfort and increased anxiety in fibromyalgia.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1999

Altered levels of neuropeptides characterize the brain of lupus prone mice.

It has been reported that more than 50% of lupus patients show various forms of neurological deficits including impaired cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders. Using an animal model of lupus we investigated the production of neuropeptides in the brain of NZB/W F1 female hybrid mice and its parental strain NZB and NZW. Our results indicate that the alteration in learning and memory described in lupus mice are paralleled by a decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in the hippocampus and a significant decrease of NPY in the cortex. These findings are interesting in the light of previously reported results suggesting that these neuropeptides can play an important role in cognitive functions. We also observed a decrease of NPY and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels in the hypothalamus of lupus prone mice and these changes may be related to the disregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in lupus prone mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Sensory stimulation (massage) reduces blood pressure in unanaesthetized rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate how sensory stimulation by massage-like stroking influences blood pressure and heart rate in conscious rats. Also, the influence of different locations and durations of the stimulation were assessed. For this purpose, the ventral side of the abdomen or the dorsal side of the back was manually stroked at a speed of approximately 20 cm/s, with a frequency of 0.67 Hz and at an estimated pressure of 100 mm H2O. During the treatment, the rats were held across the scapula and the neck region. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured with the cuff technique before treatment and repeatedly during the post-stimulatory period. Massage-like stroking for 5 min of the abdominal area produced a maximum decrease of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min in heart rate. This reduction remained significant at 3 and 4 h after stimulation, respectively. Stimulation of the abdominal area for 2 min produced a less pronounced decrease in blood pressure as compared to the 5-min stroking. Stroking of the back resulted in a short-lasting blood pressure increase that gradually returned to the baseline level within the post-stimulatory observation time. Control animals that were handled in the same way as the experimental animals except for the stroking showed an increase of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min for about 1 h after the cessation of the handling. The responses of the blood pressure and heart rate to both abdominal and back massage were significantly inhibited as compared to the control animals. These results suggest that massage-like stroking of the skin produces an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular excitatory responses in rats. Especially, the results of the present study demonstrate that massage-like stroking of the abdomen reduces both blood pressure and heart rate below the pre-stimulus baseline levels.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1999

Oxytocin enhances the effects of clonidine on blood pressure and locomotor activity in rats.

Oxytocin treatment decreases blood pressure and changes the pattern of spontaneous motor activity. The aim of this study was to explore if alpha 2-adrenoreceptors that are involved in the regulation of blood pressure and spontaneous motor activity are influenced by oxytocin treatment. For this purpose, male rats were pretreated with oxytocin (1 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.)) or saline once a day during 5 days. Clonidine (alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist) decreased blood pressure (2.5 microg/kg intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and 100 microg/kg s.c.) and changed spontaneous motor activity (100 microg/kg s.c.), observed in an open field arena, significantly more in oxytocin pretreated rats compared to saline pretreated controls (P < 0.05). In contrast, idazoxan (alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist) (50 microg/kg i.c.v.) caused a significantly smaller elevation of blood pressure in the oxytocin pretreated rats (P < 0.05). In addition, the effect on blood pressure of an alpha 1-adrenoreceptor agonist, phenylephrine, was evaluated. It increased blood pressure equally in the oxytocin- and saline pretreated rats. The present study shows that subchronic oxytocin treatment increases the effects of clonidine on blood pressure and spontaneous motor activity in rats. These findings imply that alpha 2-adrenoreceptors are involved in the effects of oxytocin treatment on blood pressure and spontaneous motor activity.

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists↗

PubMed1999

Calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 inhibits the evoked discharge frequency of wide dynamic range neurons in dorsal horn of the spinal cord in rats.

The present study was performed to explore the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 (CGRP8-37) on the electrical stimulation-evoked discharge frequency of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in rats. The discharge frequencies of WDR neurons were evoked by transdermic electrical stimulation applied on the ipsilateral hindpaw. CGRP8-37 was applied directly on the dorsal surface of the L3 to L5 spinal cord. After the administration of 3 nmol of CGRP8-37, the evoked discharge frequency of WDR neurons decreased significantly, an effect lasting more than 30 min. The results indicate that CGRP receptors play an important role in the transmission of presumed nociceptive information in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Intra-periaqueductal grey injection of galanin increases the nociceptive response latency in rats, an effect reversed by naloxone.

The nociceptive response latencies were increased significantly after intra-periaqueductal grey (PAG) administration of 1.0 or 3.0 nmol of galanin, but not 0.3 nmol, in rats. The effect of galanin was attenuated by following injection of 5.5 nmol of naloxone into PAG. These results indicate an anti-nociceptive role of galanin, and a possible interaction between galanin and opioid peptides in PAG in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Cholecystokinin-8 protects central cholinergic neurons against fimbria-fornix lesion through the up-regulation of nerve growth factor synthesis.

In this study, we demonstrate that cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) induces an increase in both nerve growth factor (NGF) protein and NGF mRNA in mouse cortex and hippocampus when i.p. injected at physiological doses. By using fimbria-fornix-lesioned mice, we have also demonstrated that repeated CCK-8 i.p. injections result in recovery of lesion-induced NGF deficit in septum and restore the baseline NGF levels in hippocampus and cortex. Parallel to the effects on NGF, CCK-8 increases choline acetyltransferase (Chat) activity in forebrain when injected in unlesioned mice and counteract the septo-hippocampal Chat alterations in fimbria-fornix-lesioned mice. To assess the NGF involvement in the mechanism by which CCK-8 induces brain Chat, NGF antibody was administrated intracerebrally to saline- and CCK-8-injected mice. We observe that pretreatment with NGF antibody causes a marked reduction of NGF and Chat activity in septum and hippocampus of both saline- and CCK-8-injected mice. This evidence indicates that the CCK-8 effects on cholinergic cells are mediated through the synthesis and release of NGF. Taken together, our results suggest that peripheral administration of CCK-8 may represent a potential experimental model for investigating the effects of endogenous NGF up-regulation on diseases associated with altered brain cholinergic functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Response of the gastric vagal afferent activity to cholecystokinin in rats lacking type A cholecystokinin receptors.

A systemic administration of cholecystokinin (CCK) increases gastric vagal afferent activity via type A CCK receptors (CCKAR). In the present study, the response of gastric vagal afferent activity to an intravenous administration of CCK was investigated in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, which lack CCKAR, and compared with its control strain, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. The intravenous administration of 300 pmol kg(-1) and 3 nmol kg(-1) of CCK elicited dose-dependent increases in the gastric vagal afferent activity in LETO rats. The responses were not influenced by the pretreatment with L-365,260, a type B CCK receptor (CCKBR) antagonist, while they were significantly diminished by pretreatment with MK-329, a CCKAR antagonist. After pretreatment with MK-329, 3 nmol kg(-1) (but not 300 pmol kg(-1)) of CCK still elicited a small but significant increase in the activity. In the OLETF rats, both 300 pmol kg(-1) and 3 nmol kg(-1) of CCK produced small increases in the vagal afferent activity, and the responses were not influenced by pretreatment with either L-365,260 or MK-329. In addition, the systemic administration of CCK did not change gastric motility in the OLETF rats, indicating that the response of the vagal afferent activity in OLETF rats was independent of the gastric motility change. These results demonstrate that neither CCKAR nor CCKBR contributes to the response of the afferent activity of the gastric vagal nerve to a systemic administration of CCK in OLETF rats, suggesting an involvement of novel (non-A, non-B) CCK receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Prognostic value of the pilocarpine test to identify patients who may obtain long-term relief from xerostomia by acupuncture treatment.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a clinical symptom due to a number of factors, including Sjögren syndrome and radiation treatment to the head and neck region. It has been reported that acupuncture increases the salivary flow rate (SFR) in healthy subjects and in patients with xerostomia. A prognostic tool that would allow the care provider to identify patients who may respond to acupuncture treatment will aid in early intervention and thus lead to normalized SFR or relief of symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic value of a test using pilocarpine chloride to identify those patients with xerostomia who may achieve a long-term increase in SFR in response to acupuncture. DESIGN: Cohort clinical study of 10 months' duration. SETTING: School of dentistry in a large, urban, research institute. PATIENTS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with xerostomia due to radiation treatment (n = 21) or Sjögren syndrome (n=11). INTERVENTION: Salivary flow rates for unstimulated whole saliva and paraffin-chewing stimulated whole saliva were measured before and after the administration of individualized doses of pilocarpine. All patients were then given 24 acupuncture treatments and followed up at 1 and 6 months. The effects of acupuncture treatment on SFR were recorded and response compared with the results of the pilocarpine test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the pilocarpine test based on changes in SFR, defined as a 20% increase or greater, following acupuncture treatment, compared with response to the pilocarpine test. RESULTS: At the 1-month follow-up, 18 (72%) of 25 patients with a positive pilocarpine test result had defined significant changes in SFR; 4 (67%) of 6 patients with a negative pilocarpine test result had an unchanged SFR. At this point, the sensitivity of the pilocarpine test was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.99) and the specificity was 0.36 (95% CI, 0.11-0.69). The positive predictive value was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.51-0.88), and the negative predictive value was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.22-0.96). At the 6-month follow-up, 17 (74%) of 23 patients with a positive pilocarpine test result had defined significant changes in SFR; 3 (60%) of 5 patients with a negative pilocarpine test result had an unchanged SFR. At this point, the sensitivity of the pilocarpine test was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.67-0.99), and the specificity was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.07-0.70). The positive predictive value was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.52-0.90), and the negative predictive value was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.15-0.95). CONCLUSION: The pilocarpine test was found to have a high sensitivity and good positive predictive value in identifying patients who may respond to acupuncture for the treatment of xerostomia.

Acupuncture Therapy↗