Study of Gua Sha's Effect on the Immune Functions of the Skin and the Body in Healthy Individuals

OBJECTIVE In this study， we investigate Gua Sha's therapeutic mechanism from immunological approaches. METHODS Gua Sha was performed on the back of Balb/c mice and the effects on the morphology of the skin tissue were observed using histological staining. Flow cytometry and ELISA were employed to determine the proportions of local immune active cells and local and systemic cytokine levels， respectively. Antigen-specific subtype antibody titers against intradermal and intranasal vaccines were utilized to assess Gua Sha treatment on the immunological functions of the skin locally and systematically. RESULTS Blood vessel expansion， erythrocyte extravasation and increased ratios of immune active cells were observed in the skin tissue following treatment， indicating an enhanced microcirculation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were found up-regulated， and immunosuppressive cytokines downregulated， in both treated and untreated skin areas. These showed that Gua Sha can cause local and systemic effects. Intradermal delivery of a model antigen following Gua Sha treatment induced about three-fold higher IgG titers with a more Th1-biased antibody subtype profile. CONCLUSION Gua Sha treatment can boost skin microcirculation， enhance and regulate the innate and adaptive immune functions of the skin， which contributes partially to its therapeutic effects.