ABSTRACT
Objective:To observer the effect of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" acupoints of the Pericardium Meridian and observe the expression of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and apoptosis in the myocardial ischemic rats with reperfused injury.Methods:The Wister rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, Acupuncture Neiguan group, Acupuncture Ximen group and Acupuncture Hegu group, with 10 rats in each group. Exceptthe sham operation group, the othergroups were all ligated with the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Before ligating the coronary artery, electroacupuncture was performed at "Neiguan", "Ximen" and "Hegu" points for 20 minutes respectively. After the ligation for 40 minutes, electroacupuncture was performed at the above points for 20 minutes and then restore coronary perfusion for 60 minutes. The ECG changes of rats were recorded. The level of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL. The correlation between the expression rate of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA and the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes was analyzed according to the pearson correlation.Results:At 20, 40 and 60 min after the ligation of coronary artery and 30 and 60 min after the loosening of coronary artery, compared with the model group and Acupuncture Hegu group, the ST segment difference of Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group was decreased ( P<0.01); The levels of CaMK Ⅱ mRNA (0.483 ± 0.050, 0.432 ± 0.079 vs. 0.935 ± 0.109) in Acupuncture Neiguan group and Acupuncture Ximen group were significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes (10.86% ± 2.17%, 9.66% ± 4.09% vs. 36.22% ± 1.69%) significantly decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusions:There is a positive correlation between CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Acupuncture can effectively reduce CaMK Ⅱ mRNA level and cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and protect cardiomyocytes.