Protective Effect of Electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) on Neurotransmitters Catecholamines in Rats with Myocardial Hypertrophy / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss whether acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) inhibits myocardial hypertrophy via monoamine neurotransmitters.Method Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, a sham electroacupuncture (EA) group, and an EA group, 15 cases in each group. The rat models of myocardial hypertrophy were developed by subcutaneous injection of Isoprenaline hydrochloride (ISO) for 14 d. The EA group was intervened by EA at Neiguan (PC 6), and the sham EA group was by EA at a sham acupoint [5 mm away lateral to Neiguan (PC 6). The Electrocardiogram (ECG) of each group was recorded, electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the rats’ myocardial tissues, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was adopted to detect the contents of catecholamines in myocardial tissues.Result The heart rate, R-R interval, ST-elevation, and the contents of catecholamines in rats’ myocardial tissues (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) in the model group and sham EA group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). The heart rate, R-R interval, ST-elevation, and the contents of catecholamines in rats’ myocardial tissues (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) of the EA group were significantly different from that of the model group (P<0.05).Conclusion EA at Neiguan (PC 6) can improve myocardial hypertrophy, which is related to the regulation of the topical neurotransmitters; it has provided laboratory evidences for the relationship between Neiguan (PC 6) and heart, i.e. the relationship between acupoints and internal organs.