Effect of acupuncture on blood pressure: role of opioid peptides

ABSTRACT

The effect of electroacupuncture on experimentally norepinephrine induced hypertension was studied on albino rats. In normotensive rats no significant change was observed in blood pressure with acupuncture insertion. The effect on experimentally induced hypertensive rats was contrary. As while insertion of needle at St.36 point resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure, needle inserted at Go. 26 point resulted in a significant increase in blood pressure. Naloxone administration before acupuncture failed to inhibit its effects on blood pressure, indicating that acupuncture mediates its effects via opioid receptors other than mu receptors