Protective effect of electroacupuncture at the Neiguan point in a rabbit model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate possible cardioprotective mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Neiguan point and at the Lieque point in the presence of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Methods: The changes in ventricular tissue Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity were examined, as well as beta-endorphin (β-EP) content in a rabbit model of MIRI. Four randomized groups were studied: sham, untreated MIRI, MIRI followed by EA at the Neiguan point, and MIRI followed by EA at the Lieque point. The MIRI model involved ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by a 60 min postischemia reperfusion period. Results: EA at the Neiguan point dramatically decreased the number of apoptotic cells and the content of β-EP and MDA, and inhibited Bax protein expression while enhancing Bcl-2 expression and GSH-PX activity. Furthermore, EA enhanced Bcl-2 expression and GSH-PX activity. Lesser effects were elicited by EA at the Lieque point. Conclusions: The cardioprotective effects of applying EA at the Neiguan point on MIRI include reducing apoptosis, regulating apoptosis-controlling genes, and decreasing myocardial MDA and β-EP while enhancing GSH-PX activity. © 2009 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved.