The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Plasma Fibrinogen Levels in Restraint Stress Wistar Rats

Abstract

Objective: Blood is a suspended cellular element that dissolves in plasma. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to all body cells and carries metabolic waste from the whole body. The nature of blood flowing through vessels is a factor that plays an important role in oxygen delivery and tissue perfusion. In acute stress conditions, various reactions can occur and affect the blood flow in blood vessels. Electroacupuncture (EA) is an additional therapy with minimal side-effects that can improve the quality of blood flow. This study investigated the effect of EA bilaterally at ST 36 (Zusanli) on plasma fibrinogen. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups: (1) a control group (n = 6); (2) a restraint-stress group (n = 6); and (3) a restraint-stress-and-EA group (n = 6). EA was performed in group 3 after the rats were subjected to 3 hours of restraint stress. Results: There were significant mean differences in plasma fibrinogen levels (P = 0.048; 95% confidence interval: 0.5-109.5) between the restraint stress groups and the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that the EA on ST 36 lowered levels of plasma fibrinogen of Wistar rats in restraint stress model.