[Study on the mechanism of electroacupuncture of different acupoint groups in the treatment of cerebrocardiac syndrome in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of different acupoint groups on heart rate variability (HRV) and cerebral glutamate (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp) contents in cerebrocardiac syndrome (CCS) rats.


METHODS
A total of 52 Wistar rats were randomized into normal (n = 8), sham-operation (sham, n = 8), model (n = 12), Shuigou-Fengfu (GV 26-GV 16, n = 12), and Neiguan-Xinshu (PC 6-BL 15, n = 12) groups. CCS model was established by intracerebral (Caudate nucleus) injection of clostridiopeptidase (1 U/microl) plus heparin (7 U/microl). EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 for 20 min, once daily for 3 days. Cerebral Glu and Asp contents were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, and HRV was analyzed by SMUP Software.


RESULTS
In comparison with normal and sham groups, the R-R interval (RRI) of electrocardiogram and total variability (TV) of HRV, cerebral Glu and Asp contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the ratio of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) decreased evidently (P < 0.01). Compared with model group, RRI and TV values, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents of EA of GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups reduced markedly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), LF/HF of the later two groups increased evidently (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 groups in RRI, TV and LF/HF of HRV, and cerebral Glu and Asp contents (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
EA of both GV 26-GV 16 and PC 6-BL 15 can effectively improve CCS in rats, which is closely associated with their effects in lowering cerebral Glu and Asp levels and in suppressing the excitability of sympathetic nerve.
Wu
Sheng-Bing
SB
Anhui Provincial Key Lab and Incubation Base of Acu-moxibustion Theoretical Foundation and Techniques, Anhui College of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230038, China.
Zhou
Mei-Qi
MQ
Zhou
Yi-Ping
YP
Wang
Ke-Ming
KM
Wang
Yue-Lan
YL
Chen
Ye-Nong
YN
Cao
Jian
J
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid