title: Influence of Electroacupuncture Stimulation on Nitric Monoxide Production in Vascular Endothelial Cells in Rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Chinese medicine, blood stasis termed as 'Oketsu' means 'preceding state' or 'symptomatic of sickness'. Traditional Chinese medicine may improve blood flow by vasodilation or blood clotting inhibition. Although acupuncture influences the blood circulatory system, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein we evaluated changes in NO, as reflected by changes in NO2 (-), platelet aggregation, oxidative stress and endocrine responses after acupuncture stimulation in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acupuncture stimulation was administered to rats randomly divided into five groups: control, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) injection, restraint stress (RS), restraint plus acupuncture stimulation (RA), and restraint plus acupuncture with L-NAME (RLA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to those in the RS group, levels of NO2 (-), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) protein and its mRNA significantly increased and those of hydroperoxide and soluble P-selectin significantly decreased in the RA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture stimulation regulates vascular endothelium NOS function and affects vascular resistance and blood characteristics through NO. Additionally, NO produced may modulate excessive reactive oxygen development and blood platelet activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kusayanagi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan s-ishikawa@med.showa-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tajika
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moue
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sunagawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hisamitsu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
keywords: Electroacupuncture; endothelial nitric oxide synthase; hydroperoxide; nitric monoxide; soluble platelet selectin