Investigation of the impact of acupuncture-medicine combination therapy on cardiac function decline in rats under simulated microgravity via data mining
LI Xinju
HE Hanyu
Yu Yi
WANG Yingdong
ZHU Zheng
QIU Jiwen
XI Qiang
LIU Hongyan
GUO Yi
ZHANG Mingxing
Abstract：Objective To explore the laws of herb selection and acupoint prescription in acupuncture-medicine combination for improving cardiac function,and to verify the synergistic intervention effect of electroacupuncture stimulation combined with Longgui Yangxin Pill on cardiac function in rats under simulated microgravity condition.Methods Literature on acupuncture and Chinese herbal prescriptions for improving cardiac function published between 2016 and 2021 was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,and Wanfang databases.Frequency,compatibility association,and complex network analyses were performed using Excel,Modeler 18.0,and Gephi.25 SPF-grade healthy male Wistar rats were divided into the blank control group,model group,electrical stimulation group,medication group,and acupuncture-medication combination group,with five rats in each group.A tail suspension-induced simulated microgravity model was established over 28 days.After intervention,cardiac function indicators including left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)were measured using echocardiography.Myocardial tissues were collected for HE staining,Hoechst staining,immunohistochemical detection,Western blotting,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to analyze myocardial morphology,apoptosis,caspase-3 expression,and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).Results Literature analysis showed that the combination of Neiguan(PC6)acupoint with Qi-invigorating and blood-activating Chinese herbs was common in acupuncture-medication combination therapy.Animal experiments revealed that the acupuncture-medication combination group had increased LVEF and LVFS,which were significantly superior to both the electrical stimulation group and the medication group(all P<0.05),with markedly improved myocardial cell morphology.Compared to the model group,caspase-3 expression decreased in both the electrical stimulation group and the acupuncture-medication combination group(all P<0.05).SDH and LDH activities were significantly improved in the electrical stimulation group,medication group,and acupuncture-medication combination group compared to the model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of acupuncture and medication can effectively enhance cardiac function.Longgui Yangxin Pills combined with acupoint electrical stimulation can significantly improve the cardiac disfunction and cardiovascular disorders in rats under simulated microgravity.Acupoint electrical stimulation can inhibit cell apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of Caspase-3 expression and enzyme activities.
Keywords：acupoint electrical stimulationLonggui Yangxin Pillsimulated microgravitydecline of cardiac functionmyocardial apoptosis
Publication Date：2026-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-26(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：9( 56-64 )