Effect of electroacupuncture at different segments of heart meridian on the electric discharge activities of the superior sympathetic plexus in rabbits

Wang Ke-ming; Zhou Yi-ping; Wang Yue-lan; Chen Ye-nong; Wu Zi-jian; Li Xiao-min

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2006.35.011

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Correlation between channel and viscera is a core of a themry on acupuncture and meridian, and is also a key entrance for mech anism of acupuncture. This study was designed to discuss theory on acupuncture and meridian through correlation between heart meridian and electric discharge activities of sympathetic nerve. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at different segments of heart meridian on the electric discharge activities of the supe rior sympathetic plexus in rabbits. DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study. SETTING: Central Laboratory of Channel and Viscera Research, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Central Laboratory of Channel and Viscera Research, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in March 2004. A total of 36 healthy chinchilla rabbits weighing (2.8±0.3) kg were randomly divided into three groups with 12 in each group, including multi-electro-acupuncturing the wrist (Shenmen region), elbow (Shaohai region) or axils (Jiquan region) sections of heart meridian. METHODS: One rabbit of the same sex whose body mass was less than 10% was selected from each group. Superior sympathetic plexus was sepa rated under Olympus anatomic microscope (Japan), and multiple double electrodes materialized as stainless steel sil were embedded. Then, after fixing with special gelatum (USA), thoracic cavity was closed, temperature in anus was controlled at (39±0.5) ℃, and 50 mL/L glucose was dripped into vein for 2 hours before acupuncture. The changes of heart rhythm vari ability (HRV) and electric discharge activities of superior sympathetic plexus were recorded and analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HRV, ratio between high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) of power spectrum. RESULTS: All rabbits were involved in the final analysis. After elec troacupuncture, the total HRV values and electroactivitic frequencies of the superior sympathetic plexus were increased, but LF/HF of power spectrum was decreased. The decrease at the wrist section was superior to others; the axils section was inferior to elbow section. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at different segments of heart meridi an can improve the electric discharge activities of the superior sympathetic plexus and the leaf-cardiac function. Among the three groups, the relation ship of functions was the closest between the wrist stem of heart meridian and left heart.