Effect of electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) at different time points on myocardial ischemia reperfusion arrhythmia in rats

doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20231110.004

Abstract

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) at different time points on reperfusion arrhythmia (RA) after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion in rats, and to investigate the correlation of this protective effect with nerve growth factor (NGF), tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and norepinephrine (NE).

METHODS：A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12 rats/group): normal group (Norm), sham operation group (Sham), ischemia reperfusion group (I/R), pre-ischemic electroacupuncture group (EAI), pre-reperfusion electroacupuncture group (EAII), post-reperfusion electroacupuncture group (EAIII). The myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) model was induced by occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 40 min in rats. With no intervention in the Norm group and only threading without ligation in the Sham group. Electroacupuncture pre-treatment at 20 min/d for 7 d before ligation in the EAⅠ group, 20 min of electroacupuncture before reperfusion in the EAII group and 20 min of electroacupuncture after reperfusion in the EAIII group. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of each group was recorded throughout the whole process, and the success of the MIRI model was determined based on the changs of J-point and T-wave in the ECG. The arrhythmia score was used to record premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation during the reperfusion period to assess the reperfusion induced arrhythmias. The expression levels of NGF, TrkA, TH protein were measured by Western blot. Moreover, the expression levels of plasma and myocardial NE levels were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The differences between Norm group and Sham group were not statistically significant in all indexes. Arrhythmia score, myocardial NGF, TrkA, TH, and NE expression were significantly higher in the I/R group compared with the Sham group. Arrhythmia score, myocardial NGF, TrkA, TH, and NE expression were significantly lower in each EA group compared with the I/R group.

CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) at different time points can reduce the incidence and severity of reperfusion arrhythmias in rats. This protective effect is related to electroacupuncture regulating NGF, TrkA, TH, NE expression and reducing sympathetic hyperactivation.

Key words: myocardial reperfusion injury, reperfusion arrhythmia, electroacupuncture, point PC6 (Neiguan), nerve growth factor, protein-tyrosine kinases, norepinephrine

SUN Qianhui, CHENG Kai, DAI Xingye, YANG Zhiwen, WU Xiaoling, XU Chang, QIU Xinghua, GAO Xiaofeng, LIU Daonan, YANG Qirui. Effect of electroacupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) at different time points on myocardial ischemia reperfusion arrhythmia in rats[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2024, 44(1): 113-121.

Figures/Tables 7

Figure 1 Comparison of ECG in rats at various stages A: normal ECG; B: ischemic ECG; C: reperfusion ECG. ECG: electrocardiograms.

Table 1 Arrhythmia score of each rats

No.	I/R	EAⅠ	EAⅡ	EAⅢ
1	2	0	0	5
2	6	6	0	5
3	2	0	1	0
4	5	7	9	0
5	9	5	1	2
6	6	0	0	1
7	1	1	2	0
8	6	0	0	2
9	0	2	0	6
10	8	1	0	0
11	0	0	0	1
12	6	0	0	0
Total Score	51	22	13	22

Table 2 Ventricular arrhythmias in different groups of rats and their scores

Group	n	Occurrence rate [% (n)]					Score ($\bar{x}±s$)
Group	n	PVC	VT	VF	SCD	VA	Score ($\bar{x}±s$)
Norm	12	8.3 (1/12)	0	0	0	8.3 (1/12)	0±0
Sham	12	25.0 (3/12)	0	0	0	25.0 (3/12)	0±0
I/R	12	41.7 (5/12)	33.3 (4/12)	25.0 (3/12)	33.3 (4/12)	83.3 (10/12)	4.3±3.1^a
EAⅠ	12	25.0 (3/12)	16.7 (2/12)	25.0 (3/12)	8.3 (1/12)	50.0 (6/12)	1.8±2.6^b
EAⅡ	12	33.3 (4/12)	16.7 (2/12)	8.3 (1/12)	0	41.7 (5/12)	1.1±2.6^b
EAⅢ	12	25.0 (3/12)	16.7 (2/12)	25.0 (3/12)	8.3 (1/12)	66.7 (8/12)	1.8±2.2^b

Figure 2 Ventricular arrhythmias occur during the reperfusion period ECG A: premature ventricular contractions; B: ventricular tachycardia; C: ventricular fibrillation. ECG: electrocardiograms.

Table 3 Comparison of relative expression of NGF, TrkA, and TH protein expression in myocardial tissue of rats in each group ($\bar{x}±s$)

Group	n	NGF	TrkA	TH
Norm	6	0.170±0.129	0.103±0.015	0.145±0.047
Sham	6	0.259±0.183	0.151±0.049	0.200±0.034
I/R	6	0.940±0.222^a	0.505±0.065^a	0.699±0.190^a
EAⅠ	6	0.601±0.158^b	0.337±0.067^c	0.370±0.077^c
EAⅡ	6	0.560±0.146^b	0.366±0.080^b	0.356±0.038^c
EAⅢ	6	0.553±0.191^b	0.379±0.077^b	0.333±0.089^c

Figure 3 Comparison of NGF, TrkA and TH protein expression in myocardial tissue of rats in each group NGF: nerve growth factor; TrkA: tyrosine kinase receptor A; TH: Tyrosine hydroxylase. Norm: without any treatment; Sham: only threading without ligation; I/R: Ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 20 min and reperfusion for 40 min; EAⅠ: 7 d of electroacupuncture pre-treatment at 20 min/d before ligation; EAⅡ: 20 min of electroacupuncture before reperfusion; EAIII: 20 min of electroacupuncture after reperfusion.

Table 4 Comparison of serum and myocardial tissue NE levels in rats in each group (ng/mL, $\bar{x}±s$)

Group	n	Serum NE	Myocardial NE
Norm	6	2.00±0.33	0.83±0.13
Sham	6	2.10±0.32	2.61±0.28
I/R	6	2.71±1.13	3.77±0.61^a
EAⅠ	6	2.57±0.69	2.66±0.21^b
EAⅡ	6	2.14±0.26	3.04±0.16^c
EAⅢ	6	2.14±0.16	2.78±0.28^b

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