Effects of Electroacupuncture at Neiguan Acupoint on SOD and Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential of Rabbits with Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning at Nei Guan point (PC6) on the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) of rabbits with myocardial ischemia-reperrfusion injury, and its underlying mechanism that protects myocardium from injury. Methods: 18 New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to pseudo-operation, model and EA groups， 6 in each group. Setting up models by ligation of coronary artery and electrically stimulating the rabbits in EA group 20 min per day in 5 days before modeling. Testing the activity of serum SOD with the method of actinochemistry, testing changes of mitochondrial transmembrane potential of myocardial cells with the method of synchronous spectrometry, using spectrophotometry to test the changes of the absorption of mitochondria at the spectrum of 520nm to check the opening of MPTP, and testing the apotosis of cells by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results: Compared with model groups, the SOD activity of myocardial cells was significantly enhanced, and the apotosis index (AI) was reduced（P＜0.01），mitochondrial transmembrane potential was significantly increased （P＜0.05），absorption of mitochondria was significantly decreased（P＜0.01). Conclusion: EA can remarkably improve myocardial ischemia - reperfusion injury, and protect myocardium.