Long‐lasting inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture in hypertensive patients ő role of catecholamine, renin and angiotension (1140.3)

Abstract

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) are being used to treat hypertension (HTN). However, its mechanisms are unknown. The present study apply EA in patients with mild to moderate HTN (BP 145‐180/90舉110 mmHg). A group of 42 hypertensive patients without medication were assessed with 24 hr BP monitoring, EA at P 5‐6 and S 36‐37 once weekly for 30 min for eight weeks. After eight weeks treatment, 31 (71%) patients demonstrated significant (P<0.05) reduction at peak (12 mmHg) and average (8 mmHg) SBP/24hrs. The peak and average DBP/24hrs decreased 6 and 5 mmHg,respectively (P<0.05). Heart rate was unchanged. After termination of EA treatment, SBP remained reduced for four weeks but after eight weeks returned to higher levels. Twelve patients (29%) did not respond to the EA treatment. Both SBP and DBP/24hrs were not reduced in 33 other patients treated with control acupoints (LI 6‐7+G 37‐39). This beneficial effect of EA was slow in onset but long‐lasting. After eight weeks of EA treatment, the responders (n=10) plasma concentrations of nor‐sepinephrine decreased from 378±20pg to 278±30pg/ml; renin decreased from 0.568±0.098 to 0.292±0.071 ng/ml.hr, and angiotensin decreased from 0.568±0.098 to 0.262±0.075 ng/ml.hr (All P<0.05). The non‐responders have no significant decrease. Thus, the sympathetic function and renin‐angiotensin system were related to the long‐lasting effect of EA.Grant Funding Source: DANA Foundation, Adolph Coors Foundation, Susan‐Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine and National