Pulse width modulation electro-acupuncture on cardiovascular remodeling and plasma nitric oxide in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Xuan Xiong,Patrick Ball,Qiu-Chao Feng,Ting Yin,Zhong-Ben Chen,Chao You,Le-Xin Wang

doi:10.1093/ecam/neq063

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of pulse width modulation electro-acupuncture (PWM-EA) on cardiovascular remodeling and nitric oxide (NO) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Thirty-four male SHR were randomly divided into control, captopril, and two PWM-EA groups, which were treated with 350 Hz (SHR-350 Hz) and whole audio bandwith electro-acupuncture (SHR-WAB group) respectively, on the ST 36 point located on the outside of the hind leg. Systolic blood pressure (BP), plasma and myocardial NO were measured. Histological studies were also performed on the aortic wall and the left ventricle. The BP in the SHR-350 Hz, SHR-WAB and the captopril groups was lower than in the control group following the treatment (P < .05). The average aortic media wall thickness in the two electro-acupuncture groups was less than in the control group (P < .05). The left ventricle/heart weight ratio in the captopril and SHR-350 Hz groups was less than in the control group (P < .01), but was similar between the SHR-WAB and the control group (P > .05). The plasma and myocardium NO levels were elevated in the captopril and the SHR-350 Hz group (P < .05 and .01, resp.). The plasma level of NO in the SHR-WAB group was also higher than in the control group (P < .05). We concluded that pulse width modulation electro-acupuncture on the ST 36 point prevents the progression of hypertension and diminishes the cardiovascular remodeling in SHR. It also elevates plasma and cardiac NO in this animal model.

Highlights

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and vascular remodeling are the two common pathological findings in patients with hypertension
This study was designed to investigate the effect of pulse width modulation electro-acupuncture (PWM-EA) on cardiovascular remodeling and nitric oxide (NO) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)
Thirty-four male SHR were randomly divided into control, captopril, and two PWM-EA groups, which were treated with 350 Hz (SHR-350 Hz) and whole audio bandwith electroacupuncture (SHR-whole audio bandwidth (WAB) group) respectively, on the ST 36 point located on the outside of the hind leg

Summary

Introduction

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and vascular remodeling are the two common pathological findings in patients with hypertension. Prevention and reversal of LV hypertrophy and vascular remodeling are some of the major therapeutic objectives for hypertension management. Nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension is an important part of the therapeutic strategy. Acupuncture is one such strategy, some have claimed that the supporting evidence is equivocal [1, 2]. Previous work has indicated that music, acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can reduce blood pressure (BP) and contribute to the overall management of hypertension [4, 6, 7]. There is evidence showing that acupuncture or electro-acupuncture leads to improvements in endothelial cell function, which may help with BP control [8,9,10]

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