Why electroacupuncture can help acute myocardial ischemia

A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine looked at the effect of electroacupuncture in acute myocardial ischemia patients.

The researchers of the study examined the impact of electroacupuncture of acupoints Neiguan (PC 6) and Tianquan (PC 2) on the skin temperature, blood perfusion, and alpha1- and beta2- adrenoceptor protein (α1-AR and β2-AR) and mRNA levels in rats with acute myocardial ischemia.

They prepared the rat model by closing up the left anterior descending coronary artery.

In conducting the study, the researchers randomly assigned thirty male adult rats into five groups – control group, placebo operation group, model group, the model group treated with electroacupuncture at low frequency, and the model group treated with electroacupuncture at high frequency.

The treatment groups received electroacupuncture at the left Neiguan for 20 minutes each day for three days.

Then, the researchers measured skin blood perfusion and temperature in Neiguan and Tianquan in all groups with the use of laser speckle contrast imaging and infrared thermal image instrument.

Results revealed that both low- and high-frequency electroacupuncture could enhance the skin temperature and blood perfusion.

The effect can be promoted by reducing the level of α1-AR and increasing the level of β2-AR of the Neiguan and Tianquan in the rat with acute myocardial ischemia.

In conclusion, the findings of the study indicate that low- or high-frequency electroacupuncture can enhance the skin temperature as well as blood flow in acute myocardial ischemia.