Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1995 ; 20(3): 55-61.

[Influence of acupuncture on blood pressure, contents of NE, DA and 5-HT of SHR and the interrelation between blood pressure and whole blood viscosity]

Zhou Y, Wang Y, Fang Z, Xia C, Liu B, Chen Q, Zhang F.

Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Anhui College of TCM, HeFei.

Twenty spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) with systolic blood pressure (SBP) >or= 20 kPa were chosen and divided randomly into two groups (acupuncture group and control group). The former was acupunctured on bilateral Quchi (L1 11), Zusanli (ST 36). Another 46 immature SHRs which were about 7-week-old with SBP ranged from 16 kPa to 20 kPa were given 10% high molecular weight dextran (HMWD) or normal saline by intervention respectively. The results showed: 1. After three course of acupuncture, SHRs' SBP dropped remarkably from 25.493 +/- 0.73 kPa to 19.547 +/- 0.555 kPa (P < 0.01); 2. After three courses of acupuncture, NE and 5-HT contents in plasma were lowered (P < 0.05, < 0.01) and DA content in plasma was increased (P < 0.05) compared with that in the control group. 3. After three course of acupuncture, NE content in brainstem, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex increased (P < 0.005-0.01) and DA content in brainstem, cerebral cortex increased remarkably (P < 0.005-0.01) compared with that in the control group. 5-HT content in brainstem, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex increased obviously compared with that in the control group. 4. After 1 or 2 hours of intervention of 10% HMWD to immature SHR, the whole blood viscosity and blood pressure rise remarkably compared with normal saline group. The experiment implies that the mechanism of lowering the blood pressure of SHR by acupuncture lies in that it can adjust NE, DA and 5-HT contents in plasma and central nervous system to adjust the activity of sympathetic, reduce whole blood viscosity etc.