Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1991 ; 16(2): 115-9.

[An experimental study on acupoint neiguan-heart short reflex]

Wang T, Pan Q.

Wannan Medical College, Wuhu.

It is reported that the dichotomizing afferent fibers supply both the pericardium and the brachium in rat. This finding provides a possible morphological explanation for short reflex which transmits messages only through the connection of peripheral nerve dichotomization. The animals utilized in this study were 15 male or female wistar rats (235-360 g). Rats were anesthetized with 26% urethane (100mg/100g b. wt, i.p.) and then, acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) was produced by pituitrin (1.0-1.5 u/a rat, i.M.). Following anesthetization and AMI, The I lead of electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded, the superficial electrical resistance and cutaneous temperature of the acupoint Neiguan and Zusali were measured. In order to break off the long reflex which invokes some effects through central nervous system, the dorsal roots were removed of spinal cord segments cervical 6) C6-thoracic 1(T1). In this condition, the AMI can decrease in superficial electrical resistance and cutaneous temperature of the acupoint Neiguan (P less than 0.01). Acupuncture at Neiguan can also influence the superficial electrical resistance of the acupoint Neiguan, improve in the ECG, increase in the heart rate, but acupuncture at Zusali has no these effects. It suggests that acupoint Neiguan and heart can be connected through a short reflex.