Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1995 ; 20(2): 33-5.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at neiguan point on transmembrane potential of the ventricular cells of rabbits with acute myocardial ischemia in situ]

Huang E.

Hubei College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan.

Acute myocardial ischemia of rabbit was caused by Pituitrin (2.5 u/kg) intravenously. The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan point on transmembrane potential was observed with a suspension microelectrode technique in situ and under the condition of natural respiration; the blood pressure and electrocardiogram were recorded simultaneously. The results showed that during acute myocardial ischemia, the resting potential (RP), action potentail amplitude (APA) and maximum velocity of depolarization (Vmax) were all significantly decreased, but action potential duration (APD) was markedly prolonged and after depolarization potential appeared at the same time. All of the above mentioned changes of potentials could cause arrhythmia, while EA at Neiguan could weaken the changes of the potentials markedly, prevent the ventricular cells from changing to slow reaction cells and reduce the incidence of after depolarization potential. That may be a reason why EA at Neiguan can prevent and cure arrhythmia complicated by acute myocardial ischemia.