Correlation of Electroacupuncture on the Heart and Lung Meridians with Dopamine Secretion in the Hypothalamus of Rats in a Myocardial Ischemia Model

Abstract Background: Based on former work, the current authors hypothesized that acupuncture might regulate visceral organs' function through effects on the central nervous system and its control of the autonomic nervous system that could protect the brain injury caused by myocardial ischemia. Objective: The aim of the current research was to establish a mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in protecting the brain and the heart after myocardial injury. Materials and Methods: Design, Setting and Model: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and a model group treated with EA to HT 7, HT 3, LU 9, and LU 5, with 30 rats in each group. This study was conducted in a university setting. The models were rats who had undergone thoracotomy and ligation of their distal left anterior descending coronary arteries. Intervention: Treatment rats received 1 mA and 10 Hz EA daily for 7 days with 15-minute needle retention. Main Outcome Measure: Cardiac troponin T (cTnt) levels in...