Effects of electroacupuncture pretreatment on mitochondrial energy metabolism in the rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion

Abstract Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture pretreatment on mitochondrial energy metabolism in the rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI). Methods A total of 60 SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (sham group), a myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury group (MIRI group) and an electroacupuncture pretreatment group (EA group), 20 rats in each one. The rats in the sham group and the MIRI group were binded for 7 days, once a day, 20 min each time. On the 8th day, the sample was collected after the heart exposed for 50 min in thoractomy in the sham group and the sample was collected after ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 30 min in thoractomy in the MIRI group. In the EA group, the pretreatment intervention with electroacupuncture was applied at "Neiguān (内关PC6)", "Guānyuan (关元CV4)" and "Zusānlĭ (足三里ST36)" in the rats for 7 days, once a day, 20 min each time. On the 8th day, after ischemia for 20 min and reperfusion for 30 min in thoractomy, the sample was collected in the EA group. The changes in STⅡ segment of electroacardiogram (ECG) were observed and measured. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the concentrations of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)were detected. Using nitro blue tetrazolium chloride monohydrate (NBT) staining, the myocardial infarction weight percentage was measured. Using ELISA, the concentrations of mitochondrial adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP)and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)were detected. Results (1) STⅡ changes: in 20 min of ligation, compared with the sham group, the STⅡ segment of electrocardiograph (ECG) was elevated significantly in the MIRI group and EA group (both P Conclusions Electroacupuncture pretreatment reduces the elevation of ECG STⅡ segment, decreases the concentrations of myocardial injury markers, cTnT and cTnI and regulates the transfer among AMP, ATP and ADP. The protective effect of electroacupuncture pretreatment may result from the regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism.