Acupuncture Effects on Cardiac Functions Measured by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Feline Model

Abstract

The usefulness of acupuncture (AP) as a complementary and/or alternative therapy in animals is well established but more research is needed on its clinical efficacy relative to conventional therapy, and on the underlying mechanisms of the effects of AP. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), an important tool in monitoring cardiovascular diseases, provides a reliable method to monitor the effects of AP on the cardiovascular system. This controlled experiment monitored the effect electro-acupuncture (EA) at bilateral acupoint Neiguan (PC6) on recovery time after ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia in healthy cats. The CMRI data established the basic feline cardiac function index (CFI), including cardiac output and major vessel velocity. To evaluate the effect of EA on the functions of the autonomic nervous and cardiovascular systems, heart rate, respiration rate, electrocardiogram and pulse rate were also measured. Ketamine/xylazine cocktail anesthesia caused a transient hypertension in the cats; EA inhibited this anesthetic-induced hypertension and shortened the post-anesthesia recovery time. Our data support existing knowledge on the cardiovascular benefits of EA at PC6, and also provide strong evidence for the combination of anesthesia and EA to shorten post-anesthesia recovery time and counter the negative effects of anesthetics on cardiac physiology.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture pretreatment for myocardial injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized clinical trial with a 2-year follow-up

“…Our previous studies verified that the endocannabinoid system and its downstream molecular pathways play an important role in EAP-induced protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion [40][41][42]. Based on the evidence gathered from animal studies [43,44], it is possible that acupoint stimulation at P6 decreases the myocardial metabolism and subsequently slows the energy consumption, resulting in the attenuation of myocardium ischemic injury. To assess the effect of EAP on myocardial metabolism, we screened SUV changes pre-and at 3 days post-PCI in 40 patients with left anterior descendant coronary disease by PET/CT imaging.…”

Uso Da Acupuntura Na Prevenção De Arritmias Cardíacas Em Ratos Wistar

“…Com relação ao verificado no presente estudo, no que concerne à redução significante no tempo de duração da bradicardia reflexa em relação ao grupo controle e retardo no aparecimento de BAV2 e bradicardia, há concordância com estudos anteriores. LIN et al (2010) relataram que o início da queda da frequência cardíaca em gatos anestesiados com quetamina, seguida por injeções intravenosas de α-cloralose, foi adiada em aproximadamente 4 segundos no grupo tratado com acupuntura no ponto Pc6. Neste mesmo estudo, durante o estímulo com acupuntura manual por 10 minutos, o período de queda da FC foi diminuído em aproximadamente 10 segundos.…”

Current applications of molecular imaging and luminescence-based techniques in traditional Chinese medicine

“…Basically, acupuncture stimulation of main acupoints around the body was investigated and evaluated by different molecular imaging modalities. These studies showed that different molecular imaging techniques played important roles in such investigations (Wu et al, 1999b;Litschera and Schikora, 2002;Siedentopf et al, 2002;Lee et al, 2003;Fang et al, 2004;Nakagoshi et al, 2005;Napadow et al, 2005;Yan et al, 2005;Schlunzen et al, 2007;Deng et al, 2008;Lin et al, 2008;Qin et al, 2008;Vas et al, 2008;Zhou and Jin, 2008;Harris et al, 2009;Ho et al, 2009;Kong et al, 2009;Lai et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2009;Sato et al, 2009;Bai et al, 2010;Hsieh et al, 2011).…”