Promotion of Blood Fluidity by Inhibition of Platelet Adhesion Using Electroacupuncture Stimulation

Abstract

Stress applied to rats is known to result in a quick decrease in blood fluidity. Although electrical acupuncture stimulation (ACU) attenuates stress responses, the influence of ACU on blood fluidity has not been well examined. In the present study, the effect of ACU on blood fluidity and platelet adhesion was examined using a Micro Channel Array Flow Analyzer and a laser scattering platelet aggregometer (PA-20), respectively. Male Wistar rats (7-8 weeks old) were used. ACU (1 Hz, 3-5 V), which causes slight muscle twitching, was applied to acupoints for 60 minutes/day once or on 2 consecutive days. Stimulated acupoints were as follows: ZuSanli (ST-36), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Hegu (L-I4), Neiguan (P-6), and Shenshu (BL-23). ACU applied to ST-36, SP-6, and L-14 revealed significant increases in blood fluidity while platelet adhesion activity decreased. No significant changes were observed when ACU was applied to P-6 and BL-23. Results indicate that ACU affects blood fluidity depending on the acupoints. Blood fluidity changed with ACU within 1 day. In other words, the effect of acupuncture has an immediate effect. In addition, platelet aggregation decreased with ACU, suggesting that an increase in blood fluidity is associated with platelet aggregation ability.

Effects of acupuncture and exercise on insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue characteristics, and markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial

“…In an experimental study in male rats, lowfrequency EA enhanced blood flow and inhibited platelet aggregation (31). The lack of an effect on coagulation/fibrinolytic markers in the physical exercise group suggests that the exercise program was not intense enough to affect these variables.…”

“…In male rats, low-frequency EA increases blood flow and decreases platelet aggregation (31). Whether experimental findings can be translated into the clinical situation remains to be elucidated.…”

Changes in Blood Fluidity Caused by Electroacupuncture Stimulation

“…As the effects of acupuncture vary according to the location of the stimulus (acupoint), acupuncture was applied at various locations: Zusanli (ST-36) on the outside crus superior, Sanyinjiao (SP-6) on the inside crus lower part, Hegu (LI-4) between the thumb and the forefinger of the hand, Neiguan (P-6) on the distal inside arm, and Shenshu (BL-23) on the outside dorsal spine [8]. The results showed that blood-flow time decreased significantly in the group with stimulation at the Zusanli, Hegu, and Sanyinjiao acupoints; however, no significant changes were noted in the group with stimulation at the Neiguan and Shenshu acupoints [8]. In this experiment, no differences in the numbers of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and platelets and in the percentage hematocrit value existed between the control and the experimental groups.…”

“…Next, blood fluidity using an erythrocyte suspension was used to measure the deformability of erythrocytes [8]. The erythrocytes that were separated from the blood samples were adjusted to 30% with hematocrits, and this erythrocyte suspension's fluidity was measured using MC-FAN.…”

“…In our preliminary research [8,9], acupuncture stimuli were very effective in treating conditions associated with a decrease in blood fluidity, such as "Oketsu." In this review, recent progress in acupuncture therapy and reported mechanisms of action are discussed; then, the original findings on these topics are focused on.…”