Key result
Electroacupuncture lowers blood pressure and heart rate via nitric oxide pathways in the vPAG.
Why the study?
The mechanisms underlying the depressor response to electroacupuncture in stress-induced hypertensive rats, particularly the role of nitric oxide in the ventral periaqueductal gray matter, were unclear.
Does nitric oxide in the vPAG mediate the depressor and bradycardiac response to electroacupuncture in stress-induced hypertensive rats?
Population
Stress-induced hypertensive rats anesthetized with urethane and chloralose
Comparison
Electroacupuncture alone vs electroacupuncture with microinjection of nitric oxide blocker into vPAG
Design
Preclinical experimental study
Authors
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May implicate nitric oxide in the vPAG as mediator of electroacupuncture effects in hypertensive rats; leaves open translation to clinical practice.
Does nitric oxide in the vPAG mediate the depressor and bradycardiac response to electroacupuncture in stress-induced hypertensive rats?
The blood pressure-lowering effect of electroacupuncture in stress-induced hypertensive rats appears to be mediated by nitric oxide in the ventral periaqueductal gray matter.
Li et al. (2001) studied Stress-induced hypertension. Electroacupuncture (EA) to bilateral Zusanli (st.36) acupoints vs. EA with microinjection of N(omega)-Nitro-L-Arginine into vPAG was evaluated on Blood pressure and heart rate responses. Electroacupuncture at Zusanli acupoints induced a depressor and bradycardiac response in hypertensive rats, which was abolished by blocking nitric oxide formation in the vPAG.
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