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Effect of electroacupuncture at the Pericardium Meridian on the heart function of volunteers with acute hypoxia

电针心包经对急性缺氧志愿者心功能的影响

  • Clinical Study
  • Published:
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Pericardium Meridian on the heart function of volunteers with acute hypoxia, and to provide scientific evidence for the acupoints selection along the affected meridian in acupuncture-moxibustion therapy.

Methods

Based on a self-control design, eighteen healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Points from the Pericardium Meridian [Neiguan (PC 6), Ximen (PC 4), Quze (PC 3) and Tianquan (PC 2)], non-Pericardium Meridian point [Shousanli (LI 10)], non-meridian and non-acupoint points [1.0-1.5 cm lateral to Neiguan (PC 6) and Ximen (PC 4), respectively on both sides], and a blank control (only inhaling low-oxygen gas without EA stimulation) were selected to observe, once every week, 10 sessions in total, and only 1 acupoint was observed once. The volunteers inhaled low-oxygen gas mixture (10.8% O2 and 89.2% N2) for 30 min to imitate acute hypoxia. EA was conducted when the gas mixture was inhaled for 10 min and then lasted for 20 min; meanwhile, hemodynamic indexes such as cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), left cardiac work (LCW), left cardiac work index (LCWI) and heart rate (HR) were recorded on a hemodynamic monitor.

Results

EA at the acupoints of Pericardium Meridian significantly down-regulated the increased CO/CI, LCW/LCWI, and HR (P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated the decreased SVR/SVRI in hypoxia (P<0.05); EA at other meridian acupoints or at non-meridian and non-acupoint points didn’t produce such effects.

Conclusion

EA at the Pericardium Meridian can obviously improve the cardiac hyper-activation caused by acute hypoxia in healthy volunteers.

摘要

目的

观察电针心包经对急性缺氧志愿者心功能的影响,为针灸循经取穴治疗原则提供实验依据。

方法

共18 例健康志愿者, 采用同体对照的方法, 分别取心包经穴位(内关、郄门、曲泽和天泉), 非心包经穴位(手三里), 非经非穴点(内关和郄门左右各旁开1.0~1.5 cm)电针, 以及空白对照(只吸低氧不作电针刺激)处理, 1 个星期测试 1 次, 每次针刺1 个位点, 共进行10 次测试。志愿者吸入低氧混合气体(10.8% O2 和89.2% N2) 30 min 造成急性缺 氧, 并在吸低氧10 min 后, 电针各个位点20 min。采用血液动力学监护仪记录心输出量(CO)、心脏指数(CI)、外 周血管阻力(SVR)、外周血管阻力指数(SVRI)、左心做功(LCW)、左心做功指数(LCWI)和心率(HR)在针刺前后的变化。

结果

电针心包经穴位能显著降低急性缺氧所致的CO/CI、LCW/LCWI 和HR 升高(P<0.05), 并显著升高急性缺氧 所致的SVR/SVRI 降低(P<0.05), 而非经非穴与他经穴位均无此作用。

结论

电针心包经能显著改善健康志愿者急 性缺氧所致的心功能亢奋状态。

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Youth Fund of National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (国家自然科学青年 科学基金, No. 81403490); Public-funded Project of Fujian Provincial Science & Technology Ministry (福建省科技厅 省属公益类项目, No. 2014R1035-6); Scientific Research Project (Type B) for Young Teachers of Fujian Education Department (福建省教育厅中青年教师教育科研B 类项 目, No. JB14050); Key Unit of the Propagated Sensation along Meridian of Fujian Province (福建省经络感传重点 研究室).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Class III Laboratory of Acupuncture Physiology, Key Unit of the Propagated Sensation along Meridian of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350003, China

    Ya-qin Dong  (董亚琴), Qian-ru Huang  (黄倩茹), Qi Chen  (陈祺), Ming Chen  (陈铭) & Jin-sen Xu  (许金森)

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  1. Ya-qin Dong  (董亚琴)
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  2. Qian-ru Huang  (黄倩茹)
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  3. Qi Chen  (陈祺)
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  4. Ming Chen  (陈铭)
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  5. Jin-sen Xu  (许金森)
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Correspondence to Jin-sen Xu  (许金森).

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Dong, Yq., Huang, Qr., Chen, Q. et al. Effect of electroacupuncture at the Pericardium Meridian on the heart function of volunteers with acute hypoxia. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 15, 354–359 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-1027-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-017-1027-6

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