Effect of electronic stimulation at Neiguan (PC 6) acupoint on gene expression of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel and protein kinases in rats with myocardial ischemia.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of electronic stimulation at acupoints Neiguan (PC 6) and Lieque (LU 7) on the gene expression of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-Sensitive potassium channel (KATP: Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR2A, and SUR2B) and protein kinases PKG, and in myocardial cells of rats with myocardial ischemia (MI) induced by isoproterenol (ISO). METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into a control, model, Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7), and non-acupoint groups. The MI model was established by injecting rats with ISO. Electro-acupuncture treatment was given to the acupuncture groups, once a day for 7 days. Gene expression was analyzed with real-time PCR. RESULTS:The gene expression of KATP and protein kinases in the model group was higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After acupuncture treatment, the KATP and protein kinase expression levels were significantly lower in the Neiguan (PC 6) and Lieque (LU 7) groups compared with the mod- el group (P < 0.05). The Neiguan (PC 6) group lowered these levels significantly more than that of the Lieque (LU 7) group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the model and non-acupoint groups (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that electronic needling of Neiguan (PC 6) can both reduce the gene expression of KATP and protein kinases in rats with ISO-induced MI.

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