Qun LIU，Yuanyuan W ANG，Chen ZHOU，Qiufu DAI, Juanjuan 

XIN, Shuyang WU, Yanfeng LU, Junhong GAO, Xiaochun YU

(Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing 100700, China)

Abstract Objective: To study the facilitation and attenuation of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on the cardiac effects of aconitine for treatment of heart failure.  Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, aconitine group (ACO group) and aconitine + electric acupuncture group (ACO+EA group). Except the control group, acute heart failure rat model was established by intravenous infusion of propranolol, and rats were treated with normal saline, normal saline, aconitine, aconitine and electro-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) respectively.Hemodynamic  indexes  such  as  left  ventricular  pressure(LVP),  rate  of  left  ventricle  systolic pressure  change(dp/dtmax)  and  rate  of  left  ventricular  diastolic  pressure  change  (dp/dtmin)  were observed. Ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were  measured to evaluate the cardiac function. The incidence rate of arrhythmia and arrhythmia score was observed through an electrocardiogram (ECG).  Results:  After model establishment, LVP and dp/dtmax were decreased; they increased after aconitine or aconitine combined with electro-acupuncture treatment （P＜0.05） . The effect of aconitine combined with electro-acupuncture was superior to that of aconitine, and there  was  statistical  difference  between  ACO  group  and  ACO+EA  group  after  aconitine administration for 1 minute and 60 minutes  （P＜0.05） . The absolute value of dp/dtmin decreased after model established （P＜0.05）, and did not improve after aconitine treatment, but it increased after  aconitine  administration  for  15,30  and  60  minutes,  and  there  was  a  statistical  difference between  the ACO  group  and ACO+EA  group （P＜0.05）.EF  and  FS  decreased  after  model establishment,  and  increased  after  aconitine  or  aconitine  combined  with  electro-acupuncture treatment, and  the effect of aconitine combined with electro-acupuncture was superior to that of aconitine, and there was a statistical difference between ACO group and ACO+EA group（P＜0.05）. The incidence rate of arrhythmia was 100% in the rats of ACO group, and 58.3% in the rats of ACO+EA group. The arrhythmia score between the two groups was statistically different（P＜0.05）.  Conclusion: There was positive inotropic effect of aconitine, but aconitine could induce arrhythmia with the increase of doses. Both systolic and diastolic function  of the heart  could increase after treated by electro-acupuncture at Neiguan combined with aconitine, and the side effect of arrhythmia reduced. These indicated facilitation and attenuation of electro-acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on the cardiac effects of aconitine for treatment of heart failure.

Key  words:  Heart  failure,  Aconitine,  Electro-acupuncture,  Facilitation  and  attenuation  effect,haemodynamics, Echocardiogram