| Abstract: | Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture by needle manipulation at acupoints, SP3-HT7, on the blood pressure, plasma rennin, and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) for cardiac hypertrophy induced in hypertensive rats by using two kidney one clip (2K1C).Methods: The experiments were performed on twenty-five Sprague Dawley rats. The 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were divided into five groups: control, AC-1a and AC-2a (acupuncture at SP3-HT7Bilaterally with the needle being twirled and rotated forward with the thumb and the forefinger of the right hand 6 times), AC-3a (acupuncture at SP3-HT7 bilaterally with the needle inserted in a direction (body direction) opposite the channel), and AC-4a (acupuncture at SP3-HT7 bilaterally with the needle inserted in a direction (body direction) opposite the channel and being twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times). The treatments in the rats were started 4 weeks after inducing 2K1C and were performed two times a week for 3 weeks.Results: The blood pressure was significantly decreased by 4 times in Acu-1a, and cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decreased in the Acu-2a and the Acu-3a groups. The activity of plasma renin was decreased in all groups but the control and Acu-1a groups, and that of plasma ANP was decreased in Acu-2a and Acu-3a compared to the control group.Conclusions: These results suggest that acupuncture on SP3-HT7 mostly causes significant changes in controlling renal hypertension induced by 2K1C in rats.Key words: 2K1C; hypertension; acupuncture; SP3; HT7 |
