Study on Electro-acupuncture at "Zusanli" Points Against Septic Shock of Rats Through Activating the Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of electro-acupuncture(EA) at Zusanli points on the change of mean arterial(MAP) and survival indices in the rats with septic shock(SS).Methods: Sixtythree SD rats were randomly divided into nine groups equally: sham shock group,SS group,Zusanli points group,non-acupoints group,bilateral cervical vagotomy group,vagotomy and electroacupuncture(EA) group,muscarinic antagonist group,nicotinic antagonist group and α-BGT group.The Zusanli points were electro-acupunctured with constant voltage(2 V,3 Hz) for 30 minutes immediately after the shock models were established.Before stimulation,a blood pressure transducer was implanted into the carotid artery for continuously monitoring of MAP.Another 40 rats were randomly divided into sham shock group,SS group,Zusanli points group and non-acupoints group.Survival time and survival rate were observed in these groups.Results: In SS group,the MAP,survival time and survival rate was decreased markedly.The differences of MAP,survival time and survival rate were not significant between non-acupoints group and SS group.EA Zusanli points,as well as muscarinic antagonist,significantly reversed the marked hypotension,and increased the survival time and survival rate.Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli points might have a protective effect on rats with septic shock through activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.