Objective: To observe the relatively specific effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Neiguan"(PC 6)-"Jianshi"(PC 5) on the performance of ischemic heart and the influence of transection of the spinal cord on the therapeutic effect.Methods: This study was made up of 3 parts: ① 33 Japanese big-ear white rabbits were evenly divided into control

"Neiguan-Jianshi"(PC 6-PC 5) and "Waiguan-Zhigou"(TE 5-TE 6) groups;② 36 normal(18 cases) and spinalized rabbits(18 cases) were respectively randomized into control and EA groups;and ③ 18 Wistar rats were randomized into control and EA groups.All the animals were anesthetized with urethane (420 mg/kg) plus chloralose(50 mg/kg)

and experienced experimental myocardial ischemia by occlusion of the ventricular branch(rabbit) and the anterior descending branch(rat) of the left coronary artery.The spinalized rabbits were made by transection of cervical segments(C_2-C_3) of the spinal cord.EA(40 Hz

loading voltage 3 V) was applied to bilateral PC 5-PC 6

TE 5-TE 6 for 20 min.ECG-ST

mean arterial pressure(MAP)

left ventricular pressure(LVP) and the maximum ascending rate of LVP(dp/dtmax) were recorded.Results: ① Following myocardial ischemia

ECG-ST elevated significantly

while LVP

dp/dtmax and MAP decreased considerably

EA of PC 5-PC 6 could significantly promote the recovery of ECG-ST

LVP

dp/dtmax and MAP(P<0.05)

and the therapeutic effect of EA of PC 5-PC 6 was significantly superior to that of EA of TE 5-TE 6.② After transection of the spinal cord

EA of PC 5-PC 6 still could promote the recovery of ECG-ST

LVP and dp/dtmax and MAP(P<0.05).③ Following sectioning the dorsal and ventral roots from C_5 to T_5

no significant difference was found between control and EA groups in ECG-ST (P>0.05)

suggesting that the therapeutic effect of EA of PC 5-PC 6 in promoting recovery of ECG-ST was eliminated.Conclusion: In both intact and spinalized rabbits

EA of PC 5-PC 6 can promote the recovery of the ischemic cardiac functional activities

and the effect of EA of PC 5-PC 6 possesses a relatively specificity in comparison with EA of TE 5-TE 6.The spinal cord is the key site for accomplishing the aforementioned therapeutic effects of EA of PC 5-PC 6.