Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)and moxibustion(Moxi)preconditioning of bilateral"Neiguan"(PC 6)on plasma endothelin(ET)and serum creatine kinase(CK)contents and myocardial hot shock protein70(HSP 70)expression in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)rabbits

so as to revel their mechanisms underlying prevention of myocardial ischemia.Methods A total of 72 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation

MIRI model

EA preconditioning and Moxi preconditioning groups(n=18/group).Each group was further divided into 0h

24 hand 48h(time-point)subgroups(n=6in each subgroup).The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 40 min and reperfusion for 60 min.The contents of plasma ET and serum CK were detected by ELISA

and myocardial HSP 70 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.EA and Moxi preconditioning were respectively applied to bilateral PC 6for 20 min

once daily for 5days.Results Following MIRI

contents of plasma ET and serum CK contents were significantly increased at 0h

24 hand 48hin comparison with the sham group(P<0.01

P<0.05)

while myocardial HSP 70 expression at the 3time-points was moderately increased(P>0.05).Compared with the model groups

plasma ET contents at both 24 hand 48hin the EA preconditioning group and at 48 hin the Moxi preconditioning group

CK contents at both 24 hand 48honly in the EA preconditioning group were significantly down-regulated(P<0.01

P<0.05).Myocardial HSP70 expression levels in the EA and Moxi preconditioning groups were considerably up-regulated at the three time-points in comparison with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion pretreatment may suppress MIRI-induced increase of plasma ET and serum CK and up-regulate myocardial HSP 70 protein expression in MIRI rabbits

suggesting a preventive protection action on ischemic myocardium.