Objective To explore the potential mechanism of acupuncture stimulation of "Taichong"(LR 3)and"Neiguan"(PC 6)in spontaneous hypertension rats(SHR)by investigating its effects on blood pressure and contents of aspartic acid(Asp)and glutamic acid(Glu)in the rostral ventrolateral medulla(RVLM)region.Methods A total of 75 SHR were randomized into model group

Taichong(LR 3)group

Neiguan(PC 6)group

LR 3+non-acupoint group and LR 3 + PC 6group(n=15rats in each group)

and 15 Wistar rats of the same age were used as the normal control group.The filiform needles were inserted into the abovementioned acupoints and non-acupoint

twirled for a while and then retained for 30 min.The treatment was conducted once per day

15 times in total.The rats' tail blood pressure was examined on day 1

3

7and 15 after acupuncture treatment by using a non-invasive blood pressure monitor.At the end of experiment

the contents of Asp and Glu in the RVLM were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV technique.Results On day 1

3

7and 15 after the acupuncture treatment

the raised systolic blood pressure(SBP)

diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and mean arterial blood pressure(MBP)of PC 6

LR 3

LR 3 + non-acupoint and LR 3 + PC 6groups were all decreased significantly compared with the model group(P<0.05).On day 15

the effect of the LR 3 + PC 6group was significantly superior to that of the LR 3

PC 6

and LR 3 +non-acupoint groups in reducing the levels of SBP

DBP

and MBP(P<0.05).Compared with the normal control group

the contents of Asp and Glu in RVLM were significantly higher in the model group(P<0.05).After acupuncture intervention

both Asp and Glu levels in the PC 6

LR 3

LR 3 + non-acupoint

and LR 3 + PC 6groups were markedly lower in comparison with the model group(P<0.05)

and those of the LR 3 + PC 6group were notably lower than those in the LR 3and PC 6groups(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of PC 6

LR 3

LR 3 + non-acupoint and LR 3 + PC 6(in particular)is effective in lowering blood pressure in spontaneous hypertension rats

which may be associated with its effects in lowering Asp and Glu contents in RVLM.