Objective To observe the effect of different emulated acupuncture-needle manipulations on blood pressure and myocardial angiotensin(Ang) Ⅱ content in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)

so as to seek a better acupuncture parameter for clinical treatment of hypertension.Methods Thirty-three SHR were randomly divided into mild-stimulation group(n=8)

moderate-stimulation group(n=8)

heavy-stimulation group(n=8) and model group(n=9).Additionally

other 8 normal rats were made up of control group.Blood pressure(BP) was determined by using a non-invasive BP detection system.Myocardial Ang Ⅱ content was assayed by radioimmunoassay.The emulated acupuncture-needle twirling angles and frequencies of 144°

75 r/min;255°

111 r/min;and 360°

140 r/min in mild

moderate and heavy manipulations were applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Taichong"(LR 3) for 3 min

once daily for 3 weeks

with an interval of 2 days between every two weeks.Results Compared with pre-therapy

BP values of both heavy-stimulation and model groups increased significantly(P<0.01);and compared with model group

BP values of mild-stimulation and moderate-stimulation groups decreased significantly after the therapy(P<0.05)

but were still higher than that of control group(P<0.05).In addition

myocardial Ang Ⅱ contents of mild-stimulation

moderate-stimulation

heavy-stimulation and model groups were significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between mild-stimulation and moderate-stimulation groups

and between heavy-stimulation and model groups after therapy in BP

and among mild-stimulation

moderate-stimulation

heavy-stimulation and model groups in myocardial Ang Ⅱ contents(P>0.05).Conclusion Mild and moderate manipulations of ST36 and LR3 have apparent influence on BP

but no apparent influence on myocardial Ang Ⅱ content.