Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on the expression of interleukin-8(IL-8)

interleukin-10(IL-10)

tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)

β3-adrenergic receptor(β3 AR)

and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)in myocardial tissue in ischemic myocardial injury rats

so as to reveal its underlying mechanisms in myocardial protection via antiinflammation and sympathetic nerve remodeling.Methods A total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation(sham

n=9)

sham +EA(n=9)

model(n=15)and EA(n=15)groups.The myocardial ischemia(MI)model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery.EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

1.5-2 mA)was applied to bilateral"Neiguan"(PC6)for 30 min

once daily for 4 days.The myocardial infarct size was detected by 2

3

5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining

myocardial histopathological changes and inflammatory infiltration were assessed by H.E.staining

and the expression of IL-8

IL-10

TH

β3 AR

and eNOS in the myocardium was determined by using Western blot.Results Compared with the sham group

a marked myocardial infarction was found in the left ventricle tissue

accompanied with disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers and higher degree of inflammatory cell infiltration

and increased expression of IL-8

TH

β3 AR and eNOS in the myocardium in the model group(P<0.01)

but without significant change in the expression of IL-10(P>0.05).After EA intervention and in comparison with the model group

the myocardial infarct size was significantly reduced(P<0.01)

the severity of inflammatory cell infiltration and disordered arrangement of myocardial fibers were relieved

and the expression of IL-10 and eNOS proteins were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05)

and the markedly up-regulated expression of IL-8

TH

andβ3 AR were significantly suppressed in the EA group(P<0.01).Conclusion EA intervention can reduce the myocardial infarct size(protective effect)in MI rats possibly by reducing inflammatory reaction and sympathetic nerve remodeling.