Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of different acupoints on activities of the car-diac sympathetic nerve in rabbits with acute myocardial ischemia(AMI).Methods A total of 40 Chinchilla rabbits were rando-mized into normal control

model

Shenmen(HT 7)

Taixi(KI 3) and non-acupoint groups(n=8/group).AMI model was established by intravenous injection of pituitrin(3U/kg).EA(1.1mA

2Hz) was applied to bilateral HT 7

KI 3 and non-acupoint(the bulge site of the triangular muscle) for 10min.The rabbit's cardiac sympathetic discharges were recorded by BIOPAC under anesthesia.Results In comparison with control group

the heart rate(HR) and the frequency of cardiac sympathetic discharges(CSD) decreased significantly after AMI(P<0.01).At the moment of cease of EA

at 20min after EA

HR and CSD frequency in HT 7 group were significantly higher than those of model group(P<0.01)

suggesting a favorable inhibition of EA of HT 7 on the decreased HR and CSD.No significant differences were found between KI 3 and model groups

and between KI 3 and non-acupoint groups in both HR and CSD at any time courses(P>0.05).Conclusion EA of HT 7 can correct AMI-induced decrease of both HR and CSD in the rabbit

while EA of KI 3 and non-acupoint have not this effect

suggesting a relatively specific efficacy of EA of different acupoints on cardiac sympathetic activities.