Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of myocardial 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI 3 K)

hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in rats with ce-rebral-cardiac syndrome(CCS)

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying reducing ischemic myocardial injury.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into sham-operation

model

EA and non-acupoint(the lateral-superior side of the hip) groups(10 rats/group).CCS model was established by injection of collagenase(1 U/μL) and heparin(7 U/μL) into the right caudate nucleus.Following modeling

EA(1.5 mA

2 Hz

20 min) was applied to "Shuigou"(GV 26)

"Fengfu"(GV 16)

"Neiguan"(PC 6) and "Xinshu"(BL 15) acupoints

once daily for three consecutive days.The expression levels of PI 3 K

HIF-1α and VEGF in the myocardium were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the sham-operation group

the expression levels of myocardial PI 3 K

HIF-1α and VEGF proteins were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01).While in comparison with the model group

there were little increase in the non-acupoint group(P>0.05) and considerable increase in the expression levels of the 3 myocardial proteins in the EA group(P<0.05).Conclusion EA intervention has a function in upregulating the expression of myocardial VEGF

HIF-1α and PI 3 K proteins in CCS rats

which maybe contribute to its protective effect on ischaemic myocardial injury.