Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)of"Zusanli"(ST 36)on myocardium ischemic damage following intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)in rats.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham

I/R-1h

I/R-4h

EA-I/R-1hand EA-I/R-4h(n=6in each group).The intestinal I/R model was established by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery.EA(2Hz/100 Hz

2-3mA)was applied to bilateral ST 36 for 30min.In rats of the sham group

only the stomach was opened.Plasma dopamine(DA)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αcontents

and myocardial myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde(MDA)content were assayed using ELISA

and plasma creastine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)and lactate dehydrogenese(LDH)activities were detected using a fully biochemical analyser.Myocardial pathological changes were observed under microscope after H.E.staining.Results Compared with the sham group

plasma DA content was significantly decreased in both I/R-1hand I/R-4hgroups

while plasma TNF-αcontent and CK-MB and LDH activities

and myocardial MPO activity and MDA content in both I/R-1hand I/R-4hgroups were obviously increased(P<0.05).After EA

the decreased plasma DA and the increased plasma TNF-αcontents and the increased plasma CK-MB and LDH and myocardial MPO activities and MDA contents in the EA-I/R-1hand EA-I/R-4hgroups were reversed(P<0.05).The inhibitory rates of EA on myocardial MDA content and MPO activity were 9% and 13%in the EA-I/R-1hgroup and 30% and 15%in the EA-I/R-4hgroup

respectively

suggesting a better protective effect of EA intervention on myocardium in the EA-I/R-4h group.Conclusion EA of ST 36 has a better protective action on myocardium in intestinal I/R injury rats

which may be related to its effects in up-regulating plasma DA level and down-regulating circulating pro-inflammatory factor TNF-αcontent

and reducing myocardial oxygen free radicals.