Experimental research on treatment of hypertension with acupuncture

The effects of acupuncture on blood pressure, microcirculation of bulbar conjunctiva and hemorheology in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were observed. The mechanism of acupuncture to lower blood pressure is discussed from the viewpoint of microcirculation and hemorheology. SHRs and Wistar rats of both sexes weighing about 250g were divided into three groups: 1. Acupuncture group of 15 SHRs, in which Quchi (LI 11) and Taichong (Liv 3), Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (St 36) were selected and punctured twice a day with the needle retained for 15 minutes and the reducing method by twisting and twirling the needle used, 15 days constituting a course; 2. Control group of 10 SHRs; 3. Control group of 10 normal Wistar rats. All rats in groups 2 and 3 were treated in the same way as in Group 1 except for the acupuncture. It was found that the morphology and blood flow of bulbar conjunctiva microcirculation in SHRs were obviously abnormal: the capillaries with blood flow were reduced in number, the arterioles were spasmodic and of smaller diameter, the venules were dilated due to blood stasis which showed a slow granular flow of blood, the blood viscosity was increased, hematocrit increased, and the time for RBC electrophoresis prolonged. The blood was in a state of high viscosity, high concentration and high aggregation. After acupuncture treatment the blood pressure not only fell, but the morphology and blood flow of bulbar conjunctiva microcirculation and the hemorheology of SHRs all improved remarkably.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)