[Progress of studies on mechanisms of acupuncture underlying regulation of cardiac function via autonomic nervous system].

Abstract

Acupuncture therapy has been confirmed to be effective in treating cardiovascular diseases in clinical practice. Acupuncture-induced balance of the autonomic nervous system activities is one of its key mechanisms. In the present paper, the authors review progress of studies on acupuncture treatment of cardiovascular diseases from 1) regulating cardiac sympathetic-beta-adrenergic receptor activity and myocardial intracellular GTP-binding protein (Gs)-adenylylcyclase (AC)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase (PKA) signaling, and 2) balancing cardiac sympathetic and vagal nerve activities. Due to limited experimental conditions, in-depth studies about the mechanisms of acupuncture intervention underlying improvement of cardiovascular functions are relatively fewer up to now. Along with the further development of modern biology, the mechanism of acupuncture intervention underlying regulation of cardiac function via autonomic nerve system will be revealed in detail.

• Authors: Ya-Li Wang, Zhi Yu, Bin Xu
• Journal: Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research (Zhen Ci Yan Jiu) Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. 83-6 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1000-0607 [Print] China
• PMID: 24684118 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Acupuncture Therapy
• Animals
• Autonomic Nervous System (physiology)
• Heart (innervation, physiology)
• Humans