Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao. 2026 Aug 25;42(8):3668-3682. doi: 10.13345/j.cjb.260146.
ABSTRACT
This study aims to explore the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and decipher the molecular mechanism. Forty male SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups: sham, model (ischemia/reperfusion, I/R, MI group), I/R combined with ST36 (ST36 group), and I/R combined with sham acupuncture (MI+sham group). The MIRI model was established by ligation and reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. EA stimulation was applied at Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) in the ST36 group. Echocardiography, Evans blue-TTC double staining, ELISA and multi-omics techniques were adopted to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and analyze molecular characteristics. The results demonstrated that EA markedly reduced myocardial infarct size, improved cardiac systolic function, and decreased serum levels of IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α as well as the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the myocardial tissue. A total of 6 676 proteins were identified via differential proteomics analysis. One hundred and eighty-seven differentially expressed proteins were identified between the MI group and the sham group, among which the expression of 141 proteins was reversed after EA intervention. These proteins were mainly enriched in signaling pathways related to mitochondrial autophagy and apoptosis. Metabolomics analysis screened out 454 differential metabolites, which were predominantly involved in sphingolipid metabolism and alanine-aspartate-glutamate metabolism pathways. This study indicates that EA alleviates myocardial damage in the rat model of MIRI by suppressing inflammatory responses and regulating signaling pathways associated with myocardial structural maintenance, energy metabolism, and cell survival. The therapeutic mechanism of EA involves the synergistic modulation of multiple targets and pathways, providing experimental evidence for the comprehensive treatment of MIRI.
PMID:42638063 | DOI:10.13345/j.cjb.260146