Electrical Stimulation at the ST36 Acupoint Protects against Sepsis Lethality and Reduces Serum TNF Levels through Vagus Nerve- and Catecholamine-Dependent Mechanisms

Figure 5

The reduction in the serum TNF levels after electroacupuncture in a rat model of sepsis is mediated through catecholamine production. Groups of six Wistar male rats were treated with a pharmacological inhibitor of catecholamines production (reserpine, 10 mg/kg sc) at 24 hrs before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or only laparotomy without CLP (SHAM). Rats with CLP were subsequently treated with electroacupuncture at the ST36 acupoint or SHAM acupuncture (CLP+SHAM-EA), with an intensity of 40 mA, a frequency of 30 Hz, and a 50 μs pulse width for 20 minutes (CLP+ST36). The serum TNF levels were analyzed at 2 hrs after surgery using ELISA. The data are expressed as the means ± SD of 6 rats per group. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons. The results showing no significant differences are indicated with a numeric symbol. The data are representative of three independent experiments.