Electroacupuncture pre-treatment ameliorates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury through regulation of cannabinoid receptor type 2

We reported that EA pretreatment significantly ameliorated MI/R injury, evidenced by increased cardiac function, reduced infarct size, and decreased apoptosis. This was associated with a reduction of oxidative stress in the infarcted myocardium, which was through CB2. The CB2 expression was up-regulated in the heart after EA pretreatment, as well as heart tissue content of N-arach-idonoylethanolamine-anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol. Furthermore, the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in the left ventricular myocardial tissue was decreased in the MI/R group, whereas increased in the EA pretreatment group. Administration of AM630 before EA pretreatment did not improve cardiac function and inhibit oxidative stress. Preinjection of AM630 or AMPK inhibitor compound C could partially decrease the expression of EA pretreatment-mediated AMPK or PGC-1α. Pretreatment with EA increased the production of endocannabinoid, which elicited protective effects against MI/R injury through CB2 activation. The mechanism of this effect was related to the activation of AMPK/PGC-1α pathway, followed by an inhibition of oxidative stress.
Source: European Journal of Heart Failure Supplements - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Articles Source Type: research