Electroacupuncture attenuates liver and kidney oxidative stress in anesthetized rats.

PURPOSE Investigate the effects of a single electroacupuncture (EA) session at acupoints Zusanli (ST-36) and Zhongwan (CV-12) combined in regulating oxidative stress in liver and kidney in anesthetized rats. METHODS Eighteen healthy rats randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=6) were anesthetized intraperitoneally with ketamine (90 mg kg-1 body weight) + xylazine (10mg/kg body weight): G-1: Control (anesthesia), G-2: anesthesia+EA10 Hz and 10 mA, 10 Hz) applied to right ST-36 and CV-12 acupoints for 30 minutes. G-3 was likewise treated, using a tenfold higher frequency (100 Hz). G6PDH activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were assayed spectrophotometrically. RESULTS Liver MDA and GSH concentrations increased significantly in rats submitted to EA 10Hz (p<0.01) and EA 100 Hz (p<0.001), compared with control G-1. Liver and kidney G6GPH activity decreased significantly in G-2 (p<0.01) and G-3 (p<0.001) compared with G-1 in EA100 Hz rats. A similar pattern was found in kidney G6PDH activity in EA10 Hz rats. CONCLUSION Single 30-minute EA 10/100 Hz session enhances lipid peroxidation and simultaneously reduces oxidative stress in liver and kidney tissues in a rat model.