Fig. 2

Effects of electrical and/or mechanical acupuncture at neurogenic spots on systolic blood pressure in IMH rats. a Schematic of the experimental procedure in the hypertension model. Evans blue dye (EBD) was injected via the tail vein after the initiation of restraint. Approximately 10 min after EBD injection, MA, EA or combined (MA + EA) was applied at Neuro-Sps on the forelimb for 10 min, and blood pressure was measured every 10 min. b Representative images of Neuro-Sps. Most blue dots were found in the forelimb, anatomically corresponding to classical acupoints including PC6, PC7 and HT7. c Effect of MA, EA, or combined MA + EA at Neuro-Sps on the development of hypertension in rats (EA, n = 8; MA, n = 8). The reduction of blood pressure was dominant in EA + MA group (n = 5). *p < 0.05 vs. Con. (immobilization only; n = 5); ^&P < 0.05 vs. EA + MA. d Effect of MA, EA or combined MA + EA at neuro-Sps on the pulse rate in IMH rats. e Effect of MA + EA at neurogenic (n = 5) or non-neurogenic spots (n = 6) on the development of hypertension in rats (*p < 0.001 vs. Non-Neuro-Sp). The data of ‘Neuro-Sp’ are duplicated from ‘EA + MA’ of (c). f Representative pulse signals measured on the time points of 120 min after stimulation. BP blood pressure, EBD Evans blue dye