Heart-meridian-acupoint-based study on nitric oxide and sympathetic nerves

Nitric oxide and sympathetic nerves play an important role in the pathophysiological changes of the heart and the functional activity of meridians and acupoints. A heart-meridian-acupoint-based summary has been undertaken of the possible mechanism of the nitric oxide and sympathetic nerves in the functional cardiovascular activities in terms of NO effect on the cardiovascular physiopathological changes, the regulative effect of sympathetic nerves on cardiovascular functions, NO central regulative site, the medium in regulation of NO in cardiovascular functions, and the effect of medicine or acupuncture on NO functions. It is revealed that NO and sympathetic nerves are controlled by the central nervous system, involving the spinal cord and cerebral nucleus. Sympathetic nerves and platelets are the medium in regulation of NO in cardiovascular functions, and medication or needles applied to the points on the pericardium channel protects the cardiac muscles from injury by regulative effect of NO and NOS in peripheral blood and cardiac muscles. Application of acupuncture produces specific changes of NO in the point tissues and the features of changes along the channel can be seen. A review of past literature shows that it is an under-researched area and deserves more attention.