Hypoglycemic Effect of Electroacupuncture at ST25 Through Neural Regulation of the Pancreatic Intrinsic Nervous System

Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EA) is considered to have potential antidiabetic effects; however, the role of the pancreatic intrinsic nervous system (PINS) in EA-induced amelioration of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether EA at ST25 exerts any beneficial effects on insulin resistance (IR), inflammation severity, and pancreatic β cell function via the PINS in a rat model of a high-fat diet-streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes. To this end, Sprague Dawley rats were fed with HFD to induce IR, followed by STZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.) injection to establish the T2DM model. After hyperglycemia was confirmed as fasting glucose level > 16.7 mmol/L, the rats were treated with EA (2 mA, 2/15 Hz) for the next 28 days. Model rats showed increased serum glucose, insulin, IR, and TNF-α levels with a concomitant decrease in β cell function. Microscopy examination of the pancreas revealed pathological changes in islets, which reverted to near-normal levels after EA at ST25. EA improved islet cell morphology by increasing islet area and reducing vacuolation. EA at ST25 decreased transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and increased substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression. Subsequently, insulin secretion decreased and impaired pancreatic endocrine function was restored through the TRPV1 channel (SP/CGRP)-insulin circuit. EA increased choline acetyltransferase and neuropeptide Y expression and controlled inflammation. It also enhanced the cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript prepropeptide expression and promoted glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion. Additionally, the electrophysiological activity of PINS during acupuncture (2.71 ± 1.72 Hz) was significantly increased compared to the pre-acupuncture frequency (0.32 ± 0.37 Hz, P < 0.05). Thus, our study demonstrated the beneficial effect of EA on β cell dysfunction via the PINS in rat models of HFD-STZ-induced T2DM.

Electroacupuncture at Lower He-Sea and Front-Mu Acupoints Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Regulating the Intestinal Flora and Gut Barrier

“… 27 In this study, the efficacy of electroacupuncture performed at the lower he-sea and front-mu acupoints was similar to that of MET in terms of weight loss, hypoglycemia, and improvement of insulin resistance, suggesting that electroacupuncture performed at the lower he-sea and front-mu acupoints had a good ability to provide mechanical therapy for T2DM, which was consistent with the results of previous studies. 28 , 29 …”

“…27 In this study, the efficacy of electroacupuncture performed at the lower he-sea and front-mu acupoints was similar to that of MET in terms of weight loss, hypoglycemia, and improvement of insulin resistance, suggesting that electroacupuncture performed at the lower he-sea and front-mu acupoints had a good ability to provide mechanical therapy for T2DM, which was consistent with the results of previous studies. 28,29 The intestinal flora is located on the surface of the intestinal mucosa, and it is indispensable for human growth and development, physiological processes and even disease states. The gut microbiota consists of approximately 500-1000 species of bacteria.…”

Effects of electroacupuncture on bladder dysfunction and the expression of PACAP38 in a diabetic rat model

“…After 24 h of fasting, the diabetic model rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35 mg/kg) diluted in 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer solution. After 72 h, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the rats’ tail vein was measured, and the serum glucose level was ≥16.7 mmol × L −1 for three consecutive days, indicating that the T2DM model rats were successfully established ( Xu et al, 2022 ). The HFD feeding was continued until week eight, and models were assessed by a urodynamic test.…”

Electroacupuncture regulates the cross-talk between Islets and Peripancreatic Adipose tissue to combat obesity combined with insulin resistance

“…A 3 cm incision was made on the skin on the right side of the midline of the abdomen. The attached fat was removed from the duodenum, so as to retain the connective tissue between the duodenum and pancreas and fully expose the pancreatic nerve [20]. The intracranial nerve branches were separated and connected to a prefabricated double-hook electrode (PFA-coated platinum, A-M Systems, USA, 772000).…”