Effect of Electroacupuncture on Hypothalamic IRS-1 in a Rat Model of T2DM / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on hypothalamic insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomized to a normal group (15 rats) and an observation group (45 rats). In the observation group, a rat model of T2DM was made by high-energy diet induction. After the model was successfully made 8 weeks later, the observation group was randomized to model making, treatment and blocker groups, 15 rats each. The treatment group received electroacupuncture and the blocker group, electroacupuncture plus intraventricular perfusion of phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxyl kinase (PI3K) blocker. After 8 weeks of treatment, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured using a glucometer, fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by ELISA, insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated and IRS-1 expression was examined by SABC immunohistochemistry assay in every group of rats. Results FPG and Fins increased significantly (both P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the model making group compared with the normal group. FPG and Fins decreased significantly (both P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the treatment group compared with the model making group. FPG and Fins decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) and IRI and IRS-1 expression increased significantly (P<0.01) in the treatment group compared with the blocker group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve FPG, Fins and insulin sensitivity by regulating hypothalamic IRS-1 expression in T2DM rats.