Acupoint‐Specific, Frequency‐Dependent, and Improved Insulin Sensitivity Hypoglycemic Effect of Electroacupuncture Applied to Drug‐Combined Therapy Studied by a Randomized Control Clinical Trial

Abstract

The application of electroacupuncture (EA) to specific acupoints can induce a hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced rats, normal rats, and rats with steroid-induced insulin resistance. EA combined with the oral insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone improved insulin sensitivity in rats and humans with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). There are different hypoglycemic mechanisms between Zhongwan and Zusanli acupoints by EA stimulation. On low-frequency (2 Hz) stimulation at bilateral Zusanli acupoints, serotonin was involved in the hypoglycemic effect in normal rats. Moreover, after 15 Hz EA stimulation at the bilateral Zusanli acupoints, although enhanced insulin activity mainly acts on the insulin-sensitive target organs, the muscles must be considered. In addition, 15 Hz EA stimulation at the bilateral Zusanli acupoints has the combined effect of enhancing cholinergic nerve activity and increasing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity to enhance insulin activity. Despite the well-documented effect of pain control by EA in many systemic diseases, there are few high-quality long-term clinical trials on the hypoglycemic effect of EA in DM. Combination treatment with EA and other medications seems to be an alternative treatment to achieve better therapeutic goals that merit future investigation.

Prevalence of and attitudes towards complementary therapy use for weight after breast cancer in Australia: a national survey

“…A recent meta-analysis reported that acupuncture, in particular auricular acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, was more efficacious than sham acupuncture for reducing BMI (MD − 0.47 kg/m 2 ) as well as body fat mass (MD − 0.66 kg), waist circumference (MD − 2.02 cm) and hip circumference (MD − 2.74 cm) but not for reducing body weight overall [20]. Mechanistic studies have suggested multiple responses to acupuncture including appetite suppression [21,22], modulation of leptin and ghrelin [23][24][25] and improved insulin sensitivity [26][27][28][29][30][31]. Further, acupuncture may alleviate co-morbid anxiety symptoms in people with obesity [23,32,33].…”

“…Physical activity levels were calculated according to the number of 20-min sessions of less vigorous exercise or more vigorous exercise a week, given a weighting and described in terms of MET (metabolic cost) minutes where MET minutes less than 80 were coded as no physical activity, 80 to 400 as low, 400 to 560 as moderate and more than 560 as high. A value of 4 METs was given to moderate physical activity and 7.5 to vigorous physical activity [26].…”

Acupuncture or auricular electro-acupuncture as adjuncts to lifestyle interventions for weight management in PCOS: protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study

“…In non-PCOS populations, acupuncture, in particular auricular acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, is more efficacious than sham for reducing body mass index (BMI) (mean difference [MD] − 0.47 kg/m 2 ) as well as body fat mass (MD − 0.66 kg), waist circumference (MD − 2.02 cm) and hip circumference (MD − 2.74 cm) [8]. These effects are mediated through multiple responses including appetite suppression [9,10], modulation of leptin and ghrelin [11][12][13], and improved insulin sensitivity [14][15][16][17][18][19]. Further, acupuncture may alleviate comorbid anxiety symptoms in people with obesity [11,20,21].…”

Microanatomical Changes of Pancreas With Effect of Acutens at Zusanli (St36) Acupoints in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Each acupoint has its different therapeutic action. The acupoints can be stimulated either manually using needle or electrically 8 . Acupuncture therapy in diabetes acts on the receptors of pancreas beta cells to increase the insulin secretion, promotes glucose metabolism and reduce the blood sugar level 9 .…”