Electroacupuncture improves glucose tolerance through cholinergic nerve and nitric oxide synthase effects in rats

Lin, Ruey‐Mo; Chen, Ching-Yuan; Tzeng, Chung‐Yuh; Lee, Yu‐Chen; Cheng, Yu‐Wen; Chen, Ying‐I; Ho, Wai‐Jane; Cheng, Juei‐Tang; Lin, Jaung‐Geng; Chang, Shih‐Liang

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2011.02.071

Cited by 28 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Studies have also shown that EA can inhibit sympathetic activity by regulating NOS expression in the CNS [37] and stimulating the parasympathetic nerves, which decreases hepatic glucose release [12], using cholinergic inhibitors and NOS antagonists to explore its mechanism in normal rats by EA stimulation at the Zusanli acupoint to improve glucose tolerance. The data showed that insulin activity was enhanced by EA in normal male Wistar rats via increased neuronal NOS (nNOS) activity and upregulation of the insulin-signaling protein IRS1 expression in the rat skeletal muscle [22]. Thus, EA has the combined effect of enhancing cholinergic nerve activity and increasing nNOS activity via decreasing plasma FFA concentrations to improve glucose tolerance by facilitating insulin activity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Lin

Tzeng

Lee

et al. 2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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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.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Lin

Tzeng

Lee

et al. 2014

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…Blood was extracted for glucose testing prior to the experiment and at 30 and 60 minutes into the experiment as previously described [5]. The protocol of this procedure is summarized in Figure 1, and the two groups (EA and non-EA) were compared in the same background of cholinergic tone [19]. In the atropine blocking experiment, the plasma insulin and FFAs were also assayed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroacupuncture-Induced Cholinergic Nerve Activation Enhances the Hypoglycemic Effect of Exogenous Insulin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Lee

Tzeng

et al. 2011

Experimental Diabetes Research

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The aim of this study is to explore the mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) enhances the hypoglycemic effect of exogenous insulin in a streptozotocin- (STZ-) diabetic rats. Animals in the EA group were anesthetized and subjected to the insulin challenge test (ICT) and EA for 60 minutes. In the control group, rats were subjected to the same treatment with the exception of EA stimulation. Blood samples were drawn to measure changes in plasma glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), and insulin levels. Western blot was used to assay proteins involved in insulin signaling. Furthermore, atropine, hemicholinium-3 (HC-3), and Eserine were used to explore the relationship between EA and cholinergic nerve activation during ICT. EA augmented the blood glucose-lowering effects of EA by activating the cholinergic nerves in STZ rats that had been exposed to exogenous insulin. This phenomenon may be related to enhancement of insulin signaling rather than to changes in FFA concentration.

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“…31 EA at bilateral ST36 may improve glucose tolerance by stimulating cholinergic nerves and nitric oxide synthase, and lowering plasma levels of free fatty acids. 32 The glucose-lowering effect of EA may also be related to upregulation of obestatin expression in the hypothalamus, 33 activation of GLUT4 via upregulation of MAPK expression 34 and modulation of cell adhesion molecules. 35 The present experiment suggests that changes in blood sugar level may be a gradual process, as 3 weeks of treatment were needed before a significant difference was observed.…”

Section: Ea Simultaneously Improved Ovarian Cycle and Glucose Metabolismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture Attenuates Hyperglycaemia and Improves Ovarian Function in Female Rats Subjected to Continuous Light Exposure

Kang

et al. 2017

Acupunct Med

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Objective Exposure to unnatural light cycles is increasingly associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on glucose metabolism and ovarian function in female rats subjected to longterm continuous light exposure. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) were divided into three experimental groups: an LD group that was maintained under a normal light-dark cycle (healthy control); an LL group that was exposed to continuous light for 21 weeks but remained untreated; and an LL+EA group that received EA at ST36 and SP6 during weeks 17 to 21 of continuous light exposure. Results Oestrous cycles of female rats kept in a continuously lit environment for 21 weeks were disordered and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)-like changes occurred, accompanied by increased fasting blood glucose (6.23±0.33 vs 5.27±0.40 mmol/L in week 17, p=0.015) and reduced fasting levels of serum testosterone (0.07±0.018 vs 0.12±0.058 ng/L, p=0.043) and insulin (0.89±0.20 vs 1.43±0.46 ng/L, p=0.006). After 5 weeks of EA treatment at ST36 and SP6, ovarian cycle disruption was mitigated and blood glucose levels showed a gradual decline (5.18±0.37 vs 5.80±0.55 mmol/L, p=0.017; and 5.73±0.31 vs 6.62±0.13 mmol/L, p=0.004; in the fourth and fifth weeks of EA treatment, respectively). EA also attenuated the reductions otherwise seen in serum insulin and testosterone levels. Conclusion Prolonged exposure to light can lead to a decline in ovarian and pancreatic function. EA at ST36 and SP6 may reduce abnormally elevated blood glucose levels and improve ovarian and pancreatic hormone levels. InTRoduCTIonHuman circadian rhythms are synchronised to light/dark cycles. Over time, organisms have adapted to diurnal variations in their physiology and metabolism. These rhythms are regulated by molecular circadian clocks. However, in recent years, humans have shifted away from the naturally occurring solar light cycle in favour of artificial, irregular light schedules produced by electrical lighting. Disruption of the core clock genes secondary to interference with these environmental considerations may lead to an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease.1 2 Genetic disruption of clock genes in mice induces metabolic dysfunction at distinct phases of the sleep/ wake cycle.3 Constant exposure to light induces alterations in melatonin levels, food intake, visceral adiposity and circadian rhythms in rats. 4 Exposure of adult female rats to continuous light leads to the gradual development of chronic anovulation.5 6 However, it remains unknown how continuous light exposure affects glucose levels in female rats.As contemporary exposure to artificial light environments is unlikely to change, there may be a potential role for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in allowing humans to enjoy the convenience of artificially lit environments, while reducing the potential side effects of light exposure to a minimum. Acupuncture is now widely practised in both East Asian an...

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Electroacupuncture improves glucose tolerance through cholinergic nerve and nitric oxide synthase effects in rats

Cited by 28 publications

References 14 publications

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

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

Electroacupuncture-Induced Cholinergic Nerve Activation Enhances the Hypoglycemic Effect of Exogenous Insulin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Acupuncture Attenuates Hyperglycaemia and Improves Ovarian Function in Female Rats Subjected to Continuous Light Exposure

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