Acupoint-specific, frequency-dependent, and improved insulin sensitivity hypoglycemic effect of electroacupuncture applied to drug-combined therapy studied by a randomized control clinical trial.

Rong-Tsung Lin,Shih-Liang Chang,Ying-I Chen,Jaung-Geng Lin,Yu-Chen Lee,Tai-Hao Hsu,Chung-Yuh Tzeng

doi:10.1155/2014/371475

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.

Highlights

Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative therapy that is based on the yin and yang theory [1]
Insulin-like immunoreactivity in the plasma of normal and type II diabetic rats was greatly increased by EA stimulation at the Zhongwan/Gwanyuan acupoint compared with the basal concentrations
EA stimulation at the Zhongwan/Gwanyuan acupoint cannot reduce plasma glucose levels in type II diabetic rats with higher insulin resistance induced by repeated injection of insulin

Summary

Introduction

Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative therapy that is based on the yin and yang theory [1]. The therapeutic goal of acupuncture is to regulate “Qi and blood” to achieve better health condition. Acupuncture regulates the Qi-blood balance and likely adjusts the blood flow throughout the body, influences absorption, or regulates the disturbance of Qi under disease conditions [2]. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, different acupoints have different therapeutic effects [1]. Under the guide of meridian theory, physician can use different acupoints to treat disease following the meridian pathway distant from the focus of disease.

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Discussion

Conclusion