Abstract
BackgroundInsulin sensitivity has been enhanced by electroacupuncture (EA) in rats, but the EA phenomenon in an insulin resistant state is still unclear. This study reports the use of a large dose of prednisolone to evaluate the effects of EA in a state of insulin resistance.MethodsThe plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) were estimated in steroid-background rats (SBRs) and compared with those in healthy rats treated with normal saline. In addition, plasma glucose and endogenous insulin levels were assayed to calculate the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was carried out to compare glucose tolerance. The SBRs were randomly divided into EA-treatment and non-EA treatment groups and 15-Hz EA was applied to the bilateral Zusanli acupoints to investigate its effects on insulin resistance. In addition to an insulin challenge test (ICT) and IVGTT, the plasma levels of FFAs were measured and western blot was performed to help determine the effects of EA on the insulin resistant state.ResultsThe plasma levels of FFAs increased markedly in SBRs, the HOMA index was markedly higher, and glucose tolerance was impaired. EA improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by decreasing the plasma levels of FFAs. Further, the insulin signaling proteins (IRS1) and glucose transporter isoform protein (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle inhibited by prednisolone recovered after EA.ConclusionInsulin resistance was successfully induced by a large dose of prednisolone in male rats. This insulin resistance can be improved by 15 Hz EA at the bilateral Zusanli acupoints, as shown by decreased plasma levels of FFAs.
Highlights
Insulin sensitivity has been enhanced by electroacupuncture (EA) in rats, but the EA phenomenon in an insulin resistant state is still unclear
There is still insufficient studies to support the animal model of insulin resistance caused by a large dose of prednisolone, this study presents a faster method and a new animal model of elevating short-term insulin resistance using a large dose of prednisolone as background in normal Wistar rats, and using Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and free fatty acids (FFAs) for the realization of steroid induced insulin resistance
The data produced by comparing experiments between steroid group (SG) and control (normal saline) group (CG) in this study shows that a large dose of prednisolone effectively produces insulin resistance
Summary
Insulin sensitivity has been enhanced by electroacupuncture (EA) in rats, but the EA phenomenon in an insulin resistant state is still unclear. This study reports the use of a large dose of prednisolone to evaluate the effects of EA in a state of insulin resistance. The binding of the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to IRSs activates PI3K and Akt, which are called protein kinase B (PKB). The activation of this process is necessary for insulin to regulate glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein translocation from the cytosol to the membrane for glucose transportation in skeletal muscle [3]. This study measures the IRS1 and GLUT4 levels of EA and non-EA samples for both steroid background and saline groups to evaluate the possible effects of EA on insulin resistance
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