OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) at different acupoints for fasting blood glucose(FBG) and oral glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes rats so as to verify the glucose-lowering effects of EA.

METHODSTotal 100 SD male rats were seen as experimental objects,among which 13 were randomly assigned into a blank group. Other rats were fed with high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose streptozotocin (STZ) to establish type 2 diabetes model. Sixty diabetic rats were randomly assigned into a model group,a Weiwanxiashu group,a Xinshu group,a Shenshu group and a Housanli group,12 cases in each one. Combined with the improved diet habits and routines,EA (2 Hz and 2 mA) was used at "Weiwanxiashu" (EX-B 3),"Xinshu" (BL 15),"Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Housanli" (ST 36) in the corresponding groups,6 times a week for 4 weeks. There was no treatment in the blank group and in the model group. The observation indexes were the FBG on the 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day of intervention,the instant glucose-lowering effect on the 21st day during treatment,and the area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) after intervention. Also,the glucose regulation condition was observed.

RESULTSType 2 diabetes model could be established by high fat and high sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of small dose STZ. Glucose decreased apparently at the end of the 1st week or the 2nd week compared with that before treatment in the Weiwanxiashu,Xinshu and Shenshu groups(<0.05,<0.01). The instant FBG of the Weiwanxiashu and Xinshu groups was obviously lower than that of the model and Housanli groups at the end of the 3rd week(all<0.01). The area under the curve of OGTT of the Weiwanxiashu group was apparently smaller than that of the model group (<0.05),and the results of the index in the other groups were not significantly different from that of the model group(all>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLow frequency EA at "Weiwanxiashu"(EX-B 3),"Xinshu"(BL 15) and "Shenshu"(BL 23) can reduce glucose with different onset times,effects,and durations. And "Weiwanxiashu"(EX-B 3) is more effective.