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REVI EW ARTI CLE

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Electroacupuncture for Control of Blood Glucose in
Diabetes: Literature Review
Philip V. Peplow
1,
*, G. David Baxter
2
1
Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, New Zealand
2
Centre for Physiotherapy Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, New Zealand
Available online Jan 2, 2012
Received: Oct 27, 2011
Accepted: Nov 23, 2011
KEYWORDS
acupoints;
blood glucose;
diabetes;
electroacupuncture
Abstract
Electrical stimulation at acupuncture points (acupoints) has been investigated for its
utility in lowering blood glucose in hyperglycemic humans and animal models. Only two
studies were found using electroacupuncture in human subjects, and in both of these,
the participants were normal (nondiabetic) and electrical stimulation was carried out
at several acupoints. It had a hypoglycemic effect in obese women with caloric restric-
tion diet using electrical stimulation of 2 Hz for 30 minutes/day for 20 days, but no
change occurred in blood glucose of fasted patients in the other study using 1 Hz for 15
minutes. Fourteen animal studies were found, of which, 11 were performed in diabetic
and normal rats. A hypoglycemic effect was observed in fasted type 1 diabetic rats using
the Zusanli (ST36) leg acupoint with electrical stimulation of 15 Hz for 30 minutes and 60
minutes. In fasted type 2 diabetic rats, blood glucose was lowered using the Zusanli
acupoint with electrical stimulation parameters of 15 Hz and 10 mA for 30 minutes. Also,
using the Zhongwan (CV12) abdomen acupoint with electrical stimulation parameters of
15 Hz and 10 mA for 90 minutes had a hypoglycemic effect in fasted type 2 diabetic rats.
In fasted normal rats, electrical stimulation of 2 Hz or 15 Hz for 30 minutes at the Zusanli
or Zhongwan acupoint caused a decrease in blood glucose. Future studies are required in
fasted diabetic rats to determine the effect of electroacupuncture on blood levels of
insulin, lipids, fatty acids and b-endorphin, and blood ow and nerve conduction velocity.
Studies with fasted normal and diabetic human subjects treated by electroacupuncture
are warranted using data from animal experiments to inform such studies.
1. Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly prevalent and costly
disease that can cause damage to many structures in the
body. Many of theses adverse effects are caused by
elevated blood levels of glucose and lipids. Diabetes
without proper treatment can cause many serious long-
term complications such as cardiovascular disease, chronic
renal failure, and retinal damage.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the
immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the
pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces
* Corresponding author. Department of Anatomy & Structural Biology, University of Otago, Level 2, Lindo Ferguson Building, Great King
Street, Dunedin 9013, New Zealand.
E-mail: phil.peplow@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Copyright 2012, International Pharmacopuncture Institute
doi:10.1016/j.jams.2011.11.018
J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2012;5(1):1e10 J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2012;5(1):1e10
insufcient or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas
is usually producing sufcient insulin but the body is not
able to use the insulin effectively (so-called insulin
resistance).
Traditional Chinese acupuncture has long been used to
control blood glucose and lipids in patients with diabetes
mellitus. Apart from such treatment with needles, electrical
stimulation with acupuncture is promoted as being poten-
tially more effective in controlling diabetes. Electro-
acupuncture applied at different frequencies may cause the
release of endogenous opioid peptides such as b-endorphin
from the adrenal gland, and thereby enhance insulin secre-
tion [1,2].
The aim of this paper was to review experimental
studies of electroacupuncture for controlling blood glucose
in diabetes, to identify the acupoints and electrical stim-
ulation parameters used and those found to be effective,
and establish where further studies are warranted.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Literature review
Original research papers investigating the effects of elec-
troacupuncture in humans and animal models with type 1
and type 2 diabetes, and published up to December 2010
were retrieved and used for this review. Relevant papers
were sought and obtained from library sources and the
online database PubMed using EndNote X1 (Thomson Reu-
ters, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Search terms were acupuncture,
control of diabetes, blood sugar, and blood glucose.
Additional secondary sources of information included
reference lists from retrieved papers, and pertinent papers
identied by hand searches of relevant journals not found
from the database. EndNote searches were carried out by
one of the authors at the beginning of January 2011, and
articles for inclusion and exclusion were identied and
conrmed.
2.2. Inclusion/exclusion criteria
We included studies that met the following criteria: (1)
studies were performed in humans or rats, mice, rabbits or
some other suitable small laboratory animal model with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or were normal; (2) electro-
acupuncture was investigated as the primary intervention
(independent variable); (3) the sites of acupuncture nee-
dles were dened or implied; (4) the parameters for
electrical stimulation in electroacupuncture were dened;
(5) at least one outcome or index of electroacupuncture
treatment relating to control of diabetes was identied as
the dependent variable; and (6) the treatment outcome or
index identied was blood glucose, blood lipid, blood
insulin, b-endorphin, blood ow, pain score, or nerve
conduction velocity.
Studies excluded from this study were: (1) in vitro
studies involving cells; (2) studies reported in languages for
which no English language translation was available; (3)
reviews and meta-analyses; (4) studies that did not use
electroacupuncture; and (5) studies for which only an
abstract was available.
2.3. Retrieved articles
The process followed for retrieving articles from the liter-
ature search is summarized in Fig. 1.
2.4. Items for data extraction
For included articles, the following data were extracted
and tabulated: research method, sample type, acupoints,
electroacupuncture parameters, treatment outcomes.
Figure 1 Flowchart of literature search: studies of electroacupuncture for control of blood glucose.
2 P.V. Peplow, G.D. Baxter
3. Results
Two human studies and 14 animal studies (11 in rats, 2
of which included mice; and 1 each in mice, rabbits and
sand rats) were identied [1e16], and are summarized in
Tables 1 and 2. However, due to the small number of human
studies, the main focus has been on studies in rats. The
acupoints and electrical stimulation parameters used in the
studies with diabetic and normal (nondiabetic) rats are
given in Tables 3 and 4.
4. Discussion
Treatment strategies targeting blood glucose, blood pres-
sure, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
levels, together with lifestyle modications, are central to
the management of diabetes [17e19]. These strategies
reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, and also
reduce the risk or slow the progression of microvascular
complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy [19].
Therapies currently in use involve pharmacological agents,
lifestyle modications including exercise, weight loss,
reduced caloric and intake of dietary fat, cessation of
smoking, and acupuncture. Other treatment procedures for
diabetes include laser light in association with electro-
magnetic elds, and electrostimulation [20].
The retrieved articles from the literature search showed
that most of the published studies using electroacupuncture
were performed in rats, with only two studies reported in
humans, who were normal (nondiabetic) volunteers.
Consequently, the main focus of this review was the data
from the rat studies because these could inform future
studies in humans.
Of the two studies in human patients with hyperglycemia
treated by electroacupuncture, one involved obese women
receiving electrical stimulation at 2 Hz for 30minutes/day
for 20 days at ear, body and leg acupoints, including Zusanli,
whereas in the other study, patients received electrical
stimulation at 1 Hz and 15 minutes at a combination of
acupoints. The frequency of electrical stimulation in both
studies was very low. In the rst study with obese women,
a decrease in blood glucose and an increase in blood insulin
occurred using electroacupuncture together with a caloric
restriction diet. However, it is not known to what extent
the restriction diet contributed to these changes. There was
no effect on blood glucose in the second study, although
blood insulin decreased shortly after the end of acupunc-
ture and then increased after the next 30 minutes. Only in
the second study were the subjects reported to have been
fasted during the experimental period.
Blood glucose in type 1 diabetic rats was mostly
unchanged following electroacupuncture treatment. For
the three studies in which the rats were fasted and which
therefore provided the most meaningful information on
treatment outcomes, a hypoglycemic effect and increased
insulin sensitivity were observed only in the study using the
Zusanli (ST36) leg acupoint, with electrical stimulation at
15 Hz for 30 minutes and 60 minutes. One of the other two
studies used Zusanli and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints on the
right leg and electrical stimulation parameters of 4 Hz
or 20 Hz and 50 mA/day for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. This
electrical current was most likely too low because other
studies used currents of 10 mA. In the other study, while
using the Zusanli acupoint, the frequency of electrical
stimulation was 2 Hz for 30 minutes, and this was most
likely too low for these animals because other studies used
15 Hz or 20 Hz. None of the three studies reported blood
insulin or b-endorphin in the diabetic rats following elec-
troacupuncture treatment. By contrast, in both studies
with fasted type 2 diabetic rats, there was a decrease in
blood glucose and an increase in blood insulin. One study
used the Zusanli acupoint with electrical stimulation
parameters of 15 Hz and 10 mA for 30 minutes, whereas the
other study used the Zhongwan (CV12) abdomen acupoint
with electrical stimulation parameters of 15 Hz and 10 mA
for 90 minutes. There were no reported measurements of
blood b-endorphin in fasted type 2 diabetic rats. In Tradi-
tional Chinese Medicine, the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint is
considered as a primer to control blood glucose [21],
whereas the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint not only regulates
blood glucose, but also gynecological conditions [22]. The
Zhongwan acupoint regulates the stomach [23].
In all four studies of fasted normal rats using the Zusanli
acupoint and electrical stimulation parameters of 15 Hz and
10 mA for 30 minutes; 15 Hz for 30 minutes and 60 minutes;
2 Hz for 30 minutes, then after 90 minutes, 2 Hz or 100 Hz
for 30 minutes; or 2 Hz for 30 minutes; blood glucose was
decreased. Also, blood glucose was decreased in both
studies using the Zhongwan acupoint with electrical stim-
ulation parameters of 15 Hz for 30 minutes and 2 Hz for 30
minutes. In two of the three studies in which blood insulin
was determined, it was found to be increased. Also, blood
b-endorphin was increased in both of the studies in which it
had been measured. Normal rats would appear to be more
sensitive to the hypoglycemic action of electrical stimula-
tion at the Zusanli acupoint with 2 Hz for 30 minutes than
type 1 diabetic rats were.
The paucity of data on treatment outcomes such as blood
insulin, blood lipids and fatty acids, blood b-endorphin,
blood ow and nerve conduction velocity did not enable
a rational conclusion to be reached of the effect of elec-
troacupuncture on these outcomes in fasted diabetic and
normal rats. Further studies are warranted to provide this
information and also studies should be undertaken in fasted
normal and diabetic human subjects, using as a guide those
electroacupuncture parameters resulting in a hypoglycemic
action in the rat studies reviewed here.
It has been reported that approximately 30% of human
patients will experience hyperglycemia during hospitaliza-
tion, and many do not have diabetes or are undiagnosed.
Blood sugar levels tend to be increased when a patient is
critically ill, for example, after heart surgery e a condition
referred to as stress hyperglycemia [24,25]. Stress hyper-
glycemia in seriously ill patients worsens outcomes with
higher medical costs, higher incidence of infection and
readmission to the hospital, and higher mortality rates. A
recent study found that 40% of elderly patients admitted to
hospital had hyperglycemia; excluding those patients
already diagnosed with diabetes, 25% of the patients were
hyperglycemic [26]. It therefore seems likely that electrical
stimulation at selected acupoints could have an important
clinical application in reducing hyperglycemia in patients
during hospitalization.
Electroacupuncture for control of blood glucose in diabetes 3
Table 1 Searched studies using electroacupuncture in humans.
Authors, reference EA treatment Subjects Measured outcomes of electroacupuncture treatment
Normal Diabetic Blood
glucose
Blood
insulin
Blood
lipids
Blood
b-endorphin
Blood
ow
Nerve
conduction
velocity
Cabioglu, Ergene
2006 Am J Chin
Med 34:367e76
[3]
52 healthy women
allocated to 3 groups:
placebo EA group
(n Z15), EA group
(n Z20), diet restriction
group (n Z20) 2 Hz,
30 min/d, 20 d, Ear points
Hunger and Shen Men and
body points LI4, LI11,
ST36, ST44
Obese women; a
1450 kcal diet for
women in EA group,
placebo EA group,
and diet restriction
group for 20 d
Blood
glucose
decreased
Serum
insulin
increased
Szczudlik, Lypka
1984 Acupunct
Electrother Res,
9:1e9 [4]
10 patients, 1 Hz, 15 min
needle insertion to Du20,
Extra 1, Extra
2 - symmetrical,
GB20- symmetrical,
LI4 - symmetrical and
twirled to obtain degi
(Tei Chi) effect; current
increased gradually to
obtain painless tingling
sensation in stimulated
area, avoiding muscle
contraction
Adult Serum glucose not
changed from
normal values in
investigated
subjects who were
fasted during
experimental
period
Serum insulin
decreased at
5 min after end
of acupuncture,
and increased
after next 30 min
EA Zelectroacupuncture.
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Table 2 Searched studies using electroacupuncture in animals.
Authors, reference Species, EA treatment Experimental animals Measured outcomes of electroacupuncture treatment
Normal Diabetic Blood glucose Blood insulin Blood lipids Blood b-
endorphin
Blood ow Nerve
conduction
velocity
Liang et al. 2011
Evidence-Based
Comp Altern Med
doi. 10.1155/2011/
735297 [5]
Mice, males, 16 db/db divided into
two groups of 8, 14 db/m divided
into 2 groups. 3 Hz/0.5e0.8 mA
10 min/d, 5 treatments/wk, 8 wk
acupuncture needles inserted at
Zusanli (ST36) and Guanyuan (CV4)
points; needles at these two points
were linked to Zusanli on other
side on following day
Non-diabetic
heterozygote
litter mates
Genetic obese
diabetic
Blood glucose decreased
in diabetic mice
Insulin levels
maintained and
increased insulin
sensitivity in
diabetic mice
Free fatty acid
levels decreased in
blood of diabetic
mice with no
signicant effect on
triglyceride or total
cholesterol; no
effect on free fatty
acid, triglyceride or
total cholesterol
levels in blood of
non-diabetic mice
Pai et al. 2009 J
Acupunct Meridian
Stud 2: 147e151 [6]
Rats, 36 males randomly divided
into groups of 9. 15 Hz/10 mA/
30 min
Two acupuncture needles inserted
into anterior tibial muscles at both
Zusanli (ST36) points
Adults fasted
for 12 h
STZ-neonatal type
2 fasted for 12 h
Blood glucose decreased
in normal and type 2
diabetic rats
Insulin secretion
increased in
normal and type 2
diabetic rats
Ishizaki et al. 2009
Metab Clin Exp 58:
1372e1378 [7]
Rats, 27 males divided into EA
group (n Z13) and control group
(n Z14). 15 Hz/10 mA/90 min
Acupuncture needles inserted into
muscle layer at 2 points between
top of xiphoid process and upper
border of pubic symphysis
Genetic type 2
fasted for 12e20 h
Fasting blood glucose
decreased
Plasma insulin
increased during
fasting period
Higashimura et al.
2009 Autonomic
Neurosci Basic Clin
150: 100e103 [8]
Rats, 25 males; 2 wk after STZ,
randomly divided into groups.
20 Hz/10 mA/10 min. Two
acupuncture needles inserted into
right tibialis anterior muscle
STZ-adult type 1 not
reported as being
fasted (n Z7)
No change in plasma
glucose; response of
plasma glucose to insulin
increased
Chang et al. 2006 Life
Sci 79: 967e971 [9]
Rats, males normal and STZ
diabetic rats divided randomly into
experimental and control groups of
8. 15 Hz, 30 and 60 min.
Acupuncture needles inserted into
anterior tibia muscles at both
Zusanli (ST36) points
Adult STZ-adult type 1
fasted for 12 h
Blood glucose decreased
in normal and type 1
diabetic rats; response
of plasma glucose to
insulin increased in
insulin challenge test in
normal and type 1
diabetic rats
No change in
normal rats and no
increase in normal
rats undergoing iv
GTT
Tseng et al. 2005 Am
J Chin Med 33:
767e778 [10]
Rats, 7 animals 2 Hz, 30 min, then
after 90 min, 2 Hz 30 min (n Z2),
100 Hz 30 min (n Z2).
Acupuncture needle inserted 5 mm
deep at bilateral Zusanli (ST36)
acupoints; 2 Hz (n Z3) at
nonacupoints
Adults fasted
for 12 h
After 2 Hz, EA blood
glucose decreased but
60 min after end of EA,
blood glucose was
raised; blood glucose
not changed after
a second 2 Hz or 100 Hz
stimulus after 90 min
(continued on next page)
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Table 2 (continued)
Authors, reference Species, EA treatment Experimental animals Measured outcomes of electroacupuncture treatment
Normal Diabetic Blood glucose Blood insulin Blood lipids Blood b-
endorphin
Blood ow Nerve
conduction
velocity
Lin et al. 2005 Conf
Proc IEEE, Eng
Med Biol Soc 4:
4271e4274 [11]
Rats, males divided randomly into
groups, including normal (n Z12)
and EA groups (n Z11). 4 or 20 Hz,
30 min/50 mA/day, 4 weeks
acupoints ST36, SP9 (positive
charge), SP6, K3 (negative charge)
in right lower limb
Adults STZ-adult type 1
diabetes
No change in blood
glucose for normal and
diabetic rats following
electrical stimulation of
acupoints
No change in
blood ow in
footpad for
diabetic rats
following
electrical
stimulation of
acupoints
compared to
normal rats
For diabetic
rats, at 3rd and
4th weekend of
electrical
stimulation,
NCV was
increased
Chang et al. 2005
Neurosci Lett 379:
69e73 [12]
Rats, male, 2 Hz, 30 min, Mice,
2 Hz, 30 min. Acupuncture needles
inserted into anterior tibia muscles
at both Zusanli (ST36) points
Adults, Adults STZ-adult type 1
diabetes
Plasma glucose
decreased in non-fasting
(n Z8) and fasting
normal rats (n Z7) but
not in fasting type 1
diabetic rats (n Z7);
a small decrease in
plasma glucose occurred
with EA at nonacupoint
in normal rats (n Z8);
plasma glucose
decreased in non-fasting
(n Z8) and fasting
normal mice (n Z7)
Plasma insulin
increased in
fasting normal
rats
Plasma b-
endorphin
increased in
fasting normal
rats
Lin et al. 2004
Neurosci Lett 366:
39e42 [13]
Rats, male randomly divided into
ADX and sham groups (n Z6).
Mice, male. 15 Hz, 30 min,
Acupuncture needles inserted into
muscle layer at depth of 2 mm at
Zhongwan and Gwanyuan
acupoints on abdomen
Sham and ADX
adult
Plasma glucose
decreased in sham rats
(n Z6) and mice
(n Z9); adrenalectomy
partially reduced plasma
glucose response to EA
in rats (n Z6) and mice
(n Z8)
Plasma insulin not
changed in ADX
rats
Plasma b-
endorphin not
changed in ADX
rats
Zeng, Li 2002 J Trad
Chin Med 22:
134e136 [14]
Rabbits, 14 males, 10 females.
25 min. Acupuncture needle
inserted into Weiwanxiashu and/or
Zusanli acupoint
Alloxan-adult type 1
diabetes
Plasma glucose and
glucagon decreased
following acupuncture
at Weiwanxiashu point
(n Z8) but not when
acupuncture given at
Zusanli point alone
(n Z8); decrease in
plasma glucose and
glucagon more
pronounced when
acupuncture given at
both Weiwanxiashu and
Zusanli (n Z8)
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Lin et al. 2002
Neurosci Lett 326:
17e20 [2]
Rats, male divided into ADX (n Z9)
and sham group (n Z8) Mice, male
ADX (n Z8) and sham (n Z7) 2 Hz
30 min. Acupuncture needles
inserted into muscle layer at
Zhongwan and Gwanyuan
acupoints
sham and ADX
adult fasted
Plasma glucose
decreased in sham rats
and mice; no effect in
ADX rats and mice
Plasma insulin
increased in sham
rats; no effect in
ADX rats
Plasma b-
endorphin
increased in
sham rats; no
effect in ADX
rats
Shapira et al. 2000
Diabetol 43:
809e813 [15]
Sand rats, 29 diabetic male
randomly assigned to 3 groups:
abdominal EA, back EA, and
control. 15 Hz, 80 mA, 30 min.
Acupuncture needles inserted 2
mm into muscle layer at Zhongwan
and Gwanyuan acupoints
Type 2 diabetes Decrease in blood
glucose between real
(abdominal EA) and
placebo groups (back
EA) throughout the 3 wk
Serum insulin was
not changed
between real and
placebo groups
Plasma triglycerides
and cholesterol
were not changed
between real and
placebo groups
Chang et al. 1999
Diabetol 42:
250e255 [1]
Rats, male divided into
experimental groups and control
group (EA at non-acupoint). 15 Hz,
10 mA, 30 min. Acupuncture
needles inserted into muscle layer
at Zhongwan (positive charge) and
Gwanyuan acupoints (negative
charge)
Adults Adult genetic type 1
diabetes (BB/W),
STZ-adult type 1
diabetes and STZ-
neonatal type 2
diabetes
Plasma glucose
decreased in normal rats
(n Z8) and type 2
diabetic rats (n Z8); no
effect in type 1 diabetic
rats (BB/W, n Z8; STZ-
induced, n Z7)
Plasma insulin
increased in
normal rats and
type 2 diabetic
rats
Plasma b-
endorphin
increased in
normal rats and
type 2 diabetic
rats; also
increased in STZ
type 1 diabetic
rats
Ikeda et al. 1991
Acupunct Electro-
Ther Res 16:
127e134 [16]
Rats, 56 male. 50 Hz, 5 V 10 min.
Two acupuncture needles were
inserted to deep muscle layer at
Chuin acupoint; other acupoints in
abdomen also chosen and to front
paw and to leg and thigh
Adults Blood glucose levels
increased following EA
of middle upper
abdominal area;
stimulation of other
areas of abdomen or
front paw, leg or thigh
did not alter blood sugar
level
ADX Zadrenalectomized; EA Zelectroacupuncture; GTT Zglucose tolerance test; NCV Znerve conduction velocity; STZ Zstreptozotocin
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Table 3 Acupoints used in studies of diabetic rats treated by electroacupuncture.
Type 1 diabetes
Authors, reference Experimental animals EA parameters Acupoints Measured outcomes of treatment
Blood glucose Blood insulin Blood b-endorphin
Higashimura et al. 2009
Autonomic Neurosci Basic
Clin 150: 100e103 [8]
STZ-adult, type 1 diabetes,
not reported as being fasted
20 Hz, 10 mA, 10 min, leg
acupoints
Needles inserted
into right tibialis
anterior muscle
No change; response
of plasma glucose to
insulin increased
Chang et al. 2006 Life Sci
79: 967e971 [9]
STZ-adult, type 1 diabetes,
fasted for 12 h
15 Hz, 30 and 60 min, leg
acupoints
ST36 Decreased; response
of plasma glucose to
insulin increased in
insulin challenge test
Lin et al. 2005 Conf Proc
IEEE, Eng Med Biol Soc 4:
4271e4274 [11]
STZ-adult type 1 diabetes,
fasted
4 or 20 Hz, 50 mA/day,
30 min 4 wk, right leg
acupoints
ST36, SP9 No change
Chang et al. 2005 Neurosci
Lett 379: 69e73 [12]
STZ-adult type 1 diabetes,
fasted
2 Hz, 30 min, leg
acupoints
ST36 No change
Chang et al. 1999 Diabetol
42: 250e255 [1]
Adult genetic type 1
diabetes, not reported as
being fasted
15 Hz, 10 mA, 30 min,
body acupoint
(abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) No change
Chang et al. 1999 Diabetol
42: 250e255 [1]
STZ-adult type 1 diabetes,
not reported as being fasted
15 Hz, 10 mA, 30 min,
body acupoint
(abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) No change
Type 2 diabetes
Pai et al. 2009 J Acupunct
Meridian Stud 2:
147e151 [6]
STZ-neonatal
type 2 diabetes, fasted for
12 h
15 Hz, 10 mA, 30 min, leg
acupoints
ST36 Decreased Increased
Ishizaki et al. 2009
Metab Clin Exp 58:
1372e1378 [7]
Adult genetic
type 2 diabetes, fasted for
12e20 h
15 Hz, 10 mA, 90 min,
body acupoint
(abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) Decreased Increased
Chang et al. 1999 Diabetol
42: 250e255 [1]
STZ-neonatal
type 2 diabetes, not
reported as being fasted
15 Hz, 10 mA, 30 min,
body acupoint
(abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) Decreased Increased
EA Zelectroacupuncture; STZ Zstreptozotocin.
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Table 4 Acupoints used in studies of normal rats treated by electroacupuncture.
Normal (nondiabetic)
Authors, reference Experimental animals EA parameters Acupoints Measured outcomes of treatment
Blood glucose Blood insulin Blood b-endorphin
Pai et al. 2009 J Acupunct
Meridian Stud 2:
147e151 [6]
Adult normal, fasted
for 12 h
15 Hz, 10 mA, 30 min, leg
acupoints
ST36 Decreased Increased
Chang et al. 2006 Life Sci 79:
967e971 [9]
Adult normal, fasted
for 12 h
15 Hz, 30 and 60 min,
leg acupoints
ST36 Decreased; plasma
glucose decreased
from 15 to 90 min
in animals
undergoing iv GTT
No change; no
increase in
animals
undergoing iv GTT
Tseng et al. 2005 Am J Chin
Med 33: 767e778 [10]
Adult normal, fasted
for 12 h
2 Hz 30 min, then after
90 min, 2Hz, 30 min
(n Z2), 100 Hz, 30 min
(n Z2), leg acupoints
ST36 Decreased
Lin et al. 2005 Conf Proc IEEE,
Eng Med Biol Soc 4: 4271
e4274 [11]
Adult normal, not
reported as being
fasted
4 or 20 Hz 50 mA/day,
30 min, 4 wk, right leg
acupoints
ST36, SP9 No change
Chang et al. 2005 Neurosci
Lett 379: 69e73 [12]
Adult normal, non-
fasted and fasted
2 Hz Hz, 30 min, leg
acupoints
ST36 Decreased in non-
fasting and fasting
state
Increased in fasting
state
Lin et al. 2004 Neurosci Lett
366: 39e42 [13]
Adult normal, (sham)
fasted 12 h
15 Hz, 30 min, body
acupoint (abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) Decreased
Lin et al. 2002 Neurosci Lett
326: 17e20 [2]
Adult normal, (sham)
fasted
2 Hz, 30 min, body
acupoint (abdomen)
Zhongwan (CV12) Decreased Increased Increased
Ikeda et al. 1991 Acupunct
Electro-Ther Res 16:
127e134 [16]
Adult normal, not
reported as being
fasted
50 Hz, 5 V, 10 min, body
acupoint (abdomen)
Chuin Right sides
of middle
abdomen, 6 other
abdominal
acupoints
Increased,
Increased, No
change
GTT Zglucose tolerance test.
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9
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