Electroacupuncture improved diet-induced insulin resistance by restoring muscle energy-regulation signalling and metabolic hormone balance, producing effects similar to pioglitazone.
Male rats were assigned to a standard diet control group, a high-fat diet group, or high-fat diet groups treated with either pioglitazone or electroacupuncture. Electroacupuncture was delivered through needles placed at Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupuncture points. Researchers measured fasting blood glucose, insulin, adiponectin, blood lipids, and indicators of insulin sensitivity, while skeletal muscle samples were analysed for adiponectin receptor, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase proteins.
A high-fat diet worsened blood glucose regulation, increased insulin resistance, reduced adiponectin and insulin sensitivity, and disrupted muscle metabolic signalling. Both electroacupuncture and pioglitazone reversed these changes, restoring adiponectin receptor and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase while reducing acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase. These findings suggest electroacupuncture may enhance insulin sensitivity through regulation of skeletal muscle energy metabolism.
