Investigation of the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in a rat model with type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Electro-acupuncture (EA) on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in a rats as a model of Type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducting on a total of 35 male Spurge-Dawley rats in 5 groups and 7 rats in each group. Groups ; Normal feed control group(NY): This group was feeding on the normal feed throughout the experiment. High-fat group(YY): This group fed on high-fat feed only during the experiment. Normal feed + electro-acupuncture (N+EA): Normal feed and 10 sessions of EA applied on this group during the experiment. Diabetes (DM)group: This group was feeding a high-fat diet during the first 4 weeks of the experiment and then diabetes was induced with 40 mg/kg Streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetes + electro-acupuncture group (DM+EA); This group fed a high-fat diet for the first 4 weeks of the experiment and then with 40 mg/kg STZ, electro-acupuncture on the Zusanli acupuncture points on the leg (ST. 36) within 4 weeks after diabetes was establishing, every three days each session at 15 Hz 30 minutes. was applied as Before starting the experiment, in the week when the diabetes model was created, in the first week after electro-acupuncture and at the end of the experiment, the weights of the rats were taking and their blood glucose measured. After the experiment was completing, the animals euthanized and taking intracardiac blood samples under anesthesia. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the plasma of blood samples. RESULTS: When the body weights (VA3) measured at the end of the first week after starting treatment with electro-acupuncture were compared; A significant difference was found between the DM and DM+EA groups (p=0.000 and p=0.001, respectively) when compared to the NY group. When the body weights measured at the end of the experiment were compared (VA4), there was no statistical significance between the DM and DM+EA groups when compared with the NY group, and statistical significance was found between the DM group compared to the NY group only (p=0.006). After STZ injection, blood glucose level (K) increased, showing a statistically significant difference in DM and DM+EA groups when compared to YY, NY and N+EA groups (p<0.05, p<0.001). When the fasting blood glucose levels of the groups at the end of the experiment were compared (K4), blood glucose levels decreased in the DM group, and it found that there are a statistically significant difference compared to the NY, YY and N+EA groups (p=0.003, p=0.005, p=0.003, respectively). However, there are no statistically significant difference between DM and DM + EA group compared to NY. A statistically significant difference was founding between the groups when comparing the mean of TAS levels, between DM and DM + EA, between DM + EA and NY, and between DM and YY. It was observed that the mean values in the DM+EA group higher than the values in the DM group and NY group. No statistically differences were found between N+ EA and NY in the mean values of TAS. There are no significant difference between the groups in TOS mean values. The observation of Statistical difference was observing between DM+EA and DM, DM+EA and NY and DM and YY mean values of OSI. OSI mean value is lower in the DM+EA group than in DM and NY. No significant difference was found in the mean values (MDA). CONCLUSION: Although electro-acupuncture applications lowered blood glucose in Type 2 DM rats, they did not produce sufficient hypoglycemic effects. However, our application results showed a positive effect on the total Antioxidant level. Keywords: Diabetes, Electro-acupuncture, Hyperglycemia, Oxidative Stress