Hypoglycemic Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined with Antrodia cinnamomea in Dexamethasone-Induced Insulin-Resistant Rats

Abstract

Objective: Antrodia cinnamomea (AC), a medicinal mushroom indigenous to Taiwan, exerts various pharmacologic activities. This study compared and evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of treatment with electroacupuncture (EA) combined with AC in steroid-induced insulin-resistant (SIIR) rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into saline, EA, AC, AC+EA, and rosiglitazone (TZD) groups. Plasma-glucose levels were measured in serial blood samples and compared before and after treatment in each group. The levels of signaling proteins-glucose transporter 4, (GLUT4), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-were analyzed by Western blotting to explore their mechanisms of action. Results: The AC+EA group had reduced plasma-glucose levels at 30 and 60 minutes in SIIR rats, compared to normal rats, and this was better than the EA, AC, and TZD groups at 60 minutes. Furthermore, the signaling protein (GLUT4, PI3-K, and AMPK) levels were increased significantly. Conclusions: These findings showed improved hypoglycemic activity and insulin resistance after EA combined with AC treatment. Therefore, the combined therapy might be a more-effective method than the individual therapies that elevates the expression of the signal proteins, as observed in this study.

Figures

FIG. 1.

Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments…

FIG. 1.

Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments in Wistar rats. The saline group was administered…

FIG. 1. Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments in Wistar rats. The saline group was administered normal saline. In the Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) group, Wistar rats were administered oral AC extract (500 mg/kg). The electroacupuncture (EA) group received normal saline and EA at ST 36 (15 Hz/10 mA). The AC+EA group received AC and EA as previously scheduled. The TZD (rosiglitazone) group was administered 0.1 mg/kg of oral rosiglitazone. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance, a > b > c; A > B > C; P < 0.05. min, minutes.

FIG. 2.

Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments…

FIG. 2.

Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments in steroid-induced insulin-resistant (SIIR) rats. The saline group…

FIG. 2. Hypoglycemic activity of different treatments in steroid-induced insulin-resistant (SIIR) rats. The saline group was administered normal saline. In the Antrodia cinnamomea (AC) group, Wistar rats were administered oral AC extract (500 mg/kg). The electroacupuncture (EA) group received normal saline and EA at ST 36 (15 Hz/10 mA). The AC+EA group received AC and EA as previously scheduled. The TZD (rosiglitazone) group was administered oral rosiglitazone (0.1 mg/kg). Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance, a > b > c; A > B > C; P < 0.05. min, minutes.

FIG. 3.

The impact of electroacupuncture (EA)…

FIG. 3.

The impact of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Antrodia cinnamomea (AC; 500 mg/kg) on…

FIG. 3. The impact of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Antrodia cinnamomea (AC; 500 mg/kg) on the signaling proteins of steroid-induced insulin-resistant (SIIR) rats. (A) the expression levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). (B) the expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K), (C) the expression levels of 5' adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK). In the saline group, Wistar rats were administered normal saline. In the AC group, Wistar rats were administered oral AC extract (500 mg/kg). The EA group received normal saline and EA at ST 36 (15 Hz/10 mA). The AC+EA group received AC and EA as previously scheduled. The TZD (rosiglitazone) group received rosiglitazone (0.1 mg/kg); *P < 0.05 versus saline. A Student's t-test was used to perform group analysis.