Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on the expression of muscle-specific ring finger protein 1(MuRF1/Trim63)

F-box only protein 32(Fbxo32)

myosin heavy chain-IIa(Myh2)

myosin heavy chain-IIb(Myh4)and myosin heavy chain-I(Myh7)in diabetes rats. Methods Thirty-six male Wistar rats were equally randomized into control

model and EA groups. The diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 0. 1%Streptozocin(STZ)solution(50 mg/kg). After that

EA(2 Hz

1 mA)was applied to bilateral"Zusanli"(ST36)

"Yinlingquan"(SP9)and"Shenshu"(BL23)for 10 min

once a day

6 times a week for 2 weeks. The fasting blood glucose(FBG)and fasting serum insulin(FINS)contents were assayed by using ELISA

and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated. The body weight

and wet weight of bilateral gastrocnemius muscles were measured. The cross-sectional area(CSA) of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured after H. E. staining. The expression of MuRF1

Fbxo32

Myh2

Myh4 and Myh7 mRNAs in the gastrocnemius tissue was tested using quantitative real time-PCR. Results Compared with the control group

the FBG and HOMA-IR were significantly higher(P<0. 05)

and the FINS

body weight were significantly lower(P<0. 05)after intravenous injection of STZ for 1

2

3

4

5 weeks respectively. Following EA treatment and compared with the model group

the FBG and HOMA-IR were significantly down-regulated(P<0. 05)

and the FINS and body weight were considerably increased(P<0. 05). Following modeling and compared with the control group

the wet weight of gastrocnemius muscle

CSA

and expression levels of Myh2

Myh4 and Myh7 mRNAs were obviously decreased

and the expression of MuRF1 and Fbxo32 mRNA was obviously increased in the model group(P<0. 05). After EA treatment

the gastrocnemius muscle wet weight

CSA

expression levels of Myh2

Myh4 and Myh7 mRNA were significantly up-regulated(P< 0. 05)

and the expression levels of MuRF1 and Fbxo32 mRNA were markedly down-regulated in comparison with those of the model group(P<0. 05).Conclusion EA treatment can delay the atrophy of gastrocnemius muscle(skeletal muscle)in diabetes rats possibly by improving the degradation of myosin heavy chain via regulating the expression of muscular MuRF1

Fbxo32

Myh2

Myh4 and Myh7 mRNAs.