Objective To observe the effect of"Shuanggu Yitong"(Double-reinforcing and one-unblocking)needling[electroacupuncture(EA)of"Guanyuan"(CV 4)

"Housanli"(ST 36)

"Fenglong"(ST 40)and"Zhongwan"(CV 12)]on expression of hypothalamic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI 3K)and p-PI 3Kproteins in insulin resistance rats.Methods Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into normal control

model

EA prevention

EA

cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)

and Wortmannin(PI 3K antagonist)groups(n=10rats/group).Insulin resistance model was established by feeding the animal with high fat forage continuously for 8weeks.For rats of the EA group

EA(2Hz

1mA)was applied to ipsilateral"Housanli"(ST 36)-"Fenglong"(ST40)

and"Guanyuan"(CV 4)-"Zhongwan"(CV 12)for 15min

once daily

5times a week and for 8weeks

beginning after modeling.For rats of the EA prevention group

EA was conducted simultaneously with the modeling.For rats of the Wortmannin group and CSF group

cerebroventricular microinjection of Wortmannin(50nmol/L

3mg/kg)or artificial CSF was given through an implanted steel cannel.Fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and fasting serum insulin(FINS)contents were assayed using glucosetested instrument and ELISA respectively

insulin activity index(IAI)was calculated[IAI=Ln(1/FPG×FINS)]

and the expression of hypothalamic PI 3Kand p-PI 3Kproteins was detected by Western blot.Results In comparison with the normal control group

the body weight(BW)

FPG and FINS contents at time-points of 8and 16weeks were considerably increased(P<0.01)

and IAI

hypothalamic PI 3Kp 110and p-PI 3Kp 110protein expression levels were obviously decreased in the model group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

the FPG and FINS contents at the 8th week after modeling in the EA prevention group

the BW and FPG levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention

EA and CSF groups

FINS levels at the 16th week in the EA prevention and EA groups were remarkably decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

IAI

and hypothalamic PI 3Kp 110 and pPI 3Kp 110protein expression levels were significantly up-regulated in the EA prevention

EA and CSF groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).No significant differences were found among the EA prevention

EA and CSF groups

and between the model and Wortmannin groups in the BW

FPG

FINS

IAI and hypothalamic PI 3Kp 110and p-PI 3Kp 110expression levels(P>0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can reduce insulin resistance by suppressing the increase of body weight

blood glucose and insulin contents

and increasing hypothalamic PI 3Kexpression levels in insulin resistance rats.