Objective To observe the effect of acupoint-catgut-embedding therapy on blood lipid and insulin levels in typeⅡ diabetes mellitus rats

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of pancreatic functions.Methods Thirty SD rats were divided into normal

model and treatment group.The typeⅡ diabetes model was established by feeding the rats with high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).Catgut-embedment was performed in acupoint"Zhongwan"(CV 12)-"Xiawan"(CV 10)

"Yishu"-"Ganshu"(BL 18)

etc.

once every 20 days

twice altogether.Fasting blood glucose(FBG)content was assayed by glucose oxidase method;glycosylated hemoglobin A 1c(HbA 1c)assayed by ELISA

and serum fasting C-peptide(FC-p)determined by chemiluminescence method;and the triglyceride(TG)

total cholesterol(TC)

and serum insulin(INS)levels were detected by enzymatic method

separately.The rat's pancreas tissues were fixed with 4%paraformaldehyde and cut into sections(4μm in thickness)and stained with H.E.method.Results After modeling

the levels of FBG

HbA 1c

INS and FC-p

TG

TC were significantly increased in the model group in comparison with those of the normal group(P<0.05)

while INS sensitive index was apparently decreased in the model group(P<0.05).Following catgut-embedding treatment

changes of the above-mentioned indexes were all remarkably reversed(P<0.05)

and H.E.staining showed an improvement of the injured pancreatic tissue and islet cells.Conclusion Catgut-embedding therapy can reduce fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance

and improve lipid metabolism in typeⅡ diabetic rats

which may contribute to its effect in protecting pancreatic islet cells.