Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) pretreatment on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in mice with hyperglycemia

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying protecting the kidney from hyperglycemia-induced injury. Methods Eighty male C57 BL/6 mice were equally and randomly divided into control

model

EA and sham EA groups. The hyperglycemia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin(STZ

50 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

) for 5 consecutive days. Before modeling

EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

0.3-0.5 mA) was applied to bilateral “Zusanli”(ST36) and “Shenshu”(BL23) for 30 min

once daily for 7 days

while mice in the sham EA group were treated with the same acupoints but without electrical stimulation. The blood glucose values were measured after fasting for 6 hours after 3 days of modeling. The degree of renal tissue injury was observed by microscope after H.E. staining

and the apoptosis level of renal tubular epithelial cells observed by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of transient receptor potential channel 6(TRPC6) and related apoptotic proteins Caspase-3

Bax and Bcl-2 in the renal tissue were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry

separately. Results Compared with the control group

the blood glucose content and the expression levels of TRPC6

Caspase-3 and Bax proteins

as well as the level of the renal apoptotic cells were significantly increased(P

<

0.001

P

<

0.000 1)

while the expression level of Bcl-2 protein and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were remarkably decreased in the model group(P

<

0.000 1). In comparison with the model and sham EA groups

the blood glucose content

percentage of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of TRPC6

Caspase-3 and Bax were significantly decreased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.000 1

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001)

and the expression level of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were apparently increased in the EA group(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05

P

<

0.001). HE statin showed abnormal dilation of the capillary lumen and disappearance of the proximal tubules in the model group

which was relatively milder in the EA group. Conclusion EA pretreatment can lower blood glucose level and reduce renal apoptosis in hyperglycemia mice

which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of TRPC6 and Caspase-3 and up-regulating the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax.