Objective To investigate the protective effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at “Zusanli”(ST36)and “Weiwanxiashu”(EX-B3) on capillary function around the renal tubule and renal tubule structure in diabetic mice based on two-photon microscopy(TPM) imaging

so as to providing visualizable evidence for the regulatory effect of EA on diabetic renal vascular microcirculation. Methods Spontaneous type Ⅱ diabetes mellitus mice(db/db) were employed for this study. Twenty db/db mice were randomly divided into model group(n=10) and EA group(n=10)

and 10 db/m mice used as the control group. EA was applied to bilateral ST36 and EX-B3 for 20 min/time

6 times a week for 6 weeks. The body weight was recorded and the fasting blood glucose measured before and after the intervention. The urine production and water consumption of mice in each cage were recorded after EA. The renal in vivo imaging method based on TPM was established to display the morphological structure of renal tubules

and the mouse renal blood flow velocity was detected by injecting 500 kDa dextran-fluorescein into femoral vein after the intervention. Results Compared with the control group

the proportion of mice with decreased body mass in the model group was increased

accounting for 40%

while that in the control group was 0%; and fasting blood glucose

urine production and water consumption were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.001

P<0.000 1). A renal in vivo imaging method based on TPM was successfully established

which can be applied to quantitatively analyze the renal blood flow and renal tubular diameter of mice. Based on this method

the results showed that compared with the control group

the blood flow velocity of peritubular capillary in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.000 1

P<0.001)

renal tubular cells were slightly exfoliated and the diameter of renal tubular was significantly increased(P<0.000 1). Compared with the model group

EA reduced the body weight loss ratio from 40% to 0%

and significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose

urine production and water consumption(P<0.01

P<0.000 1

P<0.001)

and the blood flow velocity of peritubular capillary in the EA group was significantly increased(P<0.001

P<0.05) and tubule dilatation significantly alleviated(P<0.0 1). Conclusion EA at ST36 and EX-B3 can ameliorate renal vascular microcirculation disorder to relieve the renal structure damage and improve renal function in diabetes mice.