Efeito da acupuntura e da eletro acupuntura sobre a glicemia lactacemia e as concentrações de lactato no fígado e rim de ratos sadios

Abstract

Acupuncture (Ac) and electroacupuncture (EAc) have been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of various diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recommends the use of acupoints Zusanli (E-36) and Zhongwan (RM-12) for relief of symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Ac and EAc stimulation may release some endogenous opioids, including - endorphins, enhancing insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ac and EAc on acupoints ST-36 and RM-12 on glycemia, lactacemia and liver and kidneys lactate concentrations in healthy rats. In this study, 48 rats were divided into 4 groups (baseline [GVB] , Ac, EAc10Hz and EAc100Hz) and subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the time of samples collection (T-30, immediately after the end of the session or Ac or EAc and T-60: 30 minutes after the end of the session). All rats were anesthetized and experimental groups (Ac, EAc10Hz and EAc100Hz) were submitted respectively to the EAc and Ac (10 Hz and 100 Hz) on acupoints ST-36 and RM-12 for 30 minutes. Glucose, lactate and LDH were assayed in the blood. Tissue lactate concentration was assayed in liver and kidney of rats at T-30 and T-60 timepoints. Stimulation of acupoints ST-36 and RM-12 by EAc 10Hz significantly reduced blood glucose levels in healthy rats, at the end of electrical stimulation (190.80 ± 24.88 vs. 138.50 ± 21.09, p> 0.001) and 30 minutes later (186.30 ± 23.76 vs. 134.10 ± 25.65 , p> 0.001). Using a frequency 10 times higher (100Hz) similar results were obtained (T-30, 186.30 ± 23.76 vs. 99.17 ± 8.79, p> 0.001, and T-60, 190.80 ± 24.88 vs. 113.40 ± 7.37, p> 0.001). Ac stimulation did not significantly alter blood glucose. There was also a significant reduction in the concentrations of LDH immediately after the acupuncture session and 30 minutes later, both in animals subjected to Ac (T-30, 518.20 ± 43.31 vs. 354.80 ± 44.66, p <0.001, T-60, 637.80 ± 61.01 vs. 325.70 ± 10.54, p <0.001) and EAc (10Hz: T-30, 518.20 ± 43.31 vs. 286.50 ± 59.86, p <0.001, T-60, 637.80 ± 61.01 vs 268.80 ± 43.51, p <0.001 and 100Hz: T-30, 518.20 ± 43.31 vs. 213, 80 ± 24.85, p <0.001, T- 60, 637.80 ± 61.01 vs 188.20 ± 24.00, p <0.001), suggesting a lower anaerobic metabolism. In this study, a significant decrease in serum lactate 30 minutes after the start of the study in rats subjected to EAc 100 Hz suggests the prevalence of aerobic glycolysis (2.10 ± 0.23 vs. 1.19 ± 1.02, p < 0.001). Similar result was observed in the levels of lactate in the liver (T-60, 10 Hz: 1.92 ± 0.42 vs. 0.69 ± 0.29, p <0.001 and 100 Hz: 1.92 ± 0.42 vs. 0.44 ± 0.21, p <0.001) and kidney (T-30, 100 Hz: 1.86 ± 0.87 vs. 0.91 ± 0.38, p <0.05). The results of this study show that the Ac and EAc, can reduce the concentrations of blood glucose in hyperglycemic animals. Higher frequencies have greater hypoglycemic effect. The reduction of blood glucose should be a consequence of the action of endogenous opioids and - endorphin, as suggested in previous studies. The mechanism of reduction of lactate and LDH appears to be related to a prevalence of aerobic glycolysis.