抄録
We have shown in anesthetized rats that electro-acupuncture (EA) stimulation of the hindlimb, with an intensity sufficient to excite group III and IV afferents, increases hepatic glucose output(HGO). Since EA stimulation increases, almost in parallel, both HGO and plasma concentration of glucose, it appears likely that the increases of HGO result in elevation of plasma glucose. In the present study, responses of HGO and plasma glucose to EA stimulation of the hindlimb, with an intensity sufficient to excite group II afferents, were investigated in anaesthetised rats. HGO was measured with a microdialysis probe implanted into the left lateral lobe of the liver. Stainless steel needles with a diameter of 0.25 mm were inserted into the right tibialis anterior muscle and connected to an electrical stimulator. The EA stimulation was delivered for 10 min at 0.5 mA, 20 Hz. The EA stimulation with 0.5 mA had no significant changes in HGO. On the other hand, the same EA stimulation elicited increases in plasma glucose. The present results demonstrate that EA stimulation of the hindlimb with low intensity can increase plasma glucose level without increases of HGO, suggesting that the stimulation inhibits glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S195 (2004)]
