Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on cAMP and cGMP contents of the sciatic nerve in diabetes rats.

Methods: 33 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=l3), diabetes model group (n=9) and acupuncture +model group (n=12). Rats of the lateral two groups were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotoxin (STZ, 60mghg) for establishing diabetes model. 48 hours later, if the blood glucose concentration was higher than l6.7mmoll, the diabetes model was considered as success. In acupuncture +model group, "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), "Shenshu" (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated with an electroacupuncture therapeutic apparatus for 20min, once every other day. After 3 months' treatment, the sciatic nerve samples of the 3 groups were taken out for cAMP and cGMP detection.

Results: In comparison with the normal control group, the concentration of cAMP and cGMP in the sciatic nerve of the diabetes model group was significant1y lower (P<0.0l). While there was no significant difference between acupuncture + model group and normal contro1 group in cAMP and cGMP contents, suggesting an up-regulation action of acupuncture on sciatic nerve cAMP and cGMP level in diabetes rats.

Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment could prevent the decrease of cAMP and cGMP level of sciatic nerve in diabetes rats.

　　Wangxin, Wang Hongcai, Tian Dequan, Chen Dingsheng & Zhu Lixia.
　　Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of TCM, Beijing l00700, China.