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=13), diabetes model group (n=9) and acupuncture +model group (n=12). Rats of the lateral two groups were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotoxin (STZ, 60 mg/kg) for establishing diabetes model. 48 hours later, if the blood glucose concentration was higher than 16.7 mmol/L, the diabetes model was considered as success. In acupuncture +model group, “Sanyinjia o" (SP 6), “Shenshu" (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated with an electroacupuncture therapeutic apparatus for 20 min, 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 mod el group was significantly lower (P<0.01). While there was no significant difference between acupuncture + model group and normal control group in cAMP and cGMP contents, suggesting an up-regulation action of acupuncture on sciatic nerve c A MP and cGMP level in diabetes rats. Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment could prevent the decrease of cAMP and cGMP level of sciatic nerve in diabetes rats.

By Wang Xin, etc,.