The aim of this study is to screen the possible effective intracellular signaling pathways of EA on bilateral Zusanli acupoint (ST36) by DNA microarray in rats with diabetes. Streptozotocin (STZ) rats with diabetes were randomly assigned to the experimental (EA) group or the control (non-EA) group. The exploratory methods for analysis in this study were the following points: (i) detecting plasma glucose levels (ii) pathway analysis by DNA microarray in rats' gastrocnemius muscle. The pathway analysis of DNA microarray showed that the insulin signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway or Wnt signal pathway might be related to the hypoglycemic effect of STZ rats with diabetes induced by EA. Using DNA microarray would be helpful in screening the possible targets of signaling pathways. The hypoglycemic effect of EA was close relative to insulin and relative intracellular signal pathways. Further research will be required to determine the details of the intracellular signaling pathways of the hypoglycemic effect induced by EA.

MAPK, PPAR, Wnt