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The modulative effects of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation on diabetic mice
Wen-Ching Huang1, Wen-Chieh Chang2, Yi-Ju Hsu1
1Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 33301, Taiwan, Republic of China.
The Chinese Journal of Physiology
|January 6, 2017
Summary
Microcurrent electrical nerve stimulator (MENS) shows promise as an alternative diabetes treatment. This therapy significantly improved blood sugar control and reduced diabetic complications in mice without apparent side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Endocrinology
- Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern with severe complications.
- Current diabetes treatments have limitations, and research into novel therapeutic approaches is ongoing.
- Limited studies exist on the efficacy of electrical stimulation for diabetes management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulator (MENS) for diabetes modulation.
- To assess MENS as an alternative or supportive therapy for diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A diabetes animal model was established in 6-week-old male ICR mice using streptozotocin (STZ).
- Mice were divided into four groups: Control, MENS only, Diabetes Mellitus (DM), and DM with MENS.
- Treatments lasted 8 weeks, with assessments including body weight, diet, blood glucose, biochemistry, and histopathology.
Main Results:
- MENS intervention significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels in the DM+MENS group by up to 50.82% compared to the DM group (P < 0.0001).
- Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) showed similar significant improvements.
- MENS ameliorated diabetic symptoms (polydipsia, polyphagia) and improved biochemical markers (HbA1c, hyperinsulinemia, liver/kidney function) and histological damage in key organs.
Conclusions:
- Microcurrent electrical nerve stimulator (MENS) administration significantly improves blood sugar homeostasis, diabetic symptoms, and tissue damage in a diabetes animal model.
- MENS demonstrated no obvious adverse side effects in the assessed health conditions.
- MENS shows potential as an alternative medicine or supportive therapy for future diabetes therapeutics.
