Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2026

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Mouse Electroacupuncture Fixation Device Fabrication for Electroacupuncture Pretreatment in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model

Published on: April 18, 2025

Electroacupuncture enables semaglutide dose sparing in type 2 diabetes by boosting drug concentration and suppressing

Xinyi Yang¹, Jiayue Wu¹, Bing Gao¹

¹Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Endocrinology

|September 10, 2026

Abstract

Purpose:

Semaglutide is effective for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but limited by dose-dependent gastrointestinal adverse effects. As electroacupuncture (EA) possesses glucose-lowering effects, this study investigates the therapeutic potential and mechanism of combining EA with semaglutide to facilitate dose reduction while maintaining efficacy.

Methods:

Male db/db mice were divided into: the model group(T2DM), the high/normal/low-dose semaglutide group (SH, SN, SL), the normal/low-dose semaglutide + EA at ST25 group (ST25N, ST25L), and the EA at ST25 group (ST25). The db/m mice served as the control group (CON). Blood glucose regulation was assessed via random/fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To evaluate glycemic control and lipid profiles, HbA1c and insulin levels were quantified via ELISA, and T-CHO, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C via biochemical kits. GLP-1R expression and β-cell abundance were assessed by immunofluorescence, and pancreatic apoptosis by TUNEL staining. PKA, pPKA, Bcl-2, Bax, and GLP-1R were analyzed by Western blot. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were separated into 2 groups: the normal-dose semaglutide rats group (RSN) and the normal-dose semaglutide + EA at ST25 rats group (RST25N). LC-MS/MS was employed to measure the concentrations of semaglutide in the plasma and pancreas, thereby evaluating the influence of EA.

Results:

EA enhances the effects of semaglutide on improving glycemic control and lipid metabolism, with significant reductions in random/fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, TCHO, TG and LDL-C levels, improvements in OGTT, insulin and HDL-C levels, and longer duration of controlled blood glucose within the target range, Furthermore, EA combined with semaglutide showed a marked increase in pancreatic β-cells, with the increased expression of pancreatic GLP-1R, PKA, pPKA and Bcl-2, the reduced expression of Bax, increased concentration of semaglutide in plasma and pancreas.

Conclusion:

EA combined with normal- or low-dose semaglutide achieved glycemic control comparable to, or even better than, high-dose semaglutide alone, and its mechanism may be related to its enhancement of GLP-1R to inhibit β-cell apoptosis and the increased concentration of semaglutide in plasma and pancreas. EA thus has great potential to reduce the dose of semaglutide to alleviate its side effects while ensuring its clinical efficacy.

Keywords:

electroacupuncture glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor pancreatic β-cell semaglutide type 2 diabetes mellitus

Related Concept Videos

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a significant...

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood glucose levels...

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively manages...

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Solution-solid-solid mechanism: superionic conductors catalyze nanowire growth.

Nano letters·2013

Depending on the stage of hepatosteatosis, p53 causes apoptosis primarily through either DRAM-induced autophagy or BAX.

Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver·2013

Low-voltage switching of crease patterns on hydrogel surfaces.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2013

Long non-coding RNAs and prostate cancer.

Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology·2013

Self-assembled graphene quantum dots induced by cytochrome c: a novel biosensor for trypsin with remarkable fluorescence enhancement.

Nanoscale·2013

Relationship between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (5,10-MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and response to chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

Onkologie·2013

See all related articles